Pachyphloea magnoliae, Murcia & Cadena-Castañeda & Noriega & García, 2019

Murcia, Andres David, Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., Noriega, Jorge Ari & García, Alexander García, 2019, New species of Pachyphloea Redtenbacher, 1906 (Phasmida: Pseudophasmatidae Xerosomatinae) with comments on Grylloclonia Zompro, 2004 n. syn., Zootaxa 4623 (3), pp. 545-554 : 549-553

Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp.

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Phasmida .speciesfile.org:TaxonName:506727

( Figs. 1–6 )

Holotype: ♂. Colombia, Cundinamarca, SanAntonio de Tequendama ,NNP Chicaque. 4°36’31.85”N, 74°18’22.97”O. 2510 m ( CAUD).

Paratypes: 2♀, 1♂. Same data as holotype.

Description: Male. General coloration of the body dark brown, legs lighter than thorax and abdomen, first antennomeres brown and progressively lighten halfway the total length of the antenna. Body with abundant tubercles or granules and striations throughout the tegument, being more conspicuous in dorsal view ( Fig. 1 A–B). Head longer than wide with numerous granules arranged between the genae and the frons and two more prominent conical tubers on the posterior part of the vertex ( Fig. 1C ); antennae project towards the VI abdominal segment ( Fig. 1 A–B), scapus two times longer than the pedicellus, flattened dorso-ventrally and with rectangular shape in dorsal view, pedicellus cylindrical and with numerous bristles in the same way as the rest of antennal segments of the flagellum; mandibular and labial palps are of similar length and widen from the most proximal to distal segments; clypeus quadrangular with a moderate constriction along the lateral edges at its center; labrum as long as clypeus. Thorax. Neck with a pair of lateral extensions, the posterior border of these containing markedly sclerotised tubercles. Pronotum rectangular, wider than long, with two prominent foliaceous extensions closely spaced from one another on the posterior margin of the pronotum disc ( Fig. 1 C–D). Mesonotum twice as long as wide, widens slightly along its anterior to posterior margin; posterior margin of the mesonotum with a pair of more prominent small tubercles and dorsal midline; dorsal midline is elevated and extends towards the last tergal segment. Quadrangular metanotum presents two thirds the length of the mesonotum ( Fig. 1B ). Prosternum wider than long, reduced compared to other sternal segments of the thorax; mesosternum elongated, with the mesofurcal sulcus slightly invaginated and arranged in its distal portion. Quadrangular metasternum moderately constricted at the level of the third pair of coxae, metafurcal groove located near the center of the metasternum, the lateral grooves connected with the metafurcal groove concavely backwards from the posterior margin of the segment. Legs. First and second pair of legs of similar length, third pair of legs longer than the first two, area apicalis deeply imprinted in the meso- and meta-tibia; tarsomeres decrease in size from the first to the fourth segment. Profemur rectangular, compressed basally; femora and tibiae of all legs present lateroventral serrated edges and an undulate dorsal margin. Abdomen segments wider than long, granulated, and of similar length; tergites IV–VIII broaden slightly along their anteroposterior margin; tergite V with a small tubercle; tergite VI with a small foliaceous structure that bifurcates near its posterior margin; tergites VII–IX ascend above the dorsal midline; tergite X slightly divided by a suture along the center of its antero-posterior margin; sternites present numerous tubercles; sternite VIII reduced, to half the length of sternite VII. Poculum convex, with rounded distal margin, and partially covered by the vomer; cerci conical and small ( Fig. 1 E–G).

Female: Coloration of the body similar to that of the male, only in darker tones. It differs from the male by being more robust, although have a similar length to one last ( Fig. 2 A–B). Head with a crown of conspicuous thorns on the back edge of the vertex; antennae projecting towards the third abdominal tergite ( Fig. 2C ). Thorax. Pronotum rectangular, wider than long with two foliaceous prominences on the posterior margin of the pronotum disc ( Fig. 2D ). Mesonotum twice the length of the pronotum, posterior margin with a pair of more prominent small tubercles and a slightly elevated dorsal midline that extends towards the last tergites ( Fig. 2B ). Abdomen robust and rounded in dorsal view; tergites V–VII with foliaceous extensions of similar shape and size, albeit tergite VI presenting the largest. Tergites VIII and IX relatively narrower and more elongated with a concave posterior margin; tergite X presents an undulated posterior margin with a small invagination on its medial portion ( Fig. 2 A–B). Cerci reduced, conical, and partially covered by tergite X. First six sternites rectangular; sternite VII relatively longer and wider than previous ones with a triangular medial extension ( Fig. 2 E–F). Subgenital plate twice as long as wide with a triangular posterior edge ( Fig. 2G ).

FIGURE 4. Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp. live male.

Variation: Individuals dark brown to ocher tones, foliose ornamentations can be white, yellow, or brown; these, as well as the spines and tubercles of the head, may be significantly more prominent and conspicuous in some individuals (Figs. 4–6), as well as the spines and tubercles of the head.

Measurements (mm): ♂ / ♀ TL: 23/26, Pr: 2.5/2.8, Ms: 4.5/4.9, Mt: 1.2/1.3, MSeg: 0.8/0.9, Pf: 6.9/6, Mf: 5.4/5.1, Hf: 8.1/7.9, Pt: 7/6, Mt: 6/5, Ht: 9/7.5, Ant: 16/15.

Egg. Dark brown and opaque; capsule conspicuously rough ( Fig. 3 ), ovoid, 1.3 times taller than wide. Dorsal surface tapers towards its polar vertex; operculum circular with straight margins ( Fig. 3 A–D). Micropylar plate small, ovoid, and located towards the egg’s polar region, interior region elevated and convex with wide margins ( Fig. 3 B–E). Central portion of capitulum button-shape, closed; micropylar cup on the posterior end, including contact of the midline with the polar region ( Fig. 3 C–F).

Variation. The eggs of this species vary in the sculpting of the capsule, presenting either a foveate ( Fig. 3 A–C) or a conspicuously rough capsule ( Fig. 3 D–F). Coloration is similar for both designs.

Measurements (mm): Capsule length 2.5, height 1.8, and width 1.7; operculum diameter 0.9/0.8.

Etymology. This species is dedicated to the mother of the first author, who deeply appreciates her unconditional support and infinite love.

Comments. P. magnoliae n. sp. specimens were collected during daytime and found on ferns and mosses (Figs. 4–5). In addition, a couple was sighted copulating at the exact moment in which the male transfers the spermatophore to the female ( Fig. 6 ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp. (Male) A–B. Habitus in lateral and dorsal views, respectively. C–D. Head and pronotum in lateral and dorsal views, respectively. E–G. Terminalia in lateral, dorsal and ventral views, respectively.

FIGURE 2. Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp. (Female) A–B. Habitus in lateral and dorsal views, respectively. C–D. Head and pronotum in lateral and dorsal views, respectively. E–G. Terminalia in lateral, dorsal and ventral views, respectively.

FIGURE 3. Egg variation. A, G. Dorsal view. B, E. Ventral view. C, F. Anterior pole.

FIGURE 5. Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp. live female.

FIGURE 6. Pachyphloea magnoliae n. sp. in copulation.