Myopsalta leona, Popple, 2017

Popple, Lindsay W., 2017, A revision of the Myopsalta crucifera (Ashton) species group (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettini) with 14 new species from mainland Australia, Zootaxa 4340 (1), pp. 1-98 : 35-41

Myopsalta leona n. sp.

( Figs 1F , 2F , 3K, 3L , 11 , 13 , 14 ; Plate 6 )

Notopsalta sp. nr atrata Black Brigalow Buzzer : Popple & Strange, 2002: 21, 22, 25, 29, Figs 3B , 6E , Table 1. Notopsalta sp. G Black Brigalow Buzzer; no. 282: Ewart, 2009: 141, 145, 160, 166, Fig. 1 , Fig. 8 , Fig. 14D . Myopsalta sp. nr atrata Black Brigalow Buzzer ( Popple & Strange, 2002) : Sanborn, 2014: 583. Myopsalta sp. G ( Ewart, 2009): Sanborn, 2014: 584.

Types. Holotype: ♂ Australia, Queensland, 4 km W. of Binjour , 25.i.2003, L. & W. Popple, Recorded, L. W. Popple, 282-0001, QM Reg. No. T239567 (QM); Paratypes : QUEENSLAND: 1♀ Edungalba , 23°43'26''S 149°52'38''E, 12.i.2007, M. Batley (AM) ; 2♀ 26.43[°]S 146.08[°]E, 35 km SSW of Charleville Q, 13 Mar 1990, E.D. Edwards, J. H. Fisk ( ANIC) ; 1♂ 1♀ Dalby , xii.1933, N. Geary ; 1♀ Eidsvold Caravan Park , 25°22'06''S 151°07'25''E, 27–29.xii.2004, L. W. Popple, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0026 ; 5♀ 7 km NNE of Mt Bluffkin , 22°36'S 149°14'E, 160 m, on road, 16.xii.1999 – 22.iii.2000, Monteith, flight intercept, brigalow, 9230; 1♀ Koy Property at Brigooda (top site), 26°16'S 151°25'E, 26.i.–20.iv.1995, G.B. Monteith, flight intercept, vine scrub ; 1♀ 5 km N of Allies Creek , 26°03'S 151°06'E, 360 m, 11.x–11.xii.2001, G. B. Monteith, flight intercept, vine scrub, 10252 ; 4♀ 3 km S of Pine Mt , 21°46'S 148°51'E, 230 m, 17.xii.1999 – 24.iii.2000, Monteith, flight intercept, vine scrub, 9242; 2♀ Brigalow Research Station site 3, 24°49'S 149°45'E, 160 m, 28.x–16.xii.2000, D. Cook & G. Monteith, flight intercept, belah–brigalow, 9813 ; 1♀ Brigalow Research Station site 2, 24°49'S 149°45'E, 170 m, 28.x–16.xii.2000, D. Cook & G. Monteith, flight intercept, vine scrub, 9811 ; 2♂ 3♀ Nipping Gully , site 6, 25°42'S 151°26'E, 200 m, G. Monteith, C. Gough & G. Maywald, 7532 ; 2♂ Hurdle Gully, 14.8 km WSW of Monto , 24°55'S 150°59'E, 460 m, 19.xii.1997, Evans, Burwell & Ewart, MV lamp, open forest ; 2♀ 23 km NNE of Barakula , 26°13'S 150°35'E, 400 m, 18.xii.2001 – 4.iii.2002, Monteith & Cook, flight intercept, brigalow, 10423; 1♀ same data as previous, G. Monteith, D. Cook & S. Wright, brigalow, 10313 ; 1♂ Barakula , 26°26'S 150°31'E, 26°26'S 150°31'E, 330 m, 17–18.xii.2001, G. Monteith & S. Wright, MV lamp, 10311 ; 3♂ 1♀ Boomer Range , site 3, 23°12'S 149°45'E, 21.iii.2000, G.B. & S.R. Monteith, MV lamp, 9266 ; 1♀ 3 km NNE of Mt Bassett , 26°25'S 148°55'E, 520 m, 13.xii.2001 – 5.iii.2002, Monteith & Cook, flight intercept, vine scrub, 10409; 1♀ same data as previous, 500 m, Monteith, Cook & Wright, 10484 ; 1♂ Boggomoss No. 10 via Taroom , 25°31'S 150°03'E, 14.xi.1996, D. Cook, MV lamp, 0 65, QM Reg. No . T32746; Yuleba State Forest , site 2, 26°58'S 149°45'E, 270 m, 8.iii.2002, Monteith & Wright, MV lamp, belah, 10497 ; 1♀ 10 km ENE of Wonga Hills , 26°03'S 150°55'E, 11.xii.2001, S.G. Wright, 50957 ; 4♀ Wonga Hills , site 1, 26°04'S 150°49'E, 480 m, 11.x–11.xii.2001, Monteith & Cook, flight intercept, vine scrub, 10242 ; 1♀ same data as previous, 11.xii.2001 – 4.iii.2002, 10397; 1♀ Wonga Hills , site 3, 26°04'S 150°49'E, 520 m, 10.x–11.xii.2001, Monteith & Cook, flight intercept, vine scrub, 10246 ; 1♂ 2♀ same data as previous, 11.xii.2001, Monteith, Cook & Wright, mercury vapour lamp, vine scrub ; 2♀ Wonga Hills , site 4, 26°03'S 150°49'E, 470 m, 11.xii.2001 – 4.iii.2002, Monteith & Cook, flight intercept, brigalow, 10403; 3♂ 1♀, Gubberamunda State Forest , site 1, 26°16'S 148°45'E, 380 m, 12–14.xii.2001, Monteith & Wright, MV lamp, Cypress, 10270 ; 2♂ Lords Table plateau, site 2, 22°39.5'S 148°01.0'E, 640 m, 10.i–7.iii.2006, C.J. Burwell, malaise, eucalypt woodland, 133642 ; 1♂ 5 km NW of Charleville , 26°23'S 146°12'E, 310 m, 3–5.iii.2003, G. Monteith, C. Burwell, mulga, 51123 ; 2♂ Ranger’s Headquarters, Mt Moffatt National Park, 25°01'S 147°57'E, 1.xii.1997, S. Evans, C. Lambkin, J. Skevington, MV lamp; 2♂ 4♀ Expedition Range National Park, ‘ Amphitheatre’ campsite, 25°12'S 148°59'E, 560 m, 17.xii.1997, Burwell, Evans & Ewart, MV lamp, open forest ; 1♂ same data as previous, 18.xii.1997, Evans & Burwell ; 1♂ Expedition Range National Park, ‘ Amphitheatre’ yards, 25°13'S 149°01'E, 440 m, 19.xii.1997 – 4.iii.1998, Cook & Monteith, flight intercept, open forest; 3♂ Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 23.ii.1986, G.B. Monteith & G. Thompson, MV lamp, gravel ridge ; 1♀ Lakeview, nr Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 9.ii.1986, M. Bennie ; 1♀ Carnarvon Station (CN2M1), 24.82°S 147.742°E, 757 m, 24.xi– 13.xii.2010, C. Zwick, malaise, brigalow/grassy hill, 19419 ; 1♂ Gayndah , 1963, H.A. Rose (QM) ; 1♀ Carnarvon National Park, Mount Moffatt Section, Ranger Headquarters , 25°01'22''S 147°56'59''E, 1.xi.1997, J. Skevington, C. Lambkin, S. Evans, MV lamp ; 1♂ Dulacca , 4.i.1956, L.E. Jackson ( UQIC) ; 3♀ Barakula State Forest near Chinchilla , 26°14.42'S 150°48.86'E, 15.xii.1997, A. Ewart, virgin brigalow ; 6♂ 6♀ ‘Allinga’, Chinchilla, 9044/ 644459, 8.i.1994, brigalow; 2♂ ‘Coo-ee Yards’, Red Hill Road, Chinchilla, 9.i.1994; 1♂ ‘ Lakeview’, Lake Broadwater, ~ 30 km SW. of Dalby , 26.i.2000, M. Bennie ; 1♂ Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 27°20.42'S 151°05.65'E, 19.xii.2001, A. Ewart ; 5♂ 6♀ Bringalily State Forest via Inglewood, 9.5 km NNW. of Robert Wicks Research Station , 28°12.47'S 151°07.58'E, 21.xi.2007, A. Ewart ; 2♀ same data as previous, 28°12.54'S 151°07.40'E, 14.xii.2007, brigalow ; 2♀ Bringalily State Forest via Inglewood, ~ 9.6 km NNW. of Robert Wicks Research Station , 28°12.55'S 151°07.39'E, 15.xii.2007, A. Ewart, at light, brigalow ; 2♂ Bringalily State Forest via Inglewood, 6.4 km SW. of Robert Wicks Research Station , 28°18.23'S 151°05.31'E, 20.xi.2007, A. Ewart ; 6♂ 6♀ Brigalow Creek, ~ 5 km E. of Goondiwindi , 28°30.51'S 150°20.12'E, 5.xii.2000, A. Ewart, I. Rattray ; 1♂ 1km SE. of Jondaryan , 9.i.1994, open forest ; 2♀ Bush Camp, Lake Broadwater Environmental Park near Dalby , 8.iii.1997, at light, wilga ; 5♂ 1♀ Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 27°20.42'S 151°05.65'E, 19.xii.2001, A. Ewart ; 4♀ ‘ Lakeview’ near Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 27°20.81'S 151°04.98'E, 20.xii.2001, A. Ewart, brigalow–belah ; 3♂ 14 km E. of Goondiwindi , 28°29.82'S 150°25.12'E, 4.xii.2000, A. Ewart, I. Rattray, grassland ; 1♂ Nowland Property, Aubigny near Oakey , 27°31.67'S 151°40.01'E, xii.2003, J. Nowland ; 1♂ L. Broadwater 30 km SW. of Dalby , 21.ii.1987 (AE) ; 2♂ Humphrey Road via Binjour , 25°33'47''S 151°27'24''E, 26.xi.2004, L. Popple & M. Finlay-Doney, 282- 0 0 0 4, 282-0014 ; 1♀ Emerald , 23.ii.2013, L. Sanders ; 1♂ 1♀ Fairhill , 200 m, i.2015, L. Sanders ; 2♂ 1♀ Yan Yan , 160 m, i.2016, L. Sanders ; 3♂ 2♀ Gregory , 180 m, 23°26.56'S 148°32.18'E, ii.2014, L. Sanders ; 3♂ 4♀ Emerald , 160 m 23°31.37'S 148°32.18'E, i.2015, L. Sanders (DE) ; 1♂ Willowvale N. of Warwick , 15.xii.2001, L. Popple & R. MacSloy, 282-0002 ; 1♀ Myall Park, 8 km N. of Glenmorgan , 27–28.xii.2001, L. Popple & A. Strange, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0003 ; 1♂ Gayndah , 27°30'S 153°01'S, 23.ii.2004, J.J. Beard, 282-0004 ; 14♂ Humphrey Road via Binjour , 25°33'47''S 151°27'24''E, 26.xi.2004, L. Popple & M. Finlay-Doney, 282-0005, 282-0006, 282-0008 to 282-0013, 282-0015 to 282-0019 ; 3♂ 3♀ Eidsvold Caravan Park , 25°22'06''S 151°07'25''E, 27–29.xii.2004, L. W. Popple, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0020 to 282-0025 ; 1♂ 1♀ Mundubbera district , 25°34'40''S 151°18'11''E, 28– 29.xii.2004, L.W. Popple, 282-0027 & 282-0028 ; 1♀ NNW. of Roma , 28°12'30''E 148°42'55''E, 14.ii.2004, C. & T. Eddie, 282-0029 ; 2♀ Possum Park, 19 km N. of Miles , 25.xi.2005, L. W. Popple, N. Hando, open forest, 282-0031 & 282-0032 ; 1♀ Lake Broadwater via Dalby , 27°21'02''S 151°05'34''E, 14–15.xii.2005, L.W. Popple, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0033 ; 2♂ Binjour Plateau State School, Burnett Highway, 27.xi.2005, L. Popple & M. Finlay- Doney, 282-0034 to 282-0036; 1♂ Eidsvold Caravan Park , 25°22'06''S 151°07'25''E, 24–25.xi.2006, L. Popple & A McKinnon, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0037 ; 1♀ Possum Park , 26°30'19''S 150°12'31''E, 28.xii.2011 – 1.i.2012, L. Popple & A. McKinnon, mercury vapour lamp, 282-0038; 1♂ 1♀ Gregory , 23°09'S 148°24'E, ii.2014, L. Sanders, 282-0040 & 282-0041 (LWP) ; 1♀ 37 km W. of Alpha , 23°37.4'S 146°16.2'E, 12.i.2002, Cooley, Cowan, Hill, Marshall & Moulds ; 1♀ Lake Broadwater nr Dalby , site A, 27°21'S 151°06'E, 24.xii.1986, G. and A. Daniels, mv lamp ; 1♀ 49 km WNW. of Goondiwindi , 17.xii.1983, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♂ Blackdown Tableland, Expedition Range, 9.i.1976, G. Daniels; 1♂ 1♀ 3 km E. of Mourangee Hsd, nr Edungalba , 28.i.1991, E.E. Adams ; 2♂ 2♀ Bee Ck, 25 km SW. of Nebo , 6.ii.1981, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♂ Dogwood R. x-ing, 30 km W. of Condamine , 18.xii.1987, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♂ 1.5 km W. of ‘ Mourangee’ Hsd, nr Edungalba , on bushes, 17.iii.1983, E.E Adams ; 3♂ ‘ Hickleton’ Stn SW. of Longreach , 23°59'19''S 143°03'17''E, 21.iii.2003, A.J. Emmott, R. & V. Ballard ; 1♂ Noonbah Stn SW. of Longreach , 24°04'S 143°11'E, 10.iii.2003, P. Kleinschmidt ; 2♂ 2.5 km E. of Mourangee Hsd, nr Edungalba , 18.iii.1988, E.E. Adams ; 1♂ 10 km N. of Glenden Mining township , 21°20'S 148°05'E, 16.i.1987, M.S. & B. J. Moulds ( MSM); NEW SOUTH WALES : 1♀ 31.31[°]S 146.06[°]E, 23km E. by S. of Cobar NSW, 3.xii.1981, J. C. Cardale ( ANIC) ; 2♂ 1♀ Wyalong Rest Area , 33°55.33'S 147°14.58'E, 19.xi.10, Popple & Emery ; 1♂ 20 km N. Goolgowi , 21.x.2015, S. Travers ; 1♀ 30 km E. Goolgowi , 33°53.40'S 146°01.57'E, 19.xi.2010, Popple & Emery (DE) ; 1♀ Wyalong Centenary Park , 33°55'27''S 147°13'59''E, 21.xi.2010, L.W. Popple & D. Emery, 282-0038 (LWP) ; 2♂ Lightning Ridge , 1km E., 6.xii.2000, Noel J. Starick (NS) ; 1♂ Wallangra , 17.xii.1983, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♂ Inverell , 16.xii.1983, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♀ 67 km NE. of Nyngan , 27.x.1978, K.J. Lambkin & D.R. Smith ; 1♀ Moree , 15.x.1971, J. Simpson ( MSM).

Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin word for Lion (presented as a noun in apposition). This refers to the striking modulation in amplitude during each phrase of the calling song. In the output of a bat detector, this modulation resembles the roar of a lion.

Description. Male. ( Figs 1F , 2F , 3K, 3L ; Plates 6A, 6B ).

Head: Postclypeus predominantly black, brown to ochraceous along lateral and ventral margins and with a pale brown area medially on dorsal side; supra-antennal plates black, brown dorso-laterally; genae black; mandibular plates black, covered by silvery pubescence; frons black; vertex black with a brown area extending along epicranial suture from between lateral ocelli to posterior margin; vertex and frons with sparse silvery pubescence; ocelli pale red; compound eyes brown; anteclypeus black; rostrum dark brown, black apically, clearly extending to anterior margins of hind coxae; antennae dark brown to black.

Thorax: Pronotum brown; central fascia pale brown to olive-brown, surrounded with black colouration, which broadens towards anterior and posterior pronotal margins; with irregular dark brown to black patches near paramedian and lateral fissures, and narrow black areas along lateral margins; pronotal collar black, with brown to dark brown dorso-lateral posterior margins; metanotum dark brown to black; mesonotum including submedian and lateral sigilla, black, with brown areas between the submedian and lateral sigilla extending on to arms and lateral sides of cruciform elevation and posterior half of wing grooves; posterior third of mesonotum with dense fine and mid-dense long silver pubescence.

Wings: Fore wings hyaline; basal membranes orange to pale orange-brown; pterostigmata reddish-brown; extreme proximal edge of clavi sometimes partly opaque, pale brown to dark brown; veins, including costal vein, brown to dark brown, darker distally. Hind wing plagas white at base, grading to pale grey along basal two thirds, this colour extending along jugal folds and terminating before apices, hyaline over remainder; veins pale brown basally, dark brown on distal half.

Legs: Fore coxae dark brown, with longitudinal brown areas on medial anterior and posterior sides, pale brown apically; mid and hind coxae dark brown, brown on inner sides, pale brown with patches of pale orange apically; meracantha spikes dark brown, becoming pale brown apically, overlapping opercula; fore femora dark brown with pale brown longitudinal areas on outer anterior sides, pale brown to pale orange apically; mid femora dark brown with pale brown apices; hind femora dark brown; fore tibiae dark brown; mid and hind tibiae dark brown, each with two pale brown bands, one above base, other towards apex; fore and mid tarsi dark brown, brown to pale brown medially; hind tarsi pale brown; pretarsi and claws brown.

Opercula ( Fig. 1F ): Broadly rounded; typically dark brown to brown throughout, sometimes darker basally; plates undulating, medial areas weakly depressed.

Timbals ( Fig. 2F ): Anterior rib 5 abbreviated; rib 4 also abbreviated, with a prominent isolated remnant extension ventrally; ribs 1 and 2 joined ventrally and fused dorsally to basal spur; anterior termination of basal spur fused with ribs 3–4, with rib 5 unattached; prominent intercalary short ribs in medial areas between ribs 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 (three in total).

Abdomen: Tergite 1 black; tergite 2 wider along dorsal midline than tergites 3 to 7; tergites 2 to 7 black, with brown areas on dorso-lateral posterior halves extending to posterior margins, all with dense short silver pubescence on dorso-lateral sides and with extensive long and short silver pubescence on lateral sides; tergite 8 black, dark dark brown on posterior half of lateral sides, covered in short silver pubescence; intersegmental membranes pale brown; epipleurites dark brown, with sparse silver pubescence; sternite II black laterally, pale brown to pale reddish-brown ventro-laterally, with a dark brown area medially; sternites III to VI pale brown to pale reddishbrown laterally, with dark brown areas medially, which broaden posteriorly, gradually increasing in size distally in each successive sternite; sternite VII dark brown to black, sometimes with diffuse brown to reddish-brown areas at extreme anterio-lateral margins; sternite VIII dark brown to black; anterior sternites visible in lateral view.

Genitalia ( Figs 3K, L ): Pygofer brown to dark brown; upper lobes in ventral view relatively linear, with terminals directed dorsally and apically acute; basal lobes in ventral view relatively linear, in lateral view gradually curved, subtly expressed; median lobe of uncus rounded, protruding; claspers in ventral view conspicuous, diverging markedly from point of downward deflection, with sharply developed apices; pseudoparameres projecting further (ventrally) than endotheca and ventral support; ventral support acute, projecting slightly beyond endotheca; endotheca fleshy.

Female ( Plate 6C ): Head, thorax, wings and legs match description of male.

Abdomen: Tergite 1 black; tergites 2 to 8 black, with broad brown to orange-brown areas on posterior dorsolateral and submedial sides, being most extensive on tergite 2; auditory capsules black; abdominal segment 9 dark brown to black, brown to orange brown on posterior third of dorso-lateral sides, dirty pale brown ventrally; dorsal beak black, sharply defined; sternite II pale brown to pale reddish-brown, black laterally and medially; epipleurites dark brown to black; sternites III to VI pale brown to pale reddish-brown with broad black areas medially, broadening posteriorly, typically similar in width, though often widest on sternite IV; sternite VII pale brown to pale reddish-brown with short, oblique, darker longitudinal markings medially; ovipositor sheath extends approximately 2.5–3.0 mm beyond termination of abdominal segment 9.

Measurements. N= 15♂ 15♀. Ranges and means (in parentheses), mm; BL: ♂ 14.3–16.7 (13.2); ♀ 13.1–18.3 (16.0). FWL: ♂ 14.3–16.7 (16.0); ♀ 14.5–18.3 (16.8). HW: ♂ 4.0–4.4 (4.5); ♀ 3.5–4.6 (4.3). PW: ♂ 3.8–4.4 (4.2); ♀ 3.7–4.8 (4.3). AW: ♂ 3.8–4.6 (4.3); ♀ 3.5–4.8 (4.1). FWL/W: ♂ 2.65–2.98 (2.85); ♀ 2.73–2.97 (2.85). OL: ♀ 5.8–8.0 (7.3).

Morphological distinguishing features. Myopsalta leona n. sp. can be distinguished from M. atrata , M.

binotata , M. coolahensis , M. gordoni n. sp., M. lactea , M. libritor , M. waterhousei and M. xerograsidia n. sp. by the colour of the basal membranes of the fore wings, which is pale brown or pale orange rather than white to pale grey. It can be distinguished from M. melanobasis n. sp. and M. platyptera n. sp. by the appearance of the distal corner of the fore wing basal cell (adjacent to the costa and radial cell), which is entirely hyaline and not partly translucent. Males and females can be separated from M. albiventris n. sp. and M. wollomombii by the colouration of the sternites, which is predominantly dark brown (cf. almost entirely pale brown). They can be differentiated from M. umbra n. sp. by the colour of the costal veins, which is brown rather than reddish-brown. Males can be distinguished from M. septa n. sp. and M. crucifera by the colouration of sternite VII, which is entirely dark brown to black (not bordered with pale brown on any margin). They can be distinguished from M. chrysopedia n. sp., M. longicauda n. sp. and M. majurae n. sp. by having a head width of ≤ 4.6 mm, from M. parvula n. sp. by having broad, contrasting, pale reddish-brown lateral edges on sternite III (cf. almost entirely dark brown to black), from M. bassiana n. sp. by having fore wings ≤6.0 mm in width, and from M. riverina n. sp. by the short length of the rostrum, which does not extend beyond the mid coxae. They can be separated from the closely similar M. mackinlayi by the colouration of the opercula, which is dark brown to black rather than predominantly pale brown. In addition, they can be separated from by the presence of contrasting pale brown colouration on the ventro-lateral sides of sternite II. Females can be distinguished from M. bassiana n. sp., M. mackinlayi , M. longicauda n. sp., M. parvula n. sp., M. septa n. sp. and M. umbra n. sp. by the length of the ovipositor sheath, which extends approximately 2.5–3.0 mm beyond the apex of abdominal segment 9; this length being approximately equal to the length of abdominal segment 9 (in other species the sheath extension is noticeably longer or shorter than the abdominal segment). They can be differentiated from the superficially similar M. crucifera by the colouration of the thorax and dorsal abdomen, which is dark brown or brown (cf. pale brown in M. crucifera ). Finally, they can be separated from M. chrysopedia n. sp. by their smaller size (head width <4.7 mm).

Distribution, habitat and behaviour ( Fig. 11 ). Myopsalta leona is found south from the tropic of Capricorn in western, southern central and inland south-eastern Queensland from the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert south-east to the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane. It also occurs in inland New South Wales from Narrabri west to Lightning Ridge and south to Goolgowi. Populations occur in acacia-dominated woodland and shrubland, as well as dry, temperate eucalypt woodland where the adults are typically found on the branches and in the foliage of trees and larger shrubs. Adults have been encountered from October to March. They have occasionally been observed in very large numbers, spreading from vegetation on to nearby wooden power poles and fence posts.

Calling song ( Figs 13 , 14 ). The song of this species contains repetitive buzzing phrases, each with a brief inflection in amplitude and frequency towards the middle. Each phrase commences with a long echeme, typically with a duration of 2.018– 3.954 s, followed by a brief gap (0.004– 0.021 s) and a syllable or macrosyllable of 0.011– 0.029 s duration (all statistics, n= 17 recordings). Close inspection of the structure within the long echeme sometimes reveals that the beginning contains a series of discrete syllables, or alternatively it may be entirely coalesced. The inflection occurs in the long echeme, typically half way to two thirds into its overall duration. The highest point of inflection can reach up to four times the amplitude of the beginning of the echeme and may be sustained at this increased volume for up to 0.6 s. Observations indicate that the inflection is cause by a marked upward contraction of the abdomen, followed by partial relaxation. Generally, the amplitude remains slightly higher relative to the beginning of the echeme for the remainder of the echeme following the inflection.

Prior and following to the inflection, the calling song typically exhibits a highest amplitude frequency plateau between 11.2 and 18.4 kHz. This increases to 13.0–19.5 kHz, or slightly higher, during the inflection. Some geographic variation is evident in calling song, with larger specimens from central New South Wales exhibiting slightly extended long echeme (up to 5.91 s) and lower frequency plateaus (8.7–15.2 kHz before inflection and 11.4–17.0 kHz at inflection). In addition, in recordings from Cravens Peak at the western edge of the species’ distribution, produce slightly shorter long echemes (1.417– 1.510 s) and the inflection is produced earlier than in other examples ( Fig. 14A ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Photographs of male right opercula. (A) Myopsalta albiventris n. sp., Mt Moffatt (25 ° 12 ' S 148 ° 59 ' E); (B) M. bassiana n. sp., Acton (35 ° 16 ' S 149 ° 07 ' E); (C) M. chrysopedia n. sp., Lake Douglas (30 ° 52 ' S 121 ° 24 ' E); (D) M. crucifera (Ashton), Plantation Creek, Ayr (19 ° 32 ' S 147 ° 30 ' E); (E) M. gordoni n. sp., 82 km N. of St George (27 ° 23 ' S 148 ° 52 ' E); (F) M. leona n. sp., Expedition Range NP (25 ° 12 ' S 148 ° 59 ' E); (G) M. longicauda n. sp., Mt Moffatt (24 ° 58 ' Sx 148 ° 00 ' E); (H) M. mackinlayi (Distant), Boonah Road turnoff west of Ipswich (27 ° 40 ' S 152 ° 44 ' E); (I) Myopsalta majurae n. sp., Mt Majura – Mt Ainslie (34 ° 15 ' S 149 ° 11 ' E); (J) M. melanobasis n. sp., 14.6 km W. of Drillham Creek (26 ° 39 ' S 149 ° 50 ' E); (K) M. parvula n. sp., Acton (35 ° 16 ' S 149 ° 07 ' E); (L) M. platyptera n. sp., Brigalow Research Station (24 ° 49 ' S 149 ° 45 ' E); (M) M. riverina n. sp., 33 km SSW. of Rankins Springs (33 ° 55 ' S 145 ° 56 ' E); (N) M. septa n. sp., Tannymorel (28 ° 19 ' S 152 ° 08 ' E); (O) M. umbra n. sp., Hurdle Gully (24 ° 55 ' Sx 151 ° 00 ' E); (P) M. xerograsidia n. sp., Plantation Creek, Ayr (19 ° 32 ' S 147 ° 30 ' E). Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Photographs of male left timbals, with dorsal edge at right and posterior margin at bottom. (A) Myopsalta albiventris n. sp., Mt Moffatt (25 ° 12 ' S 148 ° 59 ' E); (B) M. bassiana n. sp., Acton (35 ° 16 ' S 149 ° 07 ' E); (C) M. chrysopedia n. sp., Lake Douglas (30 ° 52 ' S 121 ° 24 ' E); (D) M. crucifera (Ashton), Woodgate (25 ° 06 ' S 152 ° 33 ' E); (E) M. gordoni n. sp., 82 km N. of St George (27 ° 23 ' S 148 ° 52 ' E); (F) M. leona n. sp., 4 km W. of Binjour (25 ° 32 ' S 151 ° 26 ' E); (G) M. longicauda n. sp., Expedition Range (24 ° 38 ' Sx 149 ° 00 ' E); (H) M. mackinlayi (Distant), Boomer Range (23 ° 12 ' S 149 ° 45 ' E).

FIGURE 3. Photographs of male pygofer, viewed laterally from left and ventrally. Myopsalta albiventris n. sp., Mt Moffatt (25 ° 12 ' S 148 ° 59 ' E), (A) lateral, (B) ventral; M. bassiana n. sp., Acton (35 ° 16 ' S 149 ° 07 ' E), (C) lateral, (D) ventral; M. chrysopedia n. sp., Kalgoorlie (30 ° 45 ' S 121 ° 28 ' E), (E) lateral, (F) ventral; M. crucifera (Ashton), Woodgate (25 ° 06 ' S 152 ° 33 ' E), (G) lateral, (H) ventral; M. gordoni n. sp., 82 km N. of St George (27 ° 23 ' S 148 ° 52 ' E), (I) lateral, (J) ventral; M. leona n. sp., 4 km W. of Binjour (25 ° 32 ' S 151 ° 26 ' E), (K) lateral, (L) ventral; M. longicauda n. sp., Expedition Range (24 ° 38 ' Sx 149 ° 00 ' E), (M) lateral, (N) ventral; M. mackinlayi (Distant), Boomer Range (23 ° 12 ' S 149 ° 45 ' E), (O) lateral, (P) ventral.

PLATE 6. Myopsalta leona n. sp.: (A) male holotype, 4 km W. of Binjour (25 ° 32 ' S 151 ° 26 ' E), dorsal view; (B) male holotype, ventral view; (C) female paratype, Eidsvold (25 ° 22 ' S 151 ° 08 ' E), dorsal view.

FIGURE 6. Wave plots illustrating the calling song of Myopsalta albiventris n. sp. from four different locations, including (A) Maroon Dam (28 ° 10 ' S 152 ° 39 ' E), (B) Mt Moffatt (24 ° 52 ' S 148 ° 01 ' E), (C) Carnarvon Gorge (25 ° 04 ' S 148 ° 15 ' E), and (D) Robinson Gorge (25 ° 13 ' S 148 ° 59 ' E). Recordings were obtained by the author using RS 2 (A) and RS 1 (B), and by A. Ewart using RS 3 (C, D) (see Methods).

FIGURE 8. Wave plots comparing the structure of the calling song of Myopsalta bassiana n. sp. from two different locations, namely (A) Acton (35 ° 16 ' S 149 ° 07 ' E), and (B) Clandulla (32 ° 53 ' S 149 ° 56 ' E). Both recordings were obtained by the author using RS 5 (see Methods).

FIGURE 11. Map of mainland eastern Australia showing the geographical distributions of Myopsalta gordoni n. sp. in Queensland, M. leona n. sp. in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory and M. longicauda n. sp. in Queensland and New South Wales. Large symbols represent specimen records and smaller symbols denote audio recordings or aural observations.

FIGURE 13. Male calling song structure of Myopsalta leona n. sp. from a recording obtained at Eidsvold (25 ° 22 ' S 151 ° 08 ' E) by the author using RS 1 (see Methods). (A) Wave plot of two complete phrases, each containing a long echeme with characteristic amplitude modulation followed by a macrosyllable and in the initial case an additional syllable. (B) Expanded wave plot showing the detailed structure of the maximum amplitude component of the long echeme. (C) Expanded wave plot showing the detailed structure of the end of the long echeme followed by a macrosyllable and additional syllable. (D) Spectrogram showing the highest amplitude frequency plateau and dominant frequency.

FIGURE 14. Wave plots illustrating the calling song of Myopsalta leona n. sp. from six different locations, including (A) Cravens Peak (23 ° 10 ' S 138 ° 14 ' E), (B) 4 km W. of Binjour (25 ° 32 ' S 151 ° 26 ' E), (C) Kindon (28 ° 05 ' S 150 ° 44 ' E), (D) Willowvale (28 ° 11 ' S 152 ° 03 ' E), (E) Wyalong (33 ° 55 ' S 147 ° 14 ' E), and (F) 9 km NW. of Grenfell (33 ° 51 ' S 148 ° 05 ' E). Recordings were obtained by A. Ewart using RS 3 (A), and the author using RS 2 (B, C, D) and RS 5 (E, F) (see Methods).