Pseudonicsara (P.) crassicercus Karny 1912

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 27-28

Pseudonicsara (P.) crassicercus Karny 1912

Figs. 86, 106, 181, 200, 214, 270, 321, 427, 459, map 3.

Pseudonicsara pallidifrons forma crassicercus Karny 1912a , Abh. Ber. Zool. Mus. Dresden 14(2): 15.

Pseudonicsara crassicerca Karny 1926 , Treubia 9(1–3): 228.

Pseudonicsara crassicercus OSF online 2009.

Lectotype (male, here selected): Papua New Guinea, West Sepik: Kais. Wilhelmsland, Toricelli Gebirge [Toricelli Mountains, 3° 30' S, 142° 0' E], 120 m, I.1910, Dr. Schlaginhaufen, depository: Museum für Tierkunde, Dresden, Germany ( SMTD).

Material studied: 2 females, same locality as lectotype, 780 m, I.1910, Dr. Schlaginhaufen, " P. pallidifrons det. Karny " ( SMTD) .

Diagnosis. P. crassicercus is characterised by the shape of the male cercus that has a triangular apicointernal process inserted vertical to the axis of the cercus and with a fold at base; both baso-internal processes are also triangular with the dorsal process horizontally inserted, the ventral vertically inserted ( Figs. 181, 214). The male epiproct is narrow and has the apex truncate ( Fig. 106). The apical parts of the titillators are pyriform with the margin undulate ( Figs. 321, 427). The female subgenital plate has a strong median carina and is little furrowed on both sides of the median carina ( Fig. 459).

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 1.1–1.2 mm, from base 1.6 mm; dorsal eye length 1.7 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.9–1.0. Face rugose. Tegmen surpassing hind knees. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 7–8 external, 6 internal; mid femur 6–7 external, 2–3 internal near base; hind femur 9–12 external, 3–7 very small internal near base.

Male. Stridulatory file with about 90 teeth; curved before apex ( Fig. 86). Terminal tergite transverse, with two triangular projections, apex broad-roundly excised in between ( Fig. 106). Epiproct narrow, deeply furrowed in midline, apex truncate and slightly excised in middle ( Fig. 106). Paraproct with a low obtuse projection with furrowed ventral surface. Cerci rather long, conical, slightly curved; internal surface with a dorsal and a ventral, lamellar, obtuse projection in circa middle of length; apex with a short, obtuse, dorsal and a long, compressed, internal projection, the latter slightly curved and with concave dorsal and convex ventral surface, apex obtuse ( Figs. 181, 200, 214). Subgenital plate with styli inserted on ventral surface before apex of lateral projections ( Fig. 270).

Titillators separate, basal parts largely hyaline, apical parts roughly triangular in general outline with angles rounded, internal surface very densely covered with short, clinging hairs, darkened, towards centre almost black; margin subhyaline with granular, somewhat irregular and indistinctly marked elevations, near top distinctly projecting ( Figs. 321, 427).

Female. Subgenital plate divided into two ovoid lateral lobes with ventral surface slightly extended dorsad, a small lateral groove at base; ventral surface setose; apex of lobes angularly rounded; area between both lobes very short with a strong median carina ( Fig. 459).

Coloration. Dark reddish brown (discoloured?). Face with a reddish brown band between compound eyes, including antennal scrobae and fastigium frontis and also encircling median ocellus; two black spots (one at each side) at clypeo-frontal suture. Tegmen transparent with light veins and dark cells.

Measurements (1 male, 2 females): body male 29, female 27–30; pronotum male 7.7, female 8.5–9; tegmen male 30, female 29.5–32.5; hind femur male 18.5, female 21; ovipositor 21.5–23 mm.

Discussion. Karny (1912a) mentions three male syntypes and one male larva in the original description. There is only one male left in Dresden that is chosen here as lectotype. The corresponding females were determined as Pseudonicsara pallidifrons by the same author.