Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou, 2021

Wandji, Alain Christel, Yetchom-Fondjo, Jeanne Agrippine, Kekeunou, Sévilor, Kenne, Martin, Missoup, Alain Didier, Tindo, Maurice, Simeu-Noutchom, Alain, Mbadjoun-Nzike, Marcelle, Xu, Sheng-Quan, Djomnang-Nkwala, Alfiery Laurel & Fomena, Abraham, 2021, Description of Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. and Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. and redescription of Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with comments on its ecology in the Southern part of Cameroon, Zootaxa 4915 (1), pp. 95-106 : 100-101

Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov.

Material examined:

Holotype: 1 male, Cameroon, Centre region , type locality: Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E); fallows, 26 May 2016; Coll. Wandji & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon ( ZLUYC).

Paratype: 1 male, Cameroon, Centre region , type locality: Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E); fallows, 26 May 2016; Coll. Wandji & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon ( ZLUYC) .

Other material studied: 1 male and 1 female from Bangoulap (5°06’013”N, 10°32’332”E), 2 females from Kumba (4°39’101”N, 9°24’502”E), 8 males and 9 females from Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E), and 1 female from Tombel (4°45’359”N, 9°40’215”E); deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon ( ZLUYC) .

Etymology: The new species is named in honor of Dr. Rachid Hanna, former Cameroon IITA representative for his research interests.

Diagnosis: male cercus curved inwards with rounded apex; lophus with curved posterior margin in profile view; interlophal space forming a U-shaped structure; external margins of lateral plates straight; apodemes of cingulum robust, slightly parallel and forming a U- shaped structure; valves of cingulum shorter than apical valves of penis in lateral view; rami of the cingulum in ventral view strongly opened, leaving free the endophallic sclerites; hind wings blue at base; posterior femur robust; black posterior tibias, with a white basal ring; tibiae spines fully black.

Description: male: length of body 25.85 ± 1.55 mm (n = 5 individuals), female: length of body 45.85 ± 2.95 mm (n = 5 individuals). Integument finely rugose; antenna filiform, slightly widened and thickened in middle, longer than head and pronotum together; large and ridged eyes; fastigium of vertex short, with truncated apex; pronotum slightly tectiform, with weak lateral carinae; median carina raised and crossed by three sulci; metazona slightly longer than prozona, its posterior margin excurved; prosternal process cylindrical, with rounded apex; tegmina and wings fully developed, with rounded apex; tympanum present; hind femur moderately widened; male supra-anal plate conical, with a transverse sulcus on the middle field; male cercus curved inward and almost in contact one to another (fig. 2f); male subgenital plate conical. Bridge of epiphallus strongly excurved; ancorae swavying with a hooked apex; lophi lobiform, with curved posterior margin; interlophal space forming a U-shaped structure; external margins of lateral plates straight; anterior projections large, posterior ones narrow (fig. 3IIIc); apodemes of cingulum robust, slightly parallel, forming a U-shaped structure and not reaching the apex of basal valves of penis; valves of cingulum in lateral view, strongly exceeded the apex of apical valves of penis; rami of the cingulum in ventral view strongly opened, leaving free the endophallic sclerites (fig. 3IIIf, 3IIIi and 3IIIl).

Coloration (fig. 2e): body generally brown to gray; elytra black laterally and yellowish dorsally; hind wings at base blue; posterior tibiae black, with a white basal ring; tarsi gray.

Ecology: Heteracris hannai sp. nov. is present in the natural vegetation of the southern Cameroon in one univoltine population.

The nymphs of Heteracris hannai sp. nov. were not observed during this study. In the Centre region of Cameroon, the adults occurred between March and September (almost 6 months). In the West and South-west regions of Cameroon, the adults were observed only during the months of February and September respectively (fig. 6). The species is more abundant in fallows and crop fields and very few in in agro-forests and forests (fig. 5b). Heteracris hannai sp. nov. is an accidentally collected species regardless of the type of vegetation (table 1).