Cnipsomorpha erinacea, Hennemann, Frank H., Conle, Oskar V., Zhang, Weiwei & Liu, Ye, 2008

Hennemann, Frank H., Conle, Oskar V., Zhang, Weiwei & Liu, Ye, 2008, Descriptions of a new genus and three new species of Phasmatodea from Southwest China (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 1701, pp. 40-62 : 54-55

Cnipsomorpha n. gen

Type-species: Cnipsomorpha erinacea n. sp., by present designation. Cnipsus, Liu & Cai, 1992: 61 , figs. 3a & b (Not Redtenbacher, 1908). Chen & He, 1996: 286, figs. 1 & 2 (Not Redtenbacher, 1908).

Description. ΨΨ. Small to very small (body length <5 cm), moderately slender to rather broad, strikingly spinose Pachymorphinae . Entire dorsal body surface ± prominently set with tubercles, spines or spine-like projections, some of which may be composite; armature considerably less distinct on ventral surface. A fine longitudinal median carina running along complete dorsal body surface except on head and pronotum. Antennae short, at best indistinctly longer than head and pronotum combined; consisting of 13–15 segments. Scapus dorsoventrally flattened with lateral margins decidedly elevated. 3rd antennomere strongly constricted basally. Head rounded, indistinctly longer than wide with the vertex convex, rounded and spinose. A distinct pair of spines between the eyes. No ocelli. Mesothorax> 2x longer than pronotum, constricted anteriorly and ± decidedly swollen medially. Abdomen as long as or longer than combined length of head and complete thorax. Median segment less than half the length of metanotum. Abdominal segments II–VII indistinctly longer than wide, all with posterolateral angles elevated triangularly. Tergite IX with median carina terminating in a ± prominent spine or leaf-like extension. Sternite VII with a praeopercular organ. Cerci prominent, ± lanceolate, dorsoventrally compressed and carinate laterally. Subgenital plate small, scoop-shaped, pointed posteriorly and at best reaching half way along anal segment. Legs long and slender, profemora about as long as combined length of head, pro- and mesonotum, hind legs projecting considerably over apex of abdomen. All distinctly carinate and trapezoidal in cross-section. Medioventral carina of femora conspicuous but unarmed. Profemora straight but gently impressed interobasally. All ± distinctly dentate or lobate; tibiae may be unarmed. Tarsi elongate and more than 1/3 the length of corresponding tibia. Basitarsus longer than following three tarsomeres combined.

ɗɗ unknown.

Eggs. Very small (length <2 mm), slightly longer than high and oval in cross-section, polar-area gently impressed. Capsule surface covered with a bold, slightly raised and net-like and structure, otherwise very minutely granulose. Micropylar plate oval and slightly less than half of the capsule length; outer margin conspicuously raised. Interior portion of micropylar plate low with a raised, longitudinal ridge, posterior end with a very short median-line. Operculum oval, slightly concave and smooth except for a rim of minute hair-like structures along outer margin. Raised structures of the capsule of a conspicuously paler colour than lower portions.

Differentiation. Closely related to Parapachymorpha Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 but ΨΨare easily distinguished by: the rounded and convex vertex; shortened, strongly basally constricted antennomere III; relatively shorter, medially swollen mesothorax; triangular posterolateral expansions of the abdominal tergites; smaller subgenital plate; longer, lanceolate cerci which are triangular in cross-section; basally straight profemora; more decidedly furnished legs, and in general considerably more developed body armature. The very similar eggs confirm close relation to Parapachymorpha but differ by the more slender and elongate micropylar plate, and much less structured surface of the operculum.

The general habitus and overall appearance of this new genus shows astonishing similarity and convergence to the New Caledonian Cnipsus Redtenbacher, 1908 . This could have been caused by adaption to similar mountainous habitats and convergent specialization to host plants of the family Polypodiaceae (ferns).

Etymology. The generic name mirrors the striking habitual similarity to the New Caledonian genus Cnipsus Redtenbacher, 1908 (currently attributed to Xeroderinae with doubt), meaning “ Cnipsus -like”. Feminine.

Comments. Photos of a Ψ C. colorantis (Chen & He) in Mai (2004) and Yang et al. (2005), as well as pictures of the live HT of C. erinacea n. sp. show members of this genus to exhibit an interesting resting-position rather different from those of most Phasmatodea or the related Parapachymorpha Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893. The apical half of the abdomen is curled upwards and the legs are held strongly angled with the hinder pair of legs directed forward. The anterior legs in particular or often held angled backward to cover the mesothorax, similar to the position seen in fig. 10.

Distribution. Mountainous regions of Southwest China (Yunnan Province). So far recorded from altitudes between 1500 and 2500 m. Species of this genus are highly specialized and restricted to mountainous biotopes. They appear to feed predominantly on ferns ( Polypodiaceae ).