Pseudonicsara (Cercana) spinibranchis, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 60-61

Pseudonicsara (Cercana) spinibranchis sp. n.

Figs. 4, 80, 119, 150, 188, 216, 240, 286, 320, 370, 408, 520, 524, 537, 543, map 4.

Holotype (male): Indonesia, Papua: West New Guinea, Maccluer Gulf, Bintoeni Bay , River Tisa , 2°4'S, 133°18'E, 8.V.1941, E. Lundquist, depository: Collectio Fer Willemse, Eygelshoven, Netherlands ( CW), later to be deposited in Naturalis, Leiden ( RMNH).

Paratype: Indonesia, Papua: 1 female, New Guinea: West New Guinea, Maccluer Gulf, Bintoeni Bay, River Anakari , 15.V.1941, E. Lundquist ( CW) .

Diagnosis. P. spinibranchis is similar to P. hum and P.siwi . It shares with both the general structure of the male cerci, with P. hum also the possession of two baso-internal processes of the cerci and the long excised tenth abdominal tergite, with P. siwi also similar titillators. It differs from both by details of the male cerci: apico-internal processes with dorsal process stout, cylindrical, with spine at tip ( Fig. 188); ventral process forming a strong spine ( Fig. 240); baso-internal process with ventral process closer to base than dorsal process ( Fig. 216); from P. hum it differs also by the oval apical parts of the titillators ( Fig. 370) and the conical lobes of the tenth abdominal tergite, from P. siwi by the deep excision of the tenth abdominal tergite ( Fig. 119). Females are characterised by the subgenital plate split until base into four lobes ( Fig. 524): in two central lobes separated in midline by a narrow membranous furrow and in two large lateral plates. This character it shares with P. siwi . It differs from the latter by the central lobes of the subgenital plate being in ventral view together heart-shaped ( Fig. 524), narrowest at base, and distinctly surpassing the lateral plates ( Fig. 537). 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 1.5 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.8 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 0.8. Face rugose but impressed dots shallow. Prosternal spine minute. Mesosternal lobes rounded. Tegmen little surpassing hind knees, narrow, gradually narrowing to rounded apex ( Fig. 4). Fore tibia in cross-section triangular below tympana but dorso-median keel obsolete at apex. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 5 external, 6 internal; mid femur 6 external, 1–2 internal near base; hind femur 9–11 external, 3–5 minute internal in basal area.

Male ( Fig. 4). Stridulatory file sinuate, 2.3 mm long; with 115 teeth or 50.8 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 38.7 teeth per mm ( Fig. 80). Mirror widening anteriorly; apical margin oblique; 1.4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide; index length:width 0.9. Tenth abdominal tergite with two long, compressed, obtuse, apical projections, long and roundly excised in between ( Fig. 119). Epiproct broad, rounded, almost flat ( Fig. 150). Paraproct with a short obtuse projection. Cerci short and slightly curved; internal surface slightly concave with four projections standing in a rectangle: dorso-basal projection narrow, elongate, apex obtuse and provided with a small curved spine; dorso-apical projection stout, acute-triangular with apex obtuse but provided with a stout acute tooth; ventro-basal projection narrow, elongate, compressed, widened at apex, apex truncate with a spinule at hind angle; ventro-apical projection forming a short, stout, acute spine ( Figs. 188, 216, 240). Subgenital plate with styli thin and long, of almost half the length of subgenital plate ( Fig. 286).

Titillators with basal parts twisted; apical parts rather narrow, internal surface densely covered with clinging hairs; a bunch of setae also on margin; membranes on both sides of titillators granular and covered with rather large warts ( Figs. 320, 370, 408).

Female. Cerci conical, slightly curved, apex pointed. Subgenital plate with a median keel that is membranous at base, separating two halves of a circa heart-shaped median plate; at both sides with a large lateral sclerite forming roughly pentagonal plates with wide base and short lateral margins; lobes of median plate with basal margin swollen and separated by an oblique furrow from lateral plates ( Figs. 520, 524, 537). Ovipositor rather moderately curved throughout, not typically sickle-shaped, margins converging towards apex, apex acute ( Fig. 543).

Coloration. Almost uniform ochreous brown (green when alive?). Face with a reddish brown band along clypeo-frontal suture; mandibles reddish brown at base, black towards apex. Tegmen with network of light veins and veinlets and dark cells little conspicuous. Hind femur green with brown hind knees. Hind tibia with dorsal spines sitting on brown spots.

Measurements (1 male, 1 female): body male 31, female 28; pronotum male 7.0, female 7.7; tegmen male 23.5, female 25; hind femur male 16, female 18; ovipositor 17.5 mm.

Etymology. Named for the acute projections of the male cercus.