Pauropsalta torrensis, POPPLE, 2013

POPPLE, L. W., 2013, A revision of the Pauropsalta annulata Goding & amp; Froggatt species group (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) based on morphology, calling songs and ecology, with investigations into calling song structure, molecular phylogenetic relationships and a case of hybridisation between two subspecies , Zootaxa 3730 (1), pp. 1-102 : 56-58

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3730.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0C2C146B-FEE4-4150-A6D3-B3A5E5491E8B
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5270960
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FC8964-FF84-AE65-FF62-FA2FD145434E
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Pauropsalta torrensis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Pauropsalta torrensis View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 2J View FIGURE 2 , 4K View FIGURE 4 , 22E View FIGURE 22 , 27E–F View FIGURE 27 , 28 View FIGURE 28 , 31B View FIGURE 31 , 34 View FIGURE 34 )

Types: Holotype: ♂ ‘ AUSTRALIA / Qld / Torrens Creek via Hughenden’, ‘m. v. lamp / 20–21.xi.2005 ’, ‘ L. Popple & N. Hando’, ‘385-0002’, ‘ QM Reg. No. T 156327’ ( QM) ; Paratypes: QUEENSLAND: 4♂ 65km E. of Hughenden , 4.ii.1981, Moulds & Moulds ( MSM) ; 1♂ Torrens Ck, old road xing E. of Torrens Ck township , N. Qld, 4.ii.2006, Ewart, light, 20°46.05'S 145°01.76'E ( AE) GoogleMaps ; 3♂ 2♀ Torrens Creek via Hughenden , m. v. lamp , 20–21.xi.2005, Popple & Hando ( LWP) ; 1f # Torrens Creek via Hughenden , m. v. lamp , 20–21.xi.2005, Popple & Hando, 385- 0005 ( QM) ; 1♀ Torrens Creek township, 90km E. of Hughenden, Qld , 3.ii.1981, Moulds & Moulds ( MSM) .

Diagnosis ( Figs 4K View FIGURE 4 , 22E View FIGURE 22 , 27E–F View FIGURE 27 , 31B View FIGURE 31 ). Both males and females entirely match the morphological description given for P. subtropica given above.

Distinguishing features. Males and females are identical to those of P. subtropica in morphology; however, fundamental differences are evident in the structure of the male calling song (see below). In addition, P. torrensis is distributed parapatrically in relation to P. subtropica . In other words, the latter species occurs west to the White Mountains area, adjacent to the currently recognised eastern limit of the distribution of P. torrensis . The two species also occur in association with a completely different soil types (see below). This may also be useful for identification purposes.

Measurements. N= 10 ♂ 4 ♀. Ranges and means (in parentheses), mm; BL: ♂ 12.4–13.9 (13.2); ♀ 13.4–15.6 (14.2); FWL: ♂ 14.7–16.0 (15.4); ♀ 16.0–17.6 (16.7); FWB: ♂ 4.9–5.7 (5.4); ♀ 5.3–5.7 (5.5); HW: ♂ 3.8–4.5 (4.3); ♀ 4.5–4.8 (4.6); PW: ♂ 3.3–3.7 (3.4); ♀ 3.6–3.8 (3.7); AW: ♂ 3.6–4.1 (3.9); ♀ 3.6–4.1 (3.9); OL: ♀ 4.4–4.5 (4.5).

Etymology. Named after Torrens Creek, a township in central Queensland, which forms part of the very restricted distribution of this species and is also the locality from which most of the type material was collected.

Distribution and Ecology ( Figure 28 View FIGURE 28 ). Restricted to a small area of central Queensland west of the Burra Range, from 65 km east of Hughenden east to Torrens Creek. Populations occur in association with eucalypts (including E. xanthoclada ) growing on flats. Adults are present from at least November to February.

Geological and Pedological Associations. Occurs in deep kandosols on a highly weathered Cainozoic sandplain.

Calling Song ( Fig. 2J View FIGURE 2 , 34 View FIGURE 34 ). The calling song of P. torrensis is unusual within the P. annulata species group, in that both echemes in the lilting song are of almost equal duration. The lilting component comprises a short echeme (1–4 syllables, 0.011 – 0.036 s) followed by a short silence (0.029 – 0.048 s), another short echeme (1–3 syllables, 0.011 – 0.031 s) and a long silence (0.061 – 0.140 s) (all statistics, n=8 individuals). Buzzing components are brief and comprise a run of short echemes (1–3 syllables, 0.018 – 0.030 s) punctuated by short silences (0.029 – 0.045 s). The call has a phrase repetition rate of 0.112 – 0.230 s, syllable repetition rate of 90–110 Hz and highest amplitude dominant frequency from 9.1–11.0 kHz, with a broad plateau from ~8.0–14.0 kHz. Male–female duets have yet to be heard and recorded from this species.