Guamuhaya, Yong, 2017

Yong, Sheyla, 2017, A second genus and species of Teruelphasmini Yong, 2017 (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae), from the high mountains of central Cuba, Ecologica Montenegrina 11, pp. 59-73 : 60-61

Genus Guamuhaya new genus

Type species: Guamuhaya prodita n. gen., n. sp., by present designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis. Cladomorphinae of medium size (body length: male 38 mm, female 45–54 mm including subgenital plate) and moderately slender habitus, with sexual dimorphism well-marked: male much smaller, more slender and less sculptured than female. Metanotum short, noticeably wider than long. Both sexes micropterus, with tegminae and alae extremely reduced and strongly modified into a complex stridulatory organ. Entire body surface rugose, granulose and blunt-tuberculate, legs (including carinae) and antennae covered largely by minute setiferous tubercles. Gula apparently absent in males and present in females (see detailed discussion in General Remarks section below). Sensorial area absent. Legs unarmed and distinctly carinate, medioventral carina of meso- and metafemora distinct; probasitarsus dorsally rounded to vestigially angulose.

Etymology. The generic epithet is formed according to the Article 30.2.1 of the Code (ICZN, 1999: 36). It is literally taken from the Spanish toponym of the mountains where this phasmid occurs: the Guamuhaya Massif , which is feminine in gender.

Comparisons. As expected, Guamuhaya n. gen. is closely related to Teruelphasma , the single other genus of Teruelphasmini (see Yong, 2017). Both genera share a unique combination of characters that unequivocally distinguish them from all remaining tribes of Cladomorphinae : 1) both sexes micropterus, with wings extremely reduced and strongly modified into a complex stridulatory organ formed by a plectrum (tegminae) and a pars stridens (alae); 2) metanotum very short, noticeably wider than long and slightly to remarkably concealed below posterior margin of mesonotum; 3) sensorial area absent from both probasisternum and profurcasternum; 4) legs unarmed and distinctly carinate, medioventral carina of meso-and metafemora present and probasitarsus lacking any dorsal carinae and lobes.

The most obvious characters that distinguish Guamuhaya n. gen. from Teruelphasma are as follows: 1) sexual dimorphism well-marked, i.e., male much smaller and more slender, cylindrical-bodied and less sculptured than female; 2) completely different habitus, e.g., larger size and a very different coloration, essentially monochromatic and only irregularly spotted; 3) body surface much less sculptured, covered only by small round granules and blunt tubercles, and with minute setiferous tubercles restricted to antennae, maxillary palps, legs and abdomen terminalia; 4) both sexes with pronotum longer than wide, mesothorax very long and slender, and metathorax much longer and more slender; 5) probasitarsus longer and dorsally rounded to vestigially angulose; 6) female with anal segment laterally expanded, operculum wider, and epiproct longer; 7) tegument delicate, thin and only weakly sclerotized; 8) male genitalia with the same basic structure but conspicuously simpler, e.g., poculum less sculptured, vomer much less curved, and cerci less angulose in cross-section; 9) gula apparently present in females only.

As opposite, in Teruelphasma : 1) sexual dimorphism is only subtle, i.e., male smaller and more slender than female; 2) size is smaller and coloration is patterned with parallel stripes of vivid colors, e.g., yellow, white and black; 3) body surface is much more sculptured, covered by large spines and sharp tubercles, and with minute setiferous tubercles covering all cuticular surfaces including membranes; 4) both sexes have pronotum wider than long, mesothorax robust and inflate fusiform, and metathorax much shorter and more robust; 5) probasitarsus is shorter and dorsally lacks any traces of angles or carinae; 6) female has abdomen progressively and evenly narrower distally, operculum narrower, and epiproct shorter; 7) tegument is rough, thick and heavily sclerotized; 8) male genitalia with the structure more complex, e.g., poculum more strongly sculptured, vomer much more curved, and cerci strongly angulose in cross-section; 9) gula apparently present in both sexes.

Distribution. Monotypic genus, known only from top of Pico San Juan, the highest mountain of the Central Cuba (fig. 10).