Stephanacris draconius, Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2006

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2006, Stephanacridini Günther, 1953, with the descriptions of a new genus and three new species of Stephanacris Redtenbacher, 1908 (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”), Zootaxa 1283, pp. 1-24 : 13-16

Stephanacris draconius n. sp.

Figs. 1–4 , 17, 19

HT, Ψ: Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highland Province, Okapa, VI.2001 (ZSMC, ex coll. FH). PT, Ψ: Papua New Guinea, Morobe Provinz, Menyamya VII. 2001 (coll. OC). PT, 1 egg (removed from ovipositor of HT): Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highland Province,

Okapa, VI. 2001 (ZSMC, ex coll. FH).

Etymology

The specific name “ draconius ” (lat. = dragon) refers to the striking dragon­like resemblance of ΨΨ, especially if the wings are spread.

Differentiation

Easily distinguished from S. brevipes Redtenbacher, 1908 and S. globiceps Redtenbacher, 1908 by the larger size and more massive body; elongate head; flat and unarmed vertex; distinctly broadened mesothorax; considerably longer alae which project over abdominal tergite II; much longer subgenital plate and prominently lobed probasitarsus.

Very similar and closely related to S. multilobatus n. sp. but differing by: the slightly broader body; more prominently broadened mesothorax; much smaller and less numerous spines of the mesonotum; slightly longer alae which reach half way along tergite III; lack of the posterolateral lobes of abdominal tergites II–VII; more prominent armature of the legs; more prominently lobed probasitarsus and relatively shorter basitarsi. The eggs differ from those of S. multilobatus n. sp. by the considerably larger capitulum and differently shaped micropylar plate.

Description

Females ( Fig. 17 ). Very large (body length 158.3–160.0 mm, incl. subgenital plate 182.5–185.0 mm) and massive species for the genus (body width at abdominal tergite IV 9.0–10.0 mm) with a very prominently broadened mesothorax (maximum width 14.0–16.0 mm), well developed alae (31.0–36.0 mm) and remarkably long, spatulate subgenital plate (37.0– 40.8 mm). General colouration of body and legs yellowish mid­brown, the leg armature slightly darker brown. Bases and ventral surfaces of all basitarsi pale orange. Antennae black ventrally. Tegmina and costal region of alae of same colour as body with darker brown veins. Anal region of alae a plain and shiny black, the transverse veins dark grey.

Head: Sub­oval, very gently narrowing towards the posterior and about 1.5x longer than wide. Vertex with a faint, slightly impressed coronal line and some indistinct, impressed longitudinal lateral lines. Front of head with four blunt spines, two on a common base between the eyes, and one just behind each eye. Eyes small, circular and hemispherical; dark brown. Antennae longer than head and prontum combined (Broken in both specimens). Scapus dorsoventrally compressed, parallel­sided and about 2.5x longer than wide. Pedicellus cylindrical, less than half the length of scapus. Third antennomere almost 2x longer than pedicellus. All antennomeres sparingly bristled.

Thorax: Pronotum about as long as, but slightly narrower than the head, rectangular. Transverse median depression distinctly impressed, straight but not reaching lateral margins of segment. Each anterolateral angle with a rounded impression. Mesothorax about 3.5x longer than pronotum, constricted at the anterior, prominently swollen premedially and slightly narrowed in posterior half. Mesonotum with a faint median line and in anterior half set with several tubercles or minute spines. Along lateral margins with a row of about 10 minute spines. Mesopleurae with a longitudinal row of 6–8 minute tubercles, metapleurae with 5 spines close to posterior margin. Meso­ and metasternum sparingly tuberculate. Metanotum roughly quadrate. Tegmina oval with a faint central hump and slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum. Alae reaching 2/3 the way along abdominal segment III.

Abdomen: Median segment 1.3x longer than metanotum, rectangular. Segments II–VI of uniform width and slightly increasing in length: II 1.3x, V 1.5x longer than wide. VII as long as V, parallel­sided but considerably narrower than II–VI, more than 2x longer than wide. All tergites with a faint and irregular longitudinal carinae (most distinct on VIII–X). V posteriorly with four prominent, diverging and irregularly dentate crest­like carinae. Sternites smooth. Praeopercular organ formed by a slightly glabrous, posteriorly notched median hump near the posterior margin of sternite VII. Tergite VIII less than half the length of VII, slightly longer than wide and gently widening towards the posterior. Posterolateral angle elevated into a slender lobe, which projects over posterior margin of segment. Tergite IX three quarters the length of VIII, slightly wider than long, and laterally elevated into a prominent, rounded lobe. Anal segment slightly longer than IX, medially carinate and with a prominent, roughly triangular lateral lobe. Posterior margin with a very faint median indention. Supraanal plate transverse, with a distinct median carina and projecting over anal segment. Cerci cylindrical, incurving and tapered towards a pointed tip. Gonapophyses very elongate, filiform, broadened at the apex and projecting over abdomen by about combined length of tergites VIII–X. Subgenital plate very long and projecting over apex of abdomen by combined length of tergites VII–IX, Basal section strongly keeled and boat like, then parallel­sided and gradually flattened towards the apex; spatulate. Apex with two indentions ( Fig. 2 ).

Legs: All rather short, strong and heavily armed with various teeth and lobes. Profemora as long as mesonotum, metatibiae reaching posterior of abdominal segment V. Profemora compressed and curved basally, almost triangular in cross­section, posterodorsal carina strongly reduced and lower than anterodorsal carina. The first with 10–14 minute, irregularly grouped teeth, the latter with 7–8 large, triangular serrations. Posteroventral carina sub­apically elevated into a large, dentate lobe, which extends by almost the complete width of femur; otherwise with 13–14 teeth which decrease in size towards base of femur ( Fig. 3 ). Anteroventral carina unarmed. Medioventral carina distinct and armed with a longitudinal row of 10–14 spines. Protibiae triangular in crosssection, dorsal carinae almost melted with another and dividing just before the apex of tibia; all carinae elevated. Medioventral carina strongly displaced towards anteroventral carina, both unarmed. Dorsal carina gently rounded and roughly dentate sub­basally, forming a distinct triangular apical tooth. Posteroventral carina dentate and apically elevated into a large, rounded and dentate lobe ( Fig. 4 ). Meso­ and metafemora trapezoidal in cross­section and irregularly dentate, posterodorsal as well as antero­ and posteroventral carinae with a prominent, triangular and dentate sub­apical lobe. Ventral carinae with two slightly larger teeth about 1/3 off the base of femur. Medioventral carina a distinctly raised bulge, armed with a longitudinal row of 6–8 pointed spines. Meso­ and metatibiae triangular in cross­section, dorsal carinae almost melted with one another and diverging just before apex of tibia. All carinae elevated. The dorsal carinae rounded and dentate subbasally and with 2–3 prominent, triangular apical teeth. Ventral carinae rounded subbasally and sub­apically; the elevated sections dentate. Medioventral carina blunt and armed with a few minute spines. Probasitarsus slightly longer than following three tarsomeres combined, the dorsal and posteroventral carinae prominently elevated and rounded; both dentate. Anteroventral carina unarmed. Meso­ and metabasitarsi about as long as the following three tarsomeres combined. Ventral carinae with some minute teeth in apical half, dorsal carina rounded apically (occasionally bi­dentate).

Eggs ( Fig. 19 )

One fully developed egg was taken from the ovipositor of the HT.

Large for the genus, capsule ovoid, 1.5x longer than wide and cylindrical in crosssection. Capsule surface very minutely pitted and irregularly rugose, being covered with several raised tubercles and wrinkles. Below the micropylar plate these form two diverging carinae, which begin at the micropylar plate and almost reach to the polar area. Smooth spaces between the wrinkles glabrous. Micropylar plate gently raised from capsule surface and about 2/5 the length of capsule. Outer plate generally lozenge­shaped with posterior end constricted and pointed. Micropylar cup distinct and placed slightly below centre of plate. Operculum strongly swollen and raised, forming a conspicuous hollow and cone­like structure. Surface very minutely punctured and glabrous. Anterior end of operculum impressed, marginated and with a small, knob­like capitulum in the centre.

Anterior third of capsule greyish mid brown, posterior 2/3 dark brown, the raised tubercles and wrinkles pale brown. Micropylar plate brown with a bold straw­coloured outer margin. Opercular collar uniformly dark brown, capitulum yellowish.

Measurements (mm): Length (including operculum) 5.2, length 4.1, width 2.8, height 2.9, length of micropylar plate 1.8.

Comments

ɗɗ unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 11. Details [scale = 1 cm]. 1. Stephanacris draconius n. sp. (PT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, lateral view (ZSMC). 2. Stephanacris draconius n. sp. (PT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, dorsal view (ZSMC). 3. Stephanacris draconius n. sp. (PT, Ψ) left front leg (ZSMC). 4. Stephanacris draconius n. sp. (PT, Ψ) left protibia, dorsal view (ZSMC). 5. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp. (PT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, lateral view (coll. FH). 6. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp. (PT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, dorsal view (coll. FH). 7. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp. (PT, Ψ) left front leg (coll. FH). 8. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp. (PT, Ψ) right mid leg (coll. FH). 9. Stephanacris laeviceps n. sp. (HT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, lateral view (RMNH). 10. Stephanacris laeviceps n. sp. (HT, Ψ) apex of abdomen, dorsal view (RMNH). 11. Stephanacris laeviceps n. sp. (HT, Ψ) right mid leg (RMNH).

FIGURES 17 – 22. 17. Stephanacris draconius n. sp., HT Ψ (ZSMC). 18. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp., PT Ψ (Coll. FH). 19 – 22. Eggs [scale = 1 mm]. 19. Stephanacris draconius n. sp. PT, dorsolateral view (ZSMC). 20. Stephanacris multilobatus n. sp. PT, dorsolateral view (coll. FH). 21. Stephanacris laeviceps n. sp. PT, dorsolateral view (RMNH). 22. Macrophasma n. gen. biroi (Redtenbacher, 1908), dorsolateral view (coll. FH).