Phasmotaenia inermis (Redtenbacher, 1908) Redtenbacher, 1908

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 : 21-22

Phasmotaenia inermis (Redtenbacher, 1908) n. comb.

Hermarchus inermis Redtenbacher, 1908: 448 , pl. 21: 5, 5a (Ƥ). LT [by present designation], Ƥ: Coll. Br. v. W., ex Mus. Godeffroy , Viti; det. Br. v. W. Hermarchus inermis ; 13.861 (NHMW, No. 852); PLT, 3: Coll. Br. v. W., Fidj. Ins., Dümel; det. Br. v. W. Hermarchus inermis ; 68. Hermarchus inermis ; 3907 (NHMW, No. 852); PLT, 3: O 92 3 Viti MG 17675; M. God. 17675 “ Hermarchus inermis ” Br. aus Spiritus.; 70. (ZMHU); PLT, Ƥ: O 93 Ƥ Viti MG Further material examined [1 Ƥ, 3 3]:

FIJI ( VITI LEVU): 1 3: Fiji, Viti Levu, Koro-O, 23.XI.1971, H.S. & G.S. Robinson, BM 1972-146 (BMNH); 1 3: Fiji, Baulevu, 2.6.1962, G. Swain leg., BM 1966-436 (BMNH); 1 3: Fiji, Nadarivutu, R.A. Lever leg., 1941 183, Pres. by Com. Inst. Ent., BM 1950-96 (BMNH); 1 Ƥ: Muséum Paris, Fiji, 1950; Hermarchus inermis Redt., L. Chopard det (MNHN).

Diagnosis: A moderately sized (body length: ƤƤ (including subgenital plate) 152.5–160.0 mm, 3 81.5–94.5 mm) and rather slender species for the genus with a smooth mesonotum, the ƤƤ apterous with a long subgenital plate and long filiform gonapohyses, the 3 having fully developed alae (42.5–43.0 mm).

ƤƤ are similar to P. godeffroyi (Redtenbacher, 1908) from the Carolines ( Micronesia) and P. g u e n t h e r i n. sp. from the Solomons ( San Cristobal Island) with which they share the strongly reduced wings. They are however distinguished from both these species by: the more slender and elongate body; more globose head; even smaller tegmina (<1.0 mm) and complete lack of alae, and much more prominent and sharp armature of the legs. From P. godeffroyi ƤƤ additionally differ by the much longer and elongate subgenital plate, which projects over the apex of the abdomen by about the combined length of abdominal tergites VIII–X, and from P. g u e n t h e r i n. sp. they are at once distinguished by the very long and filiform lower gonapophyses which posteriorly extend as far as to the tip of the subgenital plate. The 3 of these two species are not known, but from the recognized 3 of Phasmotaenia those of P. i n e r m i s (Redtenbacher, 1908) come closest to P. australe (Günther, 1904) , differing mainly by the almost smooth mesonotum and more distinct leg armature.

Comments: Redtenbacher (1908: 448) originally placed this species in the genus Hermarchus Stål, 1875 and characterized it amongst the species of that genus by the unarmed mesothorax and metapleurae. However, these features as well as the globose and oval head (roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect and flat in Hermarchus ) and circular eyes which lack a conspicuous black outer rim clearly distinguish H. inermis Redtenbacher, 1908 from Hermarchus and place it in the genus Phasmotaenia Navás, 1906 (n. comb.).

This species is the most eastward representative of Phasmotaenia and shows the distribution of this genus to extend over great parts of northern Melanesia and even western Polynesia. Detailed re-descriptions of the adults will be presented in a forthcoming revision of the entire tribe Stephanacridini (Hennemann & Conle, in progress). Eggs unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ): Fiji. Appears to be endemic to Viti Levu Island, and so far recorded only from Korovou, Baulevu & Nadarivatu.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geographical distribution of Phasmotaenia Navás, 1907. The dotted line indicates the still fractional knowledge on the distribution of the genus and its borders indicate the known limits of its distribution.