Nicklephyllum, Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., 2016

Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., 2016, New taxa and some clarification of the tribe Steirodontini (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Phaneropterinae): Tenth contribution to the suprageneric organization of Neotropical phaneropterines, Zootaxa 4208 (3), pp. 237-248 : 239

Nicklephyllum n. gen.

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Orthoptera .speciesfile.org:TaxonName:479185 ( Figs 1–6 )

Description. Eyes globose and prominent, fastigium of the vertex laterally compressed, dorsally sulcate and apically obtusely rounded. Apex of frontal fastigium obtusely rounded, almost touching the fastigium of the vertex, fronts without white stripe (common in Stilpnochlora ) (fig. 3). Latero-posterior carine of pronotal disc strongly dentate and elevated; pronotal disc divided by a shallow anterior sulcus between the spines 1 and 2 and across posterior quadrant by a deep posterior sulcus. Posterior margin of disc nearly truncate, armed with one median and two small lateral spines. Middle-posterior region of the disc black. Lateral lobe of pronotum deeper than long (fig. 2). Meso and metasternal lobes apically arcuate, bluntly pointed; mesosternal lobes not extending to anterior margin of metasternum. Procoxal spine absent. Tympana symmetrical, both sides similarly conchate covering tympana 90–95% (figs. 7–8). Legs slender, hind femur and tibia armed with medium size spines (fig. 9). Tegmina rectangular, longer than wide, costal and anal margins subparallel, apex slightly rounded venation conspicuous with several cross-veins. (fig. 4–6) Tenth tergite truncate, not at all produced. Cerci cylindrical and armed on apex with a single tooth. Subgenital plate with two articulated styles (fig 10–11).

Etymology. The genus is named after Dr. David A. Nickle, in recognition of his valuable contributions in the study of the Neotropical Tettigoniidae .

Type species. Nicklephyllum acanthonotum ( Nickle, 1985) n. comb.

Comparison. Initially N. acanthonotum (fig. 1) was included within the genus Stilpnochlora , but among the species described in Stilpnochlora, Nicklephyllum differs by the following features: eyes more prominent; frons without medial white strip, that strip is common on the front of Stilpnochlora species. Procoxal spine absent in Nicklephyllum while slightly or well developed in Stilpnochlora . Nicklephyllum presents the thorns on hind femur and tibia more developed and stronger compared to Stilpnochlora species. The tegmina are rectangular, with the anal and costal margins subparallel and with conspicuous venation, unlike Stilpnochlora having ovoid tegmina and moderately thin venation. Tympanum symmetric and largely covered, the Stilpnochlora tympana is asymmetric and the most covered is the inner side, not exceed 50% of coverage. Cerci armed with a single tooth at the apex (in Stilpnochlora with two apical teeth). The only species of Stilpnochlora which has teeth on the lateral carinae of the pronotal disc is S. incisa , but these are only weakly developed. The pigmentation on the posterior margin of the disc is as in Stilpnochlora species, but similar coloration occurs on the pronotum of Steirodon validum ( Nickle, 1985) .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Nicklephyllum acanthonotum (Nickle, 1985) n. comb. 1. Live male (Photo: P. Bertner). 2. Head and pronotum in dorsal view. 3. Head. 4. left tegmina. 5 – 6. stridulatory apparatus of male tegmina: 5. Left tegmen. 6. Right tegmen.