Spinaraptor taja Mendes, Sobral & Silva-Neto sp. nov.

Figures 2–13 and 18

Diagnosis. Tergite X with two triangular dorsal projections that are curved outwards, in dorsal view (Fig. 4H). Stylus with a narrow basal region, widening to the apical region, forming a club-like shape with apex rounded, in lateral view (Fig. 4J); space between the base of stylus convex, with sinuous inner margins, medially closer and apically rounded and touching, in dorsal and ventral view (Figs. 4H–I).

Description. Holotype Male.

Thorax. Mesobasisternum with shape trapezoidal, anteriorly concave and narrow (Fig. 4G). Metabasisternum subhexagonal, posteriorly recurved (Fig. 4G).

Wings. Left stridulatory file slightly sinuous (Fig. 6A); basal and apical teeth shorter than middle teeth; teeth of the basal half larger and more spaced apart than the teeth of the apical half; posterior anal vein with widened median region (Fig. 6A). Total length of left stridulatory file 0.5 mm, greatest width of the vein of 0.2 mm, with 49 teeth (Fig. 6A). Right stridulatory file straight; basal and large apical teeth and slightly smaller in size than the median teeth; basal half teeth large, wide and more widely spaced; teeth of the apical half smaller and closer together; posterior anal vein with an enlarged median region, giving an elliptical appearance to the region of the stridulatory file (Fig. 6B). Total length file of 0.3 mm, greatest width of the vein 0.1 mm, with 23 teeth (Figs. 6B).

Abdomen. Tergite X with two triangular dorsal projections that are curved outwards, in dorsal view (Fig. 4H). Cercus curved inward, slender, cylindrical, acuminate and with apex rounded (Figs. 4H–J). Cercus with long bristles, except by the apical region where the bristles are smaller (Figs. 4H–J). Stylus with a narrow basal region, widening to the apical region, forming a club-like shape with apex rounded, in lateral view (Fig. 4J); stylus with a convex base, with sinuous inner margins, closer in the middle and apically rounded and touching, in dorsal and ventral view (Figs. 4H–I). Subgenital plate and stylus with few small bristles, except by the inner apical region of stylus, with the presence of numerous small bristles (Figs. 4H–I).

Internal male genitalia. Ejaculatory vesicle reniform (Figs. 7A–B). Upper folds of ventral lobe slightly subtriangular, posteriorly connected, medially with two long asymmetric projections (Figs. 7A–B). Lower folds convex, ending after margin of dorsal lobe and with several short round vesicles (Figs. 7A–B). Dorsal lobes with the upper half narrow and later widened, with two large asymmetrical lateral lobes (Figs. 7A–B). Titillators and titillator sclerite undeveloped.

Coloration. Described based on photos of live specimens (Fig. 8). General coloration light green with patches of dark green. Presence of a narrow dark green dorsal stripe, extending from the fastigium to the median region of the tegmina. Scape and pedicel light green. Antennal sclerite with base black and apex gray. Eyes yellow with greenish areas. Legs light green. Tarsi light brown with tarsal claws dark brown. Abdomen, cerci and subgenital plate light green.

Female: Similar to male (Fig. 9–10), except for the following traits:

Wings. Anal veins not modified for sound production.

Abdomen.Tergite X posteriorly convex, in dorsal view (Fig.9F). Cercus curved inward and with apex acuminated. Cercus with long bristles (Figs. 9F–H). Subgenital plate triangular, with apex convex (Fig. 9G). Ovipositor ensiform; absence of teeth on dorsal and ventral valve (Fig. 9H).

Coloration. General color pattern similar to males. Ovipositor with general coloration light brown with areas light green (Fig. 10).

Nymph. Old nymphs are very similar to adults, except that tegmina and wings are not developed.The coloration is light green with narrow dark green dorsal stripe from head to base of tegmina (Fig. 11). Some specimens had a large yellow dorsal spot on the first abdominal segments, a color pattern common in other genera of Meconematinae, such as Tyrannoraptor and Arboraptor (Fig. 11B).

Etymology. The epithet is in apposition, taja from the Brazilian indigenous Tupi language, variation of taiá, meaning the regional popular name for plants of family Aracaea in Brazil. The name is a reference to the habitat of this katydid, found on clusters of Aracaea near streams.

Geographical records. Brazil: Amazonas (Fig. 18).

Type material. Holotype ♂: BRASIL, Amazonas, Manaus, Reserva Ducke, 03°00'03.4"S – 59°56'16.5"W, 04.xi.2019, coleta manual, D.M.M. Mendes, J.C. Oliveira & R. F. Alves leg. (INPA)

Paratypes 3♂: Idem, Tefé, Estrada da Emade, km 6, 3°26'28.4"S – 64°42'32.0"W, 05.ix.2022, coleta manual, D.M.M. Mendes, J.C. Oliveira & J.A. Oliveira leg. (1♂ INPA) ; idem, Estrada da Emade, km 12, Ramal do Pavão, Sítio menina dos meus olhos, 3°31'26.3"S – 64°37'47.2"W, 01–23.vi.2024, coleta manual, D.M.M. Mendes & R.M. Holanda leg. (4♂ and 1♀ INPA; 1♀ IDSM) ; idem, Estrada da Agrovila, km 12, Balneário do Tangueira, 06.ix.2022 (1♂ INPA) ; idem, Estrada da Agrovila, Igarapé Curupira, vii.2023 (1♂ IDSM) .

Measurements (mm). Holotype ♂: TL: 14,4; TegL: 13,2; TegH: 1,7; WF: 1,6; PL: 4; FF: 5,7; FT: 6,9; MF: 5,8; MT: 6,1; HF: 12,9; HT: 12,7; Lplac: 3,7; LC: 1,5.

Paratypes ♂: TL: 16,5–15,9; TegL: 14–13,6; TegH: 1,9; WF: 1,7; PL: 4,3–4; FF: 6,5–5,8; FT: 7,5–7,4; MF: 6,1–5,8; MT: 7,2–6,8; HF: 13,1–13; HT: 12,8–12,7; Lplac: 4,1–4; LC: 1,6–1,5.

Paratypes ♀: TL: 16; TegL: 15,5; TegH: 2; WF: 1,8; PL: 4; FF: 6,2; FT: 7,5; MF: 6; MT: 7; HF: 13; HT: 12,9; Lplac: 2,4; LC: 2; OL: 4,8.

Habitat. Adults and nymphs of S. taja sp. nov. were collected in Terra Firme forests in areas of waterlogged soil, mainly associated with large groups of Araceae plants (especially Dieffenbachia sp.) on the banks of streams (Fig. 13). On these plants, specimens of S. taja sp. nov. were found during the day hidden on the abaxial part of the leaves, between 50 cm and 100 cm in height. At night they were also found on the abaxial part of the leaves, but at higher elevation, up to about 180 cm in height. Although these environments covered with Araceae are common in the collected areas, proportionally few specimens of S. taja sp. nov. were found, which may indicate that they are naturally rare. Only on one occasion three males were observed on the same plant and this may indicate a group singing behavior.