Pyropsalta rhythmica, Moulds & Marshall, 2022

Moulds, Max & Marshall, David C., 2022, New genera and new species of Western Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), Zootaxa 5174 (5), pp. 451-507 : 500-503

Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B76DDD25-2E5E-4314-B7C6-6A40EE9627CB

( Figs 14 , 56–58 )

Synonymy. Pyropsalta nr. melete Marshall et al. (2016) : fig. 2.

Common name. Sprinkler cicada

Etymology. From the Greek derived Latin adjective rhythmicus meaning regular recurring motion or measure and referring to the rhythmical quality of the song.

Types. Holotype male (Simon Lab. voucher 02.AU.WAU.SSD.01), S of South Dandalup, Western Australia, 32°36’S 115°55’E, 23m, 31.xii.2002, Marshall, Moulds, Hill & Vanderpool ( WAME 113485 ) ( WAM) . Paratypes as follows: WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2 males, 2 females, WAU.MAN, jctn of Graphite & Ralston Rds, 3 km NW of Manjimup, 3.i.2003, 34°13’S 116°08’E, 274 m, Moulds, Marshall, Hill, & Vanderpool ( AMS). 2 males, Brunswick Junctn. , Perth, 13.i.1994, D. Emery ; 31 males 8 females, Canning R. & RL4 (jnctn), Kelmscott , 1.xii.97, D. Emery (emerging on grass 0530h) ; 3 females, Dwellingup, M. R. Williams & K. Whitford, 2.i.93 ; 1 male, Gosnells , Perth, M. R. Williams & D. Emery, 2.xii.1997 ; 2 males, 2 females, Albany H’way, 25 km S Armadale, 27.xi.2013, A. Mitchell ; 1 male, 1 female, Routes Rd. , Lesmurdie, 32°00’56”S 116°13’32”E, 5.i.2013, A. Mitchell ( DE). 2 males, S of South Dandalup, 32°36’S 115°55’E, 23m, 31.xii.2002, Marshall, Moulds, Hill & Vanderpool ; 2 males, 2 females, Donnybrook , 13.xii.1985, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 male, 1 female, Canning R. & RL4 (jnctn), Kelmscott , 1.xii.97, D. Emery ( LP). 13 males, 1 female, S of South Dandalup , 32°36’S 115°55’E, 23m, 31.xii.2002, Marshall, Moulds, Hill & Vanderpool ; 4 males, 1 female, WAU. BOY, nr Boyup Brook , 210 m, 33°48’S 116°27’E, 5.i.2003, Marshall, Moulds, Hill & Vanderpool ; 2 males, 1 female, AU. WA.BJP, Bridgetown , Jarrah Pk, off Brockman Hwy, 2.i.2003, 34.029[º]S, 115.984[º]E. 300 m, Hill, Marshall, Moulds, Vanderpool ; 1 male, 1 female (in copula), WAU. MGR, Margaret River , 85 m, 33:57S 115:04E, 2.i.2003, Marshall, Moulds, Hill & Vanderpool ; 5 males, WAU. HWK, jctn of Old Vasse Rd. & Hawke Rd, nr Pemberton, 200 m, 34°29’S 115°57’E, 4.i.2003, Moulds, Hill, Marshall & Vanderpool ; 8 males, 8 females, WAU. PMB, Pemberton , 126 m, 34°27’S 116°02’E, 3.i.2003, Moulds, Marshall, Hill, & Vanderpool ; 24 males (1 genitalia prep. PYR 1 ), 9 females, WAU.MAN, jctn of Graphite & Ralston Rds, 3 km NW of Manjimup, 34°13’S 116°08’E, 274 m, 3.i.2003, Moulds, Marshall, Hill, & Vanderpool ; 42 males, 26 females, Donnybrook, 13.xii.1985, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 2 males, Collie , 11.xii.1985, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 male (genitalia prep. CI 4 ), Collie, 4.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 10 males, 6 females, Harvey, 4.ii.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 males, Dwellingup, 8.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 male, 1 female, Kent River, 10 km E of Bow Bridge, 16.i,1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 male, Augusta , 20.i,1985, S. Lamond ; 4 males, 2 females, Pinjarra , 9.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1 male, Pinjarra, xii.1990, A. Johnson ; 4 females, Wilga, 22.xii.1986, K. & E. Carnaby ; 6 males, 4 females, Pemberton, 14.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 2 males, 1 female, Warren River Western Hwy, nr Pemberton, 14.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 24 males (2 genitalia preps CI 3, PRY 3 ), 6 females, Roelands E of Bunbury, 4.i.1991, M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 2 males, Brookton Hwy , 7 km SE Kelscott, 19.xii.2014, P. Hutchinson ; 5 males, 7 females, Albany Hwy , 25 km S Armadale , 28.xii.2012, 21.i.2012, 21,29. xii.2014, P. Hutchinson ; 2 males, 1 female, Gleneagle S.F., S of Armadale, 2,15. xii.2011, P. Hutchinson & P. Kay ( MSM). 6 males, Brookton Hwy , 7 km SE Kelmscott, 19.xii.2014, P. Hutchinson, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1796, 1797, 1842, 1822, 1823, 1884 ; 1 male, 1 female, Brookton Hwy , 26 km SE Kelmscott, 15.xii.2017, P. Hutchinson, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1804, 1805 ; 1 male, 2 females, Brookton Hwy , 50 km SE Kelmscott, 14.xi.2015, P. Hutchinson, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1803, 1806, 1807 ; 1 male, Albany Hwy , 7 km S Armadale, 11.xii.2014, P. Hutchinson, to light, PMH Coll #CIC 1824 ; 24 males, 2 females, Albany Hwy , 25 km S Armadale , 30.xii.2011, 28.xii.2012, 6,21. i.2012, 27.xi.2013, 5.xii.2013, 11,29. xii.2014, 18.i.2014, P. Hutchinson, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1798, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1809, 1811, 1813, 1815, 1816, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1827, 1828, 1830, 1829, 1843, 1846, 1851, 1854, 1856, 1855, 1872, 1880, 1881, 1882 ; 7 males, Albany Hwy, 25 km S Armadale, 28.xii.2011, 21,26. xii.2014, P. Kay, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1799, 1812, 1857, 1859, 1883, 1875, 1873 ; 1 female, Ashendon , 10 km S Mt Dale, 6.ii.2014, P. Kay, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1808 ; 1 female, Red Hill Res ., E of Midland, Perth , 12, xi.2000, P. Hutchinson, on Allocasuarina hugeliana, PMH Coll #CIC 1810 ; 1 male, 1 female, Beckenham, Perth, 5.xii.2011, 31.i.2015, P. Hutchinson, to uv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1814, 1869 ; 2 males, Scarp Rd, Dwellingup, 29.xii.2020, P. Kay, to light, PMH Coll #CIC 1818, 1847 ; 1 male, Glen Mervyn, 25 km S Collie, 26.xii.2011, P. Kay, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1950 ; 2 females, Mt Chudarup , N Windy Harbour, 6.i.2010, P. Hutchinson, to light. // PMH Coll #CIC 1848, 1849 ; 5 males, Churchman’s Brook Dam, S Armadale, 15,18. i.2012, P. Kay, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1879, 1877, 1860, 1876, 1878 ; 4 males, Gleneagle SF, [25 km] S of Armadale , 15.xii.2011, P. Hutchinson & P. Kay, to mv light, PMH Coll #CIC 1861, 1864, 1865, 1868 ( PH). 18 males, 9 females, WAU.MAN, jctn of Graphite & Ralston Rds, 3 km NW of Manjimup , 3.i.2003, 34:13S 116:08E, 274 m, Moulds, Marshall, Hill, & Vanderpool ( WAME 113486-113512 ) ; 4 males, 4 females, WAU. PMB, Pemberton , 126 m, 34:27S 116:02E, 3.i.2003, Moulds, Marshall, Hill, & Vanderpool ( WAME 113513-113520 ) ( WAM).

Distribution and habitat ( Fig. 56 ). The far southwest of Western Australia south from Red Hill near Midland, Perth (P. Hutchinson) to the Kent River east of Walpole. All records are within 85 km of the coast, although none are strictly coastal. The most inland known locality is Boyup Brook.

There are records from mid November to early February. Adults frequent Eucalyptus trees, although they are sometimes found on Allocasuarina and other trees. They prefer the smaller branches and often occur in huge numbers. Nymphs may feed on grass roots as well as those of trees. Nymphs were found emerging in numbers in the early morning on kikuyu grass (D. Emery pers. comm.).

Adult description. Male ( Figs 14a , 57 ). Head black, with supra-antennal plates partly or entirely orange or yellowish and usually a spot of similar colour on posterior margin near eye and a partly orange midline. Postclypeus black with orange margin ventrally and often also dorsally; sometimes with an orange ventral midline. Anteclypeus usually black, often with a small orange patch at base on midline, rarely orange with a black centre. Rostrum dark brown becoming black distally; reaching apices of hind coxae. Thorax with pronotum either black or a mixture of black and orange in variable proportions but usually with the black dominating; dorsal midline usually with an orange or yellowish fascia; pronotal collar black or dark brownish to varying degrees. Mesonotum black with a pair of orange markings from between submedian and lateral sigilla to anterior arms of cruciform elevation considerably variable in extent, sometimes fusing at midline but always straight along their outer margins; cruciform elevation orange or dull yellowish brown, usually with some black, rarely entirely black. Metanotum brown with a black dorsal midline and mostly black laterally. Forewing venation black, sometimes tending brown on basal half; costal margin orange to nearly black; basal cell usually tinted light brown, sometimes hyaline; basal membrane often orange on about anterior half, otherwise blackish, sometimes entirely blackish. Hindwing venation black; without infuscations; plaga white to light brown with a black steak in jugum. Legs orange or yellowish, with black markings of variable extent, the black mostly confined to the forelegs and mid and hind femora. Opercula usually dark brown to blackish, sometimes yellow or yellowish brown, always black or tending so at base (epimeron 3). Abdomen with tergites black with orange banding; tergite 1 glossy black with narrow orange anterior margin; tergite 2 orange (tending yellow if teneral) with a narrow black anterior margin and black dorsal midline; tergites 3 and 4 black on anterior half and dorsal midline, orange (tending yellow if teneral) on posterior half; tergites 5–7 entirely black or nearly so; tergite 8 black on anterior portion to varying degrees, otherwise orange. Sternites I and II black; sternites III and IV orange, usually with black spanning midline; sternites V and VI predominantly black usually with narrow orange distal margin; sternite VII predominantly black with orange or yellow distal portion; sternite VIII yellow. Timbal cavity sharply angled along posterior margin and barely ridged. Timbals with three long ribs spanning the timbal membrane and fused dorsally, the most anterior one considerably widened on its lower half, and a fourth rudimentary long rib missing much of its central portion; the anterior third of the timbal membrane devoid of ribs except for one very thin rib tight against the most anterior part of timbal membrane.

Male genitalia ( Figs 57a–b ). Pygofer often orange with black in varying proportions on basal half, sometimes predominantly black or dark brown except for dull orange basal and upper lobes and between upper lobe and dorsal beak. Basal lobes well developed but in lateral view mostly hidden; upper lobes large, in lateral view gradually tapering, slightly upturned, bluntly pointed. Claspers in lateral view broadly rounded distally, in ventral view with apex blunt but minutely and equally bi-lobed. Aedeagus with pseudoparameres curved in lateral view, almost straight and diverging in dorsal view.

Female ( Fig. 14b ). Similar to male. Abdominal segment 9 long, in dorsal view at least half as long again as width of its base; orange, usually with a subdorsal black fascia on basal two thirds that is widest at its base but otherwise slender, and usually a black ventral margin and a black spot laterally; in some individuals the black more extensive with extreme cases entirely black except for apical region. Ovipositor sheath black, projecting beyond dorsal beak no more than 1 mm.

Measurements. Range and mean (in mm) for 10 males, 10 females (includes smallest and largest available specimens). Length of body (including head): male 16.3–21.5 (19.7); female (including ovipositor) 19.3–26.5 (21.9). Length of forewing: male 18.1–28.0 (24.3); female 22.8–30.9 (26.3). Width of head (including eyes): male 5.0–7.0 (6.3); female 6.2–7.5 (6.8). Width of pronotum (across lateral angles): male 5.4–7.9 (6.8); female 6.2–7.9 (7.1).

Distinguishing features. Males of Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n. are difficult to separate from those of P. amnica sp. n. and are best distinguished by the black markings on tergites 5–7. In P. rhythmica these are either entirely black or if partly orange then the black always bisects the orange along the dorsal midline of each segment; in P. amnica all these segments are partly or entirely orange and are never completely bisected by black on any segment. Further, sternites III and IV in P. rhythmica nearly always have distinct areas of black centrally, these missing in P. amnica .

Females can be distinguished by the length of the ovipositor sheath. In P. rhythmica the ovipositor sheath protrudes no more than 1 mm beyond the dorsal beak but in P. amnica it protrudes close to 2 mm.

Song ( Figs 58a–c ). Song recordings were obtained from the WAU.SSD, WAU.BOY, and WAU.MAN paratype locations plus the following sites: S. of Serpentine (32º31.400’S 115º58.244’E); N. of Boyup Brook (33º48.391’S 116º26.742’E); N. of Bunbury (WA.GCC, 33º20.237’S 115º40.784’E), Brunswick Junction (33º15.108’S 115º50.456’E), Pinjarra (32º38.413’S 115º52.12’E), Porongurup National Park (WA.PNP, 34º40.539’S 117º52.266’E), and Manjimup (34º14.094’S 116º8.546’E).

Because males usually sang from high stations, often out of sight of the recordist, we recorded only uncollected males. However, one male was captured singing on the ground near a mercury vapour light trap, so we are confident that the song below is produced by P. rhythmica .

This is the first Pyropsalta song to be described. Males sing a continuous song consisting of a train of extremely resonant clicks produced at about 6–8 per second. The clicks are very sharp, with most of the sound energy contained within a single pulse around 1–2.5 ms long. Measuring this parameter was difficult because males in close proximity synchronize their songs with remarkable precision, such that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the song of a nearby focal male from the background of conspecifics. Most sound energy is concentrated in the range 6–10.5 kHz, with a peak intensity around 8–9.6 kHz. There is no frequency modulation.

A few recordings suggest that males skip one pulse occasionally while remaining in synch with the chorus. This is a possible mechanism by which the male might cue replies from receptive females, but additional confirmation is needed.

Figures

FIGURE 58. Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n., male calling song. (58a, b) oscillogram and spectrogram of a short segment from the holotype locality (23°C); (58c) further detail of pulse structure.

FIGURES 8–14. (8) Erempsalta hermannsburgensis (Distant, 1907), male; (9) Calipsalta fumosa gen. et sp. n., male; (10) Calipsalta viridans gen. et sp. n., female; (11) Calipsalta brunnea gen. et sp. n., male; (12a) Pyropsalta patula sp. n., male; (12b) Pyropsalta patula sp. n., female; (13a) Pyropsalta amnica sp. n., male; (13b) Pyropsalta amnica sp. n., female; (14a) Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n., male (14b) Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n., female.

FIGURES 56–57. Pyropsalta rhythmica sp. n. (56) distribution; (57a) male genitalia in lateral view; (57b) same in ventral view.