Phyllium samarense sp. nov.
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publication ID |
https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1173.104413 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5704F5B5-AE7B-4A79-A5DC-0B6592A77837 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/743A4AD2-23BD-58CD-9259-CBAA6E3912CE |
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treatment provided by |
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scientific name |
Phyllium samarense sp. nov. |
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Figs 3A-E View Figure 3 , 4 View Figure 4 , 5 View Figure 5 , 6 View Figure 6 , 7 View Figure 7 , 8C View Figure 8
Material examined.
Holotype ♀: " Philippines: Eastern Visayas, Northern Samar, Lope De Vega : April, 2017; Coll RC 17-206; DNA ID #W9". Deposited in the Montreal Insectarium, Quebec, Canada (IMQC) . Paratypes: (9 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂, 1 ♂ nymph, 2 ♀♀ nymphs, 6 eggs). See Suppl. material 1 for details about paratype specimens, their collection data, and depositories.
Differentiation.
Female Phyllium samarense sp. nov. (Figs 3A, B View Figure 3 , 4 View Figure 4 ) are morphologically most similar to Phyllium mabantai Bresseel, Hennemann, Conle & Gottardo, 2009 and Phyllium mindorense Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel, 2009 based upon the overall size, tegmina venation, and femoral lobe shape/serration. From Phyllium mindorense , Phyllium samarense sp. nov. can be differentiated by having a distinct sagittal spine on the prescutum anterior rim ( Phyllium mindorense rim lacks a spine), also the protibial interior lobe in Phyllium samarense sp. nov. is slightly weighted more towards the distal end (vs in Phyllium mindorense where the interior lobes widest point is the middle). From Phyllium mabantai , Phyllium samarense sp. nov. can be differentiated by the ventral coloration of the coxae, as it is white in Phyllium samarense sp. nov. (Fig. 3D View Figure 3 ) but burnt orange/reddish-brown in Phyllium mabantai .
Male Phyllium samarense sp. nov. (Figs 3C View Figure 3 , 5 View Figure 5 ) are most similar to Phyllium mabantai based upon the thorax spination and shape, and the abdomen which is spade shaped. Phyllium samarense sp. nov. males can be differentiated by the location of the media posterior (MP) vein split in the tegmina as Phyllium samarense sp. nov. has the split on the distal ⅓ of the tegmina, but in Phyllium mabantai the split is closer to the middle of the tegmina.
Eggs of Phyllium samarense sp. nov. (Fig. 6 View Figure 6 ) are most similar to Phyllium philippinicum Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel, 2009 and Phyllium mabantai based upon the pinnae morphology, pinnae arrangement, and overall egg shape. On Phyllium samarense sp. nov. eggs the lateral margin pinnae arrangement encircling the capsule is rather similar to Phyllium mabantai , but Phyllium samarense sp. nov. can be differentiated by having anterior pinnae that are similar in size to the lateral pinnae (vs Phyllium mabantai anterior pinnae which are notably larger than the lateral pinnae). Additionally, these two species can be differentiated by the lateral surface longitudinal bald patches which are smaller and more regular in Phyllium samarense sp. nov. vs Phyllium mabantai where these bald impressions are larger and more variable with areas of connection where one area connects with another. The lateral surface pinnae and bald markings on Phyllium samarense sp. nov. are very similar to those found on Phyllium philippinicum but these species can be differentiated by the dorsal and ventral margin pinnae as Phyllium philippinicum has the dorso-anterior and most of the ventral margin lacking prominent pinnae, vs Phyllium samarense sp. nov. which has prominent pinnae fully encircling the capsule.
Freshly hatched nymph Phyllium samarense sp. nov. (Figs 7 View Figure 7 , 8C View Figure 8 ) are most similar to Phyllium mabantai (Fig. 8B View Figure 8 ) and Phyllium ortizi sp. nov. (Fig. 8A View Figure 8 ) based upon the bicolored abdominal segments). Phyllium samarense sp. nov. can easily be differentiated from both by the presence of pale irregularly shaped markings on the femoral lobes in addition to the typical stripe/broken stripe (Fig. 7C View Figure 7 ) that is present on the other species.
Description.
Female. Coloration. Coloration description is based upon living individuals in which some variation has been observed. Overall coloration has been observed to range from fully pale green (Fig. 3B View Figure 3 ) to muddled yellow/tan (Fig. 3A View Figure 3 ). Certain variable areas (such as the lobes of the legs, the thorax, abdominal margins, and the venation in the tegmina) can either match the base coloration or be tan/brown/reddish at times. Ventral coxae coloration is white (Fig. 3D View Figure 3 ).
Morphology. Head. Head capsule slightly longer than wide; vertex is irregularly lumpy due to moderately sized nodes throughout the surface and a base texture which is slightly wrinkled (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). The posteromedial tubercle is the most prominent node on the head capsule, rising above the other nodes. Frontal convexities broad and blunt, with a slight granular surface and marked throughout by singularly protruding short setae. Compound eyes not strongly protruding from the head capsule and take up ca ¼ of the head capsule lateral margins (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Ocelli absent. Antennal fields slightly wider than the width of the first antennomere. Antennae. Antennae consist of nine segments, with the terminal segment approximately the same length as the preceding 1½ segments’ lengths combined (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Antennomeres I-VII sparsely marked with short transparent setae, the terminal two segments are covered in stout, densely packed, darker setae. The stridulatory file on the third antennomere has 34 or 35 teeth packed side by side without a distinct gap between teeth. Thorax. Pronotum with slightly concave anterior margin and somewhat convex lateral margins, which converge to a straight posterior margin that is ½ the width of the anterior margin (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). The pronotum surface is smooth, with only a prominent pit in the center, and slight furrows anterior and lateral to the pit (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). The pronotum has well-formed anterior and lateral rims and a moderately formed posterior rim, all of which are relatively smooth (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Prosternum marked throughout by moderately sized and spaced nodes, and the prosternum surface is relatively flat, lacking any prominent projections (Fig. 4F, G View Figure 4 ). Meso- and metasternum surfaces are irregularly marked with small to medium sized nodes with the mesosternum having larger nodes along the anterior ½ along the sagittal plane and the metasternum having more prominent nodes along the lateral margins (Fig. 4F View Figure 4 ). The prescutum is slightly longer than wide, lateral rims with 12 or 13 well-formed, uniformly sized tubercles (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Prescutum anterior rim prominent and moderately protruding, rim surface smooth, rim marked by a distinct but not large sagittal spine (Fig. 4C, G View Figure 4 ). Prescutum surface smooth and raised slightly along the sagittal ridge which is marked by six or seven nodes that are at most ca ½ the size of the anterior rim spine, some slightly smaller, all relatively evenly spaced (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Mesopleurae begin to diverge slightly posterior to the anterior prescutum rim, and they diverge evenly with relatively straight margins. Mesopleurae lateral margin with five or six larger tubercles, four or five moderately formed tubercles, and several nodes interspersed throughout the length (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Mesopleura surface smooth but marked with two notable divots, one on the anterior margin and one slightly posterior to the middle (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Wings. Tegmina long, reaching ⅓ to ½ of the way onto abdominal segment VIII. Tegmina venation; the subcosta (Sc) is the first vein in the forewing, and it runs parallel with the lateral margin for the first ½, then it bends slightly and runs to the margin where it terminates on the margin edge ca ¼ of the way through the wing length. The radius (R) spans the central portion of the forewing with two subparallel veins that branch from the radius; the first radius (R1) branches ca ⅕ of the way through the wing length and terminates ca ⅓ of the way through the wing length; and the radial sector (Rs) branches ca ⅓ of the way through the wing length, arcs gently through the central portion of the wing and terminates near the distal ⅓ of the wing. There is a thinner continuation of the radius following the prominent Rs branching which continues on as a short R-M crossvein that weakly connects the two veins. The media (M) is bifurcate with the media anterior (MA) splitting slightly posterior to ½ of the wing length and the media posterior (MP) splits near the posterior ¼ of the tegmina. Both the media anterior and media posterior terminate near the apex of the tegmina. The cubitus (Cu) is also bifurcate, branching near the posterior ⅕ of the wing into the cubitus anterior (CuA) and cubitus posterior (CuP) which both terminate at or very near the wing apex. The first anal vein (1A) is simple and fuses with the cubitus early on, ca ¼ of the way through the tegmina length. Alae rudimentary, no more than just a nub (Fig. 4B View Figure 4 ). Abdomen. Abdominal segments II through the anterior ⅔ of IV uniformly diverging with straight margins. The posterior ⅓ of segment IV through segment VI have margins which are straight and converging slightly towards the posterior. Segment VII through the abdomen apex are converging at a stronger angle than the previous segments but also have relatively smooth, straight margins, giving the abdomen an overall spade-shaped appearance (Fig. 4D View Figure 4 ). Genitalia. Subgenital plate starts at the anterior margin of tergum VIII, is moderately broad, and extends halfway under tergum X with margins that are converging gradually and straight for the majority of the length and then near the apex they bend slightly and converge more sharply to a fine point (Fig. 4E View Figure 4 ). Gonapophyses VIII are long and not notably broad, with their tips reaching the apex of the abdomen; gonapophyses IX are shorter and narrower, hidden below gonapophyses VIII (Fig. 4E View Figure 4 ). Cerci mostly flat, interior margin near the apex slightly cupped, surface relatively smooth with only a few setae and mild granulation along the margin (Fig. 4E View Figure 4 ). Legs. Profemoral exterior lobe broad, fully arcing from end to end, slightly narrower than the width of the interior lobe (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ). Margin of the profemoral exterior lobe granular and marked with four or five small, dulled teeth (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ). Profemoral interior lobe ca 2½× wider than the greatest width of the profemoral shaft, obtusely angled, and marked with six or seven serrate teeth that vary slightly in their size and spacing. The size of the profemoral interior lobe teeth appear to be somewhat variable as some specimens have slightly more prominent teeth than others (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ). Mesofemoral exterior lobe reaches from end to end with straight margins and a gentle bend in the center, with the distal ½ slightly wider than the proximal ½, and the distal ½ only marked with two to five small serrate teeth. Mesofemoral interior lobe is approximately the same width as the mesofemoral shaft, and the exterior lobe is slightly wider than the mesofemoral shaft. Mesofemoral interior lobe arcs end to end but is slightly wider on the distal ½ of the arc, and only the distal ½ is ornamented with six or seven serrate teeth. Metafemoral interior lobe arcs end to end, with the distal ½ slightly wider than the proximal ½ and marked with seven to ten serrate teeth on the distal ½ of the lobe. Metafemoral exterior lobe is thin and smooth, hugging the metafemoral shaft and lacks dentition. Protibiae lacking an exterior lobe (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ). Protibiae interior lobe spans the entire length of the protibiae and is ca 1½× the width of the protibiae shaft itself. The lobe is roundly triangular with the widest portion slightly distal to the midline. Mesotibiae and metatibiae simple, lacking exterior and interior lobes.
Measurements of holotype female [mm]. Length of body (including cerci and head, excluding antennae) 78.7, length/width of head 7.3/6.3, antennae 4.5, pronotum 5.4, mesonotum 7.1, length of tegmina 48.6, length of alae 4.3, greatest width of abdomen 29.3, profemora 15.2, mesofemora 12.9, metafemora 16.0, protibiae 9.2, mesotibiae 10.0, metatibiae 13.5.
Measurements of paratype females [mm]. Length of body (including cerci and head, excluding antennae) 76.4-80.1, length/width of head 7.2-7.4/6.3- 6.4, antennae 4.5-4.6, pronotum 5.2-5.4, mesonotum 7.0-7.4, length of tegmina 47.5-49.7, length of alae 4.3-4.4, greatest width of abdomen 28.2-30.2, profemora 15.1-15.6, mesofemora 12.7-13.2, metafemora 16.0-16.4, protibiae 9.2-9.5, mesotibiae 10.0-10.4, metatibiae 13.5-13.8.
Male. Coloration. Coloration based upon living individuals (Fig. 3C View Figure 3 ). Overall coloration pale green throughout with highlights of tan/reddish coloration. Tan areas are primarily the thorax, compound eyes, antennae, and bases of the femora. The margins of the abdomen are more of a rich red color. Abdominal segment V has a pair of slightly transparent eye spots that are not prominent. Ventral coxae coloration is white (Fig. 3E View Figure 3 ).
Morphology. Head. Head capsule slightly longer than wide, with a vertex that is slightly lumpy with sparse irregularly spaced but relatively uniformly sized nodes throughout the posterior of the capsule. The posteromedial tubercle is singularly pointed and distinctly raised above the head capsule (Fig. 5C, F View Figure 5 ). Frontal convexities stout and bluntly pointed with sparse setae. Compound eyes large and bulbous, occupying ca ⅖ of the head capsule lateral margins (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). There are three well-developed ocelli distinctly raised above the capsule and located between the compound eyes (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Antennae. Antennae (including the scapus and pedicellus) consist of 25 segments, all segments except the scapus and pedicellus and terminal five segments are covered in dense setae where most are as long as or slightly longer than the antenna segment is wide. The terminal five segments are covered in dense short setae and the scapus and pedicellus are nearly completely bare with only a few sparse setae. Thorax. Pronotum with anterior and lateral margins that are relatively straight and converging to a straight posterior margin that is ca ½ the width of the anterior margin (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Anterior and lateral margins of the pronotum have distinct rims and the posterior margin has a weakly formed rim (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Face of the pronotum is marked by a distinct pit in the center, a sagittal furrow on the anterior ½, and slight perpendicular furrows originating from the central pit. The pronotum surface is only slightly lumpy but lacking distinct granulation (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Prosternum surface is lumpy with small nodes (Fig. 5A View Figure 5 ). Mesosternum surface anterior third marked heavily with granulation, the remainder of the mesosternum surface is wrinkled but lacks notable nodes (Fig. 5A View Figure 5 ). Metasternum surface mostly wrinkled throughout, and the anterior margin central area is additionally marked with granulation. Prescutum longer than wide, with lateral margins that are somewhat converging to the posterior margin which is only slightly narrower than the anterior margin (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Lateral margins of the prescutum with six or seven moderately formed tubercles with most of a uniform size (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Prescutum surface slightly raised along the sagittal plane which is marked with five or six more prominent nodes and the remainder of the surface has slight granulation (Fig. 5C, F View Figure 5 ). Prescutum anterior rim moderately formed with a distinct sagittal spine, and the remainder of the rim surface is relatively smooth (Fig. 5C, F View Figure 5 ). Mesopleurae begin on the anterior prescutum margin and diverge at a gradually increasing angle from the anterior to the posterior but are never notably wide throughout their length (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Mesopleuron lateral margin with seven or eight moderately formed tubercles and a few small nodes interspersed throughout the length except for the posterior ¼ of the margin which is relatively smooth (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Mesopleuron face moderately wrinkled and marked by a distinct pit near the center. Wings. Tegmina moderate length, extending ½ of the way onto abdominal segment III. Tegmina wing venation: the subcosta (Sc) is the first vein, is simple, and terminates ca ½ of the way through the overall wing length. The radius (R) spans the entire length of the tegmina with the first radius (R1) branching just proximal to the midline and terminating near the distal ⅓ of the tegmina, followed by the radial sector running straight to the wing apex. The media (M) also spans the entire length of the tegmen running side by side along the radius/radial sector with the media posterior (MP) branching off near the distal ⅓ of the tegmen and running angled towards the apex/cubitus, and the media anterior (MA) runs straight to the tegmen apex. The cubitus (Cu) cuts across the tegmen to the margin ca ⅓ of the way through the length and runs along the edge of the wing where the media posterior vein fuses with it and as the cubitus reaches the apex it fades. The first anal (1A) vein terminates upon reaching the cubitus slightly <1/2 of the way through the tegmen length. Alae well-developed in an oval fan configuration, long, reaching to the middle or posterior of abdominal segments IX. Ala wing venation: the costa (C) is present along the entire foremargin giving stability to the wing. The subcosta (Sc) is long, spanning ca ⅗ of the wing length and is mostly fused with the radius near the base of the wing but terminates when it meets the costa. The radius (R) spans the entire wing and branches slightly proximal to the midline into the first radius (R1) and radial sector (Rs) which run gently diverging for ca ½ of their length, then run parallel until they near the apex of the ala where they begin to converge slightly but they terminate at the margin near each other but not touching. The media (M) branches early, ca ⅙ of the way through the ala length into the media anterior (MA) and the media posterior (MP) which run parallel with each other throughout the wing until the distal ⅓ the media posterior fuses with the media anterior and they run fused to join with the radial sector and this fused set of veins runs to the apex where it terminates. The cubitus (Cu) runs unbranched and terminates at the wing apex. Of the anterior anal veins, the first anterior anal (1AA) fuses with the cubitus near the ala base and then the first anterior anal branches from the cubitus ⅔ of the way through the ala length where it uniformly diverges from the cubitus until it terminates at the wing margin. The anterior anal veins two-seven (2AA-7AA) have a common origin and run unbranched in a folding fan pattern to the wing margin. The posterior anal veins (1PA-6PA) share a common origin separate from the anterior anal veins and run unbranched to the wing margin with slightly thinner spacing than the anterior anal veins. Abdomen. Lateral margins of abdominal segment II parallel, III diverging slightly, IV diverging at a more prominent angle to the widest point, V parallel sided or slightly subparallel (converging slightly), VI through X converging gradually with smooth margins, giving the abdomen a spade-shaped appearance. Genitalia. Poculum broad and ends in an apex that slightly passes the anterior margin of the abdominal segment X with a margin that is straight (Fig. 5D View Figure 5 ). Cerci long and slender, with slightly> ½ of their length extending from under abdominal segment X, nearly flat, covered in a granulose surface and numerous short setae with those along the margins slightly longer (Fig. 5D View Figure 5 ). Vomer broad and stout with straight sides evenly converging for the proximal ¾ and then near the apical hook the margins converge more sharply to the apical hook which is thick and has a singular point (Fig. 5D View Figure 5 ). Legs. The profemoral exterior lobe is narrow, approximately the same width as the profemoral shaft at its widest. The profemoral exterior lobe margin is slightly granular and on the distal ½ there are three or four weakly formed, dulled teeth (Fig. 5E View Figure 5 ). The profemoral interior lobe is obtusely triangular and at its greatest width it is slightly> 2 × the greatest width of the profemoral shaft. The profemoral interior lobe is ornamented on the distal ½ with five serrate teeth arranged in a three-two pattern with looping gaps between them, where the central three teeth are notably larger than the first and last teeth (Fig. 5E View Figure 5 ). Mesofemoral exterior lobe arcs end to end but is slightly wider on the distal ⅓ which has a distinct bend and on this distal portion it can be bare or be marked with as many as three teeth, while the proximal ½ of the lobe is rather thin and lacks teeth. Mesofemoral interior lobe, exterior lobe, and mesofemoral shaft are all approximately the same width. The mesofemoral interior lobe, is broader on the distal end which is rounded (not as strongly bent as on the exterior lobe) and the distal end is ornamented with six or seven small serrate teeth while the proximal portion of the lobe is thin and lacks teeth. Metafemoral exterior lobe lacks dentition and has a straight margin along the metafemoral shaft. Metafemoral interior lobe smoothly arcs end to end with nine or ten sharply serrate teeth on the distal ½, which is wider than the smooth proximal portion of the lobe. Protibiae lacking exterior lobe, interior lobe reaching end to end in a rounded triangle with the widest portion on the distal ½ and at its widest the lobe is ca 2-2⅓ × as wide as the protibial shaft width (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). Meso- and metatibiae simple, lacking lobes completely.
Measurements of paratype males [mm]. Length of body (including cerci and head, excluding antennae) 57.6-60.2, length/width of head 3.9-4.5/3.3- 3.5, antennae 33.2-35.1, pronotum 2.9-3.1, mesonotum 4.6-4.8, length of tegmina 19.0-19.6, length of alae 42.8-43.3, greatest width of abdomen 14.2-14.5, profemora 11.6-12.0, mesofemora 10.2-10.5, metafemora 12.7-13.1, protibiae 7.6-8.0, mesotibiae 7.3-7.5, metatibiae 9.7-10.1.
Eggs. (Fig. 6 View Figure 6 ). The overall color is uniformly brown (slightly pinker in color when freshly laid before moisture contact; Fig. 5A View Figure 5 ), pinnae of a similar color to the capsule. The lateral surfaces are nearly flat (only slightly convex), with the posterior of the egg is slightly wider than the anterior. The pinnae on the capsule surfaces are variable with some short and “carpet-like” (not having significant lateral frills, typically shorter and dense) up to larger “feather-like” pinnae (which are longer, sometimes with a split apex, and short frills along their lengths). The feather-like pinnae are mostly along the margins, anterior, and posterior, while the carpet-like pinnae mark the surfaces. The lateral surfaces of the capsule are marked throughout with the shorter, dense pinnae arranged in longitudinal rows separated by three longitudinal rows of bald impressions formed by partially connected ovals. The dorsal surface has a long micropylar plate (spanning approximately the central ¾ of the capsule length) with a width that is almost uniform throughout (only slightly wider around the micropylar cup). The micropylar cup is located on the posterior ⅖ of the capsule (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). On either side of the micropylar plate is shorter, dense pinnae. The operculum is slightly ovular, the surface is flat and covered in dense short pinnae, and the outer margin is rimmed with larger feather-like pinnae (Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ). The ventral surface of the egg capsule has a surface similar to the lateral surfaces with short pinnae and longitudinal bald impressions.
Measurements including the extended pinnae [mm]. Length (including operculum): 4.5-5.0; maximum width of capsule when viewed from lateral aspect 2.5-3.0; length of micropylar plate 2.7-3.0.
Newly hatched nymphs.
(Fig. 7 View Figure 7 ). The general color throughout the body is a rich dark brown. The basitarsi are cream colored and the remaining tarsal segments are of a similar dark brown to the rest of the body. All tibiae lack exterior lobes but do have interior lobes. The protibiae have a smoothly arcing interior lobe which is ca 2 × wider than the protibial shaft width and the meso- and metatibiae have interior lobes ca 1½× as wide as the shaft they are on. All tibiae have a similar color pattern with the proximal ⅓- ½ a striped/patchy white/cream with the remainder rich brown. The profemora have a base color of rich brown marked with three white patches, two larger and prominent white spots (one on each side of the profemoral shaft) on the proximal ⅖ along with one smaller and less defined white spot on the interior lobe closer to the center of the length. The meso- and metafemora have similar coloration, both with the base coloration rich brown, a small white spot near the base of the interior lobe, an unbroken white stripe running from the interior lobe to the exterior lobe located on the proximal ⅖, and the distal margin of the exterior lobe is also marked with a white edge. The meso- and metafemora differ by their size (metafemora are larger) and by an additional, irregular white patch near the middle of the femora (smaller and fainter in the mesofemora and larger and brighter white on the metafemora). All femoral interior lobes and the meso- and metafemoral exterior lobes have distinct serration on the distal ends. The head and pronotum are mostly dark brown/black and marked by lighter colored nodes. The mesothorax and metathorax are mostly brown but are marked with pale lime green margins and white speckling. The abdomen base color is brown, with the center of the abdomen fully brown. The thin lobes on each side of the abdomen are bicolored. Segments II and III have white margins, segments IV through VII have roughly the anterior ⅖ white and the posterior ⅕ white, and segments VIII through X are mostly brown and are only marked minimally on the lateral margin with white. The abdomen general shape is long and narrow, with a maximum width < ½ of the abdomen length. The widest point of the abdomen is abdominal segment IV. The first four antennae segments are brown, the central three are white, and the terminal two are brown. Overall length of freshly hatched nymphs ca 13-14 mm.
Etymology.
Toponym. Named after the type locality Samar Island, Philippines. As the first officially endemic species of Phyllium from the island, we wished to highlight this significant find by referencing the island.
Distribution.
At present only known from North Samar province, on Samar Island, Philippines in the Eastern Visayas region.
Remarks.
This population was previously thought to be a range expansion for Phyllium mabantai , a species which is quite variable in abdominal morphology and has a similar overall habitus ( Cumming 2017). Interestingly, despite the similar size, thorax shape and spination, and leg shapes with Phyllium mabantai , this new species from Samar was recovered as sister species to Phyllium ortizi sp. nov., which is morphologically notably different with exaggerated abdominal lobes (Fig. 10 View Figure 10 ). Most observed specimens of Phyllium samarense sp. nov. have a rather tapered abdomen (Fig. 3B View Figure 3 ) although a few records have been found which have slight lobes on abdominal segments VII and VIII (Fig. 3A View Figure 3 ), suggesting that like several other Phyllium species, the Phyllium samarense sp. nov. abdominal shape can be variable ( Cumming et al. 2020c). As in other Phyllium species, despite females having variable abdominal shapes, the males so far observed have all been uniform in their morphology (Fig. 3C View Figure 3 ).
To date, Phyllium samarense sp. nov. has been found feeding on three host plants in the wild; Phanera sp. ( Fabaceae ; Fig. 3F View Figure 3 ), Mallotus floribundus ( Euphorbiaceae ; Fig. 3G View Figure 3 ), and Terminalia catappa ( Combretaceae ).
The Phyllium samarense sp. nov. egg morphology fits within the results of Büscher et al. (2023) which recovered most Phyllium species as having pinnae "type 5" (defined within as: feather-like and hierarchically splitting pinnae with a broad base and several side branches). Within the recovered egg morphology ancestral state reconstruction pinnae "type 5" was recovered as the likely ancestral state for the Phyllium , and Phyllium samarense sp. nov. adds an additional species supporting this recovered state ( Büscher et al. 2023).
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