Pharnacia sumatrana, , Zompro & Brock, 2003

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2008, Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther, 1953, including the description of the world's longest insect, and a survey of the family Phasmatidae Gray, 1835 with keys to the subfamilies and tribes (Phasmatodea: " Anareolatae ": Phasmatidae), Zootaxa 1906, pp. 1-316 : 117-122

Pharnacia sumatrana (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907)

( Figs. 92–93, 151–152, 185, 200–202, 292–293, 315, 319, 353, 377, 415, 417, 419)

Phobaeticus sumatranus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 184. LT [by present designation], ♀: Musée de Genève No. 4; Lakat Sumatra, acheté J. M. Schneider (MHNG); PLT, ♀: Sumatra, Indragiri, leg. Mechel 2. 1895 (NHMB). Hennemann & Conle, 1999: 8.

Pharnacia sumatranus, Brock, 1996: 27

Seow-Choen, 2000: 37, pl. 93 (♂, ♀). [Descriptions and illustrations of ♂ and ♀]

Pharnacia sumatrana, Zompro & Brock, 2003: 24 .

Otte & Brock, 2005: 265.

Pharnacia cantori, Seow-Choen, 1997: 52 , fig. 25 (♀).

Brock, 1999: 132 (in part—only description of ♀ and egg, figs. 24 (egg), 26 (♀ )).

Lobophasma rex, Günther, 1935b: 139 (in part—only ♂ from Sumatra).

Pharnacia rigida Redtenbacher, 1908: 453 . HT, ♀: Sumatra, Montes Battak, ex Coll. Fruhstorfer; Collectio Br. v. W.; det. Br. v. W.; 23.331; Pharnacia rigida Redt. Type! (NHMW, Nr. 862). syn. nov.

Brock, 1997: 45.

Brock, 1998a: 53.

Otte & Brock, 2005: 265.

Phobaeticus rigidus, Brock, 1996: 29 .

Seow-Choen, 1998a: 41.

Pharnacia westwoodi, Giglio-Tos, 1910: 43 . [Misidentification]

Monandroptera gigliolii Westwood , in litt. 1 ♀: Java, „det. Monandroptera gigliolii Westwood in litt.“, Viaggio di Filippi (MRSN).

[Not: Pharnacia rigida, Günther, 1943: 155 . Misidentification, = Pharnacia borneensis sp. nov.]

[Not: Baculolonga rigida, Bragg, 2001: 385 . Misidentification, = Pharnacia borneensis sp. nov.]

Further material: [14 ºº, 4 ♂♂, 1 º (nymph), eggs]:

PENINSULAR MALAYSIA:

1 ♀, 1 ♀ (penultimate instar nymph): W-Malaysia, Perak, Tapah Hills, 600 m, VIII.1994, via M.K.P. Yeh (coll. FH, No’s 0042-1 & 3) ; 1 ♀: W-Malaysia, Perak, Tapah Hills, ca. 600 m, IV.1994, via M.K.P. Yeh (coll. FH, No. 0042-2) ; 1 ♀, 1 egg: W-Malaysia, Perak, Tapah Hills, ca. 600 m, VII.1996, via Wong Tet Fatt (coll. FH, No’s 0042-5 & E1) ; 3 eggs: ex Zucht J.T.C. Sellick (England), Herkunt: West Malaysia, PSG No. 78 (coll. FH, No. 0042-E2) ; 1 ♂: W-Malaysia, Tapah Hills , ca. 600 m, 1993, via M.K.P. Yeh (coll. FH, No. 0042-4) ; 1 ♀: W-Malaysia, Tapah Hills, 200–600 m, via. M.K.P. Yeh, ex coll. FH, det. F. Hennemann X 1996 ( ZMUH) ; 1 ♀: Cameron Highlands , 1981, C.L. Chan, BM 1985-463 ( BMNH) ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀: W. Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, 2000ft., 19.VI.1972, C.C.Chua, BM 1975-604 ( BMNH) ; 2 ♀♀, eggs: Captive reared ( BMNH) ; 2 ♀♀: Cameron Highlands , Perak, Malaysia, 1200–1600 m, achat Pfanner 1970 ( MHNG) ; 1 ♂: Malaisie, Perak, Cameron Highl. , 1200–1600 m, leg. Pfanner ( MHNG) ; 1 ♀: Cameron Highlands , Tapah Hills, Malaysia 1974 ( ZSMC) .

SUMATRA:

1 ♂: E-Coast Sumatra, Doerian Moelan, Brindjei, Lt. R. Coughtrie ( BMNH) ; 1 ♂: Sumatra, Redjang-Lebong, H. Kubale S. leg. ( MNHU) ; 1 ♀: P.O. Stolz, Solok (Sum), 1914 ( RMNH) .

JAVA:

1 ♀: Java, „det. Monandroptera gigliolii Westwood in litt.“, Viaggio di Filippi ( MRSN) ; 1 ♀: Java, Phibalosoma acanthopus Burm. * ( MLUH) .

Diagnosis: ♀♀ of this characteristic species is easily distinguished from all other members of the genus by: the very prominent and long ventral spines of the meso- and metafemora; the prominent, saw-like ventral spination of all three tibiae; obtuse, sickle-shaped cerci and large dark red to purplish spots on the meso- and metasternum.

♂♂ and eggs are similar to Ph. borneensis spec. nov. from Borneo and the type species Ph. ponderosa Stål, 1877 from the Philippines. ♂♂ differ from both species by the larger size and more elongate body; relatively longer body segments and lacking the conspicuous rounded lateral lobe of abdominal tergite VII. From the first they additionally differ by: the lack of a dorsal lobe on the meso- and metatibiae; shorter and broader cerci as well as the shorter and broader, apically less slender and acute semi-tergites of the anal segment. The eggs differ from Ph. borneensis spec. nov. by the larger dimensions, rounded polar-area and broader micropylar plate. From Ph. ponderosa ♂♂ may also be distinguished by: the more slender, roughly triangular, apically tapered and constricted semi-tergites of the anal segment and more obtuse cerci. Eggs differ from those of Ph. ponderosa in the shape of the micropylar plate, rounded polar-area and the lack of conspicuous dorso-polar impressions of the capsule.

Etymology: Referring to the type locality of this species, the island of Sumatra.

Description: The colouration is described from photos of live specimens.

♀♀ ( Fig. 92, 417, 419): Large to very large (body length 189.5–225.0 mm) and robust species (maximum body width 13.0–15.0 mm) with conspicuously broadened and heavily spinose legs. Colour variable, general colouration of body and legs either greyish to mid brown with darker brown speckles and occasionally with dark green mottling, or dark green with pale green and brownish speckles. Meso- and metanotum as well as pleurae with a broad longitudinal band of irregular black speckles along lateral margins. A similar but much more narrow longitudinal lateral stripe on abdominal tergites. An irregularly punctured, black V-shaped marking in posterior portion of mesonotum. Abdominal tergites II–III with a pair of short and curved, black lines just behind middle. Meso- and metasternum with several distinct, bold rounded dark red or purplish spots (Fig. 419). Abdominal sternites all over furnished with small black speckles. Antennae mid to dark reddish or greyish brown with the two basal antennomeres paler. Eyes reddish brown.

Head (Fig. 292): Elongate, almost 2x longer than wide, oval in cross-section, vertex very slightly convex (Fig. 274). Posteriorly with a very faint darker coronal-line and four indistinct, slender and subparallel longitudinal lateral lines; the interior ones diverging towards the posterior and forming a bold “V”. Occasionally these lines may be impressed along the posterior margin of the head capsule. Between the bases of antennae with a small but decided, curved transverse impression, followd by a pair of slightly raised and smooth, oval areas. Eyes large, oval, higher than long and just slightly projecting from head capsule; their length contained about 3x in that of cheek. Antennae with 32 segments and reaching half way along mesonotum; antennomeres increasing in length towards the mid, then decreasing in length towards apices. Scapus dorsoventrally flattened, almost 2.5x longer than wide and tapered towards the base. Pedicellus half the length of scapus, 1.3x longer than wide, cylindrical. Third antennomere slightly longer than pedicellus.

Thorax: Pronotum distinctly shorter and narrower than head, about 1.5x longer than wide and trapezoidal being gently narrowed towards the anterior. Anterior margin raised to form a fine transverse carina. Median transverse depression distinct, but very short and not reaching lateral margins of segment. Anterior portion with a distinctly impressed median line. Mesothorax decidedly constricted anteriorly and considerably broadened posteriorly, about 1.7x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum and mesosternum each with a very faint pale longitudinal median line. Mesopleurae with a distinct longitudinal carina and swollen near coxae. Metanotum parallel-sided, 1.5x longer than wide, less than half the length of mesonotum; longitudinal median line indistinct. Metapleurae distinctly widening and convex towards coxae.

Abdomen: Median segment about 2/3 the length of metanotum, slightly longer than wide, gently constricted medially, anterior margin very slightly concave. Segments II–VI increasing in length, II 1.4x, IV 1.8x and almost VI 2.3x longer than wide. Tergite VII slightly shorter than VI, posterior half dilated into a rounded lateral lobe which extends by about ¼ of the body width. Sternites II–VII smooth. Tergite VIII as long as VII but distinctly narrower, strongly convex, 3x longer than wide and slightly constricted medially. IX strongly convex half the length of VIII, indistinctly longer than wide and gently widened towards the posterior. Anal segment as long as IX and with a distinct median keel; posterior margin with a deep truncate median excavation, the outer angles each forming a roundly triangular lobe (Fig. 197). Supraanal plate roundly truncate, strongly keeled but not projecting over apex of anal segment. Cerci of a conspicuously sickle-like appearance, strongly flattened laterally, with a distinct dorsal and ventral carina and a narrow up-curving apex (Fig. 196). Gonapophyses moderately elongate, slender, up-curving and slightly projecting over apex of anal segment. Subgenital plate strongly keeled, boat-shaped and projecting over posterior margin of anal segment by almost half of its length.

Legs: All moderately long but very robust and heavily armed with long, pointed spines; meso- and metafemora prominently swollen towards the base with ventral carinae increasingly elevated. Profemora about as long as pro- and mesonotum combined, mesofemora very slightly longer than mesonotum, metafemora slightly projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV and hind tarsi just projecting over apex of abdomen. Anterodorsal carina of profemora armed with 12–14 distinct, pointed serrations. Posteroventral carina with 8–10 long, pointed triangular spines and occasionally 2–5 smaller ones near base of femora (Fig. 315). Posterodorsal carina with 7–10 small teeth. Dorsal carinae of protibiae with only a very few minute teeth, ventral carinae densely armed with laterally flattened, pointed triangular serrations. Dorsal carinae of meso- and metafemora sparingly dentate. Two outer ventral carinae each armed with 8–14 very prominent, long and pointed spines. Ventral surfaces of meso- and metafemora convex, tectiform and medioventral carina armed with 4–7 very strong and prominent, slightly hooked spines; 2 nd and 3 rd usually being the largest (Fig. 319). Dorsal carinae of meso- and metatibiae sparingly dentate, antero- and posteroventral carinae raised and each densely armed with prominent, pointed triangular serrations. Medioventral carina with a much smaller number of comparatively longer and more slender spines. Probasitarsus with dorsal carina smooth and very gently elevated; all remaining carinae of basitarsi minutely serrate. Basitarsi slightly longer than following three tarsomeres combined.

Nymphs: The early instars are green and only take on a brownish colouration towards the last two instars. The ♀ penultimate instar nymph in coll. FH measures a body length of 161.5 mm and has the armature of legs distinctly less developed than the adults. The general colouration is plain yellowish brown.

♂♂ ( Fig. 91): Large (body length 125.5–149.0 mm) and rather slender (maximum body width 4.7–5.1 mm) for the genus with long alae (68.0–79.0 mm). General colouration of body and legs pale greenish brown to dull green, meso- and metasternum and abdominal sternites straw or pale grey. Head with a broad dark brown to black postocular marking on cheeks. Tegmina greenish brown and occasionally with an indistinct pale central spot. Costal region of alae plain greenish brown or dull green; anal region transparent grey with brown veins and slightly darker at the apices. Anterior margin of tegmina and basal 1/3 of alae with a longitudinal white exterior and a brown interior stripe. Antennae pale to mid brown and slightly darker brown ventrally.

Head (Fig. 293): Generally as in ♀♀ but eyes much more prominent and projecting hemisphericall; their length contained just a little more than 2x in that of cheek. Coronal line and dorso-lateral lines very faint. Antennae with 32 segments, densely sethose and projecting over posterior margin of median segment, length relations of antennomeres as in ♀♀. Scapus and pedicellus as in ♀♀.

Thorax: Pronotum generally as in ♀♀. Mesothorax almost 2x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesosternum with a distinct longitudinal median keel, metasternum with a very indistinct median carina. Tegmina oval, 2x longer than wide, slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum and with a blunt, rounded central hump. Alae reaching half way along abdominal tergite VI.

Abdomen: Median segment 2.5x longer than wide, distinctly longer than metanotum. Segments II–V slightly increasing in length, II 4x V almost 5x longer than wide. VI slightly shorter than previous, about 4.5x longer than wide. Tergite VII about ¾ the length of VI, posterolateral angles slightly expanded and with a minute triangular tooth. VIII slightly shorter than VII, strongly swollen and broadening towards the posterior; posterior margin almost 2x wider than anterior margin. IX strongly convex, narrower than previous and decidedly constricted medially, about 2.3x longer than wide. Anal segment strongly keeled and laterally compressed, truncate anterodorsally. Semi-tergites rather broad, apical half roughly triangular and gradually constricted with the apex slender and rounded (Fig. 198). Interior surfaces densely covered with minute black teeth. Cerci prominent, laterally compressed, carinate, up-curving and but staying beyond apex of anal segment. Poculum convex, cup-like with a transverse and longitudinal median carina in apical half; angle with a slight rounded hump.

Legs: All long and slender, with all carinae densely but minutely serrate (more sparingly on dorsal carinae). Profemora longer and mesofemora about as long as combined length of head, pro- and mesonotum, metafemora reaching about ¼ the way along abdominal segment V and metatibiae reaching apex of abdomen. Medioventral carina of meso- and metafemora fine and armed with 4–9 small spines. Carinae of probasitarsus smooth, those of meso- and metabasitarsus minutely serrate; as long as remaining antennomeres combined except claw.

Eggs (Figs. 151–152, 353): Large, capsule very gently laterally compressed, slightly oval in cross-section, and indistinctly longer than high. Capsule surrounded by very faint dorsoventral keel, beginning and ending at the operculum. Polar-area rounded if seen laterally. General colouration of capsule, micropylar plate and operculum dull mid to dark brown, capitulum dark reddish brown. Capsule densely but minutely granulose (Fig. 415). An oval, flat depression near operculum anterodorsally- and ventrally and near polar-area. Micropylar plate slightly raised from capsule and with a fine slightly darker brown outer margin. Generally shaped like a bold inverted “Y”, with all three extensions rather short. Apices of posterior extensions slightly truncate, anterior extension broadened and slightly tapered apically. Median line short but prominently raised. Micropylar cup small, knob-like and positioned centrally in posteromedian gap of the plate. Operculum flat and oval with a broad, knob-like capitulum in the centre.

Measurements [mm]: length including capitulum 5.6, length 4.8, width 3.9, height 4.3, length of micropylar plate 3.8.

Comments: Brunner v. Wattenwyl (1907: 184) originally described Phobaeticus sumatranus from two ♀♀ ST from Sumatra in MHNG and NHMB. Due to the NHMB specimen is in very poor condition and the measurement clearly concern to the ♀ in MHNG, the latter is here selected as the LT. Redtenbacher (1908: 453) described his Pharnacia rigida from a single ♀ from Sumatra in NHMW not aware it was the same as Brunner v. Wattenwyl’s species. Examination and comparison of both types clearly shows Ph. rigida to be a junior synonym of Ph. sumatranus (Brunner v. Wattenwyl) (syn. nov.). Although these two species are synonymous, Brock (1996: 29) erroneously transferred Pharnacia rigida Redtenbacher to the genus Phobaeticus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 and Phobaeticus sumatranus Brunner v. Wattenwyl to Pharnacia Stål. Subsequently, Brock (1997: 45) revised his decision but only transferred Ph. rigida back to Pharnacia .

Examination of the ♂ from Sumatra in MNHU which Günther (1935b: 139) believed to be the opposite sex of Phobaeticus rex ( Günther, 1928) has proven this to be a typical specimen of Ph. sumatrana . A single ♀ from Java in the collection of H. Burmeister in MLUH bears a hand-written determination label by Burmeister stating “ Phibalosoma acanthopus Burm. *”, but the HT of this species is in MNHU.

Brock (1999: 132, fig. 88) listed Pharnacia cantori ( Westwood, 1859) (here transferred to the genus Tirachoidea Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893) as the only species of Pharnacia Stål to be recorded from Peninsular Malaysia and reproduced the illustrations of both sexes by Westwood (1859, pl. 37: 1, pl. 38: 1). The photographs of the live ♀ ( Brock, 1999: pl. 26) and egg ( Brock, 1999: pl. 24) and description of the egg however relate to Ph. sumatrana . Ph. sumatrana itself is omitted in the author’s book on Malaysian Phasmatodea , but Brock (1999: 133) briefly stated there may be a second species in Malaysia, commenting on T. cantori (Westwood) : “…adults are virtually identical and although two distinct types of eggs have been obtained […], a series would need to be reared to establish precise details of any variation.” Brock (1999: 133) characterized the “second type of eggs” as “glossy whitish brown with a black capitulum”; these actually being T. cantori and indeed a separate species. The confusion around Ph. sumatrana and T. cantori was discussed and partly clarified by Seow-Choen (2000: 35), who provided illustrations, characterizations and a list of characters which distinguish Ph. sumatrana and T. cantori . Seow-Choen (2000: 37) cited body-lengths of 198.0-225.0 mm for ♀♀ and 131.0-134.0 mm for ♂♂ of Ph. sumatrana .

* according to Seow-Choen (2000: 37)

Ph. sumatrana is being cultured in Europe since the early 1980’s from stock originating from the Tapah Hills, Peninsular Malaysia. Additional stock was imported on several occasions subsequently. The original culture was misidentified as “ Pharnacia cantori (Westwood) ” and included on the Phasmid Study Group (PSG) culture-list as culture No. 30. In captivity in Europe this species readily accepts oak ( Quercus robur & Q. petraea , Fagaceae ) and bramble ( Rubus fruticosus , Rosaceae ) as alternative foodplants. Seow-Choen (2000: 37) stated Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceaee) , Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) , Rubus fruticosus and Rubus moluccanus (Rosaceae) to be taken as foodplants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Distribution (Fig. 377): Sumatra (Lakat; Mount Battak; Redjang-Lebong; Solok; Doerian Moelan: Brindjei & Indragiri), Peninsular Malaysia (Perak: Tapah Hills & Cameron Highlands) and Java.

Number of specimens examined: 22