Diponthus paraguayensis Bruner, 1906

Pocco, Martina E., Lange, Carlos E. & Cigliano, María Marta, 2023, Relationships and taxonomy of the genus Diponthus Stål (Orthoptera: Acridoidea Romaleidae), Zootaxa 5336 (1), pp. 33-81 : 52

Diponthus paraguayensis Bruner, 1906

( Figs. 2g, h , 6d , 7a, b , 8k , 9a, b , 10i , 11i , 12a, b , and 13 )

Diponthus paraguayensis Bruner, 1906:657 (Syntype, female, Paraguay, Paraguari, Sapucay, USNM Washington); Kirby, 1910: 382; Rehn, 1913: 336; Carbonell et al. 2023; Cigliano et al. 2023.

Diagnosis. Disc of pronotum with a band on mid-dorsal longitudinal carina, two oblique bands in prozona that surpass the main transverse sulcus, a horizontal band in the lower margin of lateral lobes of prozona, and posterior border of the pronotum yellow or greenish-yellow ( Figs. 2g, h , and 7a, b ). Prosternal tubercle broad, laterally compressed, with rounded apex. Tegmina with longitudinal and transverse veins yellow delimiting rather large irregular cells with a central dark spot ( Fig. 8k ). Male epiproct rounded with pointed tip, tubercles on posterior margin; furculae prominent, with sharp tips ( Fig. 9a ). Male cerci wide at the base, distal third slightly curved downwards, with truncated apex, surpassing the end of epiproct ( Fig. 9b ). Dorsal valves of aedeagus short, distal third curved downwards, apex acute and weakly sclerotized ( Fig. 10i ). Valves of cingulum subtriangular, with posterior edge prominent ( Fig. 10i ). Cingulum wide V-shaped ( Fig. 11i ). Epiphallus with lophi placed perpendicular to the bridge, with rounded apex, not reaching the posterior processes of the lateral plates ( Fig. 12a ).

Redescription and chromatic characters, and material examined. See Appendix 1

Chromatic variation. This species can exhibit variation in body color. Specimens from the northern range of the distribution ( Brazil) exhibit darker body coloration, from dark green to blackish color.

Measurements (in mm). Body length: males: 25.1 (24.5–26); females: 34.5 (27.5–41). Hind femur length: males: 13.3 (13–14); females: 17.9 (16–20). Tegmina length: males: 23.1 (19.5–25); females: 29.8 (27–31).

Distribution. This species is found in Argentina (Misiones), Paraguay (Paraguari, Caaguazú, Amambay, San Pedro, Cordillera), Uruguay (Rivera, Paysandú) y Brasil (Mato Grosso, Río Grande do Sul), ( Fig. 13 ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Diponthus species. Males, habitus lateral views (a, c, e, g, i, k) and dorsal views (b, d, f, h, j, l). Species as indicated. Scale bar= 1 cm. Numbers indicate characters and states used in the cladistics analysis.

FIGURE 6. a–c, Diponthus argentinus: male and female, color morph green (a), female (b), male (c); d, D. paraguayensis, male; e, f, D. pycnostictus: e, yellow and gray color morph; f, red and gray color morph, male; g, D. festivus, male (photo credits: Elio Castillo); h, D. puelchus, male; i, D. crassus, male and female

FIGURE 7. Head and pronotum, in lateral views (a) and dorsal views (b). Diponthus species as indicated. Numbers indicate characters and states used in the cladistics analysis.

FIGURE 8. Tegmina, color pattern of venation. Diponthus species, as indicated. Numbers indicate characters and states used in the cladistics analysis.

FIGURE 9. Male abdominal terminalia, in lateral views (a) and dorsal views (b). Diponthus species as indicated. Numbers indicate characters and states used in the cladistics analysis.

FIGURE 10. Distal portion of aedeagal valves, lateral view. Diponthus species, as indicated.

FIGURE 11. Distal portion of aedeagal valves, dorsal view. Diponthus species, as indicated.

FIGURE 12. Epiphallus, dorsal views (a) and frontal views (b). Diponthus species, as indicated. Numbers indicate characters and states used in the cladistics analysis.

FIGURE 13. Distribution map of Diponthus species.