Pterodichopetala robertoi, Rocha-Sánchez, Aurora Yazmín, Barrientos-Lozano, Ludivina & Zaldívar-Riverón, Alejandro, 2015

Rocha-Sánchez, Aurora Yazmín, Barrientos-Lozano, Ludivina & Zaldívar-Riverón, Alejandro, 2015, Additional new species of the genus Pterodichopetala (Phaneropteridae: Phaneropterinae) from Northeastern Mexico, Zootaxa 3956 (3), pp. 301-344 : 332-342

Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez

( Figs. 81 –96)

Type material. Holotype ♂ and allotype ♀. Mexico, Nuevo León, Galeana, Cerro Potosí , 2,775 m., Lat. 24°53.676’N, Long. 100°13.085’W, 12.XI.2014, Barrientos-Lozano L., Rocha-Sánchez A.Y., Fernández-Azuara G. & Torres-Rocha J.R. Coll. L. Barrientos-Lozano-ITCV.

Paratypes. 3 ♂ and 2 ♀ adults, same data as type material, coll. L. Barrientos-Lozano-ITCV.

Diagnosis. P. robertoi n. sp., resembles P. pityophila Cohn et al. 2015 ., it may be distinguished easily from the latter species by the following characters: in males the pronotum (in dorsal view) is more constricted about mid portion and larger than in P. pityophila (mid length average 2.4 vs. 2.0 mm, respectively) ( Figs. 81 , 83 vs. 98, 99). Tegmina ( Figs. 81 , 82, 84 vs. 98, 100) are broader and more elongated surpassing slightly the anterior margin of the fifth abdominal tergite, not so in P. pityophila . The stridulatory file ( Fig. 85 ) of different shape with ca 78 teeth, 7.3 mm in length and 11.0 teeth/mm (9–12) vs. P. pityophila stridulatory file ( Fig. 101 ) with ca 69 teeth, 7.4 mm in length and 9.0 teeth/mm (8–10); Cerci distinctive ( Figs. 86a , 87, 88 vs. 102a, 103, 104), more stylized than in P. pityophila ., the main axis exhibits an overall elbowed shape (dorsal view), the basal portion is slightly broader, it tapers gently and curves abruptly inwards before mid-length, then gradually broadens and tapers again towards the rounded apex; about 1/4 from the proximal extreme (ventral view) the main axis gives rise to an slender and elongated arm, this is directed inwards and almost straight, except for the distal portion that bends inwards bluntly towards the spiky apex, this arm is proximally stout and tapers gradually towards the apex; in ventral view, the outer edge of the main axis becomes thickened beyond mid-length and about the proximal portion of the distal fourth splits and gives rise to two processes, each of these is convex (spoon-like-shape) and more produced than in P. pityophila , this additional ventral process is shorter than the sister dorsal process and because of the convex shape of both the ventral one seems contained within the distal spoon-like-shape apex of the dorsal process ( Fig. 88 ); different epiproct, as shown in Figs. 85 b vs. 102b. Subgenital plate deep u excised ( Fig. 88 ) with prominent acute angles vs. deep v-excised in P. pityophila ( Fig. 104) with broad angles; internal genitalia as shown in Figs. 89 , 90 vs. 105, 106). Females may be separated by the more constricted and elongated pronotum (mid length average 2.6 vs. 2.2 mm, respectively) ( Figs. 93 vs. 108), different tegmina ( Figs. 91 , 92 vs. 107), ovipositor’s lobe and basal sclerites (Figs. 94, 95 vs. 109, 110) and subgenital plate (Figs. 96 vs. 111).

Description of males (alive). General color dull green ( Figs. 81 , 82), occiput, pronotum and abdomen mostly dark-brown dorsally, antennae reddish-brown with whitish-creme rings, fastigium of vertex broad sub-conical distally rounded, fastigium frontalis compressed sub-conical, in dorsal view surpasses the fastigium of vertex; postocular band feeble, grayish-creme extending onto sides of pronotum; pronotal disc dark-brown, constricted at middle, anterior and posterior margins emarginated, carina media not prominent, whitish-creme and more conspicuous beyond typical sulcus; typical sulcus on pronotal disc wide u shape, whitish-creme, cutting deeply the lateral carinae and extending to middle of lateral lobes in form of a groove; lateral lobes of pronotum ( Fig. 82) longer than deeper (lateral view), humeral sinus obsolete. Proximal portion of tegmina dark-brown ( Figs. 81 , 83 ); stridulatory area ( Figs. 81 , 84) mostly brown, projected downwards integrating into the broad reddish-brown upper margin of tegmina. Mid length tegmina ( Figs. 81 , 84), slightly surpassing the posterior margin of the fourth abdominal tergite, broadly ovate distally, with prominent venation, upper margin reddish-brown overlapping beneath the stridulatory area, lower margin with a broad whitish-creme area with dark brown spots above; hind wings vestigial. Terminal tergite’s distal portion projecting into a sub-rectangular plate ( Fig. 86a, 86 b) with posterior margin strongly emarginated and profusely truncated about middle forming two broad lobes. Cerci as described in diagnosis. Epiproct ( Fig. 86 b) broader proximal than distally, projected into two acute angles distally, one each side. Subgenital plate ( Fig. 88 ) moderately produced, deep u shape excised distally, angles acute and prominent. Internal genitalia as shown in Figs. 89 , 90.

Measurements (mm) males. Body length from vertex to end of abdomen: 15.1 ± 0.9 (14.4–15.7). Pronotum length: 2.4. Tegmen length: 5.4 ±0.3 (5.2–5.6). Fore femur length: 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.6–4.3). Mid femur length: 5.2 ± 0.4 (4.9–5.5). Hind femur length: 10.5 ± 0.9 (9.8-11-1).

Description of females (alive). General color dull green, with accentuate dimorphism with respect to the males ( Figs. 91 , 92), i.e., females possess shorter tegmina and lack the striking dark-brown color on pronotum and dorso of abdomen; antennae’s proximal fourth reddish-brown next three fourths light-brown, annulated with white; occiput mostly brown, blackish posteriorly; a feeble grayish-creme postocular band extends onto sides of pronotum; anterior and posterior margins of pronotum emarginated; carina media whitish-creme; typical carina wide u shape; tegmina’s ventral margin white with feeble brown-black spots above, dorsal margin white. Ovipositor (Fig. 94) slightly longer than head and pronotum together, evenly curved upward, lower margin straight on basal 3/4, distal fourth spinulated on upper and lower margins; basal lobe of ovipositor sub-circular (Figs. 94, 95). Subgenital plate (Fig.96) sub-quadrate, each lobe projected distally and divided by a median suture; basal sclerites large, sub-rectangular ( Fig. 95, 96).

Measurements (mm) females. Body length from vertex to end of abdomen: 17.2. Pronotum length: 2.6. Tegmina length: 4.6. Cephalic femur length: 4.2. Mid femur length: 5.5. Caudal femur length: 10.8. Ovipositor: 8.9.

Distribution ( Fig. 112 ). P. robertoi n. sp., has been collected only at type locality.

Habitat ( Fig. 97 ). P. robertoi n. sp., inhabits the Natural Protected Area (NPA) Cerro Potosí, at the Municipality of Galeana Nuevo Léon, Mexico. This NPA (989.38 ha) has been extensively studied because of its unique flora and fauna distributed along an altitudinal gradient that ranges from 2,000–3,700 m. It is a unique temperate forest biome located in the southern part of the State of Nuevo León in the western ridge of the ESM, between the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Mexican High Plateau. Cerro Potosí represents the highest peak in Northern Mexico. Due to its geographical isolation and peculiar geological strata, it has many rare, endemic and endangered species. Vegetation types are alpine and subalpine prairie, Pinus culminicola (Pinaceae) , matorral (shrubland), mixed forest of Pinus culminicola – P. hartwegii (Pinaceae) , mixed forest of Pinus hartwegii – P. culminicola , mixed forest of Abies vejari (Pinaceae) – Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pinaceae) – Pinus hartwegii – P. ayacahuite (Pinaceae) , forest of Pinus hartwegii and oak forest ( Quercus intrinacata , Q. greggii , Q. emoryi ). Climate is temperate, semidry, average annual temperatura ranges from 12–18°C, and mean annual rainfall between 400–600 mm. P. robertoi n. sp., lives preferentially on Malosma laurina (Nutt.) (Anacardiaceae) and dwarf oak ( Quercus greggii ) (D.C) Trel. ( Fagaceae ). M. laurina is a large evergreen shrub or small tree growing 3 to 5 meters tall. Leaves and stems are fragrant and give chaparral its characteristic scent; leaves appear moist and supple all year long ( García et. al., 1999, Rodríguez-Rivera and Romero-Rangel 2007, Rodríguez Luna et. al. 2013).

FIGURA 99. Pterodichopetala pityophila Cohn, Swanson & Fontana, 2014 . Male head and pronotum in dorsal view. FIGURE 100. Pterodichopetala pityophila Cohn, Swanson & Fontana, 2014 . Male stridulatory area.

Etymology. This species is named after José Roberto-Torres-Rocha who has assisted consistent and enthusiastically during field trips.

Figures

FIGURE 81. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male alive.

FIGURE 83. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male head and pronotum in dorsal view. FIGURE 84. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male stridulatory area.

FIGURE 85. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s stridulatory file on underside of left tegmen.

FIGURE 88. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s cerci and subgenital plate, ventral view.

FIGURE 89. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s titillators, dorsal view. FIGURE 90. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s titillators, lateral view.

FIGURE 91. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Female alive.

FIGURE 93. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Female head and pronotum in dorsal view. FIGURE 94. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Female’s ovipositor, lateral view.

FIGURE 97. Habitat of Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Montane pine-oak forest. Cerro Potosí, Galeana, Nuevo León. Mexico.

FIGURE 101. Pterodichopetala pityophila Cohn, Swanson & Fontana, 2014. Male’s stridulatory file on underside of left tegmen.

FIGURE 112. Distribution of Pterodichopetala monternach n. sp., P. c i e l oi Buzzetti, Barrientos & Rocha, P. tuliensis n. sp., P. geovanyi n. sp., P. alfredoi Barrientos & Rocha., P. rob e r t oi n. sp., P. pityophyla Cohn, Swanson & Fontana.

FIGURE 86 a. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s cerci and terminal tergite, dorsal view. FIGURE 86 b. Pterodichopetala robertoi n. sp. Male’s epiproct, frontal view.