Skejotettix netrajyoti, Subedi, 2022

Subedi, Madan, 2022, A new genus and a new groundhopper species from Nepal (Orthoptera: Tetriginae Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov.), Zootaxa 5205 (1), pp. 35-54 : 43-50

Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype ( Figure 5 ). NEPAL • 1♀; Gandaki Province, Gorkha District, Gandaki Rural Municipality, Ghyalchok , Churlingtar ; 27.80822 o N, 84.71922 o E; 460 m a.s.l; 4 June 2022; M. Subedi leg.; subtropical Sal forest; collected by hand; ANHM

Paratypes (PT1, Figure 6 ). NEPAL • 1♀, 2 ♂; Gandaki Province, Gorkha District, Gandaki Rural Municipality, Ghyalchok , Churlingtar ; 27.80822 o N, 84.71922 o E; 460 m a.s.l; 4 June 2022; M. Subedi leg.; subtropical Sal forest; collected by hand; ANHM

Distribution. Subtropical Sal Forest, Churlingtar, Ghyalchok, Gorkha, Nepal ( Figure 1G, H ).

Etymology. The specific epitheton is a Latinized noun in apposition referring to Shree Netrajyoti Basic School ( Figure 1F ) which lies adjacent to the type locality of the species.

Vernacular name Skejo’s Salhopper

Vernacular name etymology. Named after the dominant vegetation in the type locality, Sal ( Shorea robusta ). The name shows the association of the species to its habitat under the covers of Sal trees.

Measurements. The key measurements of the holotype and the paratypes are presented in Table 2 .

Coloration. The coloration is cryptic, ranging from bright yellow to rusty brown with distinct ( Figure 8A, B, C, E, F, H, I ) or poorly marked ( Figure 8D, G ) post–humeral spots. Most of the individuals have uniform coloration on the pronotum ( Figure 8B, C, D, E, G, H, I ) while some may have differently colored halves of the pronotum ( Figure 8A, F ).

Description (mainly of the female holotype).

Head. Antenna. Filiform type; antennomeres: 16 in female and 15 in male (the apical segments are reduced and not clearly distinguished at 20x magnification when viewed under stereomicroscope, so the apical segment is assumed to have 2 apical segments); upper point of insertion of antennal grooves in level with lower margin of eye Frontal view. Vertex slightly narrower in width than an eye; paired lateral ocelli positioned between the compound eyes, about ¾ of a compound eye height from top; frontal costa bifurcates between compound eyes, above superior ocelli; frontal costa length above the bifurcation about ½ of a compound eye height; scutellum as wide as scapus with gradually widening towards the bottom; median ocellus situated far below the compound eyes, between facial carinae on the place where they end Lateral view. Head very slightly exserted above the pronotum; Frontal costa projecting in front of eyes rounded together with vertex but slightly concave above lateral ocelli Dorsal view. Vertex wider than a compound eye throughout the length; very slightly widening towards the base from the tip.

Anterior margin of the fastigium of vertex truncated, very slightly indrawn in relation to the outer margin of the compound eye. Frontal costa distinctly produced in front of the anterior margin of the compound eyes; medial carina distinct, running to end of fossulae; fossulae deep, elongated, reaching almost to the base of the compound eye; lateral carinae raised to dorsal margin of eyes. Compound eyes do not reach upto the anterior margin of pronotum.

Pronotum. Brachypronotal, reaching only around the mid-length of hind femora; surface granular or tuberculate.

In frontal view, only lateral lobes are visible, directed downwards and slightly sideward.The rest of the pronotum is not visible because of the head. In lateral view whole pronotum is finely granulated, and smooth; the median carina is continuous through the whole pronotum length. Median carina has a slight elevation in the prozona and a weak depression after the prozona. The dorsal margin of the median carina distinctly undulated. Tip of the pronotum not covering the tip of the abdomen. Lateral lobes with truncated apex. The ventral sinus is deeper than the tegminal sinus. The humeroapical carina is short and striped, as well as the external lateral carina of the pronotum. The infrascapular area is long and with parallel margins.

In the dorsal view, the anterior margin of the pronotum is truncated. Prozonal carinae is short and slightly diverging anteriorly; little curved inwards posteriorly. Humeral angle oblique; the tip of the pronotum angularly oblique. Internal lateral carina of the pronotum visible, ending 1 mm before the tip of the pronotum. Humeroapical spots are present (two dark spots).

Wings. Tegmen. Well developed; Free part large, oblong Hind wings. Reduced, not reaching the apex of pronotal process

Legs

Fore legs. Setulose over the entire length; Femora. about 3.36 times long as wide; ventral margin finely serrated; Tibia. setose, dorsal and ventral margins faintly undulated; Tarsus. first segment short (dark brown to black in color), second segment elongated and bears claws.

Mid legs. Femora. about 3.23 times long as wide; Tibia. setose, dorsal and ventral margins faintly undulated, ventral margin with large spines; Tarsus. first segment short (dark brown to black in color), second segment elongated and bears claws.

Hind legs. Femora. robust, about 2.68 times long as wide, dorsal margin finely serrulate; Tibia. dorsal and ventral margins indistinctly to faintly undulated, ventral margin with large spines; Tarsus. first segment long (dark brown to black in color), bears pulvilli with tip spinose, second segment small, third elongated and bears claws.

Differential diagnosis: The new species Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov. is similar to S. muglingi comb. nov.. The major differences are listed in Table 3 .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Investigated localities from different parts of Nepal: A—Bhottar khola, Ghyalchok, Gorkha; B—Buldikhola, Vyas, Tanahun; C—Tirtire khola, Ghyalchok, Gorkha; D—Ghadiyal Breeding Center, Kasara, Chitwan; E—Umari, Shivaraj, Kapilvastu; F—Shree Netrajyoti Basic School, Churlingtar, Ghyalchok, Gorkha and adjacent Sal forest; G-H—Type locality, subtropical Sal forest, Churlingtar, Ghyalchok, Gorkha.

FIGURE 5. Holotype (♀) of Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov. A—Lateral view; B—Dorsal view C—Frontal view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Paratype 1 (♂) of Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov. A—Lateral view; B—Dorsal view C—Frontal view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Variability of color in Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov.

Tables

TABLE 2. Measurements of the holotype (HT) and the paratypes (PT) of Skejotettix netrajyoti gen. et sp. nov.

Body parts	HT(♀)	PT1 (♂)	PT2 (♂)	PT3 (♀)
Pronotum length	6.77 mm	5.48 mm	5.46 mm	7.74 mm
Pronotum lobe width	4.03 mm	3.45 mm	3.44 mm	4.57 mm
Pronotum height	3.19 mm	2.28 mm	2.67 mm	3.42 mm
Post femur length	5.99 mm	5.32 mm	5.07 mm	6.14 mm
Post femur width	2.41 mm	2.07 mm	2.06 mm	2.65 mm
Vertex width	0.71 mm	0.72 mm	0.61 mm	0.79 mm
Eye width	0.68 mm	0.58 mm	0.45 mm	0.71 mm