Phasmotaenia laeviceps (Hennemann & Conle, 2006)

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2009, Studies on the genus Phasmotaenia Navás, 1907, with the descriptions of five new species from the Solomon Islands, a revised key to the species and notes on its geographic distribution (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Phasmatidae s. l.: Stephanacridini), Zootaxa 2011, pp. 1-46 : 22-23

Phasmotaenia laeviceps (Hennemann & Conle, 2006) n. comb.

[ Figs. 56 , 59 ]

Stephanacris laeviceps Hennenmann & Conle, 2006: 19 , figs. 9–11, 16, 21 (Ƥ, egg). HT, Ƥ: N. N. Guinea, Doormanpaad 1410 m, W. C. van Heurn October 1920 (RMNH); PT, 1 egg (removed from ovipositor of HT): Same data (RMNH). Stephanacris sp.? Günther, 1936: 339, fig. 14 (Ƥ).

Herwaarden, 1998: 88.

Comments: Hennemann & Conle (2006) originally placed this species in the genus Stephanacris Redtenbacher, 1908 and namely distinguished it from all other representatives by the unarmed head. The broader recognition of Phasmotaenia here proposed and presence of the genus in the Solomon Islands however place St. laeviceps in the genus Phasmotaenia (n. comb.). It therefore is the only known representative of the genus in New Guinea (Mt. Doorman). ƤƤ, the only sex known, are characteristic for the very dark brown colouration, prominent spines of the mesopleurae and mesosternum, distinct and acute leg armature, scale-like posterior elevation of abdominal tergites V and VI, and short subgenital plate. The eggs strongly resemble those of the three Solomon species P. bukaense n. sp., P. s a l o m o n e n s e n. sp. and P. spinosa n. sp., being almost plain dark brown ( Fig. 56 ). Body length of the HT: 133.5 mm, including the subgenital plate 140.0 mm. 3 unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 59 ): New Guinea. Northern West Papua (Mt. Doorman, 1410 m).

Figures

FIGURE 59. Geographic distribution of Phasmotaenia Navás, 1907 with the concrete records indicated by red spots.

FIGURES 48 – 58. Eggs of Phasmotaenia spp. in dorsolateral view. 48. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 49. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 50. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 51. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock, after incubation on damp vermiculite); 52. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), from Maramasike (coll. FH, No. 0513 - E 1); 53. Phasmotaenia virgea n. sp., PT (BMNH); 54. Phasmotaenia guentheri n. sp., PT (BMNH); 55. Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis (Huang & Brock, 2001) (coll. FH, No. 0610 - E); 56. Phasmotaenia laeviceps (Hennemann & Conle, 2006), PT (RMNH); 57. Phasmotaenia salomonense n. sp., PT (SMTD); 58. Phasmotaenia spinosa n. sp., PT (coll. FH, No. 0602 - E).