taxonID	type	description	language	source
03F38178032B815429A6FC74E76691AD.taxon	description	Notes on male morphology (Fig. 2 B, C, E). (Francisco Morazán: San Buenaventura (7): MHN-I 23 - 12 - 18; Tegucigalpa, Rosy Walther Zoo, Cerro El Picacho (1) MHN-I 25 - 10 - 19), Since the examined males (n = 8) correspond well to the holotype in overall morphology (Conle & Hennemann 2002), we summarize the average features supporting this similarity, along with morphological measurements provided in Table 1. Body with a robust, compact habitus and a smooth, glossy surface. General coloration ochre on the head, thorax, abdomen and knees, whereas the legs and the posterior abdominal region (tergites VIII – X) markedly darker. Head rounded and smooth; 1.2 x larger than the pronotum, with prominent hemispherical eyes whose diameter approximates one-fourth the length of the cheek. Antennae projecting, when laid back, beyond the midpoint of tergite VI. Antennomeres cylindrical and predominantly dark brown, each bearing a distal annulation that is bright yellow in live individuals, beginning abruptly in the distal third to quarter of the segment and narrows progressively toward the apex. On average, the mesonotum is about 1.4 x the pronotum and 1.2 x the metanotum + median segment. Abdomen cylindrical; tergites II – VI show a subquadrate pattern, being about 1.5 x wider than long. Tergite VII is about two-thirds the length of tergite VI, and tergite VIII is nearly as long as tergite VII, matching its anterior width but expanding posteriorly to roughly 1.5 x that width. Terminalia agree with the holotype: anal segment smooth and moderately elongate; length slightly exceeding its width. Cerci large (about 2 mm in all specimens) narrowing medially and broadening apically into a subtly notched apex; densely pubescent. Subgenital plate convex and reaches the posterior margin of the anal segment; sternites smooth and the vomer is triangular. Leg proportions remain consistent with the holotype, with basitarsus about 1.5 x the second tarsomere and metafemora and metatibiae forming the longest elements of each limb pair; average tarsus-to-tibia ratio is 0.6. Female description (Figs. 2 A, D, F; Figs. 3 A – F). 11 ♀ Francisco Morazán: San Buenaventura (9): MHNI 23 - 01 – 09; Tegucigalpa, Rosy Walther Zoo, Cerro El Picacho (2) MHN-I 25 - 10 – 11). Females resemble the male holotype (Conle & Hennemann 2002) in overall morphology, but are substantially larger, with a total body length ranging 50.00 – 65.00 mm (Table 1), compared to 48.0 mm in the male holotype. Other morphological measurements are presented in Table 1. Surface smooth, glossy integument and a compact, robust habitus. Body coloration is predominantly ochre, while the legs and posterior abdominal region exhibit a distinctly darker tone. When alive, females tend to display a paler ochre hue than males, a difference that becomes less apparent in preserved specimens. Head: The head is round, smooth, and almost as large as the mesonotum (8.3 vs. 8.7 mm). Eyes rounded and about three-fourths the length of the cheek, matching the proportions seen in males. Antennae slender and, when laid back, extend beyond tergite IV. Antennomeres follow the same general arrangement as in males, cylindrical, irregular in length, but in females they are less robust. Distal annulation present but paler and more diffuse, beginning in the distal fourth of each segment and fading gradually toward the apex. Thorax: About 5 % longer relative to body length in females than in males. The relative proportions of the pronotum, mesonotum, and the combined metanotum + median segment remain consistent with the male condition, measuring 0.3 x, 0.4 x, and 0.35 x of the thorax length, respectively, with the mesonotum being the largest region. The separation line between the metanotum and the median segment is faint, and no wing vestiges are present. Abdomen: Cylindrical, robust, smooth. Tergites II – IV increase progressively in length and width and are distinctly wider than long (width-to-length ratio 2: 1 to 3: 1). Tergite V 1.2 x longer than tergite IV. Tergite VII more quadrate than IV, with its length 0.6 x its width, whereas in IV the length is only 0.3 x its width. Tergites VIII – X darker in color. Tergite VIII shows a convex curvature, with dorsal region roughly 2 x the length of its basal region. Tergite IX similar in shape and width to VIII but 1.5 x longer and lacking the pincer-like structure of males. Cerci cylindrical, moderately elongate, slightly curved, ending in a rounded, blunt tip. Anal segment smooth; dorsal length approximately equal to width. Anal segment nearly as long as tergite IX and equals it in anterior width. The segment becomes rounded and narrows toward the apex, giving it a tapering appearance. The anterior base is noticeably shorter than the dorsal surface, and the posterior margin is smoothly rounded and gently descending. Subgenital plate straight, elongated, with a slightly triangular apex reaching the posterior margin of the anal segment. Epiproct rounded and short, extending up to 1 mm long at most. Preopercular organ absent. Legs: smooth, dark, with pale reddish knees and a slightly more robust appearance than in males. Femora and tibiae moderately thick, bearing minute, scarcely visible setae; no spines or teeth present. Profemora gently compressed and curved at the base. Metafemora and metatibiae are the longest segments, both about 1.25 x the prosegments and 1.4 x the mesosegments. Tibiae slightly longer than their corresponding femora, averaging about 1.2 x their length. Hind legs reach the level of tergite VIII. Basitarsus simple and 1.5 x the second tarsomere. Average tarsus-to-tibia ratio of 0.6. Egg description (n = 4) (Figs. 4 A – C). Capsule light to medium brown with scattered whitish mottling; ellipsoidal, slightly laterally compressed, surface microscopically smooth with irregular tubercules (Büscher et al. 2024) operculum broadly oval, flat, smoother than capsule, situated at anterior pole; margins distinct. Micropylar plate centrally located, covering ca. one-third of the capsule length; lanceolate, with slightly curved lateral margins, broadest submedially and tapering evenly to an acute apex; margins distinct and slightly elevated. Micropylar cup projecting. Median line short and faint, extending slightly towards the polar area. Measurements: length 4.7 – 5 mm, width 3.3 – 3.5 mm, height 3.4 – 3.6 mm.	en	Oviedo-Maas, Allyson, Flores-Suazo, Suany M., Hernandez-Osorio, Juan C., Mérida, Julio E., Cruz, Gustavo A. (2026): Contribution to the knowledge of Autolyca herculeana (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae): record from Honduras and first descriptions of the female and eggs. Zootaxa 5748 (1): 135-143, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9
03F38178032B815429A6FC74E76691AD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Autolyca herculeana has been recorded from El Salvador and is also listed for Honduras and Nicaragua in the world checklist and distribution map of Phasmida (Conle & Hennemann 2002; Brock & Büscher 2022; Brock et al. 2025), although no specific localities are given. To expand knowledge on its range, specimens were collected in the municipality of San Buenaventura, Francisco Morazán, Honduras, located approximately 33 km from Tegucigalpa also, in the Rosy Walther Zoo, Cerro El Picacho, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Fig. 1).	en	Oviedo-Maas, Allyson, Flores-Suazo, Suany M., Hernandez-Osorio, Juan C., Mérida, Julio E., Cruz, Gustavo A. (2026): Contribution to the knowledge of Autolyca herculeana (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae): record from Honduras and first descriptions of the female and eggs. Zootaxa 5748 (1): 135-143, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9
03F38178032B815429A6FC74E76691AD.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat and natural history notes. (Figs. 5 A – D) This species is apterous, exhibiting notable sexual dimorphism; females are larger and more robust than males. Its natural habitat corresponds to a Subtropical Humid Forest (Holdridge 1962), at elevations reaching up to 1,280 m. They reproduce sexually. When threatened, individuals release a milky secretion with a strong menthol-like scent from a pair of tube-like prothoracic repellent glands. According to Niekampf (2023), A. herculeana has elongated glands with a gland-to-prothorax ratio of about 26.6 %, producing mainly anisomorphal (≈ 98 %), along with minor amounts of peruphasmal and dolichodial. In addition to this chemical defense, they often respond by vibrating their antennae persistently or curling the abdomen in a scorpion-like posture. Field observations indicate that individuals are frequently found in groups of approximately 4 – 8 specimens, usually consisting of adult pairs engaged in mating or resting close together. Peak activity occurs during nighttime, when they are commonly seen on rocky soil, perched on grass, or feeding on Lantana sp. By morning, they are found exclusively inside fallen and dried logs, where mating behavior was also observed. No nymphs were recorded during fieldwork, and therefore their presence, habitat use, and natural behavior remain unknown.	en	Oviedo-Maas, Allyson, Flores-Suazo, Suany M., Hernandez-Osorio, Juan C., Mérida, Julio E., Cruz, Gustavo A. (2026): Contribution to the knowledge of Autolyca herculeana (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae): record from Honduras and first descriptions of the female and eggs. Zootaxa 5748 (1): 135-143, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.1.9
