Arenivaga ricei, Hopkins, Heidi, 2014

Hopkins, Heidi, 2014, A revision of the genus Arenivaga (Rehn) (Blattodea, Corydiidae), with descriptions of new species and key to the males of the genus, ZooKeys 384, pp. 1-256 : 102-103

Arenivaga ricei sp. n. Figures 135-137

Type locality.

USA, Texas, Val Verde County, Langtry.

Material examined.

Holotype: ♂ in USNM labeled "Langtry, Tex., May 22, 1977, W.W. Walthol, R.R. Stewart "HOLOTYPE Arenivaga ricei Hopkins, 2012" [red label with black border].

Paratypes (8): USA: TX, Val Verde Co., 14 mi. NW of Del Rio,Hwy.90, 5/27/1972, RCA Rice, from rock dust in shallow caves along dry arroyo (4, USNM); TX, Langtry, died at Beltsville MD in captivity, Feb. and Apr. 1978, from Joann Alexander (2, USNM); TX, Langtry, 11/6/1976, Walthol & Stewart (1, USNM). All paratypes labeled "Paratype Arenivaga ricei Hopkins 2012" [blue label with black border].

Etymology.

The name is a noun in the genitive case. This species is named for Rob Rice, enthusiastic worldwide collector of Corydiid cockroaches, and collector of the first of this species.

Distribution.

This species is found along the Rio Grande River in Val Verde County, Texas. See Fig. 137.

Diagnosis.

Arenivaga ricei sp. n. is characterized by its short pumpkin seed-like shape and pale unmarked wings. While it is superficially similar to Arenivaga darwini and Mylacris grolator , it has two tarsal claws unlike Arenivaga darwini , which has one, and has genicular spines on the meso and metalegs unlike Mylacris grolator which has none.

Description.

Male.Measurements. Holotype TL = 12.9 mm, GW = 7.84 mm, PW = 5.7 mm, PL = 3.57 mm, TL/GW = 1.65, PL/PW = 0.63. This is the shortest species of Arenivaga in total length and with its curious shape has the lowest TL/GW ratio of any species. EW = 0.4 mm; OW = 0.5 mm. In paratypes, no notable variations in dimensions from those of holotype.

Head. Two ocelli ovoid and not as protruding as on many species (0.3 × 0.20 mm); vertex brown with pale central line and small ridges in rays around upper apices of eyes; interocellar space concave, brown laterally fading to lighter brown towards center line. Posterior frons slightly tectiform horizontally, waxy white, smooth and shiny; anterior frons bulbous, waxy white, smooth and shiny; anteclypeus wide, smooth and waxy white. See Fig. 135d.

Pronotum. Pronotum translucent beige, anterior half of dorsal surface of pronotum also covered in fine pale setae with scattering of thicker orange-brown setae throughout; pronotal pattern orange-brown "hippo face" with extensive aura; some detail discernible. See Fig. 135c.

Body. Wing brace present. Two tarsal claws present. Legs and body pale brown; subgenital plate white with darker margin, asymmetrical, with rounded apices. See Fig. 135b.

Forewings. Wings extend only a short distance beyond abdominal apex (~ 20% of wing length); pale translucent brown with no sheen. See Fig. 135a.

Genitalia. Right dorsal phallomere composed of large bulbous lightly sclerotized hook-shaped lobe, articulated with right ventral phallomere on lateral side; anterior edge with small teeth leading to large ventrally projecting spine that is shagreened on its exterior surface. Small central sclerite is minutely punctate over entire surface with no sclerotized structures. Right ventral phallomere extends from articulation to form structure rounded at posterior apex but with corrugations at anterior apex, with rounded concave arm extending beyond depth of rest of phallomere; arm heavily sclerotized at its apex and shagreened over its external surface. Left phallomere unmodified. Genital hook with short extension to pointed head and slight dimple on short hook; arm gently curving. See Fig. 136.

Habitat and natural history.

This species occurs in terrain that is dry, hot, and dusty; it has been collected in shallow caves along dry arroyos. All other life history elements remain unobserved.