Yoyetta cumberlandi

Emery, Nathan J., Emery, David L. & Popple, Lindsay W., 2015, A redescription of Yoyetta landsboroughi (Distant) and Y. tristrigata (Goding and Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) and description of four new related species, Zootaxa 3948 (3), pp. 301-341 : 334-339

Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov.

( Figures 2 , 18 , 21–24 )

Holotype: ♂ Prospect Reservoir, Prospect, N.S.W., 33° 48.48S 150° 54.48E, 7.xi.1997 (in copulo), D. Emery (K447931). Female, same location (in copulo), 7.xi.97, D. Emery (K447932, both AM).

Paratypes; NEW SOUTH WALES: 6♂ 1♀ Prospect Reservoir, Prospect, NSW, 33° 48.48S 150° 54.48E, 7– 14.xi.1997, D. Emery; 58♂ 18♀ same location, 23–28.x.1998, D. Emery; 9♂ 2♀ Campbell Hill Reserve, Regents Park, NSW, 33° 52.10S; 150° 59.56E 18.xii.1999, D. Emery; 3♂ Badgerys Creek Rd., Badgerys Creek, NSW, 33° 53.53S; 150° 44.20E, 5.xi.2002, D. Emery; 1♂ 1♀ Littlefields Rd., Mulgoa, NSW, 33° 50.32S; 150° 40.35E, 14.xi.2007, D. Emery; 1♂ 1♀ (in copulo), Park Rd., Wallacia, NSW, 33° 51.46S; 150° 38.32E, 5.xi.2009, D. Emery (all DE); 2♀ Prospect Reservior, 26.x.1998, D. Emery; 2♂ 1♀ Prospect Reservoir, 26.x.1998, D. Emery; 1♂ 2♀ Prospect Reservoir, 28.x.1998, D. Emery (all LWP).

Additional observations (audio recordings). NEW SOUTH WALES: Cattai Rd., Pitt Town, 33°33’24”S 150°54’28E, 23.xii.2014, B. Smith; Woodside Ave., Strathfield, 33°04’51”S 151°05’42”E, 18.i.2015, N. Emery.

Description. Male ( Figures 2 , 21 A–B, 22). Head approximately as wide as mesonotum; mainly dull black, a brown to orange-brown central triangular marking on posterior median dorsal area with apex forward-facing and extending between lateral ocelli, similar markings also present adjacent to compound eyes in some specimens, ocelli pink; postclypeus broadly ochraceous to brown above, with black margins converging anteriorly, black below, sometimes with central anterior ochraceous spot, black transverse grooves with orange to reddish-brown lateral and posterior margins, rounded laterally; lorum black; gena black; anteclypeus black; rostrum ochraceous to medium-brown anteriorly and centrally, black at apex, extending to middle of hind coxae; eyes dull brown; antennae black, supra-antennal plates black.

Thorax variably brown to orange-brown; pronotum with orange-brown to pale brown median longitudinal fascia not reaching pronotal collar, surrounded by variable dull black markings; dull black markings on edges of paramedian and lateral fissures and lateral half of posterior margin; pronotal collar orange- to medium-brown, sometimes ochraceous, lateral anterior margins black. Mesonotum mainly orange-brown to medium- brown; submedian and lateral sigilla black to dark ochaceous; cruciform elevation sometimes black centrally, with orangebrown colouration extending from lateral edges of ridges and laterally over remainder of adjacent posterior mesonotum; scutal depressions dark brown to black; parapsidal sutures variably dark brown; metanotum brown to orange-brown, black medially, dark brown on anterior lateral margins.

Legs with coxae orange to pale brown, black spot at base of fore coxae, dark brown area on mid and hind coxae, trochanter orange; femora orange-brown, outer side variably brown, with black stripe posteriorly and on inner side, joints pale brown; fore tibiae brown to ochraceous, mid and hind tibiae pale to orange-brown, darker stripes on outer side, with spines ochraceous; tarsi orange to pale-brown; claws pale brown at base becoming darker towards tips.

Wings with fore wing costal veins pale brown to ochraceous, pterostigma with reddish-brown mottling; basal membranes dull to orange-brown; basal cell transparent; veins medium to dark brown, with eight apical cells; hind wing plaga pale orange-brown to cream at base and margins, becoming transparent towards central third, with six apical cells.

Opercula medium, spatulate, following body axis ventrolaterally, slightly depressed centrally anteriorly; sometimes dull brown at base, orange-brown over remainder; clearly separated. Meracanthus small, pale brown, slightly overlapping opercula.

Timbals ( Figure 2 F) with five distinct long ribs; long ribs 1–4 spanning timbal membrane; rib 5 comparatively shorter, spanning across two-thirds of timbal membrane; all long ribs fused dorsally along basal spur; large ridged dome on posterior timbal plate extending across two-thirds of timbal; apodeme pit oval-shaped and conspicuous.

Abdomen with tergite 1 variably black to pale brown, orange brown at anterior and lateral margins; tergite 2 black to dark brown anteriorly and medially, orange-brown over remainder, or entirely orange-brown; tergites 3–7 orange- to yellow-brown with distinct dark brown to black medial markings expressed over anterior four-fifths, posterior lateral margins with diffuse black mottling; tergite 8 variably black to dark brown, orange-brown to ochraceous ventrolaterally, sometimes also orange-brown anteriolaterally. Pygofer dark brown to black anteriorly tending orange-brown to ochraceous posteriorly. Sternite I black, mainly yellow-brown within tympanal cavity; sternite II mainly black with yellow-brown lateral margins; sternites III–VII yellow-brown to orange-brown; sternite VIII orange- brown, with yellowish pubescence.

Genitalia ( Figure 22 ). Pygofer mainly brown to black; dorsal beak brown; upper lobe brown; basal lobe brown to light brown, subtly produced. Uncus orange-brown; in lateral view beak- like, blunt and stumpy; lateral lobes in ventral view weakly expressed, with rounded lateral termination; claspers clearly divided, with apices gradually tapering laterally. Aedeagus with pseudoparameres not extending as far as theca; theca brown, recurved ventrally at approximately 180° towards apex, with transparent flanges along margin of recurvature, these smooth posteriorly, serrated ventrolaterally, wider than theca on posterior dorsal and ventral aspects, with dorsal ornamentation restricted to termination adjacent to apex of theca; apex with acute transparent spine, often directed posterioventrally.

Female ( Figure 21 C–D). Generally similar to male.

Head identical to male.

Thorax similar to male.

Abdomen orange-brown to brown, tergite 1 dark brown laterally and along posterior margins; tergite 2 orange brown brown on central dorsum, dark brown on extreme anterior and posterior margins; tergites 3–7 orange-brown to brown with distinct dark brown to black medial markings, lateral margins with distinct black markings, variable black markings on epipleurites 3–7; tergite 8 dark brown to black on anterior margins, medium to orange-brown over remainder. Sternite I mainly black; sternite II black, with dull brown to orange-brown colouration on lateral posterior margins; sternites III–VII dull orange-brown to pale-brown; abdominal segment 9 pale brown to orangebrown with dark brown to black brown dorso-lateral fascia extending from anterior margin, stigma dark brown, dorsal beak dark brown. Ovipositor ochraceous, tending to black towards apex, barely extending beyond apex of abdomen. Anal styles orange-brown; ovipositor sheath dark brown.

Measurements (in mm; range with mean in parentheses: 12 males, 12 females). Body length: male 18.1– 19.7 (19.0); female 17.6–19.7 (18.4). Fore wing length: male 21.0–23.6 (22.1); female 22.3–24.4 (23.2). Head width: male 5.0–5.8 (5.4); female 5.2–6.0 (5.7). Pronotum width: male 4.2–4.8 (4.5); female 4.7–5.8 (5.2). Abdomen width: male 5.2–6.1(5.8); female 5.6–6.5 (6.2).

Etymology. The name reflects the limited distribution of this species to the Cumberland Plain woodlands in the greater Sydney region.

Distinguishing features. Yoyetta cumberlandi sp. nov., can be distinguished from Y. aaede (Walker) , Y. abdominalis (Distant) , Y. hunterorum (Moulds) and Y. denisoni (Distant) by the absence of the prominent, white hind wing plaga, characteristic of these four species. It is distinguished from Y. landsboroughi , Y. incepta (Walker) , and Y. fluviatilis sp.nov., by possessing fore wings with length> 21 mm. In addition, females of Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. have a much lighter coloration of abdominal segment 9 than the medium to dark brown exhibited by Y. hunterorum . Also, in contrast to Y. hunterorum , the ovipositor of Y. cumberlandi does not extend beyond the apex of the abdomen.

The coloration and markings of Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. do not allow easy discrimination between specimens of Y. tristrigata , Y. celis and paler specimens of Y. repetens sp.nov.. In the case of Y. tristrigata , its occurrence in northern Queensland, versus Greater Sydney for Y. cumberlandi sp. nov., is helpful, as are obvious differences in the presentation of the male theca (compare Figs 14 and 22 ). Specimens of Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. appear less robust than Y. repetens sp. nov. and bear a closer resemblance to Y. celis . Males of Y. repetens sp. nov., also have a different timbal structure, with long rib 5 being considerably narrower than the widest portion of adjacent long rib 4. In Y. cumberlandi sp. nov., long rib 5 is approximately equal in width to adjacent long ribs. Paler female specimens of Y. repetens sp. nov. from western Sydney can also be difficult to distinguish from Y. cumberlandi sp. nov.; however, in the latter species, the lateral markings on the tergites are contrastingly black and prominent. The same markings are brown, diffuse and appear faded in Y. repetens sp. nov. Males can be distinguished from Y. celis by their larger size (body length> 18 mm) and overall darker, orange-brown coloration. The theca of Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. also exhibits dorsal ornamentation at the base of the apical spine, an attribute that is lacking in Y. celis . Females differ from pale individuals of Y. repetens sp. nov. by having dark, longitudinal markings along the lateral tergites and from Y. celis by the length of the ovipositor, which extends 0.5 mm from the tip of the abdomen (c.f.>1.0mm in Y. celis ).

Distribution, habitat and behaviour. Populations are only known to occur in the Cumberland Plains region of western Sydney. Open eucalypt forest, woodland and parkland are inhabited. Males typically call from the upper side of branches and move frequently between singing stations. They generally attempt to call broadly in unison. When populations of Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. are present with those of Y. repetens sp. nov., both species tend to cluster with their own cohort. Adults have been collected between October and March.

Calling song. The typical call of this species consists of repetitive phrases, each comprising a macrosyllable followed by an echeme and then a quiet syllable sequence ( Figure 23 ). The macrosyllable (n = 2 recordings) ranges between 16 and 18 ms duration and comprises 2–4 syllables (each ranging from 7–8 ms duration, three pulses,), and is followed by a period of silence between 100–110 ms duration. The echeme that follows lasts for 310–410 ms duration, and comprises between 42 and 44 syllables. A soft syllable sequence immediately follows the echeme, lasting 400–500 ms duration. A second period of silence then follows (700–1100 ms duration), which completes the phrase ( Figure 24 ).

The phrase duration for the call ranges from 1638 to 1726 ms. The frequency spectrum of the calling song ranges from 5.5 to 12 kHz, with highest energy between 6.5 and 10.5 kHz, and a dominant frequency around 9 kHz ( Figure 23 ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Photos of male left timbals, with dorsal edge at left and posterior margin at bottom: (A) Yoyetta landsboroughi (Distant), St. Marys (33 ° 50 ’ S 150 ° 45 ’ E); (B) Yoyetta fluviatilis sp. nov., Roma (26 ° 33 ’ S 148 ° 47 ’ E); (C) Yoyetta nigrimontana sp. nov., Canberra (35 ° 16 ’ S 149 ° 06 ’ E); (D) Yoyetta tristrigata (Goding & Froggatt), Mt. Molloy (16 ° 40 ’ S 145 ° 19 ’ E); (E) Yoyetta repetens sp. nov., St. Marys (33 ° 50 ’ S 150 ° 45 ’ E); (F) Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov., Prospect (33 ° 48 ’ S 150 ° 54 ’ E). Scale bars represent 1 mm.

FIGURE 14. Yoyetta tristrigata (Distant): illustration of male pygofer and internal genitalia; (a), viewed laterally from the left; (b), viewed ventrally; (c), aedeagus; and, (d), apex of theca. Characters as depicted in Figure 3. Specimen from Rifle Creek, Queensland (16 ° 40 ' S 145 ° 20 ' E).

FIGURE 18. Map of the Greater Sydney region in eastern Australia showing the geographical distribution of Y. repetens sp. nov. (closed triangles) and Y. cumberlandi sp. nov. (open squares).

FIGURE 21. Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov., (A) male, Prospect (33 ° 48 ’ S 150 ° 54 ’ E), dorsal habitus, BL 18.8 mm; (B) male, ventral habitus; (C) female, Prospect, dorsal habitus, BL 18.5 mm; (D), female, Prospect, ventral habitus.

FIGURE 22. Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov., illustration of male pygofer and internal genitalia; (a), viewed laterally from the left; (b), viewed ventrally; (c), aedeagus; and, (d), apex of theca. Characters as depicted in Figure 3. Specimen from Prospect, New South Wales (33 ° 48 ’ S 150 ° 54 ’ E).

FIGURE 23. Typical male calling song structure of Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov., illustrated in waveform plot form. Each lower plot is expanded from the one above, to illustrate the finer temporal structure of each song comparison. The spectrogram at the bottom of the figure displays song frequency. The specimen was recorded in the field at Eastern Creek (33 ° 48 ’ S 150 ° 50 ’ E) by LWP using RS 2 (see Materials and Methods).

FIGURE 24. Abbreviated male calling song structure of Yoyetta cumberlandi sp nov., illustrated in waveform plot form. Each lower plot is expanded from the one above, to illustrate the finer temporal structure of each song comparison. The spectrogram at the bottom of the figure displays song frequency. The specimen was recorded in the field at Bass Hill (33 ° 54 ’ S 151 ° 00 ’ E) by LWP using RS 2 (see Materials and Methods).