Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2018, Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea XVIII: Four new species of Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007 from Peru and Ecuador (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Diapheromeridae), European Journal of Taxonomy 449, pp. 1-33 : 2-4

Genus Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007

Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007: 90 .

Libethra Stål, 1875: 75 (in part).

Ocnophila Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 309 (in part).

Lobolibethra – Conle, Hennemann & Gutíerrez 2011: 54.

Ceroys – Westwood 1859: 61, pl. 4, fig. 7.

Libethra – Giglio-Tos 1898: 27. — Kirby 1904: 345 (in part). — Caudell 1918: 6. — Günther 1940: 496, fig. 19. – Otte & Brock 2005: 175, 176 (in part).

Dyme – Caudell 1918: 10.

Rugosolibethra – Zompro 2003: 33.

Ceroys (Ceroys) – Zompro 2004: 180.

Ocnophila – Giglio-Tos 1910: 30. — Otte & Brock 2005: 229 (in part).

Type species

Lobolibethra panguana Hennemann & Conle, 2007: 98 , by original designation.

Comments

The original generic description and differentiation presented by Hennemann & Conle (2007) is very detailed and requires no additions. As previously pointed out, females of Lobolibethra are easily distinguished from those of the closely related Libethra Stål, 1875 by the more convex, strongly keeled and posteriorly entire, rounded or truncate subgenital plate and males are readily distinguished by the small unspecialized cerci. It is, however, noteworthy that the subgenital plate of females has the apex gently concave and excavated in L. mainerii ( Caudell, 1918) and L. ramale ( Giglio-Tos, 1898) , but not as deeply incised as in Libethra . The eggs differ by the less elongate capsule, which is almost circular in lateral aspect, and comparatively longer micropylar plate.

Like numerous species of the related Libethra , females of several species are very polymorphic and show strong intraspecific variability, which concerns the sculpturing of the body and armature of the extremities. Consequently, the presence or absence of strumae and lobes on the abdominal tergites, degree of thoracic nodes or tubercles, as well as the size and shape of teeth or lobes on the legs of females are only of limited value for species distinction. This is very well shown by the large type series of L. panguana Hennemann & Conle, 2007 , which includes 82 females and allows a fairly good overview of the range of intraspecific variability in the genus. Genital characters, like the shape of the anal segment (= abdominal tergum X), subgenital plate and the praeopercular organ on abdominal sternum VII, as well as length relations of body segments, have proven by far more reliable for distinguishing and characterizing species. Characters such as the sculpturing of the body and armature of the legs are here only used as key features if they represent extreme states, e.g., are strongly developed or almost to completely lacking.

Distribution

Moist tropical rain forests below 2000 m in southeast Ecuador, southeast Colombia, eastern and central Peru, central Brazil and central Bolivia. According to Morrone (2006: 472–473) the known distribution refers to the Amazonian subregion of the Neotropical region (biogeographical Provinces Yungas, Napo, Varzea, Ucayali and Madeira) and to the eastern sections of the South American Transition Zone (biogeographical Province Puna).

The currently known records of Lobolibethra clearly show that the genus is still poorly known and the distribution is believed to cover most of the northern tropical lowlands and Amazon basin of South America.

Species included

1. Lobolibethra acheloa ( Günther, 1940: 496) [ Libethra ] (Southeast Colombia, Dept. Amazonas, Río Tacana)

2. Lobolibethra boliviana Hennemann & Conle, 2007: 93 , figs 1, 3–6 (Central Bolivia, Chapare Prov., Río Chapare, Villa Tunari, 320 m a.s.l.)

3. Lobolibethra carbonelli sp. nov. (East Peru, Dept. Huánuco, Tingo Maria, 660 m a.s.l.)

4. Lobolibethra ignava ( Westwood, 1859: 61, pl. 4, fig 7) [ Ceroys ] (Northeast Brazil, Pará State, Río Tapajós)

5. Lobolibethra mainerii ( Giglio-Tos, 1910: 30) [ Ocnophila ]

= Libethra peruana Caudell, 1918: 6

= Dyme iconnicoffi Caudell, 1918: 10 . syn. nov. (Southeast Peru: Dept. Junín, San Ramón, 770 m a.s.l. and Dept. Junín, Río Carhuamayo)

6. Lobolibethra mutica Hennemann & Conle, 2007: 96 , figs 2, 7–10 (North Peru)

7. Lobolibethra panguana Hennemann & Conle, 2007: 98 , figs 11–23, 32–33, 38–40 (East Peru, Dept. Huánuco, Rio Yuyapichis, Panguana, 260 m a.s.l.; Dept. Tambopata, Tambopata Nature Reserve, Río Madre de Dios; Dept. Madre de Dios, Manú National Park)

8. Lobolibethra pozuzoae sp. nov. (East Peru, Dept. Pasco, Pozuzo, 800 m a.s.l.)

9. Lobolibethra ramale ( Giglio-Tos, 1898: 27) [ Libethra ] (Southeast Ecuador, Zamora Chinchipe Prov., San Jose, 1430 m a.s.l.)

10. Lobolibethra tricarinata sp. nov. (South Ecuador, El Oro Prov., 5–9 km E of Piñas, 900–950 m a.s.l. and Zamora Chinchipe Prov., El Salado, 1310 m a.s.l.)

11. Lobolibethra verruculosa sp. nov. (East Peru, Dept. Huánuco, San Luis de León Pampa)