Yoyetta repetens, Emery, Nathan J., Emery, David L. & Popple, Lindsay W., 2015

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 : 328-334

Yoyetta repetens sp. nov.

( Figures 2 , 16–20 )

Holotype: ♂ "Rosscrae", Mulgoa, NSW, 33° 39.40S 150° 59.11E, 20.x.2013, N.&D. Emery & N. Himsley (AM, K447930).

Paratypes: NEW SOUTH WALES: 1♀ Sydney N.S.W., 8.xi.1807, L. Froggatt (labelled as a syntype of Melampsalta tristrigata ), On permanent loan from MM; 1♀ Sydney N.S.W.; 1♂ Mittagong N.S.W., 10.xi., W. W. F[roggatt]; 1♂ 1♀ Prospect Res., 23.x.1998, D. Emery; 1♂ 1♀ same data as previous, 26.x.1998; 1♀ same data as previous, 28.x.1998 (all ANIC); 1♀ same data as holotype; 1♂ Wahroonga, N.S.W. 27.xii.64, A.R.G (K302225); 2♂ same location, 1.i.65, K. Eaton (K302226-7); 1♂ Hornsby, N.S.W., 25.xi.1910 (K302228); 1♂ Homebush, N.S.W., 16.xi.06, Ashton, K302229); 1♂ Hornsby, K302231; 1♂ Lakemba, 12.i.1922, G. Young, K302232; 1♂ Hornsby, 15.i.1090, K302233; 1♀ Wahroonga, 21.xi.55, R. Dobson K302235; 11♂ 8♀ Wallgrove Rd, Blacktown, N.S.W, 33° 48.29S 150° 05.05E, 9.xi.98, M. Moulds, B. Day, J. Weiner, M. Humphrey, S. McEvey, (MUV), K302242-60; 12♂ 6♀ Luddenham Rd, St Marys, N.S.W., 10.xi.97, Moulds, Day, Emery, K302261-77; 1♀ Lidcombe, 26.i.1969, G. Daniels, K302318; 1♂ same location, 18.xii.1969, G. Daniels, K302319; 2♂ Willoughby, 24.xi.1963, G. Daniels, K302320-1; 1♂ Northbridge, 31.i.1950, E. Linder, W. Horton, K302322; 1♂ Eastwood, 31.xii.1990, NB. Rudman, K320323; 1♂ Middle Cove, 19.xii.1983, D. McAlpine, K302224; 1♂ Ashton, K302325 (All AM); 1♂ 1♀ Gordon, NSW, 5.ii.89, D. Emery; 4♂ 2♀ Luddenham Rd., St.Marys, NSW, 33° 50.05S 150° 45.17E; 7.xi.1994, D. Emery; 20♂ 2♀ Prospect Reservoir, NSW, 33° 48.48S 150° 54.48E, 21–23.x.1998, D. Emery; 1♂ Burwood, NSW, 10.xii.1999, N. Emery; 1♂ Burragorang Rd, The Oaks, NSW, 400m, 18.xi.2003, D. Emery; 2♂ Wallacia NSW, 33° 51.46S 150° 38.52E, 5.xi.2009, D. Emery; 1♂ Mt Annan Gardens, NSW, 34° 03.36S; 150° 46.12E, 1.xi.2009, D. Emery; 1♂ 1♀ Luddenham Rd., St.Marys, NSW, 33° 50.05S 150° 45.17E; 31.x.2010, D. Emery; 1♂ Littlefields Rd, Mulgoa, NSW, 33° 50.32S 150° 40.35E, 24.x.2012, D. Emery (all DE); 1♂ Australia NSW, Eastern Creek, 24.xi.2002, L. Popple, D. Emery, 482-0001; 1♂ Prospect Reservoir, NSW, 11.xi.1997, D. Emery, 482- 0002; 1♂ same data as previous, 23.x.1998, 482-0003; 1♀ Luddenham Rd, St Marys, NSW, 4.xi.1997, 482-0004; 1♂ same data as previous, 11.xi.1997, 482-0005; 1♂ Eastern Creek, NSW, 23.x.1998, D. Emery, 482- 0006; 2♂ Australia NSW, 12km N. of Goulburn, open woodland, 10.i.2010. L. W. Popple, 34°41'04"S 149°46'26"E, 482-0007 to 482-0008 (all LWP).

Description. Male ( Figures 2 , 16 A–B, 17). Head approximately as wide as mesonotum; predominantly dull black, a brown to orange-brown central triangular marking on posterior median dorsal area with apex forwardfacing and extending between lateral ocelli, ocelli red; postclypeus broadly ochraceous to brown above, with black margins converging anteriorly, black below with central anterior ochraceous spot, black transverse grooves with orange-brown lateral and posterior margins, rounded laterally; lorum black; gena black; anteclypeus black; rostrum ochraceous anteriorly and centrally, black at apex, extending to middle of hind coxae; eyes dull black; antennae black, supra-antennal plates black.

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

Legs with c oxae black or brown, trochanter black; coxal joints bright orange; fore femora outer side ochraceous with dark brown to brown longitudinal fasciae, inner side black to dark brown; mid and hind femora dark brown, paler on inner side, becoming more ochraceous distally from fore to hind leg, joints orange to pale yellow; tibiae variably dull black to dark brown, becoming more ochraceous towards base, with spines variably pale brown and black at tips; tarsi ochraceous, becoming black towards claws.

Wings with fore wing costal veins ochraceous-orange, pterostigma with reddish- brown mottling; basal membranes orange; basal cell orange-brown; veins mainly dark brown to black, 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, depressed centrally; dark brown to black at base, orange-brown over remainder; clearly separated. Meracanthus small creamy, rounded, black at base, partly overlapping opercula.

Timbals ( Figure 2 E) with four distinct long ribs, each spanning across timbal membrane and fused dorsally along basal spur; long rib 5 noticeably narrower than other long ribs; a vestigial sixth long rib, expressed in around 50% of specimens, at least partially attached to outer cuticle; large ridged dome on posterior timbal plate extending across two- thirds of timbal; apodeme pit oval-shaped and conspicuous.

Abdomen with tergite 1 black and variable dark ochraceous, orange brown at anterior and lateral margins; tergite 2 black, with ovoid dark orange-brown spots positioned dorsolaterally, posterior margin orange medially; tergites 3–7 orange to orange-brown with distinct black medial markings expressed over anterior four-fifths, lateral margins with diffuse black mottling; epipleurite 7 mottled dark brown to black; tergite 8 black with dark ochraceous hue on central posterior, ochraceous spot on lateral margin. Pygofer black with ochraceous to orangebrown tip. Sternite I black, mainly orange within tympanal cavity; sternite II mainly black with orange with orange lateral margins; sternites III–VII yellow-brown to orange-brown; sternite VIII orange-brown, with brownish pubescence.

Genitalia ( Figure 17 ). Pygofer light brown to black; dorsal beak orange-brown, anal styles light brown; upper lobe light brown; basal lobe light brown to dark brown. Uncus orange-brown, in lateral view beak-like and stumpy; lobes in ventral view less produced, rounded laterally; claspers divided, with apices gradually tapering laterally. Aedeagus with pseudoparameres not extending as far as theca; theca recurved ventrally at 180° towards apex, with transparent flanges along margin of recurvature, these smooth dorsally, strongly serrated ventrally,> 2x diameter of theca, with fine dorsal ornamentation adjacent to apex of theca; apex transparent, sclerotised, spine-like, directed ventrally 30 degrees.

Female ( Figure 16 C–E). Generally similar to male, often with a broader range of colouration overall, with some specimens particularly pale.

Head identical to male, sometimes mainly pale to brown, with dark brown to black colouration restricted to areas surrounding lateral ocelli, caudal to posterior postclypeus and broadly over centre of ventral postclypeus.

Thorax similar to male, sometimes extensively medium to pale brown with dark brown colouration restricted to pronotal sutures and mesonotal sigella.

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

Measurements (in mm; range with mean in parentheses: 12 males, 12 females). Body length: male 18.2–23.3 (20.0); female 18.0–21.2 (19.3). Fore wing length: male 20.8–26.8 (23.6); female 22.1–26.2 (24.7). Head width: male 5.3–6.1(5.7); female 5.3–6.6 (6.1). Pronotum width: male 4.8–6.0 (5.3); female 5.0–6.6 (5.4). Abdomen width: male 5.0–6.5 (5.9); female 5.3–6.7 (6.1).

Etymology. From Latin repetens , meaning “repeating”. This name has been chosen because of the distinctive and repetitive “zrrpp-zzrrp-zrrpp”chirping song of this cicada species.

Distinguishing features. Yoyetta repetens sp. nov., can be distinguished from Y. aaede (Walker) , Y. abdominalis , Y. hunterorum and Y. denisoni by the absence of the prominent, white hind wing plaga, characteristic of these latter four species. It is distinguished from Y. landsboroughi , Y. nigrimontana sp.nov., Y. incepta , Y. fluviatilis sp.nov., and male Y. hunterorum by possessing fore wings with length> 22 mm. Y celis has a more greenish-brown coloration, with 2 distinct black spots over the scutal depressions, whereas Y. repetens exhibits a broad area of dark brown to black coloration anterior to the cruciform elevation. In addition, the ovipositor of female Y. repetens does not extend past the end of the abdomen (c.f.>1.0 mm beyond in Y. celis ).

The colour surrounding the cruciform elevation in Y. repetens is not noticeably paler or brighter than the remainder of the mesonutm, which differentiates this species from Y. tristrigata . In male specimens, the presence of a transparent, spine-like apex to the theca is an additional feature of Y. repetens that is absent in the Y. tristrigata . Dark male specimens of Y. repetens sp. nov., which are the typical colour form in western Sydney and Goulburn, can easily be distinguished from Y. cumberlandi sp. nov., which exhibits predominantly brown thoracic markings. Paler coloured males of Y. repetens sp. nov. found in the inner western and northern suburbs of Sydney are more difficult to distinguish. However, there is a useful feature that is consistently different between the two species in timbal structure. In Y. repetens sp. nov., long rib 5 is 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 former species, the lateral markings on the tergites appear diffuse and faded, whereas these markings are contrastingly prominent in Y. cumberlandi sp. nov.

Distribution, habitat and behaviour. Populations are known to occur from the Greater Sydney region southwest to Goulburn in central New South Wales ( Figure 18 ). Open eucalypt forest, woodland and parkland are inhabited with cicadas usually 1–5m from the ground on trees, bushes and posts. Males typically call while stationary and will fly between singing stations when approached. Adults have been collected between October and March.

Calling song. The song of Y. repetens sp. nov. is a very simple, repetitive series of low-pitched macrosyllables ( Figure 19 ). Each macrosyllable ranges between 65 and 90 ms duration (n = 3 recordings; Figure 20 ) and contains 7–9 syllables, each between 4 and 6 ms duration. A period of silence between 240 and 340 ms duration occurs between each macrosyllable.

The macrosyllable repetition rate for the call ranges from 2.4 to 3.0 Hz. The frequency spectrum of the calling song ranges from 4.2 to 14 kHz, with the highest energy between 6.5 and 11.5 kHz, and a dominant frequency of approximately 9.5 kHz ( Figure 19 ).

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 16. Yoyetta repetens sp. nov., (A) male, St. Marys (33 ° 50 ’ S 150 ° 45 ’ E), dorsal habitus, BL 21.0 mm; (B) male, ventral habitus; (C) female, St. Marys, dorsal habitus, BL 20.1 mm; (D), female, ventral habitus; (E), female, Burwood (33 ° 53 ’ S; 150 ° 06 ’ E), BL 20.9 mm; (F) male, St. Marys, live.

FIGURE 17. Yoyetta repetens 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 St Marys, New South Wales (33 ° 50 ’ S 150 ° 45 ’ 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 19. Male calling song structure of Y. repetens 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 20. Waveform plots illustrating the male calling song of Yoyetta repetens sp. nov. from three different localities, including: (i) Eastern Creek (33 ° 48 ’ S 150 ° 50 ’ E); (ii) Bass Hill (33 ° 54 ’ S 151 ° 00 ’ E); and (iii) Goulburn (34 ° 41 ' S 149 ° 46 ' E). Durations of the main calling song elements are provided above each subfigure. All recordings were made in the field by LWP, (i) and (ii) with RS 2 and (iii) with RS 3 (see Materials and Methods).