Cnipsomorpha apteris ( Liu & Cai, 1992 ) Liu & Cai, 1992

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 : 55-56

Cnipsomorpha apteris ( Liu & Cai, 1992) n. comb.

Cnipsus apteris Liu & Cai, 1992: 62 , figs. 3a & b (Ψ). HT, Ψ: China, Yunnan Province, Lushui County, Yaojaping 2500 m, 2.VI.1981, leg. Wang Shuyong (IZCAS); PT, Ψ: Yunnan Province, Lushui County,Pianma (IZCAS). Otte & Brock, 2005: 109.

Differentiation. Distinguished from C. colorantis (Chen & He) by: the slightly larger size; more slender and elongate body; relatively longer body segments; 14-jointed antennae; presence of an anterior pair of spines on the pronotum; less numerous spines of the mesonotum; decidedly more prominent posterior lobes of abdominal tergite IX; more prominent praeopercular organ; shape of the anal segment; apically pointed subgenital plate and unarmed tibiae. From C. erinacea n. sp. it differs by: the smaller size; considerably more slender and elongate body; relatively longer body segments; parallel-sided abdomen; 14-jointed antennae; four instead of six distinct spines and less prominent posterolateral lobes of the abdominal tergites II–VII; differently shaped anal segment and subgenital plate.

Description. The following is a translation of the original Chinese description, partly supplemented by the illustrations provided by Liu & Cai (1992). The type specimens in IZCAS could unfortunately not be examined for the present study.

Ψ. Of moderate size for the genus (body length 34.0 mm), comparatively slender and elongate. Dorsal body surface furnished with numerous prominent spines and tubercles of variable size and a distinctly raised, longitudinal median carina. General colouration yellowish brown with irregular darker brown stripes and markings on most portions of the body.

Head: Oval, slightly longer than wide, vertex convex and rounded. Between the eyes with a pair of short spines, followed by six much more decided spines on the frons, four prominent spines on the vertex and two small spines close to posterior margin. Antennae rather broad, distinctly segmented, 14-jointed and considerably shorter than profemora; all antennomeres densely setose. Third antennomere very short and constricted basally.

Thorax: Pronotum slightly trapezoidal, tuberculose, with a few small spines in anterior half and four distinct spines behind the transverse median depression. Mesothorax about 2.6x longer than pronotum and gently swollen medially. Mesonotum armed with four prominent, paired spines in the centre; a pair of small spines close to anterior margin and two moderately distinct spines pre-posteriorly. Lateral margins with several spines of variable size, the median ones decidedly larger than remaining. Metanotum a little more than half the length of mesonotum and armed with two conspicuous pairs of spines, the posterior one being decidedly larger than the rather slender anterior pair. Mesosternum unarmed.

Abdomen: Median segment roughly half the length of metanotum, in posterior half with a pair of moderately sized spines. Segments II–VII roughly of equal width, all slightly longer than wide. Tergites II–VII slightly elevated posteriorly, the posterolateral angles each forming a small triangular tooth, the posterior margin serrate. II–V each armed with four paired spines, the anterior ones small, the posterior ones very prominent. VI with with two serrate lobes, VII with a short pair of spines, VIII with a distinct, longitudinal median keel. Tergite IX considerably shorter than VIII, wider than long and in the centre rising into a very large, leaflike, 4-dentate lobe. Anal segment longer than IX with a conspicuous medina carina, the posterior margin truncate and roughly dentate. Sternites II–VI with an irregularely wrinkles, longitudinal median carina and two longitudinal spines close to posterior margin which are broadened apically; posterior margin slightly raised and serrate. Praeopercular organ formed by a prominent, raised and angled hump close to posterior margin of sternite VII. Subgenital plate short, scoop-shaped, slightly keeled and apex slightly projecting over posterior margin of tergite IX; apex tapered and posterolateral angles each with a small, blunt tooth. Cerci of moderate size, slightly triangular in cross-section and projecting over apex of anal segment.

Legs: All rather long and slender, profemora about as long as head, pro- and mesonotum combined, mesofemora slightly projecting over posterior margin of abdominal tergite III, metatibiae exceeding apex of abdomen. Anterodorsal and posteroventral carinae of profemora very gently wave-like, other carinae unarmed. Both dorsal and ventral carinae of meso- and metafemora furnished with several prominent, triangular teeth of variable sizes. Tibiae without conspicuous armature. Basitarsus longer than following three tarsomeres combined.

Measurements in table 2.

Comments. So far only known from the two Ψtypes.