Phanocles chaperi ( Redtenbacher, 1908 ) Hennemann & Conle, 2024

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2024, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXVI: Taxonomic review of Cladomorformia tax. n., a lineage of Diapheromerinae stick insects, with the descriptions of seven new genera and 41 new species (Phasmatodea: Occidophasmata: Diapheromerinae), Zootaxa 5444 (1), pp. 1-454 : 171

Phanocles chaperi ( Redtenbacher, 1908) comb. n.

( Figs. 92C , 99P )

Bacteria chaperi Redtenbacher, 1908: 419 .

Otte & Brock, 2005: 62.

Delfosse, Cliquennois, Depraetere & Robillard, 2019: 195.

Brock & Büscher, 2022: 510.

Further material examined [2 ♀♀, 1 egg]:

VENEZUELA: 2 ♀♀, 1 egg (ex ovipositor): Venezuela, Aragua State, Henry Pittier National Park , c. 800 m, leg. Sanchez Gustavo [ FH, No’s 0606–1, 2 & E] .

Diagnosis. Females of this species (the only sex known) are very similar to those of P. keratosqueleton ( Olivier, 1792) from the Lesser Antilles and P. muticus (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 ) from Trinidad and Tobago. It differs from both species however by the scarcely longer median segment, much more pronounced node-like tubercles of the thorax, less distinct praeopercular organ, that is only formed by two obtuse verrucose swellings close to posterior margin of abdominal sternum VII ( Fig. 92C ); a pair of prominent, obtusely conical swellings in keratosqueleton and two spiniform projections in muticus ), rather angular posterolateral angles of the anal segment (rounded in keratosqueleton and muticus ) and lower dorsal lobe of the basitarsi. The eggs ( Fig. 99P ) readily differ from those of both species by the plain dark ochre capsule and dark brown opercular excrescence. From those of keratosqueleton they also differ by the larger dimensions, more prominently punctured and plain ochre capsule, more elongate and slenderer micropylar plate and higher opercular excrescence ( Fig. 99P ) and from those of muticus by having the pits of the capsule notably less numerous and less deep as well as the proportionally longer micropylar plate (only about two-thirds the length of capsule in muticus ). From the similar P. barbadosense sp. n. from the island of Barbados, the ♀♀ of this species differ by the slenderer shape, not prominently raised anterior margin of the pronotum, obtuse cephalic horns (laterally compressed with the anterior margin dentate in barbasosense), longer median segment (roughly equal in length to metanotum in barbadosense ) and different praeopercular organ (a shallow posteromedian swelling and somewhat deflexed and rounded apex of the two lateral longitudinal carinae of sternum VII in barbadosense ).

Egg ( Fig. 99P ). One fully developed egg could be removed from the ovipositor of one of the ♀♀ in the first author’s collection (coll. FH, No. 0606–E) .

Fairly large for the genus, shape ovoid with the polar-area flattened and the dorsal egg surface strongly convex in the anterior portion; oval in cross-section. Capsule surface very minutely granulose and prominently punctured all over, the pits fairly large but rather shallow and undefined; surface otherwise slightly glossy. Micropylar plate elongate, slender and about three-quarters as long as capsule; almost 6x longer than wide. Median portion of micropylar plate gently constricted, the posterior end broadened and rounded; surface slightly inflated and wholly convex. Micropylar cup moderately distinct. Median line short, moderately distinct and not reaching to polar-area. Operculum oval and with a hollow, raised structure that is fairly typical for the genus and formed by excrescences of the outer margin; shape roundly conical with the lateral surface almost smooth and the height almost corresponding to one-third of capsule length. Colour of capsule fairly plain ochre, the micropylar plate reddish mid brown, opercular structure dark brown.

Measurements [mm]: length incl. capitulum 4.8, length 3.6, width 2.1, height 2.7, length of micropylar plate 2.3.

Comments. The two ♀♀ in the first author’s collection (coll. FH) match fairly well with the holotype of Bacteria chaperi Redtenbacher, 1908 in the collection of MNHN, except for being somewhat larger (body lengths excluding the subgenital plate 152.0 mm and 159.0 mm). Unfortunately, both specimens have the subgenital plate broken off but they represent the first definite locality for this rarely known species. Males are as yet unknown, but it is not unlikely that they are represented by Ph. obtusus ( Redtenbacher, 1908) which was also described from Venezuela.

Figures

FIGURE 92. Praeopercular organ of ♀♀: A. Phanocles berezini sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; B. Phanocles horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; C. Phanocles chaperi (Redtenbacher, 1908) HT [MNHN]; D. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) St. Vincent [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; E. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) Dominica [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; F. Phanocles mutica (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) Trinidad [coll. ASPER, © Philippe Lelong]; G. Phanocles ecuadoricus sp. n. PT [ZMUH]; H. Phanocles maximus sp. n. [coll. FH]; J. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. PT [coll. FH]. Not in scale.

FIGURE 99. Eggs (in scale): A. Phanocles aequatorialis (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; B. Phanocles costaricensis Hennemann, 2002; C. Phanocles cuzcoense sp. n. ex ovipositor HT [ANSP]; D. Phanocles ecuadoricus sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; E. Phanocles maximus sp. n. [coll. FH]; F. Phanocles mutica (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) [coll. FH]; G. Phanocles ploiaria (Westwood, 1859) Panamá, Prov. Coclé, Valle de Antón [coll. FH]; H. Phanocles rehni sp. n. ex ovipositor HT [ANSP]; J. Phanocles spectabilis sp. n. PT [coll. FH]; K. Phanocles vosseleri (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; L. Phanocles virgulatus (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; M. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) Martinique [coll. FH]; N. Phanocles keratosqueleton (Olivier, 1792) St. Vincent [coll. FH]; O. Phanocles chaperi (Redtenbacher, 1908) [coll. FH]; P. Phanocles falcatus sp. n. PT [coll. FH]. [Scale = 1 mm]