Leprocaulinus Uvarov, 1940

Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 5073 (1), pp. 1-189 : 32

Genus Leprocaulinus Uvarov, 1940

( Figs. 14–16 )

Type-species: Leprocaulus altecornutus Redtenbacher, 1908: 473 , by subsequent designation of Hennemann, 1998: 121.

Comments: This genus appears to be paraphyletic in its present recognition, because it is likely that several species from Sundaland currently attributed to Carausius Stål, 1875 are congeneric and might prove to be members of Leprocaulinus once a more extensive study of the concerned taxa is conducted. A morphological distinction between Carausius and Leprocaulinus is difficult. The length relation of the median segment and metanotum traditionally used to distinguish ♀♀ of the two genera proves not very useful and the three Sulawesian species covered herein, (two of which are newly described), show that the genus also has apterous ♂♂, a fact not recognised previously. Furthermore, there is considerable confusion concerning the validity of the species and numerous subspecies currently attributed to the genus. A re-organisation has been attempted by Günther (1934b: 81) but the author was not able to examine all necessary type-material in detail and ♀♀ in particular show strong intraspecific variability. Hence, the genus is in need of a detailed revision at the species level.

Distribution: New Guinea, Thursday Island and Wallacea.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Leprocaulinus digitatus n. sp.: A. ♀ (HT), dorsal view [NHMB]; B. ♀ (HT), lateral view [NHMB]; C. ♀ (PT), dorso-lateral view [NHMB]; D. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) in lateral view [NHMB]; E. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) in dorsal view [NHMB]; F. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (HT) in lateral view [NHMB]; G. Ventral view of head, pro- and mesothorax of ♀ (PT) [NHMB].

FIGURE 15. Leprocaulinus heinrichi (Günther, 1935) n. comb.: A. ♀ (AT), lateral view [MNHU]; B. ♂ (HT), dorso-lateral view [MNHU]; C. Lateral view of terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (AT) [MNHU]; D. Lateral view of terminal abdominal segments of ♂ (HT) [MNHU].

FIGURE 16. Leprocaulinus sulawesiense n. sp.: A. ♀ (PT), lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0299-14]; B. ♀ (PT), lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0299-1]; C. ♂ (PT), dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0299-19]; D. Lateral view of terminal abdominal segments of ♂ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-19]; E. Dorsal view of terminal abdominal segments of ♂ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-19]; F. Lateral view of terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-5]; G. Dorsal view of terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-5]; H. Ventral view of terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-5]; J. Head and pronotum of ♀ (PT) in dorsal aspect [coll. FH, No. 0299-12]; K. Lateral view of head, prothorax and front legs of ♀ (PT) [coll. FH, No. 0299-1]; L. Ventro-lateral view of mesothorax of ♀ (PT) showing the keeled mesosternum [coll. FH, No. 0299-7]; M. Head and pronotum of ♂ (PT) in dorso-lateral aspect [coll. FH, No. 0299-16]; N. Egg (PT), dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0299-E]; O. Egg (PT), lateral view view [coll. FH, No. 0299-E].