Dolichopoda apollinea Di Russo and Rampini

Di Russo, Claudio, Allegrucci, Giuliana & Rampini, Mauro, 2023, Molecular and morphological analyses disclose the existence of three species of Dolichopoda (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) in the Calabria region (Italy), Journal of Natural History 57 (5 - 8), pp. 372-394 : 382-387

Dolichopoda apollinea Di Russo and Rampini sp. nov.

( Figure 8 )

Type material

Holotype J: Calabria, Pollino Massif, Cassano allo Ionio , Sant ̍ Angelo cave complex, 260 m asl., 14 December 2021, Di Russo and Rampini leg. ( MZUR).

Other material examined

Same locality, date and collector as the holotype: 4J, 3♀, 1 nymph.

Calabria, Pollino Massif, Cerchiara Calabra, Serra del Gufo cave , 15.06 .2019 F . Larocca leg . 2 nymphs; Pollino Massif, S. Lorenzo Bellizzi, Conoide cave , 04.07 .2019 F . Larocca leg . 1J; Pollino Massif, Francavilla Marittima, Caprio cave , 20.10 .2019 F . Larocca leg . 1♀, 2 nymphs.

Type locality

The Sant̍ Angelo cave complex is a group of 16 more or less developed caves located at the base of the karst hill named ′il muraglione̍. Two of these, situated at 260 m asl, are more than 1000 m long ( Larocca 2003).

Etymology

The name of the new taxon refers to the ancient appellation of the Pollino Massif as Apollo Mountain.

Diagnosis

The new taxon is different from the other Calabrian species in the smaller size of the males, the more squared lobes of the tenth tergum that are strongly haired, and the median process of the epiphallus characterised by a prominent carina extending from the base for more than half its length. On the contrary, the females appear quite similar to D. palpata and D. calabra in the shape of the subgenital plate and the denticulation of the inner valvae of the ovipositor.

Description

Male. Relatively small in size; not uniform in body colour, thorax and abdomen brownish dorsally while paler ventrally. Legs long, uniformly yellowish, with the posterior edge darker. Femora unarmed. Fore tibia armed with 5–6 spines on sides of the lower edge, 3/5 spines on the upper edge. Mid tibia with 5/7 short spines on both sides of the upper edge and 3/4 spines on the lower edge. The hind tibia is longer, with 19/21 spines of varying length on both sides of the upper edge and 3 homogeneous spines on the lower external edge.

Tenth tergum with two almost squared lateral lobes, strongly haired ( Figure 9 (a)). The lobes are separated by a large median depression holding two pronounced conical tubercles. The subgenital plate is globular and deeply incised in the middle; lateral lobes are triangular with two prominent cylindrical styli ( Figures 9 (b,c)). The median process of the epiphallus is almost slender, with a triangular basis. In the middle, a prominent carina occurs from the basis to almost the second half of the total length. In lateral view it is uniformly curved. Narrow basal process with the anterior lobes more developed than the posterior ones ( Figures 9 (d,e)). Plica dorsalis membrane semicircular in shape.

Length (mm): body 15.00; pronotum 4.00; fore femur 15.00; mid femur 15.00; hind femur 24.00; fore tibia 17.00; mid tibia 18.00; hind tibia 30.00; hind tarsus 11.00; 1st article of hind tarsus 6.00.

Female. Relatively larger than male (16–24 mm). Sternites VII, VIII and IX are well developed, showing a prominent posterior edge. Subgenital plate sclerotised, globular and semicircular ( Figure 9 (f)). Ovipositor uniformly curved (12 mm) with the apex of the external valvae strongly acuminated and curved upward. The inferior valvae, with the base almost round, have 17–20 denticles ( Figure 9 (g)).

Figures

Figure 8. Dolichopoda apollinea sp. nov. Male habitus.

Figure 9. Dolichopoda apollinea sp. nov. (a) Male tergum X, dorsal view; (b) male subgenital plate, ventral view; (c) male subgenital plate, lateral view; (d) epiphallus, dorsal view; (e) epiphallus, lateral view; (f) female subgenital plate; (g) ovipositor, lateral view. The arrows highlight differences in the main diagnostic characters as described in the text. Scale bars: 1 mm.