Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) gasparoi 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 : 5

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

( Figs 10–18 )

Diagnosis. In general, the size and colour are similar to the preceding example. In particular, it is different from D. kiriakii in form of the tenth tergite of the male which has a triangular shaped crest and trapezoidal lateral lobes on the posterior edge. The new species has a slender epiphallus and subgenital plate. Furthermore, the vertex is not prominent, the rostral tubercles are not very evident and the meta tibia has more spines.

Typical locality. The Kirospilia cave is situated south of Evghiros, on the eastern side of a large Karstic depression. The entrance is 150 metres a.s.l. from which two tunnels lead off. The larger tunnel is particularly concretionary and has a rich troglophile fauna.

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to our friend and colleague, Fulvio Gasparo, for his constant and productive biospeleological research in the west Egeide.

Material examined. Holotype male: Lefkada Isl. , Evghiros, Kirospilia, 150 m a.s.l., lat 38° 36’ 95’’ N, long 20° 39’ 20’’ E, 03.IX.2004, F. Gasparo leg. Paratypes: same locality, data and collector as for holotype male, 4 female nymphs; same locality, 28.V.06, P. M. Giachino leg. 1 male, 3 females ( MZUR, PCR) .

Description. Male (holotype). Larger and more intensively coloured than D. kiriakii . The head has tubercles rostral to the vertex which are moderately reduced. The thorax and abdomen are similar to those of D. kiriakii . The 8 th and 9 th abdominal tergites have a posterior edge which is carinate on the median line. In the 9 th, it is more developed and protrudes above the tenth tergite.

The legs are similar to those of D. kiriakii . Fore tibia armed on the superior edge with 1/4 spines and 4/5 spines on the inferior edge. Mid tibia identical to the previous species, while the meta tibia is longer with 22/ 27 varying spines on both borders of the superior edge and 3 spines on the external border of the inferior edge. Tenth tergite has a posterior edge characterized by two large lateral and diverging protuberances which protrude more in the centre; the two lobes separated by a large cavity delimited on the posterior side by a narrow band which unites the lateral tubercles. The tubercles protrude very little in the form of a crest and are situated near the posterior edge ( Figs 10, 11 ). The subgenital plate large, particularly convex and is divided at the apex. In profile, the lateral lobes appear partially triangular, and narrowing at the apex. The superior edges are particularly curved and to the end they have a cavity which contains short apical styli ( Figs 12, 13 ). The epiphallus is sclerotized, and from behind the uneven process appears lengthened and narrowed towards the base, and very arched and acute at the apex ( Fig. 14 ). The basal process is wide, with short anterior and long posterior lobes which are winged and diverging. The profile of the median process shows a clear thickening in the proximal half, while the distal part, it is considerably curved forwards ( Fig. 15 ). The accessory apparatus: uneven dorsal sclerite is moderately sclerotized and triangular in shape and rounded at the apex. The even valves are trapezoidal.

Length (mm): body 19,5; pronotum 4,5; fore femora 17,0; middle femora 16,5; hind femora 26,0; fore tibia 20,0; mid tibia 21,0; hind tibia 34,0; hind tarsus 12,5; 1 st article of hind tarsus 6,0.

Female. The length of the body ranges between 20 and 23 mm (excluding the ovipositor). The general appearance of the female is similar to the male, this includes the leg spination. Subgenital plate large, triangular with a rounded apex; sides have two diverging protrusions which diverge towards the base ( Figs 16, 17 ). The 7th abdominal sternite is characterized by a cone-like protuberance with a rounded apex. In lateral profile, it is very prominent compared to the preceding sternites. The ovipositor has an average length of 13 mm, is uniformly curved along its entire length and is more rounded at the apex. The inferior valves have 16 apical denticles ( Fig. 18 ).

Figures

FIGURES 10–18. Dolichopoda gasparoi male: 10– X tergite, dorsal view, 11– posterior view; 12– Genital plate, dorsal view, 13– lateral view; 14– Epiphallus, dorsal view, 15– lateral view; female: 16– Genital plate, dorsal view, 17– lateral view, 18– Ovipositor, lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm.