Semicarinata, Liu, Chun-Xiang & Kang, Le, 2007

Liu, Chun-Xiang & Kang, Le, 2007, New taxa and records of Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from China, Zootaxa 1624, pp. 17-29 : 19

Genus Semicarinata gen. nov.

Type species: Semicarinata colorata sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new genus is distinguished from other genera by the following characteristics: pronotum strongly constricted forward; anterior third part of disc of pronotum convex; median third flat; posterior third abruptly elevated, slightly concave and approximately flat; pronotum with lateral margin rounded, without lateral carinae in prozona; with distinct outspreading lateral carinae in metazona ( Figs. 3–4, 14–15 ).

Description: Head ovoid, occiput convex and smooth. Fastigium verticis well-produced, dorsally sulcate, approximately as wide as first segment of antenna, with apex approximately truncate, extending slightly above internal margin of antennal sockets ( Figs. 1, 10–11 ). Fastigium frontis inversely ovoid, its dorsal apex slightly narrower than fastigium verticis, separated by a narrow gap. Compound eye semi-spherical, greatly bulging, ventral margin extending slightly beyond ventral margin of antennal scrobe ( Figs. 1–2, 10–12 ). Antenna thread-like, long and flexible. Pronotum strongly constricted forward; disc of pronotum with anterior part convex, median third flat, posterior third abruptly elevated, slightly concave and flattened; anterior margin approximately straight, posterior margin obtuse; pronotum with lateral margin rounded and without lateral carinae in prozona; with distinct outspreading lateral carinae in metazona. Lateral lobe of pronotum much higher than long; humeral sinus distinct. Tegmen slightly translucent, with regular veinlets; costa distinct; subcostal vein and radial vein joined at base, then separated but closely abutted together till before apical part of tegmen; radical sector bifurcated; apex of tegmen rounded ( Fig. 9 ). Male stridulatory area ( Figs. 5–8, 16 ) with posterior margin straight; male right stridulatory area with mirror. Anterior coxae armed with a sharp spine; anterior tibiae dorsally sulcate, with open tympanum on both sides; widened at and abruptly constricted below tympana. Anterior and median femora with spines on ventro-anterior margin; posterior femur with spines on both ventral margins. Each femur with one ventral spine and one dorsal spine on genicular lobe. Anterior tibiae without dorsal spines; median tibiae with dorso-posterior spines; posterior tibiae with dorsal spines on both sides.

Male terminalia. Tenth abdominal tergum slightly concave in middle; apex broad truncated. Subgenital plate elongate, with angular notch at the apex; styli very long.

Female unknown.

Discussion: The new genus resembles Caedicia Stål in the shape of head, but differs by the latter having the pronotum not strongly constricted forwards and the male subgenital plate with styli much shorter than third the length of subgenital plate. The male abdominal apex resembles the condition in the genus Isopsera . It differs from the latter by the shape of head and pronotum. Differences from other Chinese genera with both open tympana are listed in the above key. The systematic position of the genera within Phaneropterinae may be clarified after more phylogenetic research.

Etymology: The name Semicarinata is composed of the prefix Semi-, meaning half, and the word carinatus. The name refers to the distinct shape of lateral margin of pronotal disc. The name is regarded as feminine in gender.

Distribution: China.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 18. Illustrations of Semicarinata colorata gen. nov. & sp. nov. from Hainan Island, China, holotype. 9, male left tegmen, lateral view; 10, head, dorsal view; 11, head, front view; 12, head, lateral view; 13, stridulatory file on underside of male left tegmen; 14, pronotum, dorsal view; 15, pronotum, lateral view; 16, male right stridulatory area, dorsal view; 17, male subgenital plate, ventral view; 18, male abdominal apex, lateral view. (Scale bar = 1 mm).