Pseudonicsara (Cercana) stridulans, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 61-62

Pseudonicsara (Cercana) stridulans sp. n.

Figs. 5, 25, 47, 76, 124, 157, 196, 217, 251, 290, 333, 383–384, 416, 466, 509, 532, map 4.

Holotype (male): Indonesia, Papua: Nieuw Guinea Exp. K.N.A.G. 1939, Paniai [Danau Paniai, 3° 50' S, 136° 15' E], 1.X.1939, depository: Collectio Fer Willemse, Eygelshoven, Netherlands ( CW), later to be deposited in Naturalis , Leiden ( RMNH).

Paratypes: 1 male, 2 females, same data as holotype ( RMNH) .

Diagnosis. The new species is unique for the strongly widened dorsal field of the male tegmen ( Fig. 5). It is close to P. furcata and lives in the same area. Apart from the male tegmen (compare Fig. 5 with Fig. 6), it differs from this and other Cercana species that have the tenth abdominal tergite with short apical lobes by the shapes of the two apico-internal processes of the cercus, the ventral process being long, band-shaped, with a spinule at tip ( Fig. 251), the dorsal process divided into two lobes ( Fig. 196); the subgenital plate being longer than wide and having a narrow apical excision and long, stout styli ( Fig. 290); and by the shape of the apical parts of the titillators ( Figs. 383–384). The female is characterised by the subgenital plate with the lobes being not globular, the median carina reaching the bottom of the apical excision ( Fig. 466). From the similar P. furcata , it differs by the apical lobes of the subgenital plate being acute-triangular ( Fig. 466) and the basolateral grooves being smaller and open laterally ( Fig. 509). Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 0.8 mm, from base 1.2 mm; dorsal eye length 1.3 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.5 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.9. Fastigium verticis strongly compressed; median ocellus projecting. Face rugose ( Fig. 25). Tegmen very little surpassing hind knees, costal field broad in basal two thirds, suddenly narrowed in apical third; dorsal field also considerably widened except in apical third ( Fig. 5). Prosternal spine much shorter than coxa. Pro- and mid femur strongly compressed and mid femur also elongate. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 0–3 minute external, 2–5 minute internal; mid femur 4–5 external, 0–1 internal; hind femur 5–8 external, no internal.

Male ( Fig. 5). Stridulatory area of tegmen widened and prolonged. Stridulatory file sinuate, 1.9 mm long; teeth rather large, only at very apex narrow; with 66 teeth (of which 52 are large teeth) or 34.6 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 29.0 teeth per mm ( Fig. 76). Mirror about circular except for straight fore margin; apical margin rounded; 1.7 mm long, 1.7 mm wide; index length:width 1.0. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse but slightly globular in middle ( Fig. 124); central and apical areas setose; apical margin roundly excised in middle and tergite somewhat membranous in front of excision, with short obtuse lobes on both sides of excision with apices curved ventrad ( Fig. 217). Epiproct semicircular with a shallow furrow in midline ( Fig. 157). Projection of paraproct compressed (collapsed?), obtuse. Cerci short cylindrical, slightly curved; internal surface concave ( Fig. 217); apex strongly curved mediad and divided into two triangular lobes: dorsal lobe with obtuse apex, ventral lobe with a spine at tip; ventro-internal surface just in front of apical lobes with a long, narrow, compressed and slightly sinuate projection with a spinule at tip ( Figs. 157, 251). Subgenital plate with styli long and stout, of almost half the length of the subgenital plate ( Fig. 290).

Titillators with basal parts broad, longitudinally curved; apical parts ovoid, rather narrow, internal surface dark with clinging hairs; margin granular, hyaline, with a small apico-lateral projection with irregular margin ( Figs. 333, 383–384, 416).

Female. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse, apex triangularly excised in middle. Subgenital plate with a strong median carina; surface with a large groove at each side of carina; lateral margins extended dorsad and slightly projecting apicad, on lateral surface with a round pit; apex divided into two triangular lobes ( Figs. 466, 509, 532).

Coloration. Uniformly ochreous brown (discoloured and partly green when alive?). Face reddish brown in ventral area, clypeus and mandibles also reddish, tip of mandibles black. Tegmen brown with light veinlets but pattern little conspicuous.

Measurements (2 males, 2 females): body male 26–27, female 29–30; pronotum male 6.7–6.8, female 6.3–6.5; tegmen male 22–22, female 22–23.5; hind femur male 14–14.5, female 14.5–16; ovipositor 14.5–15 mm.

Etymology. Named for the enlarged stridulatory area of male tegmina.