Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) ithakii Rampini, Di Russo, 2008

Rampini, Mauro, Russo, Claudio Di, Pavesi, Francesca & Cobolli, Marina, 2008, The genus Dolichopoda in Greece. A description of new species from the Ionian Regions and Peloponnisos (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae), Zootaxa 1923 (1), pp. 1-17 : 7

Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) ithakii Rampini, Di Russo sp. nov.

( Figs 19–24 )

Diagnosis. In general, it is very similar to D. gasparoi of Lefkada. However, the new species is smaller in size, the lateral expansions of the tenth tergite are less developed and have a different shape. Furthermore, the lateral lobes of the subgenital plate have no apical styli and there are less spines on the meta tibia.

Typical locality. The Marmarospilia (cave of the Nymphs) is near Vathy, the principal town of the island at an altitude of 180 metres a.s.l. The cave, which is of considerable archaeological and faunal interest, following a short and narrow entrance, opens into a big oval chamber which continues into a narrow rising tunnel. The fauna associated with the Dolichopoda is predominantly composed of isopoda, spiders and dipterans.

Etymology. The species is named after the Island of Ithaki.

Material examined: Holotype male: Ithaki Isl. , Prefecture of Kefalonia , near Vathy, Marmarospilia 180 m a.s.l., lat 38° 21’ 86’’ N, long 20° 41’ 97’’ E, 16.VI.2004, F. Gasparo leg. Paratypes: same locality, data and collector as for holotype 1 male, 2 female nymphs ( MZUR, PCR) .

Description. Male (holotype). The species is relatively small in size and has a similar colouring to the preceding species. The head is paler in colour, the top being slightly convex. The rostral tubercles of the vertex are considerably reduced. The thorax is similar to the preceding species. The legs are long and light yellow. The femora are unarmed, while the fore tibia is armed on the upper edge by 1/2 spines and 4/4 spines on both sides of the ventral edge. Mid tibia with 3/5 short spines on both sides of the upper edge and 5/5 spines on the ventral edge. The hind tibia has 20/23 spines of differing size on both sides of the upper edge and 1/4 spines on the inferior edge. Tenth tergite similar to D. gasparoi . However, the post-lateral tubercles of the upper edge are cone-like in form and bigger ( Figs 19, 20 ). Subgenital plate spherical with a deep incision which narrows at the apex, in lateral aspect, the lateral lobes appear pubescent and are triangular with curved edges; there are no apical styli ( Figs 21, 22 ). Epiphallus slender, particularly sclerotized, curved and has a pointed apex. The basal processes are little developed, while the posterior processes are non-diverging ( Figs 23, 24 ). The accessory apparatus has a dorsal part which is little sclerotized, is triangular in shape and is rounded at the apex. The even valves are quite triangular in shape.

Length (mm): body 16,0; pronotum 4,0; fore femora 16,0; mid femora 16,5; hind femora 26,0; fore tibia 19,0, mid tibia 18,5; hind tibia 31,5; hind tarsus 12,5; 1 st article of hind tarsus 6,0.

Female unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 19–24. Dolichopoda ithakii male: 19– X tergite, dorsal view, 20– posterior view; 21– Genital plate, dorsal view, 22– lateral view; 23– Epiphallus, dorsal view, 24– lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm.