Chromatophotina awajun Rivera

Rivera, Julio, 2010, Chromatophotina, a remarkable new genus of praying mantid from the Neotropical Region and its two new species (Mantodea: Mantidae, Photinainae), Zootaxa 2415, pp. 22-32 : 24-27

Chromatophotina awajun Rivera n. sp.

( Figures 1 A–C, 2A–D, 3A–C)

Type material. Holotype male and one paratype male reared from egg stage produced by paratype female. Paratype female collection site: Peru, Amazonas, Bagua, Aramango District (Centro Poblado Numparque), 978 m, 5º26’20.2”S 78º23’37.5”W, XII.2006 (J. Layme leg.). Ecologically, the habitat corresponds to a former lower mountain forest (now reduced to a secondary forest due to farming). The paratype female was caught on a cacao tree ( Theobroma cacao ) while guarding an egg case attached to a leaf. The few nymphs that emerged from the egg case were reared and two adult male specimens were obtained (the holotype and a paratype). The type series is deposited at UNALM.

Description, male holotype. General coloration of body green, abdomen with some medial reddish marks both ventrally and dorsally ( Fig. 1 A). Body length 29.5, pronotum 8.5, fore coxa 5.2, fore femur 6.4, fore tibia 3.6, mesothoracic wing 21, metathoracic wing 22. Male paratype: pronotum 8.9, fore coxa 5.0, fore femur 6.3, fore tibia 4.3, mesothoracic wing 12.2, metathoracic wing 10.5.

Head pentagonal in shape ( Figure 2 A), juxtaocular tubercles weakly developed, slightly more elevated than the imaginary line connecting the top of the compound eyes; vertex slightly convex and slightly more elevated than the juxtaocular tubercles; frontal shield transversal, width approximately 4.6 times greater than length. Antennae elongate, filiform; scape, pedicel, and proximal portion of first flagellomere yellowishgreen, remaining flagellomeres progressively darkening towards the tip of the antenna until becoming dark brown.

Pronotum slender ( Fig. 2 B); edges smooth, without denticles, and with minute, scattered hairs. Mesosternum and metasternum with relatively dense white pubescence. Fore legs slender; inner side of coxae bearing scarce pilosity, especially on basal half. Coxae with all edges bearing small denticles; posterior side of coxae with scattered, minute, crenulated tubercles; inner distal lobes divergent. Spination formula F=16IS/ 6ES/3DS and T=18IS/18–19ES, basal-most spines recumbent, all spines of femora and tibiae with black tips; dorsal edges of femora and tibiae straight. Mesothoracic wings hyaline, greenish, iridescent. All veins green, except for distal-most longitudinal veins of the discal area, which are darker on proximal half. Costal area with 19–20 parallel cross-veins. Metathoracic wings greenish, hyaline. Abdomen slender; supra-anal plate trapezoidal; cerci longer than supra-anal plate, mostly green but with blackish marks ventromedially on each segment. Male genitalia ( Figs. 2 C–D) with ventral phallomere longer than wide, with a very elongated, recurved lateral process following the phallomere edge, its apex well sclerotized. Left dorsal phallomere with the apical process simple, curved to the left; anterior process hook-like, curved forward and with pointed, well sclerotized apex. Phalloid apophysis reduced to a membraneous lobe (underdeveloped?). Right dorsal phallomere with poorly developed ventral plate and well sclerotized, thumb-like ventral process, the two structures together forming an inverted "U."

Female paratype. Color mostly green ( Fig. 1 B, C); in live specimen, white lateral stripes on pronotum and costal area of wings ( Fig. 1 C). Measurements (in mm): body length, 31.5; pronotum, 12.1; fore coxa, 7.0; fore femur, 9.3; fore tibia, 5.0; mesothoracic wing, 15.0 (length), 5.5 (width); metathoracic wing, 12.2.

Head pentagonal in shape ( Fig. 3 A), juxtaocular tubercles weakly developed, clearly more elevated than the imaginary line connecting the top of the compound eyes; vertex slightly concave, as elevated as the juxtaocular tubercles; frontal shield transversal, width approximately 4.6 times greater than length. Antenna filiform, basal half yellowish-green, progressively turning dark brown towards the tip.

Pronotum slender ( Figure 3 B); lateral edges bearing small denticles. Fore coxae with all margins exhibiting small denticles, all surfaces in general with small, scattered tubercles. Dorsal edge of fore femora almost straight, crenulated. Spination formula: F=16-17IS/6ES/3DS and T=18IS/18–19ES. Femora and tibiae with straight dorsal edges ( Fig. 3 C) and all spines with black tips. Small denticles scattered among and around the external spines. Sternum glabrous. Mesothoracic wings opaque, green, except for costal area, which is white and covered with white, dusty matter. Metathoracic wings short; costal area greenish-white. Discal area yellow, becoming bright orange towards the anal area. When folded, wings reaching the second half of sixth abdominal segment.

Supra-anal plate trapezoidal slightly notched distally. Cerci long, slightly flattened, longer than supra-anal plate, mostly green but each segment with a purplish-black coloration ventromedially.

Etymology. A noun in apposition, the specific epithet refers to the Awajún , the Jivaroan indigenous people inhabiting northern Peru in the same general areas where the type series was obtained. This new species in named in homage to the Awajún , for their endless struggle to preserve and protect the bountiful territories that have nourished their communities since ancient times. The gender is female.

Remarks. In the holotype, the anal area of both metathoracic wings shows a dark spot on the distal edge, apparently the result of an involuntary staining while handling the specimen; these spots are absent in the paratype specimen. The paratype female was missing the right hind leg when collected. Also, the vertex of the paratype female is slightly collapsed due to dehydration but it probably is as described for the next species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Chromatophotina awajun n. sp.: A, male holotype (dorsal habitus); B, female paratype (dorsal habitus); C, female paratype, living specimen. Chromatophotina cofan n. sp.: D, female holotype (dorsal habitus).

FIGURE 2. Chromatophotina awajun (male holotype): A, head (frontal view); B, pronotum (dorsal view); C, male genitalia, ventral / left dorsal phallomere complex (dorsal view); D, male genitalia, ventral phallomere (ventral view).

FIGURE 3. Chromatophotina awajun (female paratype): A, head (frontal view); B, pronotum (dorsal view); C, fore femur and tibia (external view).