Trychopeplus mashpiensis Conle, Valero & Hennemann, 2024

Conle, Oskar V., Valero, Pablo & Hennemann, Frank H., 2024, A new Trychopeplus species (Phasmatodea, Diapheromerinae, Cladomorformia) discovered from Ecuador’s enigmatic Chocó ecoregion, ZooKeys 1217, pp. 309-326 : 309-326

Trychopeplus mashpiensis Conle, Valero & Hennemann sp. nov.

Figs 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

Material examined.

Holotype • ♂; Ecuador: Prov. Pichincha, Parroquia de Pacto, Mashpi Lodge ; 0°09'58.0"N, 78°52'38.4"W; 800–1000 m; leg. Cisneros, Conle, Valero & Hennemann 1–4.10. 2023. [ ZSFQ] . Paratype • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; 10 eggs: Ecuador: Prov. Pichincha, Parroquia de Pacto, Mashpi Lodge ; 0°09'58.0"N, 78°52'38.4"W; 800–1000 m; leg. Cisneros, Conle, Valero & Hennemann 1–4.10. 2023. [ ZSFQ] . Paratype • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; 10 eggs: Ecuador: Prov. Pichincha, Parroquia de Pacto, Mashpi Lodge ; 0°09'58.0"N, 78°52'38.4"W; 800–1000 m; leg. Cisneros, Conle, Valero & Hennemann 1–4.10. 2023. [ ZSM] .

Differential diagnosis.

T. mashpiensis sp. nov. is clearly distinguishable from T. laciniatus and T. thaumasius by the shape of its ornamentation, which is spiny in the new species and consists of irregular foliar lobes in T. laciniatus and T. thaumasius . Additionally, the distribution of T. laciniatus appears to be restricted to Central America (Fig. 1 ). Furthermore, the eggs of T. laciniatus and T. thaumasius have capsules densely covered with long, hair-like yellowish fringes, whereas in T. mashpiensis sp. nov. the capsule surface is smooth (Fig. 2 ).

The female of the new species is similar to T. spinosolobatus , of which the male and egg are unknown. However, they can be easily differentiated by the shape of the spines, the ornamentation of the femora, and the length of the subgenital plate. In T. mashpiensis sp. nov., the tips of the body spines are acute, while in T. spinosolobatus they are clearly rounded. The femoral ornamentation of T. mashpiensis sp. nov. consists only of two pairs of foliar lobes (Figs 3 D , 4 D ), whereas T. spinosolobatus has four, which are also larger. As for the subgenital plate, in T. mashpiensis sp. nov. it is approximately 1.2 times the length of the last three tergites combined, whereas in T. spinosolobatus it is much longer, measuring about 1.7 times the length of the last three tergites. Additionally, the distribution of T. spinosolobatus , although somewhat uncertain, seems to encompass Venezuela and Colombia ( Hennemann and Conle 2024), while the new species is only known from the northwest of Ecuador (Fig. 1 ).

Description.

The colouration is described mostly from photographs of live specimens. Table 1 presents the detailed measurements of the Holotype, as well as the measurement ranges of the Paratypes deposited in two official collections.

♀♀ (Figs 3 , 5 , 6 ). Of medium size for the genus (body length 79.6–85.6 mm), it features numerous spines of varying sizes across the head, thorax, and abdomen; and a relatively short subgenital plate for the genus. Its overall body and limb colouration range from medium to dark brown and olive green, with an irregular pattern occasionally speckled with small white or cream marks. Lime green eyes exhibit irregular dark brown lines. Antennae can be divided into a pattern formed out of groups of antennomeres, gradually darkening towards the apex of each group of antennomeres. The pronotum displays a thin, black, dorsolongitudinal line that gradually fades or even disappears towards its posterior half. In dorsal view, the metanotum displays two cream-coloured diagonal bands arranged in a “ V ” shape, with the apex touching the posterior margin of the metanotum.

Head. The head is ovoid, with the occiput strongly convex, approximately 1.4 times longer than wide. The vertex features two dorsolateral formations of spines or conical protuberances, arranged more or less in line, two of which are prominently larger and slightly pointing towards the posterior. Additionally, irregular and much smaller conical protuberances are present between these formations, as well as on the genae. The eyes are medium-sized, nearly circular in shape, projecting almost hemispherically, and their diameter is approximately twice the length of the genae. The antennae are filiform and reach the posterior margin of abdominal segment V. The scape is dorsoventrally compressed, with the outer lateral margin gently concave and approximately 2.1 times longer than wide. The pedicel is round in cross-section and somewhat constricted apically.

Thorax. The entire thorax is densely covered with spine-like protuberances, varying in size and generally exhibiting a degree of bilateral symmetry. The pronotum is approximately 0.75 times the length of the head and 0.9 times its width, with a basically rectangular shape and a slight premedial narrowing. The anterior margin is somewhat elevated. The transverse median sulcus is moderately distinct, curved, and nearly expanding across the entire width of the segment. It features several dorsal spines, arranged approximately parallel to each other; the first pair of spines are simple and small, located just before the transverse median sulcus; the second pair is situated near the posterior margin of the pronotum, larger in size and appearing paired, almost as if forming a single bifurcated structure. The mesothorax is approximately 4.3 times longer than the prothorax and of uniform diameter except for a slight anterior narrowing. Among the spines of the mesonotum, the most prominent are located approximately at the distance of the first and second quarters of its total length. The metanotum is approximately one-third the length of the mesonotum. The posterior margins of the meso- and metanotum exhibit two dorsal spines each, parallel-sided and of medium size, slightly directed backwards.

Abdomen. The abdomen (excluding the subgenital plate) is approximately the same length as the combination of the head and thorax (including the median segment). The median segment is roughly the same size as the metanotum and is more or less quadrangular. Segments II – IX feature prominent dorsoventrally flattened lobes, with rounded margins on the posterior sides of each segment. These lobes gradually increase in size from segment II to VI, and then gradually decrease until segment IX. Segment II is slightly shorter than the median segment and slightly longer than wide. Segments II – V have approximately the same length and width, while from VI to IX, they gradually decrease in length and width. Sternites II – VII exhibit small blunt spines and a medial protuberance on the posterior margin of each segment, covered by small setae. The preopercular organ is barely distinguishable and consists simply of a small, wart-like swelling near the posterior margin of sternite VII; the entire area is dark reddish-brown. The anal segment is slightly longer than tergum IX and has a generally rounded outline, except for a small posterior medial incision and two triangular lateral projections near the base. The epiproct is very small and almost completely hidden beneath the anal segment. The cerci are of similar length to the anal segment, thin, and circular in cross-section; extending clearly beyond the posterior margin of the anal segment. The gonapophyses are moderately enlarged, keeled, and almost reaching the base of the cerci. Gonapophysis VIII is relatively long and slightly curved upwards, reaching approximately the posterior margin of the anal segment or even slightly surpassing it, but never reaching the apex of the subgenital plate. The subgenital plate is shovel-shaped, slightly longitudinally keeled, and projecting approximately 20 % of its total length over the apex of the anal segment; the lateral margins are undulated and the apex is slightly curved downwards.

Legs. All legs are long and slender. Both femora and tibiae are trapezoidal in cross-section, with the two dorsal carinae closely spaced. All femora are strongly curved. Additionally, the profemora are also strongly curved at the base to accommodate the head when aligned in line with the body. The meso- and metafemora feature two pairs of foliaceous lobes on the ventral carinae, one on the outer ventral carina and another on the inner, with rounded edges. The first pair is located approximately at one-third from the base, consisting of semicircular lobes. The second pair is positioned at the posterior end of the profemora, and they are at least twice as long as they are wide. In the profemora, the lobes are similarly arranged but only present on the outer ventral carina. All femora are longer than the mesothorax. All tibiae are slender, more or less straight, slightly longer than the corresponding femur, and lack ornamentation. The basitarsi are slightly shorter than the combined remaining tarsomeres and also lack ornamentation.

♂♂ (Figs 4 , 5 , 7 ). Of medium size for the genus (body length 72.3–74.3 mm), has spines on the head and part of the body, although they are less numerous and smaller compared to those of the female. Similar to other known males of the genus, it has fully developed tegmina and alae.

The general colouration is similar to that of the female, though usually with less green. The tegmina and the costal area of the alae follow the same colouration pattern as the rest of the body, while the anal area of the wings is uniformly translucent ochre. The cerci are light green.

Head. The head is very similar to that of the female, but with smaller ornamentation. However, the eyes are proportionally larger, with a diameter approximately 1.4 times the length of the genae. Ocelli absent. The antennae, although similar to those of the female, are proportionally longer, reaching and even slightly exceeding the total body length.

Thorax. The thorax ornamentation is very similar to that of the female in terms of the number and position of spines, but these are much smaller, with the smallest considered as small protuberances rather than spines. The pronotum is approximately 0.75 times the length and width of the head, similar in shape to that of the female but with small protuberances instead of spines. The mesothorax is approximately 4.6 times longer than the pronotum and uniformly wide throughout its length. As in the female, the most prominent spines on the mesonotum are arranged in the first and second quarters of its total length; however, they are smaller than in the female, and the remaining spines appear as small protuberances. The metanotum is approximately one-third the length of the mesonotum and, unlike the female, does not have spines on the posterior margins. The tegmina are simple, with a slight elevation at the base of the wings to accommodate them; they are approximately 3.2 times longer than wide and cover a little more than one-third of the total length of the metathorax. The wings are approximately twice as long as they are wide and reach the abdominal segment VI.

Abdomen. The abdomen is approximately the same length as the combined head and thorax (including the median segment). The median segment is 2.7 times longer than the metanotum. As in the female, segments II – IX have flattened lateral lobes near the posterior margin of each segment, but in the males, these are very small and uniformly sized across all segments. Abdominal segment II is approximately 0.5 times the length of the median segment and about three times longer than wide. Segments II – VII are all the same width, while VIII and IX are slightly wider. Segment III is the same length as segment II. From segment IV onwards, the length of each segment gradually decreases slightly. The median segment and tergites II – IX have a smooth surface without ornamentation.

Sternites II – VII have small blunt spines and a medial protuberance on the posterior margin of each segment. The anal segment is approximately 0.6 times the length of tergite IX and, as in the female, has a generally rounded outline, except for a small posterior medial incision and two triangular lateral projections near the base. The cerci are approximately 1.5 times longer than the anal segment, clearly extending beyond its posterior margin; they are slender and circular in cross-section. The vomer is shaped like a sharp spine and dorsoventrally flattened, with the basal half broadly widened. The poculum is shaped like an elongated scoop, with a small basal protuberance in the centre. In ventral view, it is asymmetrical, as the right outer margin presents a small expansion. The posterior margin is rounded and reaches halfway up the anal segment.

Legs. The legs have similar morphology and ornamentation to those of the females, although they are longer, slender, and with less curved femora. All femora are longer than the combined head, pro-, and mesothorax. All tibiae are thin, more or less straight, slightly longer than the corresponding femur, and lack ornamentation. The basitarsi are slightly longer than the remaining tarsomeres combined and also lack ornamentation.

Eggs (Fig. 2 ). Of medium size and atypical appearance for the genus (length 2.9–3.4 mm). The capsule is chestnut brown in colour, ovoid in shape, slightly higher than wide and longer than high. Its surface is adorned with numerous small crater-like pits arranged irregularly. There are no ornamental features such as hairs or fringes. The operculum rises prominently, forming a cone with a strongly rounded apex. The interior of the operculum is hollow and divided into three cavities by a thin, transparent membrane. Three openings in the walls of the operculum connect each of these cavities to the exterior, each surrounded by an irregularly elevated crown-like structure. A fourth opening, lacking an outer crown, is located at the vertex and seemingly provides access to the three cavities. The function of these structures remains unknown to the authors. The micropylar plate is outlined by a contour of reddish-brown colour. It resembles the silhouette of an avocado, approximately a little over half the length of the capsule. It is roughly twice as long as it is wide and is slightly shifted towards the polar area.

Measurements [mm].

Length including operculum 3.6–4.2, length 2.9–3.4, height 2.5–2.8, width 2.2–2.4, length of micropylar plate 1.9–2.1.

Distribution.

So far, the species is known only from the type locality, in the northwest of Pichincha Province, Ecuador.

Etymology.

The epithet mashpiensis refers to the Mashpi Reserve, where the species was discovered, in appreciation for the excellent treatment received from the lodge staff and the scientific team, as well as their significant conservation efforts.

Key to species of Trychopeplus Shelford, 1909

Note. The males of T. spinosolobatus and T. thaumasius remain undescribed.

♀♀ && ♂♂

Figures

Figure 1. Approximate known distribution of four species of Trychopeplus Shelford, 1909 based on available literature.

Figure 2. Egg of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. in dorsal (a), lateral (b) and anterior (c) view. Egg of Trychopeplus laciniatus (Westwood, 1874) in dorsal (d), lateral (e) and anterior (f) view.

Figure 3. Female of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. a habitus in lateral view b head and thorax in dorsolateral view c head, pro- and mesothorax in dorsal view d mesofemora in dorsal view e end of the abdomen in dorsal view f end of the abdomen in lateral view g end of the abdomen in ventral view.

Figure 4. Male of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. a habitus in lateral view b head and thorax in dorsolateral view c head, pro- and mesothorax in dorsal view d mesofemora in dorsal view e end of the abdomen in dorsal view f end of the abdomen in lateral view g end of the abdomen in ventral view h detail of the vomer.

Figure 5. Habitus of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. in dorsal view a male holotype b female paratype.

Figure 6. Females of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. in their natural habitat.

Figure 7. Males of Trychopeplus mashpiensis sp. nov. in their natural habitat.