Pseudonicsara (Cercana) nana, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 57-58

Pseudonicsara (Cercana) nana sp. n.

Figs. 78, 116, 120, 160, 198, 222–223, 253–254, 293, 317, 368–369, 404, 460, 530, map 4.

Holotype (male): Indonesia, Moluccas, Aru Islands : Snellius Exp., Aroe Eilanden , Manoembai en omgeving [6° 2' S, 134° 18' E], 11–44, X.1929, depository: Collectio C. Willemse in Natuurhistorisch Museum, Maastricht, Netherlands ( NHME).

Paratypes: 1 male, 1 female, same data as holotype ( CW) .

Diagnosis. P. nana comes close to P. hum , P. lita and P. spinibranchis in that the male tenth abdominal tergite is slightly globular with the apex deeply excised in middle. It differs by the apical lobes of the tenth abdominal tergite being obtuse ( Fig. 120); the apico-internal process of the cercus is broad, the internal surface concave, the apex divided into two short, swollen lobes with a spinule on tip ( Figs. 222–223); the baso-internal processes have the dorsal process divided into a digitiform proximal and a band shaped distal branch, the latter with bilobate apex, all lobes are provided with a spinule at tip; the ventral process is digitiform with acute tip ( Figs. 253–254); the epiproct is elongate, narrow with truncate apex; the apical parts of the titillators are rectangular with rounded angles, the margin is regular ( Figs. 368–369). Females are characterised by the subgenital plate that has at base a pair of deep and wide transverse grooves bordered behind by transverse carinae; the median carina reaches little behind the transverse carinae; baso-lateral grooves are absent ( Fig. 460). Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 0.9 mm, from base 1.3 mm; dorsal eye length 1.4 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.6 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.9. Face subrugose with shallowly impressed dots. Tegmen little surpassing hind knees, costal field gradually narrowed from basal widening to apex. Prosternal spine much shorter than coxa. Fore- and hind femora rather strongly compressed. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 5–8 external, 6–7 internal; mid femur 5–7 external, 0–2 internal near base; hind femur 9–11 external, 3–5 minute internal in basal area.

Male. Stridulatory file slightly sinuate, 2.1 mm long; teeth at apex very dense and indistinct; with 122 teeth or 57.0 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 46.2 teeth per mm ( Fig. 78). Mirror rectangular with rounded margins; apex convex; 1.6 mm long, 1.4 mm wide; index length:width 1.1. Tenth abdominal tergite globular; apical margin in middle with a large rounded excision, triangularly projecting at both sides of excision with angles rounded ( Fig. 116, 120). Epiproct elongo-rectangular with rounded angles, not strikingly furrowed; apex truncate. Cerci short conical, internal surface concave and with a sinuately curved basal projection; ventral margin in about mid cercus with a broad, compressed, ventral projection that branches at apex into one long and narrow, sinuately curved, acute branch and two short branches each with a sharp tooth at tip; apex of cercus itself divided into two broad lobes, each with a sharp tooth at tip ( Figs. 160, 198, 222–223, 253–254). Subgenital plate with thin styli ( Fig. 293).

Titillators with basal parts simple; centro-apical area with large, almost rectangular expansions with rounded angles; internal surface of expansion with clinging hairs; margins with squamiform spinules ( Figs. 317, 368–369, 404). Baso-lateral sclerites elongate, irregular. No apico-lateral sclerites, but corresponding membranous area granular.

Female. Eight abdominal tergite prolonged, distinctly longer than seventh or ninth tergite especially in lateral view. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse. Subgenital plate with a high median carina; divided by a suture in a transverse basal and a narrower apical plate; apical plate divided at apex into two triangular lobes; basal plate connected at each side with a roughly triangular and slightly curved apico-lateral plate ( Figs. 460, 530).

Coloration. Uniformly yellowish brown (discoloured due to previous conservation in alcohol). Face with clypeus and mandibles dark brown. Tegmen medium brown with a network of light veinlets. Hind knees medium brown. Fore tibia with a dark spot below tympana, dorsal margin brown.

Measurements (2 males, 1 female): body male 27, female 25; pronotum male 7.3–7.5, female 7; tegmen male 21, female 22; hind femur male 14.5–15.5, female 15; antenna female 80; ovipositor 13 mm.

Discussion. The species is somewhat intermediate between the three subgenera. It has the general shape and the fore tibiae as in the typical subgenus, the small size, short prosternal spines and strongly curved ovipositor of Cercana , and the shape of the ovipositor with the margins not converging and the apex obtuse of Wasiorana but short as in Cercana .

Etymology. The name refers to the small size of the species compared to the typus generis ( P. pallidifrons ); proposal by C. Willemse in litteris, unpublished.