Australiagraecia minuta Rentz, Su and Ueshima, 2021

Rentz, Dcf, Su, You Ning & Ueshima, Norihiro, 2021, Studies in Australian Tettigoniidae: New short-winged Agraeciini from Australia (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Conocephalinae; Agraeciini), Zootaxa 5059 (2), pp. 1-72 : 11-12

Australiagraecia minuta Rentz, Su and Ueshima Gen. et sp. nov.

( Fig. 1C ; Figs 3 A-C; Fig. 20B ; Fig. 22a F ; Table 1 , Map 3 )

3 Named with reference to the species’ small size.

Common name. Small Heath-loving Katydid

Holotype male. (In alcohol). 1. “ 29 o 49’S 114 o 59’E 27 km W. of Eneabba , 9.ix.1981 (DCF Rentz, Stop 70, 1 male ” 2. “collected as nymph, matured in laboratory 12.x.1981 Cytol. prep. 81-253”. 3. “ ANIC database #14008743.”

Paratype. 29 o 33’S 115 o 06’E 32 km NNW of Eneabba , 24.x.1984 (DCF Rentz, Stop 63, 1 female, collected as nymph, matured in laboratory 12.xii.1984, ANIC) .

Type locality. At the time of collection, the type locality was typical of the Sand Plain country with dense low shrubbery, scattered tall trees and an abundance of seasonal wildflowers. The condition of this site at this writing is unknown. This site area was used by many of the students of WJ Bailey, University of Western Australia, Dept. of Zoology , for many of their studies of tettigoniid acoustics, individual spacing and territorial home ranges .

Differential Diagnosis. Size small for genus, form robust. Prothorax with processes short, robust; meso- and metathoracic processes robust, tuberculate. Male cercus elongate, directed posteriorly and weakly directed downwards ( Fig. 3A ); apex of tenth tergite undulating ( Fig. 3A ) paraprocts undeveloped; phallus a small bilobed, membranous structure ( Fig. 3C ), no sclerotised rods at base; subgenital plate with styles elongate, but shorter than length of one side of median incision ( Fig. 3A ).

Female. Differs from male in following: tenth tergite not modified; cercus very elongate; subgenital plate broadly triangulate, much broader than long, apex with narrow notch. Ovipositor very elongate, much longer than length of specimen, gracefully upcurved.

Distribution. Known only from the vicinity of the type locality ( Fig. 1B ) ( Map 3 )

Habitat. This katydid lives on or near the ground in the dense tangle of twigs and leaf litter. It would seem to be very susceptible to wildfire and clearing.

Seasonal occurrence. As with other in the genus, adults can be expected from mid spring and into the summer months.

Stridulatory file. Fig. 20B . 41 teeth. Largest teeth at proximal end, gradually decreasing in size to tip.

Song. Unknown.

Karyotype. 2n male =31 (30T+Xt), Fig. 22a F Holotype karyotype.

Recognition. Recognised by the small size ( Table 1 ) and the small, bilobed phallus lacking any sclerotization. Females with the ovipositor much longer than the length of the individual.

Discussion. Known only from 2 specimens but males with distinctive cerci and phallic complex.

Figures

FIG. 1. Legends for Habitats. A. Tutanning Nature Reserve, Western Australia. B. Vicinity of Eneabba, Western Australia. C. Stirling Ranges, Western Australia. D. Jandakot, Western Australia. E. Silver Valley Rd, Queensland. F. Near Coolgardie, Western Australia. G. Cooloola National Park, Queensland. H. Stirling Ranges, Western Australia. I. Vicinity of Narrogin, Western Australia.

FIG. 3. Australiagraecia minuta. A. Tip of abdomen, holotype male. Note irregular margin of tenth tergite, broad supra-anal plate with shallow median sulcus and elongate styles of subgenital plate. B. Male tegmen. C. Phallic complex. Note divided median lobe, minutely shagreened.

FIG. 20. Stridulatory files. A. Australiagraecia spina holotype. B. Australiagraecia minuta. C. Ganiagraecia karwnia, Cytol. prep. 85-19. D. Ganiagraecia karwinia, S-363. E. Gwynnagraecia viridis, Kerragullen. F. Gwynnagraecia perplexa, Fitzgerald River. G. Latitatagraecia kalamaya, Cytol. prep. 2001-1. H. Latitatagraecia vulgivaga, Cytol. prep. 88-66. I. Cooloolagraecia wallum, paratopotype. J. Cooloolagraecia gubbi, paratopotype. K. Kokominiagraecia dicra, S-373. L. Coptaspis sp. 2. M. Timabarragraecia samneilli, paratopotype.

FIG. 22A. Cytology. A. Australiagraecia spina holotype. B. Australiagraecia spina, Cytol. prep. 81-81. C. Australiagraecia spina, South Australia Cytol. prep. 78-32. D. Australiagraecia helleri, Cytol. prep. 81-154. E. Australiagraecia helleri, Cytol. prep. 82-147. F. Australiagraecia minuta, Holotype. G. Australiagraecia tagera, Cytol. prep. 81-111.

MAP. 3.