Parapachymorpha minuta, Jang & Bae, 2020

Jang, Chang-Moon & Bae, Yang ˗ Seop, 2020, A new species of the genus Parapachymorpha Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 (Phasmida, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae) from Laos, Zootaxa 4732 (1), pp. 196-200 : 196-200

Parapachymorpha minuta sp. nov.

Types. Holotype: ♀, Laos: Prov. Xiangkhouang, Muang Kham, Bantha (19˚44′52.51″N, 103˚37′28.14″E, Alt : 1520m), 23.VII.2018 (Bae Y.S., Kim S. T., W. Bayarsaikhan, Lee D.J., Ko J.H., Lee T.K., Jang C.M.), adult No. INU–9501 LAF ; Paratypes: 1♀, 2♂ & 9 eggs (naturally laid by holotype ♀), same data as holotype, adult No. INU–9502 LAF, INU– 9503 LAM, INU–9504 LAM, eggs No. INU–9505 LAE .

Diagnosis. Female of Parapachymorpha minuta sp. nov. is similar to P. nigra Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 , but can be distinguished by the unarmed femora and smaller size (length of body less than 50mm); and also similar to P. dentata Ho, 2017 , but can be distinguished by a more elongated praeopercular organ on the seventh abdominal sternum and posteromedial crest in the ninth abdominal tergite. Male of P. minuta sp. nov. is similar to P. spiniger ( Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) but can be distinguished by the semi–tergites with rounded dorso–posterior margin in lateral view.

Description. Female ( Fig. 1 ). Small (body length 47.0– 47.5mm (n=2)), robust with long legs in relation to the length. Body surface rugose and granulose. General coloration of body dark brown; legs brown, with darker markings. Head: rectangular, covered sparsely with granules. Vertex flat and densely covered with granules posteriorly. Antennae reaching middle area of profemora, with 19 segments; scapus oval, dorsoventrally flatten, longer than third segment, with distinct median carina; pedicellus oval, dorsoventrally flattened and shorter than third segment; apical antennomere as long as three preceding ones combined. Thorax: Wrinkled and covered sparsely with granules. Pronotum trapezoidal, gently expanded posteriorly, anterior margin curved inwardly, posterior margin truncate, transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing at middle area. Mesonotum expanded posteriorly. Metanotum square, longer than median segment. Abdomen: wrinkled and granulated. Median segment shorter than wide. Tergite II slightly longer than median segment and shorter than tergite III. Tergites IV–VI roughly equal in length. Posteromedial area of sternum VII with praeopercular organ, elongated posteriorly, notched apically. Tergite IX with posteromedial crest, elongated posteriorly. Anal segment tectiform, shorter than tergite IX, with rounded posterior margin. Subgenital plate scoop–shaped, tapering posteriorly, apex pointed and reaching posterior margin of anal segment. Cerci very short, curved inwardly. Legs: Femora and tibiae unarmed in all aspect, covered with setae along to carinae. Lateral surfaces of femora with flatten granules longitudinally. Medioventral carina of tibiae elevated.

Male ( Fig. 2 ). Small (body length 48.0–51.0 mm (n = 2)). Body slender with the long legs in relation to the length. Body surface granulose and spinose. General coloration of body and legs brown, with darker markings. Head: rectangular, posteriorly constricted behind eyes. Vertex flat with three pairs of granules; one fair between eyes and another two pairs posteriorly. Antennae reaching middle area of profemora, with 19 segments; scapus dorsoventrally flattened at basal half, longer than pedicellus; pedicellus cylindrical, shorter than scapus; third segment longer than scapus; apical antennomere as long as two preceding ones combined. Thorax: Armed with spines. Pronotum with granules on anterior margin, a pair of granules close to posterior margin; anterior margin curved inwardly, posterior margin rounded outwardly, transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing at middle area. Mesonotum slender and elongate, with two pairs of conical spines, pre–me-dially and post–medially, post–median spines longer than the other; two pairs of pointed tubercles, anteriorly and postmedially, post–median tubercles locate just behind post–median spines; and a few stubby granules, along lateral margins. Metanotum with one pair of conical pre–median spines; one pair of pointed anterior tubercles; and a few stubby granules, along lateral margin. Abdomen: Median segment distinct. Tergites II to VII parallel–sided. Tergite VIII expanded posteriorly. Anal segment longer than tergite IX, split into two semi–tergites; dorso–posterior margin rounded, latero–posterior margin slightly lobed, curved inwardly. Poculum cup–shaped, with rounded posterior margin, reaching anterior margin of anal segment. Cerci cylindrical, short, curved inwardly, not surpassing posterior apices of anal segment. Legs: Unarmed, covered with setae along to carinae. Measurements in Table 1 .

Egg ( Fig. 3 ). Capsule reticulate–foveate, inverted triangular, tapering posteriorly in dorsal view; rectangular, concave dorsally and posteriorly in lateral view. Micropylar plate oval with micropylar cup, at posterior margin. Median line short, about one–fifth length of micropylar plate. Operculum kite–shaped centrally depressed. Measurements. Length 1.70mm width 1.40mm height 1.63mm.

Distribution. Laos (Xiangkhouang Province).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin minutus, meaning small, referring to the small size of the new species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Female of Parapachymorpha minuta sp. nov. (holotype, INU−9501LAF) A. Body, dorsal view. B. Body, lateral view. C. Head and prothorax, dorsal view. D. Apex of abdomen, dorsal view. E. Apex of abdomen, lateral view. F. Apex of abdomen, ventral view. G. Head and thorax, dorsolateral view.

FIGURE 2. Male of Parapachymorpha minuta sp. nov. (paratype, INU−9503LAM). A. Body, dorsal view. B. Body, lateral view. C. Head and prothorax, dorsal view. D. Apex of abdomen, dorsal view. E. Apex of abdomen, lateral view. F. Apex of abdomen, ventral view. G. Head and thorax, dorsolateral view.

FIGURE 3. Egg of Parapachymorpha minuta sp. nov. (paratype, INU−9505LAE).A. Dorsal view, B. Lateral view, C.Anterior view.