Nilomantis floweri Werner, 1907

Sydney K. Brannoch & Gavin J. Svenson, 2016, Leveraging female genitalic characters for generic and species delimitation in Nilomantis Werner, 1907 and Ilomantis Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Mantodea, Nilomantinae), Insect Systematics & Evolution 47, pp. 209-244 : 237

Nilomantis floweri Werner, 1907

Nilomantis floweri Werner, 1907: 233 –234; Beier 1935: 55; Uvarov 1939: 551; Roy & Leston 1975: 311 –316; Kaltenbach 1984: 205; Ehrmann 2002: 242; Otte & Spearman 2005: 120 –121

Cryptomantis tenella Giglio-Tos, 1915: 45 –46; Giglio-Tos 1927: 136; Roy & Leston 1975: 311 –316; Ehrmann 2002; 242

Nilomantis arabica Beier, 1930: 438 –439; Beier 1935: 55; Uvarov 1939: 551; Chopard 1950: 132; Roy & Leston 1975: 311 –316; Ehrmann 2002: 242

Nilomantis [ Cryptomantis ] tenella ( Giglio-Tos, 1915) Beier, 1935: 55 ; Ehrmann 2002: 242

Examined specimens

The list consists of 4 specimens. Saudi Arabia: Escarpement de Raydah, 1♀, Formation arborée à Ficus et Olea, 18°11’67 N - 42 ° 23’33 E, 1920m, 29/ 30-VI-1992, M. Donskoff reç., Genitalia No. 0 0 0 0 1 S. K. Brannoch ( MNHN); 1♀, Formation arborée à Ficus et Olea, 18°11’67 N - 42 ° 23’33 E, 1920 m, 29/ 30-VI-1992, M. Donskoff reç., Genitalia No. 0 0 0 0 2 S. K. Brannoch ( MNHN); 1♂, Formation arborée à Ficus et Olea, 18°11’67 N - 42 ° 23’33 E, 1920m, 29/ 30-VI-1992, M. Donskoff reç. ( MNHN); Wadi Turabah, 1♂, milieu de vallée, 20°27’12N - 41°10’61 E, 1330 m, 03-VII- 1992, M., Donskoff reç., Genitalia No. 0 0 0 0 3 S. K. Brannoch ( MNHN)

Male genitalia description

Based on an examination of the genital complex of N. floweri , as well as plates presented by Roy & Leston (1975), the anterior process (ap) is lightly sclerotized, undulate. Apical process (paa) features a broad base with an anterior dilation; paa narrow and recurved distally. Apophysis phalloide (L1) does not retain the apophysis; lobo membranoso (loa) heavily sclerotized and strongly crenulated distally. Processo distale (pda) narrows apically, terminating in a moderately sclerotized, blunted point. There is a second, triangular lobe to the right of pda. Processo ventrale sclerificato (pva) and piastra ventrale (pia) reduced, heavily sclerotized, and closely adjoined.

Female genitalia description ( Figs 4 A, 6A,B). Gonapophysis VIII (GA) slender, variably ciliated, and visibly curved from both the ventral (VH) and lateral (LH) perspectives; GA lightly surfaced with fossettes. From VH, gonocoxa VIII (VF) internal margin rounded; from LH, VF does not retain a projection. From VH, GA curves strongly inward; apical lobe (AL) ovoid, ciliated. AL has a small membrane which projects from the internal dorsal margin of the structure, forming a shallow pocket as the membrane merges with the dorsal margin of GA. From LH, GA is gently curved ventrad; GA ventral margin features a pronounced medial outgrowth (MO), which projects posterior to the crest of the curve, with a row of cilia that runs from the crest of MO towards AL. GA external margin possesses a moderately sclerotized tubercle anterior to MO. From LH, AL narrows posteriorly with a bluntly rounded apical margin. GA dorsal margin is invaginated anterior to the curve towards the ventral habitus. GA very lightly sclerotized. Gonapophysis IX (GP) relatively short, broadening at the site of the medial tine (MT) before narrowing into a tapered, acuminate apex; GP ventral margin invaginated, covered anteriorly by MT. Gonoplac (GL) shorter than GA, broad, variably ciliated, and arched ventrad; from LH, GL base has a rounded dilation on the anteroventral margin. GL narrows toward the apex; from LH, GL apex slants ventrad. GL features a reduced apical cleft (AC) resulting in a slight apical notch. From LH, GL possesses a slight sclerotization that traverses the length of the structure, terminating just before the AC. GL ventral margin rugose, dorsal margin relatively smooth.

Figures

Fig. 4. Female genitalic complex of Nilomantis shown in the lateral perspective. (A) Nilomantis floweri; (B) Nilomantis edmundsi. Abbreviations: KLP, knob-like projection; RD, round dilation. This figure is published in colour in the online edition of this journal, which can be accessed via http: // booksand journals. brillonline. com / content / journals / 1876312 x.