Pseudonicsara (P.) forceps, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 31-32

Pseudonicsara (P.) forceps sp. n.

Figs. 84, 147, 184, 209–210, 242, 284, 329, 379, 414, 474, 500, 511, map 1.

Holotype (male): Papua New Guinea: Eastern Highlands, 13 km SE of Okapa [6° 35' S, 145° 43' E], 1700 m, 26.VIII.1964, J. Sedlacek, depository: Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ( BPBM).

Paratypes: Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands: 1 male, 1 female, same data as holotype ( BPBM) ; 2 males, 3 females, same locality, 1650–1870 m, 26.VIII.1964, J. Sedlacek ( BPBM) ; 1 female, 24–26 km SE of Okapa [6° 43' S, 145° 51' E], 1800–1900 m, 25.VIII.1964, J. Sedlacek ( BPBM) ; 1 female, Purosa (20–26 km SE of Okapa) [6° 43' S, 145° 51' E], 1800–2020 m, 28.VIII.1964, J. Sedlacek ( BPBM) .

Diagnosis. The new species shares with P. cervus sp. n. that the male cerci have two apico-internal processes, of which one lies nearly in the prolongation of the cercus. P. forceps differs in that it has the ventral apico-internal process in prolongation of cercus, which is widened towards tip and has two spinose angles ( Fig. 242); the dorso-apical process is fused with the baso-internal process to an obtuse lamella ( Fig. 184). A further difference are the long and narrow titillators ( Fig. 379). The female subgenital plate is completely membranous except for the apico-lateral margins; it consists of a median furrow and transverse oval discs with sunken surface ( Fig. 474). Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 0.9–1.1 mm, from base 1.4 mm; dorsal eye length 1.6 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.7 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.9. Face rugose but shining. Tegmen surpassing apices of hind femora; gradually narrowed behind basal widening. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 6–8 external, 6–7 internal; mid femur 6 external, 3 internal near base; hind femur 6–8 external, 0 internal.

Male. Stridulatory file sinuate, 1.8–1.9 mm long; teeth at apex very dense and indistinct; with 72–75 teeth or 38.4–41.7 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 29.5–31.3 teeth per mm ( Fig. 84). Mirror slightly narrowing posteriorly; fore and hind margins straight; 1.7 mm long, 1.3 mm wide; index length:width 1.3. Tenth abdominal tergite with apical margin truncate in middle, little projecting on both sides ( Fig. 147). Epiproct triangular, apex obtuse; dorsal surface depressed. Cerci short-cylindrical, slightly curved, with two internal projections: a wide dorso-internal projection between half of length and apex and a ventral apico-internal projection ( Figs. 184, 209–210, 242). Ventral projection expanded towards apex, apex truncate; apico-lateral angles with a spinule. Subgenital plate with apical area rather narrow, apex roundly excised ( Fig. 284).

Titillators separate; basal parts moderately narrow, little twisted; apical parts little narrower than end of basal parts, with distinct darkened margin ( Figs. 329, 379, 414). Surface of apical parts densely covered with clinging hairs; apico-lateral margin concave, at apex truncate and widened, coarsely granular; at apicoexternal angle with a small spinose carina. Baso-lateral sclerite pear-shaped, internal margin sinuate, external margin truncate; rather large. Apico-lateral sclerites absent.

Female. Tenth abdominal tergite furrowed in midline. Subgenital plate divided in midline by a wide triangular membranous area; resulting lateral plates fully membranous except for sclerotised lateral margins; ovoid, surface slightly depressed ( Figs. 474, 500, 511).

Coloration. Yellowish brown. Face with black band between eyes including scapus; with another black band along clypeo-frontal suture extended on genae; both connected by a vertical black band. Mandibles with basal area black. Pronotum yellowish brown; disc darkened especially in fore and hind areas, thereby embracing a yellowish brown spot; in middle of disc dark and yellow pattern merged. Tegmen with dark cells and light veinlets. Fore tibia darkened at tympana.

Measurements (4 males, 6 females): body male 24–29, female 22–30; pronotum male 7.3–7.8, female 6.8–7.2; tegmen male 24–26, female 26–29; hind femur male 17–27, female 17.5–20.0; ovipositor female 15.5–16.5 mm.

Etymology. Named for the overlapping apical teeth of the male cerci; noun in apposition.