Xeroderus, Gray, 1835

Brock, Paul D. & Hennemann, Frank H., 2023, A new species of Xeroderus Gray, 1835 (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Xeroderinae) from Papua New Guinea and notes on the genus, Zootaxa 5258 (4), pp. 443-454 : 445

Key to ♀♀ of Xeroderus

1. Mesonotum with raised central area, armed with short lateral spines and several on the disc; outer and lateral spines more numerous and conspicuous.Alae transparent with brownish veins and tinge, with reddish inner margin. Subgenital plate tapered at tip, almost reaching end of abdomen (9 th and anal segment with much reduced lateral lobes than preceding abdominal segments); cerci longer than anal segment. Body length 85.0–106.0 mm. Distribution: northern and SE Queensland, possibly more widespread ( Figs. 1–2 , 4–6 ).................................................................... kirbyi

- Mesonotum with raised central area, armed with two large, broad spines posteriorly, two more paired large lateral spines each side and several smaller, stout ones, in a distinct pattern; small lateral spines also present beneath this ridge. Alae dark brown. Subgenital plate broad, rounded at tip, reaching end of abdominal segment 9 (the latter and anal segment with large lateral lobes, as with preceding abdominal segments); cerci broad, shorter than anal segment. Body length 96.0 mm. Distribution: Papua New Guinea ( Figs. 3–4 )................................................................. conlei sp. n.

Figures

FIGURE 1: Xeroderus kirbyi Gray, 1835. A. ♀ Queensland, 14 km S. of Bundaberg, 1.ii.1971, H. Frauca, on trunk of Eucalyptus citriodora dorsal view [ANIC], photo by PDB; B. Head & thorax of ♀ Queensland, Garradunga, J. Hasenpusch, dorsal view [O. Conle collection] photo by Oskar Conle; C. End of abdomen of lectotype ♀, lateral view [OUMNH], photo by PDB, Phasmida Species File; D. End of abdomen of same specimen, ventral view [OUMNH], photo by PDB; E. F. Eggs from Queensland, Garradunga, photo by Jack Hasenpusch; G. Eggs from Queensland, Herberton, photo by Ethan Beaver. Captions for figures (PDB = Paul D. Brock, FHH = Frank H. Hennemann)

FIGURE 2: Xeroderus kirbyi Gray, 1835. A. ♁ Queensland, Garradunga, in dorsal view [F. Hennemann coll. No. 0839-2]; B. C. D. End of abdomen of same ♁ lateral, dorsal and ventral views; E. F. G. Head & thorax of same ♁ lateral, dorsal and ventral views. All photos by FHH.

FIGURE 3: Xeroderus conlei sp. n. A. ♀ holotype, dorsal view [MNHU]; B. ventral view; C. lateral view; D. Head & thorax, in dorsal view; E. F. G. End of abdomen lateral, dorsal and ventral views. All photos by Oskar Conle.

FIGURE 4: Distribution map of Xeroderus species.

FIGURE 5: Queensland, Golden Hole, Biggs Recreation area, Bartle Frere. Riverine lowland tropical rainforest habitat of Xeroderus kirbyi, photos by Ross Coupland.

FIGURE 6: A. B. Live specimens of Xeroderus kirbyi in nature, showing superbly camouflaged female and male, photos by Ross Coupland; C. on boulder, photo by Sophie Kalkowski-Pope.