Andeocalynda aspericollis, Hennemann & Conle, 2020

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2020, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXIV: Andeocalynda n. gen., a new genus of Andean stick insects, with the descriptions of nine new species from Colombia and Ecuador (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerinae), Zootaxa 4896 (3), pp. 301-341 : 307-308

Andeocalynda aspericollis n. gen., n. sp.

( Fig. 4 )

HT, ♂: Central Ecuador—Cordillera : Prov. Azuay, Cuenca Ģ Loja km35, 3300 m, S 03°10' W 079°01', leg. Hennemann, Conle & Friede 14.–15.IX.2003, Jungle vegetation [ ZSMC, coll. FH] .

PT, ♂: Ecuador: Prov. Azuay, road Cuenca to Loja, km 35, 3300 m, S 03°10’ W 079°01’, leg. Hennemann, Conle & Friede 15.IX.2003 [coll. OC, No. 0539-1]

Diagnosis: In having a granulose mesonotum and mesopleurae ♂♂ ( Figs. 4 C–D) of this small new species are similar to A. densegranulosa n. sp. but they differ by having the thoracic granules and nodes more numerous and notably more pronounced, having the anal segment somewhat more tectinate and higher in lateral aspect and the cerci with the apex less swollen and obtuse ( Fig. 4E ). Both species also share a poculum that lacks a central node or protuberance ( Fig. 4E ).

Etymology: The name refers to the irregularly granulose and nodulose mesonotum and mesopleurae of this new species.

♂♂ ( Fig. 4 ): Small (body length 54.2–58.0 mm) for the genus. Body surface dull. General colouration of the unique HT plain greyish ochre. The larger nodes of the mesonotum and mesopleurae pale cream. Longitudinal median bulge of the meso- and metasternum of somewhat paler colour. Vomer dull greyish brown. Antennae with an orange hue and becoming somewhat paler towards the apex.

Head: Elongate, sub-cylindrical, about 1.8x longer than wide and roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect with the genae very slightly narrowing towards the posterior ( Figs. 4 C–D). Entire head capsule weakly constricted posteriorly. Vertex flattened with a fine and impressed coronal line. Between the bases of the antennae with two low, reddish brown swellings. Eyes moderately projecting, sub-circular in outline and their diameter contained about 3.1x in length of genae. Antennae reaching about halfway along abdominal segment VI. Scapus gradually flattened towards the base, roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect and about 1.3x longer than wide. Pedicellus round in cross-section, club-like and about 2/3 the length of scapus.

Thorax: Pronotum of similar dimensions as head, roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect and almost 1.8x longer than wide. Surface with a indistinctly impressed longitudinal median line, the transverse median sulcus weakly pronounced almost straight and just not reaching to lateral margins of segment. Mesothorax 3.2x longer than head and pronotum combined; very indistinctly widened in posterior portion. Mesonotum with numerous distinct granules and nodes along the lateral surfaces, that are roughly and irregularly arranged in two longitudinal rows; nodes of the outer row more pronounced ( Fig. 4C ). Otherwise just with a few scattered minute granules. A longitudinal median row of nodes on mesopleurae. The mesosternum with a shallow longitudinal median bulge and a few minute, scattered granules in the lateral portions. Metathorax generally as mesothorax but all granules less pronounced.

Abdomen: Median segment roughly half the length of metanotum, about 4x longer than wide and very gently narrowed medially; smooth. Segment II 1.3x longer than median segment; II–IV slightly decreasing in length, V and VI about equal and length and VII somewhat longer than preceding segment. All about uniform in diameter; smooth all around. Sterna II–VIII with a faint and shallow longitudinal median keel. Tergum VIII 2/3 the length of VII and indistinctly gradually widened towards the posterior. IX just slightly shorter than VIII and narrowed in the posterior half; the lateral margins weakly rounded and deflexed towards the posterior. Both with an obtuse longitudinal bulge on lateral margins. Anal segment about 2/3 the length of IX, tectiform, somewhat narrowed towards the posterior and with a slight longitudinal bulge dorso-laterally; the posterior margin with a distinct median indention and the lateral portions swollen, broadly rounded in lateral aspect ( Fig. 4E ), somewhat labiate and set with numerous minute denticles interiorly. Vomer slender, elongate with a longitudinal furrow medially and mostly concealed by paraprocts in the unique specimen at hand. Cerci of moderate length, about half as long as anal segment and notably projecting beyond apex of abdomen; almost round in cross-section with the apical portion somewhat incurved and the apex obtuse ( Fig. 4E ). Poculum large, bulgy, strongly convex, obtusely angular in lateral aspect with the apex somewhat compressed laterally and the basal portion weakly carinate medio-longitudinally; slightly higher than tergum IX and almost reaching to posterior margin of that tergum ( Fig. 4E ).

Legs: All long and moderately slender, entirely unarmed and all carinae minutely setose. Profemora almost equal in length the head, pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora a little longer than mesothorax, metafemora reaching about halfway along abdominal segment VII and metatibiae projecting considerably over apex of abdomen. All basitarsi very elongate and>1.5x longer than remaining tarsomeres combined.

Comments: Females and eggs unknown.

Distribution: S-Ecuador: Azuay Province (Cuenca Ģ Loja km35, S 03°10' W 079°01', 3300 m).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Andeocalynda aspericollis n. sp. HT, ♂ [ZSMC]. A. Habitus dorsolateral view; B. Habitus dorsal view; C. Head, prothorax and basal portion of mesothorax in lateral view; D. Head, prothorax and basal portion of mesothorax in dorsal view; E. Apex of abdomen in lateral view.