Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) kiriakii 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 : 2-4

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

( Figs 1–9 )

Diagnosis. Attributable to the genus Dolichopoda Bolivar, 1880 , due to the absence of spines on all femora, the occurrence of spines on the fore tibia and a non-bifurcate epiphallus. It can be included in the sub-genus Dolichopoda s. str. (Baccetti 1958). The size is relatively large in size big with long the hind legs strongly elongated. The epiphallus elongated but enlarged at the basema base. This species, as with the other Ionian species, is distinguishable due to the occurrence of two evident cyilindrical tubercles on the posterior edges of the tenth tergite. These characters place the new species close to the Ionian species: D. steriotisi (Corfủ Isl.), D. pavesii (Kefalonia Isl.) , and to D. graeca (Ipiros) .

Type locality. The cave is located in Korifė near Aghia Kiriaki village, on the south-eastern slopes of the Parga Mountains. The area is covered by Mediterranean scrub characterized by Quercus calliprino .

Etymology. The new species takes its name from the Kiriaki cave.

Material examined. Holotypus male, Ipiros, Parga, Aghia Kiriaki vill., A. Kiriaki cave, 270 m a.s.l., lat. 39° 17’10’’N, log. 20°26’60’’ E, 24.IV.06, M. Rampini, G. Pintus, L. Lustri leg. Paratypes: same locality, data and collectors as for holotype, 2 males, 3 females, 1 female nymph ( MZUR, PCR) .

Depositories. Museum of Zoology, University of Rome “La Sapienza” (MZUR), M. Rampini Private Collection (PCR).

Description. Male (holotype). Relatively large; body colour pale-testaceous, the colouring being uniform with the exception of the posterior margins of the tergites, which are darker. The rostral tubercles of the vertex are subconical, dark in colour and protruding. The 6 th abdominal tergite carinate along the median line; the 7 th and 8 th less carinate; on the posterior edge of the 9 th tergite there is an evident triangular protrusion which is covered by hair and which protrudes over the central part of the 10 th tergite. Legs long and yellow-testaceous in colour and the femora are unarmed. Fore tibia with two condicular spines and armed with 5/5 spines on both sides of the inferior edge and a pair of spurs of equal length on the apex. Mid tibia with 3 short spines on both sides of the upper edge, 5/6 spines on the lower edge and two apical spurs similar to those of the fore tibia. The mid tibia is longer with 17/18 spines of varying length on both sides of the upper edge and 4/1 homogeneous spines on the lower edge. Tenth tergite ( Figs 1, 2 ), on the posterior edge, with two large lateral lobes which are separated by a large cavity. The tubercles clearly protrude and are cylindrical with a rounded apex near the posterior edge. The paraprocta are trapezoidal with particularly sclerotized and pubescent edges. Subgenital plate large and spherical at the base with curved lateral edges, with a deeply incised middle which runs for half the total length ( Figs 3, 4 ). The symmetrical lateral lobes are triangular in shape, with curved superior and middle edges. The apices, at the edges, have a deep V-shaped incision. The epiphallus is sclerotized and from the rear the median process appears long and acute at the apex, large at the base and has no lateral constrictions ( Fig. 5 ). The posterior process expands at the base of the epiphallus and diverges little towards the exterior, while the anterior parts are rather reduced. From the side, the median process can be to curve considerably in front of the two distal thirds ( Fig. 6 ). The accessory apparatus is sclerotized and composed of an uneven subtrapezoidal and hairy piece and by even partially triangular valves.

Length (mm): body 19,0; pronotum 3,5; fore femur 16,0; middle femur 16,0; hind femur 25,0; fore tibia 18,0; middle tibia 19,0; hind tibia 34,0; hind tarsus 13,0; 1 st article of hind tarsus 6,0.

Female. The length of the body ranges between 22 and 24 mm (ovipositor excluded) and the general form of the female is similar to the male. The subgenital plate is triangular, thickened on the sides, with a rounded apex which has a more sclerotized protuberance which is incised in the centre. The thick lateral edges protrude into the basal zone ( Figs 7, 8 ). The 7 th abdominal sternite is particularly developed, triangular in shape, with a rounded apex which occupies the entire length of the sternite. From the side, this sternite is more prominent than the previous uniform and reduced sternites. The ovipositor has an average length of 14 mm, is enlarged at the base and is regularly curved on the superior edge. The superior valves have a pointed apex and curves upwards, whereas the inferior valves are a little shorter than the superior ones, are rounded at the apex and have 18 denticles ( Fig. 9 ).

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Dolichopoda kiriakii male: 1—X tergite, dorsal view, 2—posterior view; 3—Genital plate, dorsal view, 4—lateral view; 5—Epiphallus, dorsal view, 6—lateral view; female: 7—Genital plate, dorsal view, 8—lateral view, 9— Ovipositor, lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm.