Nesoecia potoniya, Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez & Fernández- Azuara & Sánchez-Reyes & Almaguer-Sierra, 2020

Barrientos-Lozano, Ludivina, Rocha-Sánchez, Aurora Y., Fernández- Azuara, Geovany J., Sánchez-Reyes, Uriel Jeshua & Almaguer-Sierra, Pedro, 2020, Cryptic new species of Nesoecia Scudder, 1893 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae Pseudophyllinae) from northeastern, Mexico, Zootaxa 4859 (4), pp. 451-486 : 459-467

Nesoecia potoniya n. sp. Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez

( Figs. 26 , 34-61 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9D4263BB-E13D-49BF-A6A8-C1C1DB65F4E2

Examined material. Holotype ♂, Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Valles, 53masl, 28.XI.2015, 21°54.680’N 98°57.149’W, leg. L. Barrientos-Lozano, A.Y. Rocha-Sánchez, G.J. Fernández-Azuara. Paratypes, 1♀ nymph latest instar: 2♂, same data as holotype .

Diagnosis. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp. may be compared with N. huichihuayan n. sp., herein described. It may be distinguished from the latter species as follows: larger size (males 41.0 mm vs., 37.0 mm N. huichihuayan males) ( Figs. 34 , 46a vs., 1, 13a). Fastigium of vertex ( Figs. 35 vs., 2a) proximally broader and distally conspicuously V-shape emarginated. Pronotum ( Figs. 36-37 vs., 3-4) more densely granulated with smaller granules, the anterior margin more produced than in N. huichihuayan n. sp. The stridulatory apparatus is of larger size and of different shape ( Figs. 39-40 vs., 6-7). The cerci ( Fig. 42 vs., 9) are proximally broader and distally more produced. The subgenital plate is shorter and the styli more robust and distally broadly rounded ( Fig. 44 vs., 11). Internal genitalia as shown in Fig. 45 vs., 12. For this species we recorded a slow rhythm acoustic signal emitted at a rate of 78 echemes/ min vs., 128 and 390 in N. huichihuayan n. sp., low and fast rate song, respectively.

Male description ( Figs. 34-46 ) alive. General body color chestnut-brown, dark-brown marks on vertex, behind the eyes, pronotum, tegmina, femora, tibiae, and abdomen dorsally ( Figs. 34 , 46a ). Fastigium of vertex ( Fig. 35a ) broad sub-triangular, surpassing the antennal scrobes, bearing two medium size tubercles proximally one each side,

distal apex deep V-shape emarginated (compared to N. huichihuayan n. sp.), deep and broadly sulcate along midline; fastigium frontalis broad sub-triangular, apex broadly rounded ( Fig. 35b ). Pronotum ( Figs. 34, 36-37 , 46) densely granulated, three sulcate, main sulcus cuts deeply the lateral carinae, median carina conspicuous but not elevated, anterior margin moderately emarginated, slightly produced, with two medium size tubercles about mid portion, posterior margin strongly emarginated and slightly truncate about mid length. Lateral lobes of pronotum ( Figs. 34, 37 , 46) wider than deep, lower margin emarginated and truncate about mid length, anterior angle sub-rectangular, posterior angle obtuse angulate. Pro, meso, and metasternum as shown in Fig. 38 . Legs short, robust, brown-pinkish with dark brown-black ornamentation. Femora spines: anterior inner face lower margin 4 large spines, external face without spines; mid external face upper margin without spines, lower margin with 4 spines (the proximal smaller, then increasing in size towards the tibia; posterior external face lower margin 4 large spines. Tibiae spines: anterior external and internal face, each with 7 medium size spines on lower margin; posterior external face upper margin 2 crème color spines with dark tip, and 9 smaller reddish-brown spines on lower margin, inner face 9 medium size spines on upper margin and 7 smaller on lower margin. Tegmina ( Figs. 34 , 40, 46a) abbreviated not surpassing the posterior margin of the second abdominal segment, mostly dark-brown, broadly ovate, profusely reticulated, creme veinlets; stridulatory apparatus ( Figs. 39-40 , 46a) mostly light-brown; stridulatory file ( Fig. 41 ) length 3.1 mm, average 122 teeth. Cerci as shown in Figs. 42-44 . Subgenital plate ( Fig. 44 ) proximal half broad, then curves inwards tapering towards the bidentate apex, each teeth bearing a robust cylindrical style. Internal genitalia as shown in Fig. 45 .

Female description ( Figs. 47-57 ). We have no adult females for N. potoniya n. sp., we shall describe briefly the nymph we have which is in the latest instar. The general appearance is similar to the male ( Figs. 47 , 57 ) but a little darker, particularly on head, pronotum and dorsum of abdomen. Fastigium of vertex ( Fig. 48) sub-triangular, surpassing slightly the antennal scrobes, proximal tubercles conspicuous, one each side; fastigium frontalis ( Fig. 49 ) broad, as in the male. Pronotum ( Figs. 47, 50-51 , 57) similar to the male, anterior margin conspicuously emarginated, weakly produced, tubercle on mid portion visible; posterior margin strongly emarginated, moderately truncate about mid length; lateral lobes ( Figs. 47, 51 , 57) wider than deep, granulated, anterior lower and posterior margin with crème marks; sternal tergites as shown in Fig. 52 . Supraanal plate subtriangular, with broad rounded apex; cerci robust, broad proximally, tapering, the distal fourth weakly curved inwards ( Fig. 54 ). Subgenital plate ( Fig. 55 ) proximal half sub-rectangular, broad, and then curved inwards, the apex shallow U-shape forming two broad lobes. Ovipositor as in Fig. 56 .

Measurements (mm). Male. Body length, from vertex anterior margin mid-portion to end of abdomen, 41.0. Pronotum length along midline, 11.0, and maximum width, 9.0. Femora length, anterior and posterior, respectively: 11.0, 18.0. Tegmina length 8.0, and maximum width 6.0.

Distribution ( Fig. 26 ). N. potoniya n. sp., is known only from its type Locality, Cd. Valles, San Luis Potosí in northeastern Mexico.

Habitat. ( Fig. 58 ). N. potoniya n. sp. inhabits deciduous tropical forest around Cd. Valles, San Luis Potosí, this locality belongs to the Biosphere Reserve (BR) “Sierra del Abra Tanchipa”, set at the Huasteca Region in northeastern, Mexico. This natural ecosystem has been replaced in many areas by secondary vegetation, particularly palm groves of Mexican Sabal ( Sabal mexicana Brant ) in the lower parts, and Brahea dulcis (Kunth) Mart at the higher areas. Characteristic species are as follows: Lysiloma microphyllum (Jacq) J.F. Macbr. , Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. , Phoebe tampicencis (Meisn.) , Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg., Myrcianthes fragans (Sw.) McVaugh , Croton niveus Jacq. , Annona globiflora Schltdl. , Celosia nitida Vahl, and Tillandsia ionantha Planch. N. potoniya n. sp., lives on G. ulmifolia medium size trees (3-5 m height). This tree species has a high forage capacity, presenting in its leaves a 14.7% content of crude protein, a digestibility of 40-85%, and 26% crude fiber. In addition, its fruits contain 7% protein and 49% soluble carbohydrates. N. potoniya n. sp. has been collected late afternoon and evening, males are located by tracking the acoustic signal they produce. Climate in Cd. Valles is warm sub-humid with summer rains, average annual temperature is 24.5 °C and annual precipitation reaches 1,400 mm.

Etymology. Specific epithet “potoniya” alludes to the strong bad odor that stems from the adult insects; in Náhuatl, the native language spoken at the Huasteca region in northeastern México, “potoniya” means “stinky”.

Acoustic Signal ( Figs. 59-61 ) Males of N. potoniya n. sp. produce a low frequency audible song made up predominantly of two syllables ( Fig. 59 ). For this species we recorded only a slow rhythm acoustic signal produced at a rate of 78.0 echemes per min (n =10.5 min), duration of two-syllable echemes is 303.0 ± 18.0 ms (261.0-335.0; n =32), duration of syllable 1 (S1) 118.0 ± 7.0 ms (105.0-133.0; n =32), and syllable 2 (S2) 184.0 ± 20.0 ms (142-218; n =35); major interval (MaI) duration is 427.4 ± 87.5 ms (280.0-481.0; n =35). The fi range is between 12-40 kHz with very little energy released beyond 26 kHz, the peak fi is between 14-20 kHz ( Figs. 60-61 ).

Figures

FIG. 26. Distribution map of Nesoecia huichihuayan n. sp., Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., Nesoecia insolita n. sp., and Nesoecia constricta n. sp., in northern Mexico, State of San Luis Potosí, Huasteca Region.

FIG. 34. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male habitus. FIG. 35a. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male fastigium of vertex, dorsal view. FIG. 35b. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male fastigium frontalis. FIG. 36 Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male pronotum, dorsal view. FIG. 37. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male pronotum, lateral view. FIG. 38. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s thorax sternites FIG. 42a. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s terminalia: cerci, supraanal plate, and subgenital plate, dorsal view. FIG. 42b. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s terminalia, frontal view: supraanal plate, cerci, and styli. FIG. 43. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s terminalia, lateral view. FIG. 44. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s subgenital plate and cerci, ventral view.

FIG. 39. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male stridulatory area, dorsal view. FIG. 40. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male tegmina FIG. 41a. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s stridulatory file on underside of left tegmen. FIG. 41b. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male stridulatory file close-up (128X) FIG. 45a. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s internal genitalia, dorsal view. FIG. 45b. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male’s internal genitalia, ventral view.

FIG. 46a. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., male alive.

FIG. 47. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph habitus. FIG. 48. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph fastigium of vertex, dorsal view. FIG. 49. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph fastigium frontalis. FIG. 50. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph pronotum, dorsal view. FIG. 51. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph pronotum, lateral view. FIG. 52. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph thorax, ventral view FIG. 53. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph thorax, lateral view FIG. 54. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph terminalia: cerci and supraanal plate, dorsal view. FIG. 55. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph subgenital plate, ventral view. FIG. 56. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph ovipositor, lateral view.

FIG. 48. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph fastigium of vertex, dorsal view. FIG. 49. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph fastigium frontalis. FIG. 50. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph pronotum, dorsal view. FIG. 51. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph pronotum, lateral view. FIG. 52. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph thorax, ventral view FIG. 53. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph thorax, lateral view FIG. 54. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph terminalia: cerci and supraanal plate, dorsal view. FIG. 55. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph subgenital plate, ventral view. FIG. 56. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph ovipositor, lateral view.

FIG. 57. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., female nymph alive.

FIG. 58. Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., habitat.

FIG. 59. Oscillogram of Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., acoustic signal, recorded at 27 ± 2°C.

FIG. 60. Spectrogram of Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., acoustic signal.

FIG. 61. Frequency analysis of Nesoecia potoniya n. sp., acoustic signal.