Nesiophasma plateni ( Dohrn, 1910 )

Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 5073 (1), pp. 1-189 : 116-117

Nesiophasma plateni ( Dohrn, 1910)

( Figs. 43A–B , 45P–R )

Phryganistria plateni Dohrn, 1910: 404 . LT, ♀ (by present designation): Sangir; Type [ZMPA]; PLT, 1 ♀: no data [ZMPA]; PLT, 1 ♀: Sangir; Type [ZMPA].

Günther, 1934b: 77.

Liana, 1996: 5.

Kevan & Vickery, 1997: 333.

Otte & Brock, 2005: 272.

Nesiophasma plateni, Günther, 1935b: 139 .

Günther, 1935a: 29.

Hennemann & Conle, 2008: 58, Fig. 6a & b (egg).

Further material: 1 ♀: 1934-5, Sangi en Talaud , Liroeng, Salibabae, Erie 1926 [ RMNH] ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂: Sangi et Ta-laud, Karakelang, Beo, Erie 1926 [ RMNH] ; 1 ♂: Sangi et Talaud , Karakelang, Beo, leg. Erie 1926 [ SMTD] ; 1 ♂: no data [ SMTD] .

Differential diagnosis: Males of this huge species differ from those of the other large species in the genus by the distinctively black bases of the femora, and black apices of the tibiae and knees. Females differ by the very long and lanceolate subgenital plate, which projects over the apex of the abdomen by considerably more than the three terminal abdominal terga combined ( Figs. 45P–R ), the bifid Preopercular organ ( Fig. 45R ), enlarged epiproct, which projects beyond the anal segment and the short gonapophyses VIII which hardly reach to the posterior margin of the anal segment ( Fig. 45Q ).

Eggs ( Fig. 47E ): Two eggs could be removed from the abdomen of a ♀ in RMNH, the better developed one of which is briefly described here. Care however must be taken because both eggs are not fully developed and may not be representative. Both eggs lack the capitulum and the operculum is detached.

Large, capsule laterally compressed, 1,5x longer than high and surrounded by a blunt dorsoventral keel which is only interrupted at the micropylar plate and deeply indented polar area. Anterior portion slightly constricted, the lateral surfaces with irregular humps. Entire capsule surface irregularly rugulose. Micropylar plate very small, roundly rhomboidal and roughly in centre of dorsal egg surface; surface smooth and gently concave. Micropylar cup small, knob-like and near polar end of plate. Median line short. Operculum oval, flat and with remains of a short stalk in centre. General colour dull orange-brown, the micropylar plate dark reddish brown. Measurements [mm]: Length 7.2, width 4.0, height 4.8, length of micropylar plate 1.1.

Comments: The smaller ♀ with data and a type-label in ZMPA is here designated as the lectotype ( Figs. 43A– B ). The examined specimens from the Talaud Islands differ from the type-specimens from Sangihe by the somewhat more stocky appearance and ♀♀ have the teeth of the mid and hind legs slightly more strongly developed .

Distribution: Sangihe Islands (also spelled Sangir or Sanghir) and Talaud Islands (Karakelang Island: Beo & Salibabu Island: Lirung), two islands groups in the North Sulawesi Province, north of Sulawesi ( Fig. 3 ).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Topographic map of Sulawesi, the Banggai and Sula Islands showing the seven provinces and their capitals. (© http://commons.wikimedia.org; edited)

FIGURE 6. Orthomeria limogesi n. sp. ♀♀, paratypes: A. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0734-1]; B. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, terminal abdominal segments in lateral view [IMQC]; C. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, subgenital plate in ventral view [IMQC]; D. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, anal segment (= tergum X) in dorsal view [IMQC]; E. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, left ala in dorsal view [IMQC]; F. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, head, pro- and mesothorax in lateral view [IMQC]; G. ♀ (PT) from Tinangkung Utara District, head, pro- and mesothorax in dorsal view [IMQC]. (Figures B–G © René Limoges, IMQC)

FIGURE 43. Nesiophasma spp., ♀♀: A. N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910) ♀ (LT), dorsal view [ZMPA]; B. N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910) ♀ (LT), dorso-lateral view [ZMPA]; C. N. sananaense n. sp. ♀ (PT), dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0822-1]; C. N. spinulosum (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (HT of N. eremothocus Günther, 1934), dorsal view [MNHU]; D. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (LT) [NHMW, No. 309].

FIGURE 45. Nesiophasma spp., ♀♀: A. N. giganteum n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen laterally [coll. FH, No. 0656-1]; B. N. giganteum n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0656-5]; C. N. giganteum n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen ventrally [coll. FH, No. 0656-1]; D. N. sananaense n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen laterally [coll. FH, No. 0822-3]; E. N. sananaense n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen dorsally [coll. FH, No. 0822-2]; F. N. sananaense n. sp., terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (PT) seen ventrally [coll. FH, No. 0656-3]; G. N. spinulosum (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (HT of N. eremothocus Günther, 1934), terminal abdominal segments seen laterally [MNHU]; H. N. spinulosum (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (HT of N. eremothocus Günther, 1934), terminal abdominal segments seen dorsally [MNHU]; J. N. spinulosum (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (HT of N. eremothocus Günther, 1934), terminal abdominal segments seen ventrally [MNHU]; K. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (LT), terminal abdominal segments seen laterally [NHMW, No. 309]; L. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (LT), terminal abdominal segments seen ventrally [NHMW, No. 309]; M. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (LT), head and prothorax in dorsolateral view [NHMW, No. 309]; N. N. giganteum n. sp., head and prothorax of ♀ (PT) in dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0656-5]; O. N. sananaense n. sp., head and prothorax of ♀ (PT) in dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0822-1]; P. N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910), terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (LT) seen laterally [ZMPA]; Q. N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910), terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (LT) seen dorsally [ZMPA]; R. N. spinulosum (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) ♀ (HT of N. eremothocus Günther, 1934), N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910), terminal abdominal segments of ♀ (LT) seen ventrally [ZMPA]. Figures P–R © Paul D. Brock / NHMUK.

FIGURE 47. Nesiophasma spp., eggs: A. N. giganteum n. sp., dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0656-E]; B. N. giganteum n. sp., lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0656-E]; C. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907), dorsal view (PLT) [NHMW, No. 309]; D. N. kuehni (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907), lateral view (PLT) [NHMW, No. 309]; E. N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910), dorso-lateral view [RMNH]. Figures C–D © 2019 Natural History Museum Vienna, NOaS Image Collection / H. Bruckner.