Monticolaria kilimandjarica Sjöstedt, 1909

Hemp, Claudia, 2013, Annotated list of Ensifera (Orthoptera) and further records on Caelifera (Orthoptera) of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Zootaxa 3613 (4), pp. 301-342 : 329-330

Monticolaria kilimandjarica Sjöstedt, 1909

( Fig. 12 F–I)

Distribution. Tanzania; Mt Kilimanjaro (Sjöstedt 1909; Ragge 1980); endemic to the mountain.

Ecology and biology. In captivity feeding on Maitenus mossabicensis, Rubus steuneri , and Morus sp.

Mating. Male mounts female from behind and bites into the ovipositor of the female with his mandibles. It then bends its abdomen to the genitalic opening of the female and deposits a whitish spermatophore. The male stays attached to the female for at least 1 hour. The female was seen trying to start eating the spermatophore but was inhibited by the male of doing so.

Song. Mainly perceived in the evening and night hours, in captivity also heard singing during the afternoon hours. With the unaided ear only in the immediate surrounding faintly a series of continuous syllables are perceived (see Hemp et al. 2009).

Molecular phylogeny: Hemp et al. 2009; Voje et al. 2009.

Habitat. Hemp & Hemp 2003. Hemp et al. 2009. Disturbed forests and riverine forests of the submontane zone, common species at forest edges and clearings in the montane zone.

Altitudinal range at Mt Kilimanjaro: 1900 m (Sjöstedt 1909); 1300–1600– 2000–2600 m.

Records: 52

Figures

FIGURE 12. Phaneropterinae species of Kilimanjaro. A. Female Ducetia punctipennis (Gerstäcker), Chala area, savanna grasslands on herbs, 1000 m B. Female Corycomima sp., lower montane forest, southern slopes, 1710 m C – E. Lunidia viridis Hemp, lower montane forest, southern slopes, 1710 m, male (C), female (D), male nymph (E) F – I. Monticolaria kilimandjarica Sjöstedt, lower montane forest, southern slopes, 1710 m, male (F), male moulting at night (G), female (H), and male nymph (I).