Phasmotaenia spinosa, Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2009

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2009, Studies on the genus Phasmotaenia Navás, 1907, with the descriptions of five new species from the Solomon Islands, a revised key to the species and notes on its geographic distribution (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Phasmatidae s. l.: Stephanacridini), Zootaxa 2011, pp. 1-46 : 29-33

Phasmotaenia spinosa n. sp.

[ Figs. 33–40 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 62–64 ]

HT, Ƥ: Solomon Is., Malaita I., Fulisago-Maelegwasu, 26.5. 1955, E.S. Brown leg., 3150; BMNH(E) # 845046 (BMNH).

PT, Ƥ: Solomon Is., Malaita I., Fulisago-Maelegwasu, 26.5. 1955, BM 1957-201, 3150; BMNH(E) # 845048 (BMNH).

PT, 1 Ƥ, 1 Ƥ (nymph): Solomon Isles, Takwa, Malaita, III.1961, via B. Reid, BMNH(E) 2005-98; BMNH(E) #845047 (BMNH).

PT, 1 Ƥ (nymph): Solomon Isles, Takwa, Malaita, III.1961, via B. Reid, BMNH(E) 2005-98; BMNH(E) #845049 (BMNH).

PT, 2 ƤƤ, 1 egg (ex ovipositor): Salomonen, Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province, Alasa’a, 26.VI.2006, leg. J. Panda (coll. FH, No’s 0602-1 & 2).

PT, 3 ƤƤ, 2 3, eggs: ex Zucht: R. Krijns (Maastricht) 2008, Herkunft: Salomon Inseln, Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Prov., Alasa’a (coll. FH, No’s 0602-3 to 7 & E).

PT, 1 Ƥ: Solomon Islands, Malaita Id., 2002 (coll. OC).

PT, 14 ƤƤ, 2 3, eggs: Solomon Islands, Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province, Alasa’a, 25.- 30.04.2006, leg. J. Panda (coll. OC).

PT, 1 3: Solomon Islands, Central Malaita Id., Eke, 16.05.2006, leg. J. Panda (coll. OC).

PT, 3 ƤƤ, 8 3: ex Zucht B. Kneubühler 2007, Zuchtstamm: Solomon Islands, Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province, Alasa’a, 25.- 30.04.2006, leg. J. Panda (coll. OC).

Differentiation: This beautiful new species is well distinguished from all other representatives of the genus by the distinctly spinose mesonotum ( Fig. 35 ) and rounded posterolateral lobes of the abdominal tergites II–VII of ƤƤ. Features of the ƤƤ, such as the bright red and black anal region of the alae and dentate subapical lobe on the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora ( Fig. 40 ), indicate relation to P. salomonense n. sp. from Santa Isbel and Bougainville.

Etymology: The specific name “ spinosa ” refers to the spinose mesothorax of this new species, which readily distinguishes it from all other known representatives of Phasmotaenia .

Description: Ƥ ( Fig. 33 , 63–64 ): Moderately sized (body length 122.0–148.0 mm, incl. subgenital plate 129.5–161.0 mm) and robust for the genus (body width at abdominal tergite V 8.0–9.0 mm) with a distinctly broadened and spinose mesothorax, rather well developed tegmina (6.5–9.5 mm) and alae (9.5–15.5 mm), and a moderately long but apically broadened and spoon-like subgenital plate.

Colouration: General colouration of body and legs very variable, usually ranging from pale to dark brown, but sometimes pale to mid green specimens occur as well as ones which are a mixture of brown and green ( Fig. 64 ). Entire body to a variable degree furnished with irregular but distinctly defined dark brown to black markings and speckles. Head with a few blackish speckles in the lower portion of the cheeks and a black spot posteromedially. Pronotum with a ± defined black longitudinal median stripe in the anterior half. Mesonotum with two prominent, oval blackish markings in the swollen and spinose pre-medial portion. Abdominal tergite VI with two large, ± defined, roughly triangular dark markings. Legs with faint transverse dark brown bands. Scapus and pedicellus either pale to dark brown or green, remaining antennomeres very dark brown to black. Eyes pale cream. Tegmina and costal region of alae pale to mid brown with blackish mottling; with some green portions in green specimens. Anal region of alae bright red with a broad black outer margin ( Fig. 63 ).

Head: Sub-globose, about 1.3x longer than wide, broadest at the eyes but cheeks almost parallel-sided. Vertex very gently rounded, interocular portion slightly raised. Eyes of moderate size, circular and projecting hemispherically; their length contained about 3x in that of cheeks. Antennae reaching about 4/5 the way along the mesonotum; with 26 segments. Scapus dorsoventrally compressed, about 1.5x longer than wide and roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect. Pedicellus cylindrical and less than half the length of scapus. III–VI roughly equal in length and slightly longer than pedicellus. Following antennomeres first increasing then decreasing in length towards apex of antennae.

Thorax: Pronotum a little shorter and about as broad as head, roughly 1.4x longer than wide and slightly trapezoidal being gently narrowed towards the anterior. Anterior margin raised, the transverse median depression distinct, curved and almost reaching to lateral margins of segment. Complete segment with an impressed longitudinal median line, the posteromedian portion finely granulose. Mesothorax about 3.7x longer than pronotum, constricted at the anterior, distinctly swollen pre-medially and constricted slightly just before the posterior margin. Mesonotum with a very fine median line and in the anterior portion armed with ± 12 distinct spines of different sizes. Lateral margins with 5–6 distinct blunt spines and accompanied by a variable number much smaller spiniform tubercles. Metanotum transverse. Mesopleurae with a longitudinal row of 7–13 blunt spines of variable sizes; a row of 3–5 much smaller spines on metapleurae. Meso- and metasternum sparsely set with a few spiniform tubercles. Tegmina almost reaching to posterior margin of metanotum, scale-shaped and distinctly constricted towards the base; central hump indistinct. Alae about 1.3x longer than tegmina and reaching at least 2/3 along the median segment.

Abdomen: Median segment about 1.3x longer than metanotum, roughly 1.5x longer than wide and slightly broadened posteriorly. Segments II–VI slightly increasing in length and width, II 1.2x, VI about 1.4.x longer than wide; V and VI broadest segments. VII about as long as VI but slightly narrower. Tergites III–IX each with the lateral margins gradually expanding towards the posterior and terminating in a roundly triangular lobe; most prominent on V–VII and rather acute on IX. II–IX with two irregular and sub-parallel, longitudinal carinae; very faint on II–IV. V with a ± distinct and transverse, scale-like swelling posteromedially. A similar but much smaller scale-like, structure present on VI; VII posteromedially with two short converging carinae. Praeopercular organ formed by a small, scale-like, medial swelling at the posterior margin of sternite VII. Tergite VIII about half the length of VII, slightly longer than wide and gently narrowed towards the posterior. IX shorter than VIII, transverse. Anal segment with a blunt longitudinal median keel and slightly shorter than VIII. Posterolateral angles broadly expanded, lobe-like and posteromedially with a distinct, roundly triangular excavation ( Fig. 37 ). Supraanal plate rounded and slightly projecting over posterior margin of anal segment. Cerci cylindrical and tapered towards the pointed tip; finely bristled. Lower gonapophyses elongate, filiform with the apex slightly up-curving and broadened; almost reaching to apex of subgenital plate. Upper gonapophyses projecting over posterior margin of anal segment and with the apex moderately pointed. Subgenital plate variable in length, but projecting over the abdomen by at least the combined length of tergites IX and X; strongly keeled and boat-shaped with a scoop-like broadening just before the apex ( Fig. 36 ).

Legs: All of moderate length with most carinae distinctly armed. Profemora longer than pro- and mesonotum combined, mesofemora slightly longer than mesonotum, metafemora almost reaching posterior of abdominal segment V, and metatarsi slightly projecting over apex of abdomen. Anterodorsal carina of profemora with 8–13 saw-like teeth of moderate size, posteroventral carina with 15–22 pointed teeth and anteroventral carina with a few very flat serrations. Medioventral carina distinct and over the complete length armed with ± 20 spines, which strongly decrease in size in the basal portion of the femur. Dorsal carinae of protibiae unarmed, the two outer ventral carinae sparsely and indistinctly serrate. Meso- and metafemora each with all outer carinae irregularly dentate, the ventral carinae with a prominent bi- or tri-dentate apical lobe which is larger on anteroventral carina ( Fig. 40 ). Medioventral carina distinct and set with 6–10 distinct, pointed spines. Meso- and metatibiae with the medioventral carinae roundly elevated sub-basally. Dorsal carinae with a few small serrations in apical portion, the three ventral carinae irregularly dentate. Basitarsi roughly as long as the following three tarsomeres combined. Probasitarsus with the dorsal carina gently elevated and rounded; ventral carinae with a few very minute teeth. Meso- and metabasitarsi with dorsal carina flat and unarmed, the ventral carinae minutely dentate.

33 ( Fig. 34 , 62 ): Of moderate size (body length 81.6–85.8 mm) and robust for the genus (body width at abdominal tergite V 2.0– 2.2 mm), with a spinose mesonotum, well developed alae (43.0– 44.5 mm) and distinctly dentate legs.

Colouration: Ranging from straw to mid brown with irregular darker brown areas, markings and speckles on the abdomen and legs in particular. Mesopleurae and mesosternum almost entirely dark brown to black. Eyes with entire lower portion of the cheeks very dark brown and a dark brown to black transverse stripe between the eyes. Eyes orange-brown. Mesonotum with an irregularly defined dark marking about 1/3 off the base. Tegmina dark brown with the radial vein and very outer anterior margin straw. Costal region of alae straw to mid brown with irregular darker mottling along the anterior and posterior margins; near the base with an elongate, washed pale green marking. Anal region transparent with the outer margin slightly greyish. All femora dark brown in the basal half and gradually becoming paler brown towards the apex. Antennae pale brown with very slight greyish brown annulations.

Head: Generally as in ƤƤ but eyes much more prominent and projecting hemispherically with their length contained only about 1.5x in that of cheeks. Antennae consisting of 24 segments and reaching about half way along median segment. Scapus and pedicellus as in ƤƤ.

Thorax: Pronotum generally as in ƤƤ but a little shorter and narrower than head. Mesothorax almost 5x longer than pronotum and slightly widened at the posterior. Mesonotum in anterior portion armed with 6–12 spines of different sizes and 4–6 spinoform tubercles along lateral margins. Meso- and metapleurae each with a few spiniform tubercles arranged in a longitudinal row. Meso- and metasternum sparsely and irregularly set with small spiniform tubercles. Metanotum just slightly longer than wide. Tegmina scale-shaped, roundly truncate apically and roughly reaching to posterior margin of metanotum; central hump moderate and roundly conical. Alae reaching about 1/3 the way along abdominal tergite VI.

Abdomen: Median segment about 1.2x longer than wide. Segments II–IV and VI roughly equal in length, V slightly longer andabout 3.5x longer than wide. VII about ¾ the length of VI and gently widened at the posterior. Tergites II–IV smooth, V–IX each with a pair of posteromedial tubercles. Sternites II–VII with a very faint longitudinal median keel and very minutely granulose. Tergite VIII about half the length of VI and gently widened at the posterior. IX rectangular and 1.2x longer than wide. Anal segment about as long as IX and widened towards the posterior. Lateral margins roundly elevated medially, the posterolateral angles rounded and swollen, and the posterior margin with a slight truncate median excavation ( Fig. 46 ). Posterolateral angles ventrally with two minute teeth. Supraanal plate very small. Cerci small, round in crosssection and slightly tapered towards a blunt apex. Vomer broadly triangular, with a very short terminal point, curved to the right. Poculum moderately cup-like with an acute longitudinal median carina and a slight posteromedian indention; reaching about ½ along anal segment ( Fig. 45 ).

Legs: Of moderate length and rather robust, most carinae to a variable degree set with pointed teeth. Profemora longer thnan pro- and mesonotum combined, mesofemora slightly longer than mesothorax, metafemora almost reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment V and metatibiae roughly reaching to apex of abdomen. All carinae of profemora serrate, the medioventral carina set with a longitudinal row of 15–20 small but pointed spines, which decrease in size in basal portion of femur. Ventral carinae of protibiae very minutely and very sparsely serrate, the dorsal carinae smooth. Meso- and metafemora with all outer carinae irregularly set with pointed, triangular teeth of moderate size; the terminal 2–3 teeth of the ventral carinae ± enlarged. Medioventral carina with 7–10 medium spines. Dorsal carinae of meso- and metatibiae smooth, the ventral carinae minutely dentate and the medioventral carina with a slight rounded elevation subbasally. Probasitarsus slender and longer than remaining tarsomeres combined; all carinae unarmed. Meso- and metabasitarsi almost as long as remaining tarsomeres except claw combined, slender and with all carinae unarmed.

Variation: In addition to the size, colouration as well as the number and size of the thoracic spines, ƤƤ show variation concerning to the length of the alae and subgenital plate. The alae reach no further than 2/3 along the median segment in the HT and PT from Fulisago-Maelegwasu, but to the posterior margin of that segment in most PT’s from Alasa’a. The subgenital plate usually exceeds the apex of the abdomen by no more than the combined length of tergites IX and X and exhibits a rather distinct and round, scoop-like elevation pre-medially. In the HT it projects over the abdomen by almost the combined length of tergites VIII–X and has the pre-apical elevation rather shallow and the apex slender.

Eggs ( Fig. 58 ): Medium-sized, ovoid, capsule longer than wide and slightly oval in cross-section; the dorsal surface strongly convex. Capsule very slightly uneven and strongly shiny. Micropylar plate slightly raised above surface of plate, elongate and about ¾ as long as capsule. The median portion roundly elevated and the anterior and posterior ends gradually narrowing towards a narrow but rounded apex. Micropylar cup very small and placed slightly below centre of plate. Operculum circular and in the centre with a moderately prominent, knob or wart-like and irregularly pitted pseudo-capitulum. General colouration of capsule very dark brown to black with a few bold but washed greyish brown markings on the lateral surfaces. Micropylar plate and operculum creamish mid brown, the pseudo-capitulum mahogany.

Measurements [mm]: length (incl. operculum) 3.7, length 3.5, width 2.0, height 2.3, length of micropylar plate 2.7.

Comments: Culture-stock collected at Mount Alasa’a in the Kwara’ae Province of Central Malaita was imported to Europe by B. Kneubühler (Luzern, Switzerland) in 2006 and eggs of the F1-generation were distributed in 2007. The species has proven moderately easy to rear in moderately humid but well ventilated conditions with bramble ( Rubus spp., Rosaceae ), raspberry ( Rubus idaeus , Rosaceae ), rose ( Rosa spp., Rosaceae ), oak ( Quercus robur & Q. ilex , Fagaceae ) and eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus gunnii , Myrtaceae ) readily accepted as alternative food-plants. Although P. s p i n o s a n. sp. seems to be fairly common in the central mountainous regions of Malaita Island nothing is known about its natural host-plants.

Distribution ( Fig. 60 ): Solomon Islands. Known only from the central mountainous regions of Malaita Island, Kwara’ae Province (Fulisago-Maelegwasu, Takwa, Eke & Mount Alasa’a).

Figures

FIGURE 59. Geographic distribution of Phasmotaenia Navás, 1907 with the concrete records indicated by red spots.

FIGURE 60. Distribution of Phasmotaenia spp. in the Solomon Islands.

FIGURES 33 – 40. Phasmotaenia spinosa n. sp. 33. Habitus of Ƥ PT (coll. FH, No. 0602 - 3); 34. Habitus of 3 PT (coll. FH, No. 0602 - 6); 35. Head and thorax of Ƥ PT (BMNH); 36. Ƥ apex of abdomen (lateral view); 37. Ƥ apex of abdomen (dorsal view); 38. 3 apex of abdomen (lateral view); 39. 3 apex of abdomen (dorsal view); 40. Mid leg of Ƥ (anterolateral view).

FIGURES 48 – 58. Eggs of Phasmotaenia spp. in dorsolateral view. 48. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 49. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 50. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock); 51. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), Central Malaita Id., Kwara’ae Province (culture-stock, after incubation on damp vermiculite); 52. Phasmotaenia australe (Günther, 1933), from Maramasike (coll. FH, No. 0513 - E 1); 53. Phasmotaenia virgea n. sp., PT (BMNH); 54. Phasmotaenia guentheri n. sp., PT (BMNH); 55. Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis (Huang & Brock, 2001) (coll. FH, No. 0610 - E); 56. Phasmotaenia laeviceps (Hennemann & Conle, 2006), PT (RMNH); 57. Phasmotaenia salomonense n. sp., PT (SMTD); 58. Phasmotaenia spinosa n. sp., PT (coll. FH, No. 0602 - E).

FIGURES 62 – 64. Live captive reared specimens of Phasmotaenia spinosa n. sp.: 62. adult 3, 63. Defensive reaction of Ƥ displaying its bright red and black wings (© R. Krijns), 64. adult Ƥ (© R. Krijns).

FIGURES 41 – 47. Phasmotaenia virgea n. sp. 41. Habitus of Ƥ HT (BMNH, No. 845349). [Photo by P. D. Brock, © BMNH]; 42. Habitus of 3 PT (BMNH, No. 845350). [Photo by P. D. Brock, © BMNH]; 43. Ƥ apex of abdomen (lateral view); 44. Ƥ apex of abdomen (dorsal view); 45. 3 apex of abdomen (lateral view); 46. 3 apex of abdomen (dorsal view); 47. Mid leg of Ƥ HT (anterolateral view).