Agrostia cinerea ( Olivier, 1792 ) Conle & Hennemann & Bellanger & Lelong & Jourdan & Valero, 2020

Conle, Oskar V., Hennemann, Frank H., Bellanger, Yannick, Lelong, Philippe, Jourdan, Toni & Valero, Pablo, 2020, Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea XX: A new genus and 16 new species from French Guiana, Zootaxa 4814 (1), pp. 1-136 : 45-49

Agrostia cinerea ( Olivier, 1792) n. comb.

( Figs. 19–21 )

Le Spectre de couleur cendrée, Stoll: 1788: 45, pl. 14: 56 (♀).

Mantis cinerea Olivier, 1792: 641 . HT, ♀: Suriname [RMNH—not traced]. NT [here selected], ♀: Guyane, Montagne de Kaw, 5–12 VIII 92, Roubaud, Auvray, Rarchaert rec. [MNHN]. (Description based on unnamed figure of Stoll, 1788, pl. 14: 56)

Bragg, 1995: 25

Phasma cinerea, Stoll, 1813: 45 , pl. 14: 56 HT, ♀: Suriname [RMNH—not traced]. NT [here selected], ♀: Guyane, Montagne de Kaw , 5–12 VIII 92, Roubaud, Auvray, Rarchaert rec. [MNHN]. (Junior objective synonym)

Phasma cinereum, Gray, 1835: 25

Westwood, 1859: 121

Metriotes cinerea, Kirby, 1904: 416

Perliodes cinereus, Redtenbacher, 1906: 137

Olcyphides cinereus, Otte & Brock, 2005: 231

Mantis chloropus Lichtenstein, 1796: 81 . HT, ♀: Suriname [RMNH—not traced]. NT [here selected], ♀: Guyane, Montagne de Kaw, 5–12 VIII 92, Roubaud, Auvray, Rarchaert rec. [MNHN]. (Description based on unnamed figure of Stoll, 1788, pl. 14: 56) (Junior objective synonym)

Metriotes pallidus Chopard, 1911: 341 . HT, ♀: Guyane Française, St.- Jean du Maroni, Collection le Moult ; Janvier; Metriotes pallidus Chopard ♀; Museum Paris, Collection Lucien Chopard; type [MNHN]. n. syn.

Metriophasma (Metriophasma) pallidus, Otte & Brock, 2005: 202

Metriophasma (Metriophasma) pallidum, Langlois & Bellanger, 2012: 94 , figs.

Perliodes grisescens Redtenbacher, 1906: 137 . LT, ♀ (by present designation): Paramaribo, Michaelis; Mus.Caes. Vindobon.; det.Redtenb. Perliodes grisescens ; Perliodes grisescens Redt. [NHMW, No. 224]; PLT, ♀: Chiriqui; Heyne 90.; 91; Perliodes grisescens Redt., Brunn. Redt. det. [ZMAS] (A different species that belongs to the genus Holca Redtenbacher, 1906 ); PLT, 2 ♂, 1 ♀: Brazil [SMTD]. n. syn.

Shelford, 1909: 374

Zompro, 2000: 96

Zompro, 2003: 37

Zompro, 2004: 106

Otte & Brock, 2005: 258

Brock, 2007: 43

Conle, Hennemann & Gutiérrez, 2011: 43

Olcyphides grisescens, Brock, 1998: 32

Further material [ 17 ♂♂, 34 ♀♀, 15 eggs]: FRENCH GUIANA : 1 ♀: Guyane Française , Nouveau Chantier , Collection le Moult; Mai; Metriotes pallidus Chopard ♀; Museum Paris , Collection Lucien Chopard [ MNHN]; 1

♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Remire-Montjoly, Route d’Attila Cabassou, 4°53’26.3”N– 52°17’47.4”W, S.E.A.G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 18.11.2010 [coll. OC, No. 0308-1] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Mana & Saint-Elie , Réserve Naturelle de la Trinité—Zone Aya, 4°36’3’’N– 53°24’43’’W, 140m, S.E.A. G., leg. Sté- phane Brûlé 30.05.2012 [coll. OC, No. 0308-2] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Saül, Belvédère de Saül, 3°37’22”N– 53°12’57”W, 326m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 09.09.2010 [coll. OC, No. 0308-3] ; 2 ♀♀: Fran- zösisch Guyana: Montagnes de Roura , Eskol Route, 50m, 4°42’N, 52°17’W, leg. Conle & Hennemann 19. & 29.09.2001 [coll. OC, No. 0308-4, 0308-8] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Che- vaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 14.09.2013 [coll. OC, No. 0308- 5] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 04.02.2013 [coll. OC, No. 0308-6] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Régina, Réserve Naturelle des Nouragues—Camp Inselberg, 4°05’ N– 52°41’W, 411m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 04.07.2013 [coll. OC, No. 0308-7] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Che- vaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 2010 [coll. OC, No. 0308-9] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Régina , Nouragues, Saut Pararé, 4°02’N– 52°41’W, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 2010 [coll. OC, No. 0308-10] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., Lichtfang, leg. Stéphane Brûlé 09.08.2014 [coll. OC, No. 0308- 11] ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Saül, leg. Roubaud et al. 07.1993 [coll. OC, No. 0308-12, 0308- 18] ; 1 ♂: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Mana , Montagne de Feu, leg. Pierre-Henri Dalens 26.07.2011 [coll. OC, No. 0308-13] ; 1 ♂: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Saül, Aussichtspunkt Belvedere de Saül, 3°37’22”N– 53°12’57”W, 326m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 01.09.2011 [coll. OC, No. 0308-14] ; 1 ♂: Französisch Guy- ana: Commune de Saül, Aussichtspunkt Belvedere de Saül, 3°37’22”N– 53°12’57”W, 326m, S.E.A. G., leg. Sté- phane Brûlé 28.02.2011 [coll. OC, No. 0308-15] ; 1 ♂: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Saül , Belvédère de Saül, 3°37’22”N– 53°12’57”W, 326m, S.E.A. G., Lichtfang, leg. Stéphane Brûlé 10.12.2010 [coll. OC, No. 0308-16] ; 1 ♂: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., Lichtfang, leg. Stéphane Brûlé 09.11.2008 [coll. OC, No. 0308-17] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Com- mune de Régina, Réserve Naturelle des Nouragues—Camp Inselberg, 4°05’ N– 52°41’W, 411m, S.E.A. G., leg. Stéphane Brûlé 17.01.2013 [coll. OC, No. 0308-19] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., Lichtfang, leg. Stéphane Brûlé 05.12.2015 [coll. OC, No. 0308-20] ; 1 ♀: Französisch Guyana: Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux, RN2 PK22, 4°44’56”N– 52°26’28”W, 75m, S.E.A. G., Lichtfang, leg. Stéphane Brûlé 01.11.2014 [coll. OC, No. 0308-21] ; 1 ♂: GUY13-050, 08–23.X.2013, Guyane fr.— Saül, rec. ASPER , coll. ASPER-PL [ ASPER-PL]; 1 ♀: GUY13-065, 08–23.X.2013, Guyane fr.— Saül, rec. ASPER , coll. ASPER-PL [ ASPER-PL]; 1 ♀: Guyane Française, Kourou, Wayabo, IX-2013,GUYASPER-012, coll. F. Sonzogny, leg. A. Cahurel [ YB] ; 1 ♀: 620/85, Cayenne , Mr. Prudhom- me // Perliodes Cinereus Stoll [ MHNG] ; 1 ♂: 620/60, Cayenne , Mr. Deyrolle? // Perliodes Cinereus Stoll [ MHNG] ; 2 ♂♂: no data, coll. Roubaud [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: Guyane , Saul, coll. Roubaud [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: Guyane , Piste de Kaw, PK 36, 7-VIII, coll. Roubaud, P.E Roubaud det. [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: no data, D, BreVice rec. coll. Roubaud, [ MNHN] ; 1 ♂: Guyane Française , Roches de Kourou ; Collection LeMoult, Naturaliste, Paris; Collection L. Chopard 1919; Coll 1 [ MNHN] ; 1 ♂: Metriophasma pallidus , TOB08-109, trace Gilpin—Tobago— 24.X.2008 [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: Metriophasma pallidus , TOB08-108, trace á 1,7 km á l’est de la trace Gilpin—Tobago— 31.X.2008 [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: Metriophasma pallidus , TOB08-073, trace á 1,7 km á l’est de la trace Gilpin—Tobago— 31.X.2008 [ YB] ; 1 ♀: Metriophasma pallidus , TOB08-105, trace Gilpin—Tobago— 24.X.2008 [ YB] ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂: Guyane , Cayenne, Collec- tion de Finot [ MNHN] ; 1 ♂: Guyane , Collection de Finot [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: GUYKAW16-032, Guyane fr., Route de Kaw , Camp Caïman—PK28 depuis Roura, 4°34’11,7”N– 52°12’41,8”W, alt. 300 m . 11.XI.2016 rec. Y. Bellanger & P. Lelong [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♀: GUYKAW16-036, Guyane fr., Route de Kaw , Camp Caïman—PK27 depuis Roura, 4°34’15,5’’N– 52°12’56,3’’W, alt. 300 m . 09.XI.2016 rec. Y. Bellanger & P. Lelong [ ASPER-YB] ; 1 ♂: GUY- TRI16-013, Guyane fr., RNN de la Trinité, Drop-zone Aya, N 4°36’3,7’’;W53°24’43,5’’, alt. 139 m . 07.XI.2016 rec. P. Lelong & Y. Bellanger [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: GUYTRI16-010, Guyane fr., RNN de la Trinité, Inselberg Roche-Bénitier, N 4°37’16,3’’;W53°24’26,5’’, alt. 416 m . 05.XI.2016 rec. P. Lelong & Y. Bellanger [ MNHN] ; 1 ♀: GUY15-020, Guyane , Crique Margot, N 5°30.842’W 54°00.059’, 03-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♀: GUY15-021, Guyane , Crique Margot, N 5°30.842’W 54°00.059’, 03-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♀: GUY15-022, Guyane , Crique Margot, N 5°30.842’W 54°00.059’, 03-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♂: GUY15-023, Guyane , Crique Margot, N 5°30.842’W 54°00.059’, 03-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♂: GUY15-024, Guyane , Crique Margot, N 5°30.842’W 54°00.059’, 03-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♀: GUY15-026, Guyane , Crique Patate, N 4°56.850’W 52°29.306’, 18-VII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♀: GUY15-026, Guyane , Route de Roura, N 4°42.397’W 52°18.126’, 13-VII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 ♂: GUY15-089, Guyane française, Camp Caïman, N 4°33.610’W 52°11.359’, 16-VIII-2015 rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 8 eggs from ♀: GUY15-026, Guyane , Crique Patate, rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-PL] ; 1 egg from ♀: Tobago, 2008 [ ASPER- PL] ; 6 eggs from ♀: GUY15-026, Guyane , Crique Patate, rec. T. Jourdan [ ASPER-YB] .

Differentiation. Similar to Agrostia longicerca n. sp., but distinguished by: the relatively shorter abdomen and longer tegmina in both sexes; the shorter cerci that are only as long as the anal segment, and shorter, not incised poculum which reaches only towards posterior margin of tergum IX in the ♂♂; as well as the shorter gonapophysis VIII that form flat and broad lobes and reach only to the anterior margin of the anal segment in the ♀♀.

Description. ♀ ( Figs. 19–20 ). Typical size and body shape for the genus. Length of body 61.0–73.0 mm. General colour of body pale yellowish brown to beige with indistinct pale mottling and some fine darker lines and tiny spots. Antennae straw-coloured with black annulations, which can also be absent. Tegmina and costal area of alae often having white spots and markings. Anal area of alae flesh-coloured translucent. Legs straw-coloured to greenish-beige. In a few specimens the lateral sides of thorax, head and profemora can be black. Cerci at best as long as anal segment. Subgenital plate flat and pointed towards posterior, slightly projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment VIII. Gonapophysis VIII forming flat and broad lobes, reaching to anterior margin of anal segment.

Measurements NT [mm]: Body 70.7, pronotum 3.2, mesonotum 9.6, metanotum 4.9, median segment 3.2, tegmina 10.1, alae 44.8, profemora 12.9, mesofemora 8.8, metafemora 11.8, antennae 49.4.

♂ ( Fig. 21 ). Length of body 48.0–55.0 mm. Similar to ♀, but more slender and dark postocular line and dor- somedian line more distinct. Tegmina sometimes with a large oval creamish-white central spot. Lateral granules on mesonotum often dark brown to black. Cerci as long as anal segment. Poculum small and flat, reaching posterior margin of tergum IX; posterior margin rounded.

Variability: The colouration of this species shows considerable variability. Most specimens are uniformly pale brown or drab to yellowish brown with indistinct pale mottling. Some specimens however may have contrasting whitish spots on the tegmina and costal area of the alae. The antennae are usually distinctly annulated with black although these annulations can be very faint in some specimens. A very few specimens have the lateral surfaces of the head and thorax and outer lateral surface of the profemora black.

Egg ( Fig. 19 ). Capsule elongated and somewhat bulgy in the centre, slightly higher than wide, 1.7 times longer than high and 1.6 times longer than wide. Capsule brown to pale brown, covered by irregular alveolar bulging carinae. Micropylar plate of same colour as capsule, almost round and small (capsule more than four times longer than micropylar plate), with a raised margin. Inside the micropylar plate there is a raised irregular line reaching from its centre to the median line. Micropylar cup very small. Operculum flat and slightly oval with a roughly structured and raised crown in the centre.

Measurements [mm]: Length 2.6–2.7; width 1.6–1.7; height 1.8–1.9; diameter of operculum 1.0–1.4.

Comments. Olivier (1792: 641) described Mantis cinerea based on an unnamed figure provided by Stoll (1788: 45, plate 14: 56). Stoll (1813: 76, pl. 14: 56) subsequently named the illustrated specimen as did Lichtenstein (1796: 81) but both these names are junior objective synonyms of Olivier’s taxon. Careful examination of Stoll’s plate (1813: PL.XIV) and considering the artists special style of illustrating specimens clearly shows Mantis cinerea Olivier, 1792 is conspecific with Metriotes pallidus Chopard, 1911 and Perliodes grisescens Redtenbacher, 1906 . All three taxa represent the same fairly common and widely distributed species, hence the latter two species are here synonymised with Olivier’s cinerea (n. syn.). Since the type specimen of Mantis cinerea Olivier, 1792 is lost, a ♀ in MNHN is here selected as the neotype ( Fig. 20 ). The same specimen consequently also becomes the neotype of Stoll’s Phasma cinerea and Lichtenstein’s Mantis chloropus . The paralectotypes of P. grisescens in SMTD and ZMAS represent different species. The ZMAS specimen from Panama (Chiriqui) belongs to the genus Holca Redtenbacher, 1906 .

Burmeister (1838: 584) listed the species, but his specimen was misidentified and represents a different species. Zompro (2005: 258) designated a LT for Phasma cinereum Burmeister, 1838 , which was not necessary because Burmeister did not intend to describe a new species but only cited Phasma cinerea Stoll, 1813 .

Detailed descriptions and illustrations of both sexes and the eggs were presented by Langlois & Bellanger (2012: 94).

Distribution. French Guiana: Montagne de Kaw [MNHN], Route de Kaw [MNHN], St.-Jean du Maroni [MNHN], Commune de Remire-Montjoly, Route d’Attila Cabassou [coll. OC], Nouveau Chantier [MNHN], Commune de Mana & Saint-Elie, Réserve Naturelle de la Trinité—Zone Aya [coll. OC, ASPER], Commune de Mana, Montagne de Feu [coll. OC]; Commune de Régina, Nouragues, Saut Pararé [coll. OC], Commune de Régina, Réserve Naturelle des Nouragues—Camp Inselberg [coll. OC], Commune de Roura, Montagne des Chevaux [coll. OC], Commune de Saül [coll. OC, MNHN], Montagnes de Roura, Eskol Route [coll. OC], Kourou, Wayabo [YB], Cayenne [MHNG, MNHN], Roches de Kourou [MNHN], Route de Kaw, Camp Caïman [ASPER], Inselberg Roche- Bénitier [ASPER], Crique Margot [ASPER], Crique Patate [ASPER]. Suriname: Paramaribo [NHMW]. Tobago, Gilpin trail [MNHN]. Brazil [SMTD].

The species is fairly common and widely distributed in French Guiana and Suriname. It has not yet been recorded from Venezuela and Guyana, but it is very likely to be found there as well.

Figures

FIGURE 19. Female and egg of Agrostia cinerea (Olivier, 1792) n. comb. a–c. habitus: a. ventral; b. lateral; c. dorsal; d–f. head, prothorax and mesothorax: d. ventral; e. lateral; f. dorsal; g–i. apex of abdomen: g. ventral; h. lateral; i. dorsal; j–l. egg: j. dorsal; k. lateral; l. frontal.

FIGURE 20. Female (NT) of Agrostia cinerea (Olivier, 1792) n. comb. a–b. habitus: a. dorsal; b. lateral.

FIGURE 21. Male of Agrostia cinerea (Olivier, 1792) n. comb. a–c. habitus: a. ventral; b. lateral; c. dorsal; d–f. head, prothorax and mesothorax: d. ventral; e. lateral; f. dorsal; g–i. apex of abdomen: g. ventral; h. lateral; i. dorsal.