Caedicia flexuosa I. Bolivar

Rentz, Dcf, Su, You Ning & Ueshima, Norhiro, 2008, Studies in Australian Tettigoniidae: new Phaneropterine Katydids from Queensland Rainforests (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Phaneropterinae), Zootaxa 1964 (1), pp. 1-39 : 10-18

Caedicia flexuosa I. Bolivar

Figs. 4 , 5 , 17C , 18 ; Table 1; Map 2

Caedicia flexuosa Bolivar, I. 1902 . Term. Fuzetek. 25:185,186. Type locality: New Guinea. Holotype in UCME Madrid Univ. UCME Madrid Univ.

ANIC number Caedicia sp. 40

This small species is very common where it occurs and is frequently attracted to lights. It was unrecognised as a described species until recently when compared with the type which is from New Guinea in Eades et al. (2007). It is a small, greenish grey species with rather elongate tegmina. The cerci are distinctive in their elongate curving form. A redescription of the species is presented below .

Male. Size small for genus ( Table 1), form elongate.

Head. Head with fastigium of vertex very low, broad, not deeply engraved; frons and clypeus smooth, not swollen; labrum simple. Antenna with scape and pedicel simple; flagellum slightly longer than length of insect, not annulate.

Thorax. Pronotum with surface of disk glossy, with irregular, minute engravings, and no transverse sulci; cephalic margin feebly concave, caudal margin obtuse; lateral lobe with cephalic margin straight, caudal margin feebly produced, ventral margin evenly obtuse.

Wings. Tegmen ( Fig. 17C ) with costa poorly represented, diagonal veins arising from subcosta very irregular; MA strong with prominent veins arising either side, forking only near the apex; Rs not forked; entire surface of tegmen evenly reticulate. Stridulatory region well sclerotised; stridulatory vein with a small secondary vein, mirror elongate.

Legs. Fore and middle femora unarmed on ventral surface or with 3–5 minute teeth on anterior margin; hind femur with 6 minute spines in apical half.

Abdomen. Abdomen with tenth tergite ( Fig. 5C ) well sclerotised, somewhat depressed in the middle; cercus very elongate, undulating, apex with a few teeth ( Fig. 5C ); subgenital plate broad, apex not especially narrowing, with a pair of short, style-like protuberances.

Female. Differs from male in the cerci which are elongate, convergent but not undulating; subgenital plate longer than broad, with medial indentation; ovipositor very short ( Fig. 5B ), barely protruding from apex of abdomen, apex abruptly upcurved.

Colour. Overall colour rather uniform greyish green (this usually fading to yellowish on thorax and legs in pinned specimens), reticulate pattern of tegmina shining.

Eggs. Eggs dissected from a female were ovoid, flat, poorly sclerotised, yellow and measured 2.8 by 1.4 mm.

MAP 2. Known distribution of two phaneropterine species in far north Queensland., Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su & Ueshima , new genus and species., Caedicia flexuosa Brunner.

Specimens examined. 16.45S 145.36E., Black Mtn Rd, 11.4 rd km from Kennedy Hwy, 29.ii.1988 DCF

Rentz, stop A-27, Cytol. Prep. 88-129; 1 male). 16 O 48’S. 145 O 38’E. ( GPS) Kuranda , (Top of the Range), 19 Butler Dr, 335m, from the following dates 1–15.xi.2004, 1–15.xii.2004, 25–30.xi.2004, 16–31.xii.2005, 1–15.i.2006, 15–28.ii.2006, Cytol. prep. 2006-05 15–30.iv.2006, 15–30.vi.2006, 16–31.xii.2006, 1–15.i.2007, 1–15.ii.2007, 16–28.ii.2007, 1–15.iv.2007, Cytol. prep. 2007-10; 15.i.2008; 3.iii.2008, 31.iii.2008 ( DCF Rentz, many males and females, ANIC). Kuranda, 25.i.82 WNB Quick (2 males) . 16.48S 145.35 E Russett Pk 5 km WNW Kuranda, 500 m, 1, 2, 18, 26.iii. 86 P. Shanahan (5 males) ; Same locality, 20.ii.1988 ( DCFR Stop A-20, (1 male Cytol 88-98, Song recorded S- 553); same locality and date, Cytol. prep. 88-94, Song recorded S- 548 (1 male) ; same locality and date, (1 male, Cytol, prep. 88-120, Song recorded S- 562); same locality and date, (1 male, Cytol. Prep. 88-21, Song recorded S- 486). 17.17S 145.34E Curtain Fig, 2 km SSW of Yungaburra, 21.i.1988 ( DCFR Stop A-2, (1 male, Collected as nymph, matured 11.ii.88, Cytol. prep. 88-60, Song recorded S-519); same locality (1 male Cytol. Prep. 88-65, Song recorded S- 523); same locality (1 male Cytol. Prep. 88-18, Song recorded S-483). 16. 35E. 145.18E 3 km E of Mt Lewis (5 km from Julatten rd turnoff, 5.ii.1988 ( DCF Rentz, stop A-32 1 male, Cytol. Prep. 88-170, Song Recorded, S- 595). Mt Spec. , 5–7.i.1965 J G Brooks, (2 males)

Discussion. This species commonly comes to lights and the adults appear in the beginning of the wet season (Nov.) and persist until well into the dry (Apr.). It is common at the Kuranda site. The host associations are unknown but the size and shape of the tegmina suggests the species may occur on Acacias.

Caedicia kuranda * 3 Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov.

Figs. 6 , 7 , 17B ; Table 1; Map 2

ANIC number Caedicia sp. nov. 26

Holotype male. Label “16 O 48’S. 145 O 38’E. ( GPS) Kuranda, (Top of the Range), 19 Butler Dr, 335m, 1–15 NOV. 2007 DCF Rentz.”

Type locality. The type locality is a simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderately to poorly drained metamorphics (Regional Ecosystem 7.11.1 EPA, 2007). The type was attracted to lights at night.

Male. General. Size moderate for genus, form robust ( Table 1).

Head. Head with fastigium of vertex prominent ( Fig. 7A ), with deep medial impression, side narrowing cephalically; frons swollen, clypeus and labrum not modified.

Thorax. Pronotum with cephalic margin feebly emarginate ( Fig. 7A ), caudal margin subacute; lateral lobe with anterior margin feebly indented dorsally, then feebly obtuse, caudal margin evenly obtuse; ventral margin evenly rounded.

Wings. Tegmen with costa scarcely discernable from other veins ( Fig. 17B ) subcosta with a series of very weak diagonal vein some forking near the apex; Rs divided proximally; MA moderately prominent and without any accessory veins, not divided at apex. Stridulatory region well sclerotised but stridulatory vein weak and not well defined; mirror absent.

Legs. Fore femur armed on anterior margin of ventral surface with 5–7 minute teeth, middle femur with 7–11 minute but slightly larger teeth; posterior margin of both femora unarmed; hind femur with 10–14 teeth on external margin of f ventral surface, internal margin with abut half that number of much smaller spines. Fore tibia subcylindrical, slender, dorsal surface armed apically on posterior margin with a single minute spine, ventral surface with 7 spines on anterior margin, 4 on posterior margin one apical in position. Middle tibia slender, subcylindrical, armed dorsally with 2 spines proximally on anterior margin and with an apical

3. * Named with reference to the type locality. spines, posterior margin unarmed; ventral surface with 11–13 minute spines on each margin and with a pair of apical spines only slightly longer than those adjacent.

Abdomen. Abdomen with tenth tergite prominent, well sclerotised, apex irregularly undulating; cercus ( Fig. 7C ) elongate, gently upcurved, apex blunt and with a pair of teeth; supra-anal plate apically divided; subgenital plate ( Fig. 7D ) short, stout, apex shallowly excavate, with a pair of short, peg-like protuberances.

Female. Slightly larger than male ( Table 1). Abdomen with supra-anal plate elongate, apically divided and with a pair of style-like pegs at each corner; subgenital plate short and broad. Ovipositor very short, abruptly upcurved.

Colour. Colour uniformly dark green. Pronotum glossy, this contrasting with body colour; ventral surface of hind femur uniformly green.

Eggs. Egg flat, paddle-shaped, measuring 4.7 x 1.8 mm. The eggs are very poorly sclerotised and light yellow in colour suggesting they are inserted in leaf tissue rather than laid externally on twigs or in bark.

Specimens examined paratypes: Queensland: 16°48’S . 145°38’E. ( GPS) Kuranda, (Top of the Range), 19 Butler Dr, 335m, 30.iv.2003 (1 male); 31.x.2003 (1 male); 30.xi.2003 (1 male); 15–30.xii.2003 (1 male); 15–30.xi.2004, (3 males, 2 female); 1–15.xii.2004 (1 male, 1 female); 16–31.xii.2004 (1 female); 20–30.xi.2005 (2 females); 1–15.xii.2005 (1 male, 1 female with spermatophore attached); 16–31.xii.2005 (1 male); 1–15.xii.2006 (1 male); 1–15.i.2006 (1 male); 1–15.i.2007 (2 males, 2 females); 1–15.xi.2007 (9 males); 30.xi.2007 (1 male, 1 female). All collected by DCF Rentz, ANIC.

Discussion. This is a rather plain-looking species, moderate in size and common early in the season. Its most distinctive morphological features are the contrasting, shining pronotum and the ventral surface of the hind femur being light green without any trace of orange.

Currimundria * 4 Gen. Nov.

ANIC number P6

Type species. Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su, Ueshima , here designated.

This genus is proposed to accommodate a single peculiar species that is found in the rainforests of far north Queensland. It does not seem to be common and is attracted to lights where it can be found in its distinctive posture resting in the sun during the day.

Differential diagnosis. Male/Female. Although the tribal distinctions and limits are poorly defined in the Phaneropterinae , this genus probably is a member of Brunner’s Group Ephippithytae. It can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: fore coxa spined; tibial auditory foramina open on both sides; ovipositor short, only slightly protruding from abdomen.

General. Size moderate for group ( Table 2), form robust, limbs delicate; both sexes fully winged.

Head. Head small, dorso-ventrally elongate, not protruding much in front of pronotum ( Fig. 9A ); frons

4. * Currimundria is an aboriginal word referring to the wing of a flying fox (bat), an allusion to the odd tegmen of the single species of the genus; feminine gender. not protruding; fastigium of vertex a minute, raised triangular structure without a median sulcus; scrobes of antenna produced; scape and pedicel unmodified, flagellum very thin; eye round, bulging, situated high on head.

Thorax. Thoracic auditory structure elongate, almost wholly concealed by lateral pronotal lobe. Pronotum with surface irregular but without sulci, surface with an indistinct indentation medially ( Fig. 9A ); anterior margin feebly concave, posterior margin obtuse; lateral lobe deeper than broad, anterior and posterior margins parallel. Prosternum armed with a pair of short, triangulate processes; mesosternum with a pair of triangulate processes, metasternum with a much larger pair of ovoid processes. Wings. — Male and female tegmina similar, strongly arching dorsally in profile ( Fig. 8 ), the posterior margin produced; costa barely recognisable from adjacent diagonal veins; subcosta and radius fused ( Fig. 17F ), diverging only at apex where the latter is bifurcate; median relatively elongate, forking twice; stridulatory region well sclerotised, stridulatory vein thick, straight.

Legs. Fore coxa with a short spine; all other coxae and trochanters unarmed. Fore legs very slender; tibial auditory tympanum open on both sides; tibia cylindrical, ventral surface with a small number of minute spines on both margins, apex with a pair of minute spines, dorsal surface unarmed except apex of anterior margin with a minute spine. Middle legs only slightly longer than fore legs; tibia expanded basally, remainder subquadrate; dorsal surface armed on posterior margin with a single minute spine at apex of swollen, apex with a larger spine, ventral surface armed with 8 spines on anterior margin, posterior margin with 5 spines, apex with a spine on each side; middle femur armed with 11–12 teeth on anterior margin of ventral surface, posterior margin unarmed; hind tibia armed dorsally and ventrally with many spines on both margins, apex of dorsal surface with a pair of large spines, ventral surface with 4 smaller spines; hind femur with external surface “wrinkled” in dorsal half, ventral portion smooth, shining; ventral surface with 7 spines on external margin, 5 much smaller spines on internal margin. Genicular lobes of fore and middle femora unarmed, hind femur with an elongate pine on each side.

Abdomen. Male abdomen slender, unmodified; tenth tergite distinctive, truncate to emarginate in the middle, corners produced ( Fig. 9B ); cercus distinctive elongate, tip abruptly incurved; subgenital plate very elongate, with narrow median incision, styles elongate, well defined ( Fig. 9B ), No sclerotised concealed genitalia. Female abdomen with tenth tergite unmodified; cercus rather stout, straight, directed upwards; ovipositor very distinctive, protruding from tip of abdomen, very sharp ( Fig. 9C ), apex minutely serrate; subgenital plate broadly triangulate, with median sulcus.

Coloration. Overall coloration light lime green, often with a yellowish tinge; eyes dark brown; fore tarsi with brownish overcast; anterior medial area of tegmen with minute, pepper-like black flecks ( Fig. 8 ).

Discussion. This genus shows no close relationships with any other Australian phaneropterine.

Currimundria delicata * 5 Rentz, Su, Ueshima sp. nov. Figs. 8 , 9 , 17F , 20 ; Table 2; Map 2

ANIC Number Genus Novum 6, sp. 1

Holotype male. Label 1. “ 17.07S 145.38E Mt Haig road, 10 km ENE of Tinaroo Dam wall, Atherton Tableland, Qld. 3 February 1988 DCF Rentz, stop A-14”. 2. “Cytol. prep. 88-54”. 3. Song recorded S-509 ”. Holotype in the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra.

Male. Tegmen ( Fig. 17F ) uniformly reticulate with 3–5 radial veins, the proximal two bifurcate. Cercus ( Fig. 9B ) with apex blunt, curved inwards.

Female. Ovipositor ( Fig. 9C ) sharp and shining, very well sclerotised.

Specimens examined paratypes: Queensland: 15°50’S . 145°20’E. Gap Ck., 5 km ESE of Mt Finnigan, nr Cooktown, 13–16.v.1981 ( DCF Rentz, 1 male, Stop 37, Cytol. prep. 81-127, ANIC) . 15 O 47’S. 145 O 17’ E. Moses Ck, 4 km N. by E. of Mt Finnigan, nr Cooktown, 14.x.1980 ( R. Barrett , T. Weir , 1 male, ANIC) . 16°31’S. 145°16’E., 7 km N. of Mt Lewis, (31.5 rd km from Julatten turnoff), 12.ii.1988 ( DCF Rentz , Stop A- 12, 1 male, Cytol. prep. 88-72, Song recorded S-527) . 16°45’S. 145°36’E., Black Mtn Rd, (11.4 km from

5. * The species is named with reference to its delicate appearance. Kennedy Hwy, 8 km NNW of Kuranda), 29.ii.1988 ( DCF Rentz, Stop A-27, 1 female, collected as nymph, matured in lab. 5.iv.1988, ANIC). 16°48’S. 145°38’E. ( GPS) , 19 Butler Dr , 15–31.i. 2004, 15–30.iv.2004, 15.x.2004 ( DCF Rentz, 3 males, ANIC); same locality 16–31.xii.2006, 16–30.iv.2006 ( DCF Rentz, 2 males, ANIC); same locality, 1–15.ii.2007 ( DCF Rentz, 1 male, Cytol. prep. 2007-2, ANIC); same locality, 1–15.xi.2007 ( DCF Rentz, 1 male, ANIC) .

Discussion. This delicate phaneropterine is an infrequent visitor to the lights. It has not been observed in nature other than on leaves in proximity to the lights in the morning. We have no idea of its host preferences.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Caedicia flexuosa Brunner Adult female. Note contrasting tone of veins on tegmen to the overall colour of the tegmen.

FIGURE 5. Caedicia flexuosa Brunner. A, male genitalia; note curved cercus and apex of tenth tergite. B, female genitalia, note ovipositor.

FIGURE 6. Caedicia kuranda Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species, adult male; note contrasting colour and lustre of pronotum, a characteristic of the species.

FIGURE 7. Caedicia kuranda Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species. A, head and pronotum, adult female. B, male genitalia; note styliform appendages on subgenital plate; the supra-anal plate is an elongate structure directed downwards in this photo. C, female genitalia dorsal view; note divided supra-anal plate. D, tip of abdomen, note ovipositor.

FIGURE 8. Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species. Note eye colour and pattern.

FIGURE 9. Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species. A, head and pronotum; B, male genitalia; C, ovipositor, note serrations at tip.

FIGURE 17. Left tegmina of some Phaneropterine species. A, Caedicia webberi Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species; B, C. kuranda Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species; C, C. flexuosum Brunner; D, Ephippithyta trigintiduoguttata Serville; E. E. kuranda Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species; F, Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new genus and species; G.Diastella kuranda Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species.

FIGURE 18. Caedicia webberi Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species. a, karyotype; b, first metaphase; c, first anaphase; d, second metaphase with X; e, second metaphase without X. Scale 10 µm.

FIGURE 20. Currimundria delicata Rentz, Su & Ueshima, new species. a, karyotype; b, spermatogonial metaphase; c, first metaphase; d, second metaphase with X; e, seconds metaphase without X. Scale 10 µm.