Asceles rufescens (Redtenbacher, 1908)

Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), Zootaxa 5073 (1), pp. 1-189 : 126

Asceles rufescens (Redtenbacher, 1908)

( Fig. 48 )

Siyploidea rufescens Redtenbacher, 1908: 546 . HT, ♂: S-Celebes, Patuhuang, Jan. 1896, H. Fruhstorfer; det. Redtenb. Sipyloidea rufescens ; 20.750 [NHMW, No. 1105].

Günther, 1938: 59, 88.

Brock, 1998: 54.

Asceles rufescens, Hennemann, 1998: 111 , pl. 3: 2, 4: 4, figs. 16–17. [Description of ♀]

Otte & Brock, 2005: 54.

Further material: 1 ♂: S-Celebes, Patuhuang, Jan. 1896, H. Fruhstorfer ; Sipyloïdea rufescens Redtenb. K. Günther det. [ ZMPA]; 1 ♂: Nord-Celebes, Toli-Toli, Nov.-Dez. 1895, H. Fruhstorfer ; Sipyloïdea rufescens Redtenb. K. Günther det. [ ZMPA]; 2 ♂♂: S-Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, Rantepao 700 m, leg. Gunawan X.1995 [coll. FH, No’s 0312-1 & 2]; 1 ♂: S-Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, leg. Tajuddin X.1995 – III.1996 [coll. FH, No. 0312-3]; 1 ♀: S-Sulawesi, Lembang, Maros, leg. Gunawan XII.1995 [coll. FH, No. 0312-4].

Differential diagnosis: Similar and apparently closely related to the Wallacean and New Guinean A. rulanda (Redtenbacher, 1908; see comments on possible subspecies above), the Wallacean A. roseonotata (Redtenbacher, 1908) and the Philippine A. morio (Redtenbacher, 1908) . From A. rulanda the ♀♀ of this species differ by the somewhat shorter alae that only reach to abdominal segment VI (VII in rulanda ), lack of three black longitudinal lines on the vertex that are seen in rulanda , comparatively more slender limbs that lack the undulate posteroventral carina of the femora seen in rulanda as well as the dorsally smooth abdominal terga VIII and IX ( Fig. 48D ) and much smaller and narrower anal segment, that is only half as wide as tergum IX ( Fig. 48D ). Males can be separated from those of rulanda and roseonotata by lacking the black longitudinal coronal line of the vertex ( Fig. 48J ), more densely granulose mesonotum that has all the granules more rounded and node-like ( Fig. 48J ), lacking the red base of the alae seen in rulanda , dark red femora as well as the longer cerci and broader posteromedian indention of the anal segment. From the ♂♂ of A. morio those of A. rufescens may be distinguished by the much more pronounced granulation of the mesonotum, lack of the red base of the alae, contrasting dark red femora and much longer not apically acuminate cerci.

Comments: Hennemann (1998: 111) described and illustrated the previously unknown ♀ ( Figs. 48A–B ) and transferred the species to Asceles Rectenbacher, 1908 . For an easier identification of A. rufescens new and more detailed illustrations and a proper distinction from similar species are provided here. Body lengths: ♀♀ 75.5 mm, ♂♂ 59.0– 64.8 mm. Full sets of measurements were presented by Hennemann (1998: 112). Eggs unknown.

Distribution: S-Sulawesi, Province Sulawesi Selatan, Patahuang [NHMW, ZMPA]; S-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawe-si Selatan, Tana Toraja, Rantepao [coll. FH]; S-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Selatan, Maros Regency, Lembang [coll. FH]; N-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Utara, Toli-Toli [ZMPA].

Figures

FIGURE 48. Asceles rufescens (Redtenbacher, 1908): A. ♀, dorsal view [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; B. ♀, dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; C. Head, pro- and mesothorax of ♀ in dorso-lateral aspect [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; D. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ in lateral aspect [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; E. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ in dorsal aspect [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; F. Terminal abdominal segments of ♀ in ventral aspect [coll. FH, No. 0312-4]; G. ♂, dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0312-1]; H. ♂, dorso-lateral view [coll. FH, No. 0312-3]; J. Head, pro- and mesothorax of ♂ in dorso-lateral aspect [coll. FH, No. 0312-3].