Liara (Acanthocoryphus) durata, Ingrisch, 2020

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2020, New subgenera and species of Agraeciini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae) from South Asia found in historical insect collections, Evolutionary Systematics 4 (2), pp. 119-132 : 119

Liara (Acanthocoryphus) durata sp. nov. Fig. 4

Holotype

(male). Hongkong [without precision], in or before 1911, coll. F.W. Terry - depository: BMNH (Lo031S001; B.M.1911-359). The type is unique.

Etymology.

The new species is named for the sclerotised central convexity of the male titillators, modified from Latin durare to harden, hardened.

Diagnosis.

The titillators of the new species are intermediate between those of the subgenera Liara s.str. and Unalianus Koçak & Kemal, 2009 in that they are fused as in Unalianus but of general shape as in Liara ; the membranous lateral expansions are sclerotised but the apical areas not as strongly prolonged as in Unalianus . Judging from the shapes of the cerci and titillators, the new species comes close to Liara (Acanthocoryphus) brevis Ingrisch, 1998. It differs by the long and upcurved fastigium verticis which is almost twice as long as the scapus instead of only little longer and has a strong tubercle at base. Further differences are the fused titillators, the very small styli, and shorter wings. The cerci are similar in both species but in the new species less wide at base and the apical branches more curved.

Description.

A short and stout, strongly brachypterous species (Fig. 4A ). Fastigium verticis much longer than scapus, strongly upcurved; with a large tubercle at top near base, immediately followed by a smaller tubercle anteriorly; apex acute; separated from fastigium frontis by a narrow seam (Fig. 4C, D ). Frons rugose (Fig. 4B ). Pronotum rugose, short funnel-shaped, only in apical area little shouldered; anterior margin in middle truncate; posterior margin truncate; transverse sulci only indicated; paranota with anterior angle rounded, posterior angle broadly rounded; auditory swelling very weak; humeral sinus weak. Tegmen surpassing apex of third abdominal tergite, hind wings of almost same length (Fig. 4A ). Prosternum mute; mesosternal lobes long and stout; metasternal lobes obtuse; intermedial plate with small spines at posterior angles (Fig. 4F ). Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: profemur no external, 2-3 internal; mesofemur 4 external, no internal; postfemur 6-7 external, no internal. Knee lobes of profemur obtuse on external, short spinose on internal side; of mesofemur acute on external, spinose on internal side; of postfemur spinose on both sides.

Male. Tenth abdominal tergite little prolonged; apical margin converging on both sides, broadly truncate in middle. Epiproct triangularly rounded with shallow medial furrow. Paraprocts with short obtuse compressed projections. Cerci short, at apex divided into a broad falcate dorsal and a narrow falcate ventral projection, both curved up; on internal side with a weak furrow from dividing point of apical projections to base (Fig. 4J, K ). Subgenital plate with straight converging lateral margins; apex broad, deep triangularly excised; styli very small. Titillators fused in middle; basal areas furrowed, pointing laterad; fused area at apex faintly bilobate; lateral expansions of central parts ("lateral sacculi" in Ingrisch 1998) sclerotised, bulging, then curved and diminishing, largely surpassing tip of fused parts, terminating in an acute tip (Fig. 4G-I ).

Coloration.

Uniformely yellowish brown. Frons reddish brown; mandibles black; tip of fastigium verticis especially on ventral side black. Pronotum with indication of brown lateral bands near hind margin only. Tegmen with dark spots. Meso- and metasternal lobes dark brown with tips of lobes yellowish brown.

Measurements of male.

Body w/o wings: 19; pronotum: 7.6; tegmen: 8.2, hind femur: 14 mm.

Figures

Figure 4. Liara (Acanthocoryphus) durata sp. nov. male holotype: A habitus lateral view; B face, C head dorsal view; D fastigium verticis lateral view; E stridulatory file on underside of left tegmen; F thoracic sternites, the arrow points at one of the prosternal spines; G-I titillators of male phallus in ventro-apical view (G), do. as seen from base (H), do. in oblique lateral view (I); J, K male cercus in external (J) and internal (K) views.