Phyllium (Phyllium) philippinicum Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel, 2009

Hennemann, Frank H., Conle, Oskar V., Gottardo, Marco & Bresseel, Joachim, 2009, On certain species of the genus Phyllium Illiger, 1798, with proposals for an intra-generic systematization and the descriptions of five new species from the Philippines and Palawan (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae: Phylliinae: Phylliini) 2322, Zootaxa 2322 (1), pp. 1-83 : 30-34

Phyllium (Phyllium) philippinicum Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo & Bresseel n. sp.

( Figs. 31–36 , 52–55 , 71, 74 , 80 , 89 , 111–112, 119, 131–133)

Phyllium siccifolium, Grösser, 2008: 134 (in part – only Philippine specimens, fig. 17 (coxae of ♀), fig. 158 (egg). [Misidentification]

HT, ♀: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2007-09, Herkunft: Philippines, NW-Luzon Id., Butaan Prov. , Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278; ex coll. FH ( ZSMC) .

PT, ♂: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2007-09, Herkunft: Philippines, NW-Luzon Id., Butaan Prov. , Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278; ex coll. FH ( ZSMC) .

PT, 3 eggs: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2007-09, Herkunft: Philippines, NW-Luzon Id., Butaan Prov. , Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278; ex coll. FH ( ZSMC) .

PT, ♂: Bred specimen, Luzon I., Mountain Province; 14.VI.2007 A.J.E. Harman ( BMNH) .

PT, ♀: Bred specimen, ex Philippines; 7.XI.2006 A.J.E. Harman ( BMNH) .

PT, 4 ♂♂, 4 ♀, 2 (nymphs n1): Bred specimen, ex Philippines Luzon I., Mountain Province; 2007-2009 A.J.E. Harman ( BMNH) .

PT, 2 ♂♂, 10 ♀, 3 eggs: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2007-09, Herkunft: Philippines, NW-Luzon Id., Butaan Prov. , Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278; ex coll. FH (coll. MNHU) .

PT, 15 ♀, 1 ♀ (penultimate instar), 25 ♂♂, 300 eggs: ex Zucht F. Hennemann 2007-09, Herkunft: Philippines, NW- Luzon Id., Butaan Prov. , Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278 (coll. FH, No’s 0668-1 to 41, E & ED) .

PT, ♂: Philippinen, Nord-West-Luzon, Butaan Province , Ilanin Forest, 11.2008, leg. T. Heitzmann (coll. OC) .

PT, 25 ♂♂, 15 ♀, 50 eggs: ex Zucht: O. Conle, 2009-2010, Philippinen, Luzon Id., Subic Zambales, PSG 278 (coll. OC) .

PT, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, 5 eggs: reared by M. Gottardo 2005; origin: Philippines, Luzon Island , Subic Zambales, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig VI.2001, PSG No. 278 ( MSNG) .

PT, 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂, 10 eggs: reared by M. Gottardo 2005; origin: Philippines, Luzon Island , Subic Zambales, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig VI.2001, PSG No. 278 (coll. MG) .

PT, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, 10 eggs: ex. Kweek J. Bresseel 2008 – 09, Origin Stock: Philippines E-Luzon Id., Subic Zambales, “Ilanin

Forest ”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278, ex coll. JB (coll. ISNB). PT, 5 ♀, 5 ♂♂, 50 eggs: ex. Kweek J. Bresseel 2008 – 09, Origin Stock: Philippines E-Luzon Id., Subic Zambales ,

“Ilanin Forest”, leg. Ismael O. Lumawig & Thierry Heitzmann VI.2001, PSG No. 278 (coll. JB).

Comparison: This new species is very similar to Ph. hausleithneri Brock, 1999 and the Philippine Ph. bilobatum Gray, 1843 and Ph. woodi Rehn & Rehn, 1933 . The shape and armature of the interior lobe of the profemora frequently distinguishes it from all these species, being semi-circular in ♀ and widely rounded in ♂♂ with the anterior margin set with 5–7 small but pointed, saw-like teeth of roughly equal size ( Figs. 52– 55 ).

From the Malayan Ph. hausleithneri the new species differs by: the smooth head; more distinct and acute medial spine on the anterior transverse ridge of the mesonotum; flat and almost smooth surface of the mesopraescutum; more distinct teeth of the mesopleurae; narrower interior lobe of the protibiae; much longer probasitarsus of both sexes and dull orange instead of blue marking on the interior surface of the meso- and metacoxae ( Fig. 74 ). ♀ furthermore differ by: having only 40 teeth on the pars stridens of antennomere III (44–48 in hausleithneri , Fig. 89 ); relatively longer apical antennomere (IX) and more elongate, apically narrowed and pointed subgenital plate ( Fig. 80 ). ♂♂ are also well distinguished from those of Ph. hausleithneri by the longer profemora which are more than 3x longer than the head as well as the longer antennae which reach as far back as half way along abdominal segment IV. Another very reliable distinction is presented by the eggs, which have the lateral surfaces of the capsule densely covered with hair-like-structures, and the micropylar plate considerably shorter, covering only about half of the capsule-length (Figs. 112).

The Philippine Phyllium bilobatum appears to have been misinterpreted by various previous authors (see comments below) hence the following differentiation is strictly based on the ♀ HT of Ph. bilobatum in BMNH in order to prevent any further confusion. From this specimen ♀ of Ph. philippinicum n. sp. differ by: the much less acute and more widely rounded lobes of abdominal segment VII and VIII; less trapezoidal, posteriorly broader pronotum; much smaller and almost equally sized teeth of the interior lobe of the profemora; distinctly more slender interior lobe of the protibiae; smaller dentations of the meso- and metafemora and considerably longer and more elongate subgenital plate; longer and more slender antennae and relatively longer antennomere IX.

From the Philippine Ph. woodi (islands of Sibuyan and Mindanao) it frequently differs by: the smooth vertex; less angulate interior lobe and almost smooth outer margin of the exterior lobe of the profemora (conspicuously dentate in woodi ); much smaller teeth of the interior lobe of the profemora; narrower interior lobe of the protibiae and lack of a definite longitudinal median row of tubercles on the mesonotum of both sexes, as well as the lobed abdominal segments VII and VIII of ♀. The eggs of Ph. woodi are not yet known.

Etymology: The name refers to the distribution of this new species, the Philippine Islands.

Diagnosis: ♀ ( Figs. 31–34 , 131–133 ). Medium-sized for the subgenus (body length 77.5–88.0 mm) with a rather slender to moderately broad abdomen (maximum width 28.0–35.0 mm), which has segments VII and VIII ± roundly lobed, moderately broad and widely rounded exterior lobe and conspicuously serrate, almost semi-circular interior lobe of the profemora. Colouration variable and ranging from green to yellow with the body and legs to variable degree furnished with brown speckles or mottling; sometimes very prettily mottled specimens occur. Metasternum often with a conspicuous bold brown marking near anterior margin. Interior surface of meso- and metacoxae with a bold dull orange to brown spot ( Figs. 74 , 133 ). Basitarsi brown basally, remaining parts of tarsi green. Head almost oval in dorsal aspect with cheeks gently convex; vertex smooth except for a minute posteromedian tubercle. On frons just before centre of dorsal surface with two small, rounded impressions. Antennae almost as long as head-capsule (5.1–5.6 mm) and rather slender, apical antennomere (IX) conical and about 1.5x longer than VIII. Pars stridens on antennomere III with 40–42 teeth ( Fig. 89 ). Pronotum angulate and distinctly trapezoidal, gradually narrowed towards posterior with anterior margin about 1.8x broader than posterior margin. Meso-praescutum very slightly narrowed towards the posterior and about 1.2x longer than wide. Lateral margins armed with a row of 4–7 distinct spiniform tubercles and sometimes one or two much smaller intercalated nodes; disc with 3–5 small granules medially. Anterior margin with a prominently raised and distinctly curved transverse ridge, which is medially protruded into a very distinct conical spine. Mesopleurae narrow in anterior portion with the posterior 3/4 gradually widened; their lateral margins armed with three prominent spiniform teeth in the medial portion and a few smaller teeth anteriorly and posteriorly ( Fig. 71 ). Mesosternum smooth. Tegmina variable in length, reaching ± to posterior margin of abdominal segment VII. Alae rudimentary. Abdominal segments II–IV gradually widened, IV widest segment and angulate near posterior margin. V–VII gently narrowing to almost parallelsided, the outer margins of V and VI often gently rounded. VII ± roundly lobed. VIII distinctly narrower than VII and lateral margins forming a ± distinctly rounded lobe ( Figs. 31–34 ). IX and X convergent caudad and together forming a triangle. Apex of anal segment (X) acute with very faint lateral excavations near bases of cerci. Internal sclerite triangular and about 1.5 longer than basal width; apex spatulate and rounded. Subgenital plate elongate, triangular and with a narrow acutely pointed apex which almost reaches to the tip of the anal segment ( Fig. 80 ). Profemora with a moderately large, widely rounded exterior lobe; outer margin smooth or in anterior portion with a few small dentations. Interior lobe roughly equal in width to exterior lobe, ± semi-circularly rounded and the outer margin in anterior portion armed with 5–7 small but acute saw-like teeth; these all rather equally sized and placed in almost equal distance to each other ( Figs. 52–53 ). Interior lobe of protibiae narrow and gently rounded. Protarsi long and slender, being> ¾ the length of corresponding tibia; probasitarsus about 6x longer than wide and as long as combined length of remaining tarsomeres except claw.

39: ♀ HT: Philippines (Mindanao Id., Mount Apo ) [ ISNB]

40: ♀ PT: Captive reared F1 from Philippines (Mindanao Id., Mount Apo ) [coll. JB]

41: ♂ PT: Captive reared F1 from Philippines (Mindanao Id., Mount Apo ) [coll. JB]

42: ♀: Captive reared F1-generation from W-Java [coll. FH, No. 0637-10]

43: ♀: Captive reared F1-generation from W-Java [coll. FH, No. 0637-11]

44: ♀: Java (Jakarta) [coll. OC]

♁♁ ( Figs. 35–36 ). Moderately sized for the subgenus (body length 49.0– 56.5 mm) with a slender and ovate abdomen (maximum width 11.6–18.2 mm). Colouration green and to a variable degree furnished with brown speckles and markings, in particular on the mesothorax, front and mid legs and along the outer margin of the abdomen. Basal portion of profemora yellow to straw. Antennae brown basally pale to greyish mid green in median portion and gradually becoming pale to mid brown towards the apex. Vertex smooth. Antennae consisting of 23–25 segments and reaching about half way along abdominal segment IV. Pronotum and mesothorax structured like in ♀, but pronotum proportionally longer. Meso-praescutum almost 2x longer than wide and very slightly narrowing towards the posterior; near anterior margin with a distinct, curved transverse ridge which is protruded into an acute spine medially. Mesopleurae narrow in anterior portion but moderately diverging in posterior 2/3, lateral margins armed with 5–6 rather distinct spiniform tubercles. Mesosternum very slightly tectiform and set with few minute granules in anterior portion. Tegmina ± reaching posterior margin of abdominal segment III, alae ± reaching half way along segment IX. Abdominal segment II roughly parallel-sided, III very slightly diverging. IV distinctly diverging and ± angular just before posterior margin. V widest segment with lateral margins gently rounded. VI–X gradually narrowing, the terminal three tergites faintly more attenuate than previous. Anal segment (X) decidedly narrowing in posterior portion with the apex rather acutely triangular. Vomer broadly triangular and with a single, short and rather blunt terminal hook. Poculum moderately convex with a fine longitudinal median carina and slightly projecting over posterior margin of tergite IX. Exterior lobe of profemora low and narrow with the broadest point hardly wider than the shaft of the femur itself; outer margin smooth and very gently rounded. Interior lobe at least 1.5x wider than exterior expansion and rounded with 5–7 small but acute, equally sized saw-like teeth ( Figs. 54–55 ). Protibiae with a narrow and gently rounded interior lobe. Protarsus elongate and just a little shorter than corresponding tibia, probasitarsus roughly 7x longer than wide.

Nymphs: Newly hatched nymphs are of moderate size for the subgenus (body length 13.0– 13.5 mm) with a rather slender abdomen (width 2.1–2.2 mm) and strongly broadened meso- and metafemora. General colour dark brown. Outer margins of thorax and abdomen, as well as the exterior outer margin of the meso- and metafemora and the basitarsi white. The white outer margin of the meso- and metafemora is continued as a transverse band sub-basally. Profemora with two distinct white spots basally, the tibiae all white basally and with two small white spots interiorly.

Eggs (Figs. 111–112). Of moderate size for the genus with prominent hair or feather-like appendages which do not develop before the egg gets in contact with water. General shape of capsule kidney shaped, angulate with the lateral surfaces flattened and almost parallel and the dorsal surface slightly convex. In lateral aspect the anterior portion of capsule narrower than posterior 2/3. Lateral longitudinal carinae in posterior portion of egg each set with a row of very long feather-like appendages. Lateral surfaces with three curved, sub-parallel rows of rounded impressions, the spaces in between densely covered with hairy structures. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of egg each with a broad longitudinal median row of hairy structures. Micropylar plate positioned in posterior 2/3 of dorsal egg surface and roughly half the length of capsule. Shape elongate-oval with both ends gradually narrowed and apices rounded. Surface unarmed and outer margin set with moderately long hairy structures. Micropylar cup small and placed almost in centre of plate. Operculum almost circular, flat and with the outer margin set with a row of the same long feather-like appendages seen along the longitudinal outer carinae of the egg-capsule. General colour pale to mid brown. The micropylar plate chestnut brown.

Measurements including the feather-like structures [mm]: length (including operculum) 5.2–6.0, length 4.4–5.0 mm, width 2.1–2.3 mm, height 3.2–4.0 mm, length of micropylar plate 2.0– 2.2 mm.

Variation: In several aspects this is a very variable species with both sexes showing variation concerning to the colouration, although much more conspicuous in ♀. ♂♂ appear to be exceptionally green but may be almost entirely plain green, or to a variable degree furnished with brown markings and speckles on the legs and along the outer margin of the abdomen ( Fig. 36 ). Occasionally there may even be some brown markings on the tegmina and costal region of the alae. ♀ mostly range from pale to dull green but also yellow specimens occur ( Figs. 33–34 , 132–133 ). Both colour forms are to a variable degree furnished with brown markings and speckles all over the body, tegmina and legs, often producing very prettily mottled individuals. ♀ furthermore show considerable variation concerning to the width as well as the size and shape of the lobes of abdominal segments VII and VIII ( Figs. 31–34 ). Slight variation is also seen in the number of teeth on the interior lobe of the profemora, which varies from five to seven.

Comments: This new species has previously been erroneously referred to as “ Phyllium siccifolium ” (e.g. Grösser, 2008: 134). However, detailed examination and comparison with all other closely related species has revealed several reliable features of the insect and egg-morphology which clearly distinguish it from Ph. siccifolium Linné, 1758 and all other species compared.

Material of this new species was first collected in the “Ilanin Forest” at Subic Zamabales, a former U.S. military base, in the Butaan Province, northwestern Luzon by Ismael O. Lumawig and Thierry Heitzmann (Manila, Philippines) on two occasions in June 2000 and 2001. Live eggs from this source were imported to Europe in late 2001 and since this species has proven exceptionally easy to rear in captivity using bramble ( Rubus spp. , Rosaceae ), raspberry ( Rubus idaeus , Rosaceae ), roses ( Rosa spp. , Rosaceae ) and oak ( Quercus robur & Q. ilex , Fagaceae ) as alternative food-plants. In captivity in the Philippines it is also known to accept guava ( Psidium guajava , Myrtaceae ) and mango ( Mangifera indica , Anarcadiaceae). Subsequently, it has been included on the Phasmid Study Group culture-list as culture No. 278 “ Phyllium sp. ”.

Distribution ( Fig. 119 ): Philippines: NW-Luzon Island (Butaan Province, Subic Zambales “Ilanin Forest”).

Figures

FIGURES 31–36. Phyllium (Ph.) philippinicum n. sp. [scale = 10 mm]

FIGURES 52–67. Left profemur of members of the “siccifolium-group” [scale = 2 mm]

FIGURES 68–76. Mesothorax and Meso- / metacoxae ♀ of the “siccifolium-group”

FIGURES 77–84. Genitalia (ventral view) of members of the “siccifolium-group”

FIGURES 85–94. Right antenna of ♀, interior view [scale = 1 mm]

FIGURES 131–133. Phyllium philippinicum n. sp., live captive-reared specimens

FIGURES 119–123. Maps showing the distribution of Phyllium spp.