Phobaeticus sinetyi Brunner

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 : 188-192

Phobaeticus sinetyi Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907

( Figs. 106–107, 179–180, 249–251, 340–342, 393)

Phobaeticus sinetyi Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 184. LT (by present designation), ♂: Coll. Br. v. W. Shembaganor, Prov. Madras, Pantel; det. Br. v. W. Phobaeticus sinetyi ; 24.762; PLT, ♀ + 1 egg (ex ovipositor): Coll. Br. v. W., Shembagonor, Prov. Madras, Pantel; det. Br. v. W. Phobaeticus sinetyi (NHMW, No. 308); PLT, 1 ♀: Kodikanel, P. Décoly; Type (MNHN, coll. Pantel); PLT, ♂: Kodikanel, P. Décoly (MNHN, coll. Pantel). Cappe de Baillon et al., 1937. Brock, 1996: 30. Brock, 1998a: 58. Brock & Delfosse, 2005: 55. Otte & Brock 2005: 270.

? Phibalosoma annamallayanum Wood-Mason, 1877a: 161 . ST: ♀: Southern India, Annamallay forests, leg. Colonel R.C. Beddome (in alcohol – not traced in NZSI, presumed lost); ST, ♀: Southern India, Travancore Hills, leg. F.Day (valde defectum – not traced in NZSI, presumed lost). [Possible synonymy with Ph. sinetyi Brunner v, Wattenwyl, 1907; see above]

Further material: [14 ♀♀, 23 ♂♂, eggs]:

S-INDIA:

1 ♂: Shembagonor, Madura, S. India (F. Anglade); Phryganistria sinetyi Brunn, Det. R & Rehn 1934 ; Hebard Collection ( ANSP) ; 1 ♂: Shembaganur, Madura, S. India, F. Anglade; Hebard Collection ( ANSP) ; 1 ♂: ex Zucht: K. Rabaey ( Belgien), 2005, Indien (coll. OC) ; 1 ♂: ex Zucht F. Hennemann, urspr.: SO-Indien, 2005 (coll. FH 0584-1); 1 ♂, eggs: ex Zucht. F. Hennemann, 2005, urspr.: SO-Indien (coll. FH, No. 0584-1 & E) ; 1 ♂: Shembagonor, Madras , Pantel ( MNHN) ; 1 ♂: S-India, Animalai Hills, Sinchona, 3500 ft., May-1965, P.S. Nathan, F3224.128 ( MUME) .

INDIA:

1 ♂: Phryganistria sarmentosa India Pantel ( MNCN) .

INDONESIA [in error]:

3 ♂♂: Indonesien, 1963 ( RMNH) .

NO DATA:

1 ♀: no data ( MNHN, coll. Pantel – pinned next to the type specimens) ; 1 ♂: Phobaeticus sinetyi Br. , ab ove, Geinert I.1918 ( MNHN, coll. Pantel) ; 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀: Phobaeticus sinetyi , d´elevage III.1916 ( MNHN, coll. Pantel) ; 6 eggs: Phobaeticus sinetyi, 1911 ( MNHN, coll. Pantel) ; 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂: no data [apparently captive reared] ( MNHN) ; 6 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂, eggs: d´elevage ( MNHN) .

Diagnosis: Well characterised by the short median segment of both sexes which is merely half as long as the metanotum, 4–7 prominent and very long spines on the posteroventral carina of the profemora of ♀♀ and colouration of ♂♂.

Related to the Sri Lankan Ph. hypharpax ( Westwood, 1859) but in addition to the features mentioned differing by: the broader body of both sexes; smaller lateral lobes of abdominal tergite VII; spinose medioventral carina of the meso- and metafemora and shape of anal segment of ♀♀; the lack of tegmina and alae; broader semi-tergites of the anal segment and smooth (at best with 1–3 sub-basal teeth) posteroventral carina of the profemora of ♂♂. The eggs differ from those of Ph. hypharpax by the less distinctly sculptured egg capsule and differently shaped, not conspicuously bi-lobed micropylar plate.

Etymology: Dedicated to Father J. Robert de Sinéty a well-known French naturalist in India.

Description: ♀♀ ( Fig. 106): Moderately long (body length 175.0–220.0 mm) and robust for the genus (body width ± 10.0 mm) with a short subgenital plate. General colouration of body and legs plain yellowish or greyish mid to dark brown, or pale to dark green. Leg armature reddish brown. Eyes reddish mid to dark brown. Antennae mid to dark brown and becoming blackish towards the apex, the two basal antennomeres of paler colour.

Head: Oval, almost 1.5x longer than wide and slightly narrowing from eyes towards posterior; vertex very gently convex. Posterior of vertex with a slightly impressed lateral line. Between the bases of the antennae with two shallow impressions. Eyes distinct, circular and strongly convex; their length contained well 2.5x in that of cheeks. Antennae consisting of about 30 segments and roughly reaching posterior of mesothorax. Scapus dorsoventrally compressed, almost 3x longer than wide and parallel-sided. Pedicellus less than half the length of scapus, round in cross-section. Third antennomere distinctly longer than pedicellus and constricted towards apex. Following antennomeres increasing in length, but the apical four antennomeres distinctly shorter than previous.

Thorax: Pronotum slightly shorter and narrower than head, 1.3x longer than wide, anterior half distinctly narrowed. Median transverse depression distinct and almost reaching lateral margins of segment, very gently curved. Mesothorax slightly constricted at anterior and slightly broadened at posterior margin, about 2.2x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum parallel-sided. Mesosternum with a very faint longitudinal median carina. Metanotum 3x longer than wide, parallel-sided and about half the length of mesonotum. Metasternum simple.

Abdomen: Median segment slightly less than half the length of metanotum, about 1.2x longer than wide and widened in posterior half. Segments II–VI increasing in length, II 1.5x, VI 2.5x longer than wide. VII about ¾ the length of VI and as long as III. Tergite VII with lateral margins forming a rather small, rounded lobe posteriorly. Praeopercular organ formed by two flat, acute lobes at posterior margin of sternum VII. Tergite VIII distinctly narrower than previous, about equal in length to VII, almost 3x longer than wide, parallel sided and strongly convex. IX parallel-sided, strongly convex, half the length of VIII and indistinctly longer than wide. Anal segment narrow, slightly longer than IX with a fine median carina and a distinct triangular posteromedian excavation; posterolateral angles roundly triangular (Fig. 250). Supraanal plate very indistinct, rounded and with a median keel. Cerci small, oval in cross- section, bristled and tapered towards a narrow apex. Subgenital plate strongly longitudinally keeled and reaching to or slightly projecting over posterior margin of anal segment (Fig. 249).

Legs: All slender and of moderate length, profemora almost as long as head, pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora about as long as mesonotum, metafemora projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV and metatarsi slightly exceeding apex of abdomen. Posteroventral carina of profemora armed with 4–7 very prominent and long spines; anterodorsal carina with ± 12 distinct and acute serrations (Fig. 340). Dorsal and posteroventral carinae of protibiae with minute serrations. Meso- and metafemora with all carinae distinctly dentate, although more sparsely and slightly less distinct on dorsal carinae. Medioventral carina well developed and armed with 5–6 distinct spines (Fig. 342). Meso- and metatibiae with all carinae more or less distinctly serrate. Mesotibiae occasionally with a more or less prominently enlarged triangular tooth or lobe one third the way along posterodorsal carina. Probasitarsus as long as remaining segments combined, dorsal carina gently elevated, all carinae unarmed. Meso- and metabasitarsi as long as following three segments combined, dorsal carina gradually elevated towards the apex; all carinae minutely dentate.

♂♂ ( Fig. 107): Small to medium-sized (body length 112.0– 142.5 mm) and rather robust for the genus (maximum body width ± 3.0 mm), apterous. Body surface glabrous. General colouration of body and legs, ferruginous, ochracheous or mid brown. Greater portion of the mesonotum except for the posterior portion and most of metanotum covered by a washed malachite or bluish green marking; may be faint in some specimens. Meso- and metapleurae and sterna pale greyish green. Meso- and metapleurae occasionally with a pale posterior marking. Head with a more or less prominent washed dark brown postocular stripe; the vertex usually of paler colour than rest of head capsule or sometimes pale cream between the eyes. Eyes dark reddish brown with darker brown mottling. Pronotum often with two faint dark longitudinal markings along lateral margins. Antennae dark brown dorsally and black ventrally, two basal antennomeres pale to mid brown. Leg armature distinctly black.

Head: Generally as in ♀♀, but more prominently narrowed from eyes towards posterior. Eyes very prominent, circular and projecting hemispherically from head capsule; their length contained about 2x in that of cheeks. Antennae as in ♀♀ but projecting over posterior margin of metanotum.

Thorax: Pronotum generally as in ♀♀. Mesothorax 3.1x longer than combined length of head and pronotum, mesonotum parallel-sided, but slightly widened at posterior margin. Metanotum 5.5x longer than wide, parallel-sided and slightly more than half the length of mesonotum. Meso- and metasternum with very faint longitudinal median carina, although very indistinct on metasternum.

Abdomen: Median segment slightly less than half the length of metanotum, 3x longer than wide and slightly widened posteriorly. Segments II to VI slightly increasing in length, II almost 4x and VI 5x longer than wide. VII shorter than previous, about as long as II. Tergite VIII ¾ the length of VII, strongly swollen and widened towards the posterior. IX distinctly narrower and about 2/3 the length of VIII, 1.8x longer than wide, strongly convex, constricted medially and with anterior margin broader than posterior margin. Anal segment strongly keeled, laterally compressed and tectiform. Semi-tergites moderately slender, slightly downcurving and apically rounded (Fig. 251). Interior surface set with several slightly back-curving, dark reddish brown spines. Cerci elongate, round in cross-section, slightly in-curving and tapered towards the apex. Poculum strongly convex, cup-like with the centre conically raised, reaching about 2/3 the way along tergite IX.

Legs: All long and slender, profemora longer than head, pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora slightly longer than mesonotum, metafemora ± reaching posterior margin of abdominal segment V and metatibiae exceeding distinctly over apex of abdomen. Anterodorsal carina of profemora armed with 9–20 prominent, acutely triangular serrations; posteroventral carina smooth, or at best with 1–3 small teeth (Fig. 341). All carinae of protibiae unarmed. Meso- and metafemora with all carinae distinctly dentate, dorsal carinae with a smaller number of teeth or entirely unarmed. Medioventral carina indistinct and unarmed, at best with 1–3 minute spines. Meso- and metatibiae with the ventral carinae minutely but regularly dentate, and the dorsal carinae sparsely dentate or unarmed. Probasitarsus longer than remaining tarsomeres combined, slender and unarmed. Meso- and metabasitarsi about as long as remaining tarsomeres combined with all carinae minutely dentate.

Eggs (Fig. 179–180): Capsule basically lens-shaped, laterally compressed, 1.5x longer than high. General colouration of capsule and operculum plain pale to dark brown. Capsule surface coriaceous and slightly wrinkled. Capsule surrounded by dorsoventral keel, beginning and ending at the operculum and only interrupted at the polar-area and micropylar plate. Seen laterally the posterior section of the capsule is distinctly angular. Dorsal surface with two pairs of distinct, deep impressions on each side of the dorsoventral keel, one anteriorly near the operculum and a second smaller one just below micropylar plate. Micropylar plate shieldshaped, about as long as wide with a prominent posteromedian indention and a gently angulate anterior margin. Median line distinct. Micropylar cup small, at polar end of plate and near centre of dorsal egg surface. Operculum flat, oval and in the centre with a conical, dark brown capitulum on a short stalk.

Measurements [mm]: length (including capitulum) 5.0–5.3, length 4.4–4.9, width 2.8–3.0, height 3.4–3.7, length of micropylar plate 1.2–1.4.

Comments: Brunner v. Wattenwyl (1907: 184) did not refer to any material in NHMW in the original description of Phobaeticus sinetyi . However, examination of the ♂ and ♀ in NHMW, which bear labels stating „Pantel“, and comparison with the ♂ and ♀ syntypes in MNHN (coll. J. Pantel) prove they have been retained in NHMW after publication of the monograph (1906–1908) by Brunner v. Wattenwyl. Furthermore, Brunner v. Wattenwyl (1907: 184) stated the type locality to be “Shembaganor in Pulney Hills, Prov. Madras”, which matches exactly with the data of the ♂ in NHMW. Thus, and as the measurements given by Brunner v. Wattenwyl roughly correspond to the NHMW specimens, they are clearly part of the type series. The ♂ in NHMW with the collection-number 24.762 is here selected as the LT of Ph. sinetyi . The PLT ♀ in MNHN is conspicuously larger than the ♀ in NHMW (→ Table 27) and darker brown, which was however most probably caused by preservation. A further ♀ without data is pinned next to the two PLT’s does not appear to be part of the type series.

The collection of J. Pantel and main collection of MNHN both contain several eggs and captive reared specimens from a culture maintained in France between 1911 and 1918. The colouration of these ♀♀ varies from pale brown to bright green. A ♂ in MNCN has the leg armature very strongly developed. Due to all other known records of Ph. sinetyi are from South India, the locality “ Indonesia ” recorded for the three ♂♂ in RMNH can undoubtedly be regarded as erroneous .

Phibalosoma annamallayanum Wood-Mason, 1877a was described based on two ♀♀ from South India, one from Annamallay Forest and one from the Travancore Hills. This species is here transferred from Pharnacia Stål, 1875 to Phobaeticus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 (comb. nov.) due to having a distinct praeopercular organ. A ♂ from the Annamallay Hills in MUME is a typical specimen of Ph. sinetyi and along with the very brief diagnosis and measurements of the ♀ provided by Wood-Mason (1877a: 161, 1877b: 346), which widely match with Ph. sinetyi , suggests these two species might be identical. However, any decision on a possible synonymy of Ph. sinetyi with Ph. annamallayanus requires availability of newly collected ♂♂ and ♀♀ from the Annamallay Hills, the type locality of the senior species. If this is confirmed, Ph. sinetyi Brunner v. Wattenwyl will fall as a synonym of Ph. annamallayanus (Wood-Mason) .

The two ♂♂ in ANSP have body lengths of 129.5 mm and 141.5 mm .

Captive reared specimens in MNHN measure: ♂♂ 112.0–126.0 mm, ♀♀ 175.0–197.0 mm .

The rather robust body of ♀♀ resembles the more slender taxa of Pharnacia Stål, 1877 whereas the short median segment and colouration of the ♂♂ resemble certain species of Phryganistria Stål, 1875 . The typical laterally compressed eggs with their small, shield-shaped micropylar plate, structures of the genitalia and dis-

tinct black dorsal serrations of the profemora however clearly confirm the correct placement of Ph. sinetyi in its original genus Phobaeticus Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907.

Distribution (Fig. 393): Southern India (Annamallay Hills; Madura & Madras Province: Shembagonor & Kodikanel).

Number of specimens examined: 36