Sathrophyllia nr. rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Sultana, Riffat, Panhwar, Waheed Ali, Wagan, Muhammad Saeed & Khatri, Imran, 2014, Systematic status of true katydids Sathrophyllia (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Pseudophyllinae) from Pakistan, with description of two new species, ZooKeys 466, pp. 1-11 : 3

Taxon classification Animalia Orthoptera Tettigoniidae

Sathrophyllia nr. rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Fig. 1 a–e

Diagnostic features.

Dark brown tegmina with distinct dots (Fig. 1a, b, c). Pronotum has one pointed tooth on anterior side and several on posterior end; in the centre two transverse sulci are located just behind the middle (Fig. 1 a–d). Centre of fore, mid, and hind femur with rounded dots on its lower side. Tegmina slightly shorter than wings. Ovipositor with small teeth on its apex (Fig. 1e).

Length measurements.

♀: pronotum, 6.3 mm; tegmina, 42 mm; femur, 10.3 mm; tibia, 8.7 mm; ovipositor, 10.3 mm; total body length, 25.9 mm.

Material examined.

Pakistan, Sindh, Tharparkar, Mithi, 1♀, 10.viii.2013, 24.7400°N, 69.8000°E (leg. Riffat S & Waheed AP).

Remarks.

This species is very closely related to Sathrophyllia rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) but it differs due to following morphological analysis: it is smaller in size, the presence of serration on the ovipositor, coloration and width (4.2 mm). Furthermore, Sathrophyllia rugosa was described from Himalayas and the high altitudes and colder areas but the present specimen is coming from the desert area of Tharparkar, Sindh. Despite is uncertain placement, it is a new record for the area. The present investigation confirms the statement of the great Sir Uvarov (1924) that "The desert of Sindh harbours striking Orthoptera ". We agree on Sir Uvarov’s statement.

Ecology.

Sathrophyllia nr. rugosa has been collected from flat habitats. These habitats are usually surrounded by sand dunes comprising of sandy loam soils supporting a large number of taxa. The community formation of tree species such as Prosopis cineraria and Tamarix aphylla is present. Furthermore, katydids were also noted to have a close association with Citrllus colycynthis , Dactylotenium scindicum and Poa tenella in the survey areas.