Phyllium (Phyllium) mindorense Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel, 2009

Hennemann, Frank H., Conle, Oskar V., Gottardo, Marco & Bresseel, Joachim, 2009, On certain species of the genus Phyllium Illiger, 1798, with proposals for an intra-generic systematization and the descriptions of five new species from the Philippines and Palawan (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae: Phylliinae: Phylliini) 2322, Zootaxa 2322 (1), pp. 1-83 : 35-38

Phyllium (Phyllium) mindorense Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel n. sp.

( Figs. 37–38 , 56–57 , 72 , 81 , 90 , 103–104, 120)

HT, ♂: Philippinen, Mindoro Isl. , Mt. Halcon 1500 m, leg. N. Mohagan 10.III.–27.V.1996 ( ZSMC, ex coll. FH, No. 0088-4)

PT, 2 ♂♂: Philippinen, Mindoro Isl. , Mt. Halcon 1500 m, leg. N. Mohagan 10.III.–27.V.1996 (coll. FH, No’s 0088-2 & 3) .

PT, 1 ♀ + 1 egg (ex ovipositor): Philippinen, Mindoro Isl. , Mt. Halcon 1500 m, leg. N. Mohagan 1.VI.1996 (coll. FH, No’s 1 & E) .

PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: Philippinen, Mindoro Island , Mt. Halcon, 7. 2.1996, leg. N. Mohagan (coll. OC) .

Comparison: This new species is closely related and very similar to the Philippine Ph. philippinicum n. sp. and Ph. woodi Rehn & Rehn, 1933 and Ph. palawanense Grösser, 2001 . From the first it differs by: the broader and more angular head (cheeks gradually widened in ♀); granulose vertex; more prominent armature of the interior lobe of the profemora ( Figs. 56–57 ); more decidedly trapezoidal pronotum and much less distinct transverse anterior ridge of the meso-praescutum of both sexes, which lacks the conspicuous median spine seen in philippinicum . ♀ furthermore differ by the shorter antennae, which have the apical antennomere (IX) proportionally shorter and 34 teeth on the pars stridens of antennomere III, and just very gently rounded outer margins of abdominal segments VII and VIII. The latter feature may however be variable as in e.g. philippinicum . ♂♂ can also be distinguished from those of philippinicum by the antennae, which consist of only 22 antennomeres and have these proportionally more elongate and slender. The eggs clearly differ from those of Ph. philippinicum by the strongly laterally flattened capsule and presence of long feather-like appendages along the entire ventral egg-surface (Figs. 103–104).

From Ph. woodi it at once differs by the rounded and much less angular interior lobe and at best very sparsely and minutely serrate outer margin of the exterior lobe of the profemora of both sexes (acutely serrate in woodi ). ♀ are furthermore distinguished by: the larger general size; more angular posterior portion of the head; relatively longer and more slender mesonotum; less distinct spiniform tubercles of the meso-praescutum and mesopleurae; longer tegmina which roughly reach to the posterior margin of abdominal segment VII (VI in woodi ) and much more slender and triangular anal segment which is slightly longer than wide (transverse and rounded in woodi ).

The eggs are very similar to those of Ph. palawanense and suggest close relation to this species. They however differ by the larger and less numerous impressions on the lateral surfaces of the capsule and longer micropylar plate. ♀ are readily distinguished from those of palawanense by: the broader, more angular head capsule; gradually diverging cheeks; distinctly granulose vertex and presence of a conspicuous posteromedian tubercle; having only 34 teeth on the pars stridens of antennomere III (40 in palawanense ); broader and differently structured mesothorax; more ovate shape of the tegmina and considerably broader abdomen (segments V–X distinctly converging in palawanense ).

Etymology: This new species is named after the type-locality and so far only known distribution, the Philippine island of Mindoro.

Diagnosis: ♀ ( Fig. 37 ). Medium-sized for the subgenus (body length 79.8–85.4 mm) with a rather broad abdomen (maximum width 29.4–32.3 mm), which has segments VII and VIII gently rounded and a moderately broad and widely rounded exterior lobe of the profemora. The colouration of the unique specimen at hand has darkened to brown during the preservation, but the insect is believed to have been bright green when alive. The interior surfaces of the meso- and metafemora pale pink. Vertex in posterior portion distinctly granulose and with a conical tubercle posteromedially. On frons just before centre of dorsal surface with two very small, rounded impressions. Antennae very slightly longer than cheeks (4.8–4.9 mm) and moderately slender, apical antennomere (IX) conical and roughly equal in length to VIII. Pars stridens on antennomere III with 34 teeth ( Fig. 90 ). Pronotum angulate and distinctly trapezoidal, gradually narrowed towards posterior with anterior margin about 2.2x broader than posterior margin. Meso-praescutum slightly narrowed towards the posterior and about 1.2x longer than wide. Lateral margins armed with a row of 4–5 distinct but blunt spiniform tubercles and one or two much smaller intercalated nodes; disc with 3–5 small tubercles medially ( Fig. 72 ). Anterior margin with a curved, dorsally granulose and moderately raised transverse ridge. Mesopleurae distinctly and gradually diverging; their lateral margins armed with five prominent spiniform teeth and a few small intercalated nodes. Mesosternum strongly longitudinally convex in median portion and sparsely granulose anteriorly. Tegmina ovate and reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment VII. Alae rudimentary. Abdominal segments II–IV gradually widened, IV widest segment, first gradually diverging and angulate just before posterior margin. V–VII slightly narrowing and the outer margins of V and VI very gently rounded. VII broadly rounded with posterior margin conspicuously narrower than anterior margin. VIII much narrower than VII with lateral margins widely rounded ( Fig. 37 ). IX and X convergent caudad and together forming a triangle. Anal segment (X) longer than wide with the apex acutely triangular. Subgenital plate broken in the unique specimen at hand, but distinctly projecting over posterior margin of tergite IX. Profemora with a moderately large, widely rounded exterior lobe; outer margin minutely denticulate in anterior portion. Interior lobe roughly equal in width to exterior lobe, the outer margin in anterior portion armed with five rather distinct triangular teeth, the basal one smaller than the remaining ( Fig. 56 ). Interior lobe of protibiae narrow and roundly triangular. Protarsi long, rather slender and> ¾ the length of corresponding tibia. Probasitarsus about 5.5x longer than wide and as long as combined length of remaining tarsomeres except claw.

♁♁ ( Fig. 38 ). Moderately sized for the subgenus (body length 58.2–59.5 mm) with a slender and ovate abdomen (maximum width 12.0– 14.4 mm). General colour green, the mesothorax straw to pale brown and the basal portion of the profemora yellow. Antennae brown basally and apically and very pale brown (PT’S) to mid brown (HT) in median portion. Eyes dark reddish brown. Vertex very sparsely and minutely granulose. Antennae consisting of 22 segments and very long, reaching about half way along abdominal segment V. Pronotum and mesothorax structured like in ♀, but pronotum proportionally longer and less distinctly trapezoidal. Meso-praescutum almost 1.3x longer than wide and very slightly narrowing towards the posterior; structured generally as in ♀ but transverse anterior ridge indistinct. Mesopleurae and mesosternum as in ♀. Tegmina ovate and slightly constricted apically, ± reaching about half way along abdominal segment III. Alae ± reaching half way along segment IX. Abdominal segment II roughly parallelsided, III very slightly diverging in the posterior portion. IV distinctly diverging and ± rounded to angular. V widest segment with lateral margins gently rounded. VI–X gradually narrowing. Anal segment (X) about 1.5x longer than wide, roundly triangular with the apex rather blunt. Vomer broadly triangular with a single, straight terminal hook; roughly in centre with a deep, rounded impression. Poculum moderately convex with a fine longitudinal median carina and slightly projecting over posterior margin of tergite IX ( Fig. 81 ). Exterior lobe of profemora low and narrow with the broadest point just a little wider than the shaft of the femur itself; outer margin very gently rounded and with a few minute teeth in apical portion. Interior lobe about 1.3x wider than exterior expansion, rounded and with five rather small but acute teeth; usually a greater space between the 3 rd and 4 th tooth ( Fig. 57 ). Protibiae with a narrow and gently rounded interior lobe. Protarsus very elongate and roughly equal in length to corresponding tibia, probasitarsus roughly 6.5x longer than wide.

Eggs (Figs. 103–104). Of moderate size for the genus with prominent hair or feather-like appendages (these presumably only develop when egg gets in contact with water). General shape of capsule roundly rectangular, strongly laterally flattened with the lateral surfaces sub-parallel. Lateral longitudinal carinae of capsule each set with a row of very long feather-like appendages which surround the entire egg. Lateral surfaces with three sub-parallel rows of large rounded impressions, the spaces in between appearing like a network of narrow hairy ridges. Micropylar plate very elongate, slender and covering about ¾ the length of dorsal egg surface. Micropylar cup small and slightly displaced towards the posterior; marked by a cluster of hairy structures. Operculum almost circular, flat and with the outer margin set with a row of the same long feather-like appendages seen along the longitudinal outer carinae of the egg-capsule. General colour mid brown, the impressions on the lateral egg surfaces ochraceous.

Measurements including the feather-like structures [mm]: length (including operculum) 6.0, length 4.9 mm, width 2.1 mm, height 3.8 mm, length of micropylar plate 2.6 mm.

Distribution ( Fig. 120 ): Philippines (Mindoro Island). So far only known from the type-locality.

45: ♀: Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills ) [coll. OC]

46: ♀: Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills ) [coll. FH, No. 0075-10]

47: ♀: Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills ) [coll. FH, No. 0075-6]

48: ♀: Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills ) [coll. FH, No. 0075-3]

49: ♂: Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills ) [coll. FH, No. 0075-1]

Figures

FIGURES 37–38. Phyllium (Ph.) mindorense n. sp. [scale = 10 mm]

FIGURES 52–67. Left profemur of members of the “siccifolium-group” [scale = 2 mm]

FIGURES 68–76. Mesothorax and Meso- / metacoxae ♀ of the “siccifolium-group”

FIGURES 77–84. Genitalia (ventral view) of members of the “siccifolium-group”

FIGURES 85–94. Right antenna of ♀, interior view [scale = 1 mm]

FIGURES 119–123. Maps showing the distribution of Phyllium spp.