Tachycines (Gymnaeta) shibenzhangi, Zhou & Yang, 2022

Zhou, Xulin & Yang, Weicheng, 2022, Ten new species of genus Tachycines (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Aemodogryllinae) from karst caves in Guizhou, China, ZooKeys 1109, pp. 115-140 : 115

Tachycines (Gymnaeta) shibenzhangi sp. nov.

Figs 3A-D , 15

Specimens examined.

Holotype, 1♂, Xuehua Cave , Zhonghe Town, Sandu County, 2019-VII-28, collected by Xulin Zhou, Benchang Shi, Changzhen Zheng, Haixia Luo, Gui Liang, Hailian Lan, Panpan Ren and Juan Liao; paratypes, 16♂, 15♀, same data as the holotype.

Diagnosis.

The characteristic of the male genitalia of the new species is distinct from that of other groups: the epiphallus of the male genitalia is semi-circular, and the lateral sclerites sub-elliptical. In addition, the conical tubercles of the vertex are absent, the ommateum are extremely degenerated, the mid tibiae ventrally without spur or spine, the ventral conical projections of 3rd-8th abdominal sternites developed, and the distal ones are obtuse and densely ciliated.

Description.

Male. Body smaller than the average for the subgenus. Vertex conical tubercles absent, ommateum extremely degenerated, present by narrow stripes with several black facets (some individuals have no black facets and are completely blind). Legs elongate and slender, fore femur approx. 2.6-3.0 times longer than the pronotum, ventrally unarmed, external genicular lobe with one elongate movable spur, internal knee lobe without spine; fore tibiae beneath with one external spur (sometimes with two external spurs), but without internal spur. Mid femur with an elongate movable spur on both internal and external genicular lobes, ventrally unarmed; mid tibiae ventrally without internal or external spur. Hind femur without spines ventrally; hind tibiae dorsally with 11-18 inner spines and 13-18 outer spines, sparsely arranged. Supra-internal spur of hind tibiae not exceeding ventral apex of hind tarsus. Hind tarsus ventrally with bristles. Ventral conical projections of 3rd-8th abdominal sternites developed, but distal ones obtuse and densely ciliated. Epiphallus of male genitalia nearly semi-circular, lateral sclerites sub-elliptical (Fig. 3A, B ).

Female. Appearance is similar to the male. Subgenital plate nearly triangular, apical area slightly blunt. Ovipositor is longer than half length of hind femur, dorsal margin smooth, and apical area of ventral margin denticulate.

Coloration.

Body color uniform, pale yellow, abdomen slightly transparent and the internal organs are visible.

Measurements

(mm). Body ♂9.4-12.1, ♀11.2-12.5; pronotum ♂2.9-3.3, ♀ 3.0-3.2; fore femur ♂ 8.1-8.8, ♀ 8.2-9.6; hind femur ♂ 13.6-14.6, ♀ 13.6-14.8; ovipositor 9.1-10.0.

Distribution of light zone.

Dark light zone.

Cave adaptation type.

Troglobite.

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the name of the person who provided crucial help in collecting the specimens.

Figures

Figure 3. Tachycines (Gymnaeta) shibenzhangi sp. nov., A male genitalia in dorsal view B male genitalia in ventral view C female live habitus in dorsal view D female subgenital plate in ventral view.

Figure 15. Distribution map for new species of subgenus Tachycines Gymnaeta from Guizhou mentioned in this study.