Muscuspina neblina Mendes sp. nov.

Figures 1–6 and 8

Description. Holotype Male.

Head. Head rounded, with frons and gena rough in frontal view; fastigium-vertex small and W-shaped, in frontal view; clypeus anterolaterally curved, laterally concave and posteriorly sinuous (Fig. 1B). Globular eyes (Figs. 1B–D). Scape rectangular and smooth; pedicel small and quadrangular (Fig. 1B).

Thorax. Pronotal disc with several long and sharp projections, having six of them distinctly longer than others: one anterior, narrow, with shorter spines on it, diagonally turned toward the head (Figs. 1C–E; 2A–C); two medial projections, shorter than anterior projection, laterally turned to outer side (Figs. 1C–E; 2A–C); two posterolateral, wider than others, laterally turned to outer side, with anterior margin bearing a hook-shaped projection and posterior margin with shorter spines; and one posterior projection, shorter than the others, narrow, curved upwards and with tip posteriorly turned. Posterior region of pronotal disc with a series of short diagonal spines, laterally opposed, almost forming a crown of spines with posterolateral and posterior projections (Figs. 1C–E; 2A–C). Lateral lobes of pronotum rough (Fig. 1E). Mesobasisternum subrectangular-shaped, anteriorly straight and posteriorly convex (Fig. 1H). Lateral lobes of mesobasisternum subtriangular-shaped, anterolaterally convex, laterally forming a round tip, posterolaterally and posteriorly convex (Fig. 1H). Metabasisternum subrectangular-shaped, anteriorly straight and posteriorly slightly convex (Fig. 1H). Lateral lobes of metabasisternum anterolaterally and laterally convex, posterolaterally straight, posteriorly slightly convex (Fig. 1H). Wings. Tegmina elongated, curved over the abdomen, apex rounded and aspect rough. Apex of tegmina not exceeding the base of the cercus (Fig. 1A). Left stridulatory file straight, with apical region slightly curved; teeth on basal half progressively short toward the base; apical teeth short; teeth narrow, asymmetrically positioned in rows, distance between each teeth shorter than a teeth width (Fig. 3). Total length of left stridulatory file 6.3 mm, greater vein width of 1.2 mm and a total of 99 teeth (Fig. 3). Legs. Fore femur straight, with apical region slightly curved, presence of five of triangular ventral spines, one pair apical acuminate spines and one small triangular spine apical on the dorsal margin, in lateral view (Fig. 1F). Fore tibia straight, ventrally with basal curvature; ventral margin with a large recurved leaf projection and three pairs of smaller recurved projections; ventral margin apically with four pairs of small spines, in lateral view (Fig. 1F). Mid femur straight, four ventral curved spines, one pair apical acuminate spines and one small triangular spine apical on the dorsal margin, in lateral view (Fig. 1G). Mid tibia slightly sinuous with five pairs of small triangular spines and three pairs of small apical ventral spines, in lateral view (Fig. 1G). Hind femur elongated, narrow and enlarged at basal half, with seven large ventral spines, one pair apical acuminate spines and one small triangular spine apical on the dorsal margin, in lateral view (Figs. 1A). Hind tibia straight, narrow, with several large dorsal recurved projections (Figs. 1A). All legs with short bristles (Figs. 1A, F–G). Abdomen. Cercus short, wide, apically curved inward, slightly flattened dorsoventrally, with small spine inward. Subgenital plate subtriangular, laterally straight, with space concave between the base of stylus. Styli elongated and narrow; apex of styli not exceeding apex of cerci. Cerci with several large bristles (Figs. 1I–K).

Internal male genitalia. Not examined.

Coloration. Described based on photos of live specimens (Figs. 4 and 5). General body color of the specimens varies from dark brown, greenish-brown and yellowish-green, with patterns of light and dark asymmetrical spots, giving an appearance of tree bark with lichens. Apical region of the head dark-green. Eyes dark brown. Tegmina dark brown with light-green veins, with emphasis on the radiating veins. Tibia with a large median whitish stripe. Cercus light-green.

Female: Similar to male, except for the following features (Fig. 6). Wings. Anal veins unmodified for sound production. Abdomen. Cercus slightly curved with acuminate and inward curved apex, in dorsal view (Fig. 6E). Cercus with long bristles. Ovipositor slightly curved; apex of ovipositor acuminate with small teeth on dorsal and ventral valve (Fig. 6A). Coloration. Ovipositor dark brown with several asymmetrical dark green spots (Fig. 6A).

Etymology. The epithet is in apposition, neblina = fog or mist, in reference to the local name given to the cloud forest in which this new katydid lives.

Geographical records. Colombia (Antioquia) (Fig. 8).

Type material. Holotype ♁. COLOMBIA, Jardín, Antioquia, Mesenia-Paramillo nature reserve, Station, 05°29’45”N – 75°53’20.7”W, 2.200 m, 18.IX.2022, Manual collection, L. Mazariegos col. (CEUA). Paratypes: Idem (2♁ and 1♀ CEUA).

Measurements (mm). Holotype ♁: TL: 15.5; TegL: 9.7; TegH: 3.2; PL: 4.8; FF: 7.9; FT: 11.3; MF: 8.2; MT: 9.4; HF: 13.2; HT: 16.9; Lplac: 3.3; LC: 1.9.

Paratypes 2♁: TL: 15.9–16.2; TegL: 10.4–10.8; TegH: 3–3.7; PL: 5.3–5.4; FF: 7.3–7.6; FT: 9.3–9.8; MF: 8.2– 8.8; MT: 10.4–10.5; HF: 13; HT: 15.6–16.2; Lplac: 3.4–3.5; LC: 2.7–2.8.

Habitat. The specimens were collected around the main station (2.200m) at the MPNR with secondary forest covered with abundant mosses (bryophytes). The specimens were active at night and we suggest that this new genus of katydid lives and camouflages itself within the moss covered vegetation.