Lanista africana (Walker, 1871) stat. rev.

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Orthoptera .speciesfile.org:TaxonName:16016

(Figs. 10C, D)

Pseudorhynchus africanus Walker, 1871: 38 .

Kirby (1906) synonymized, without presenting an explicit justification, Pseudorhynchus africanus Walker, 1871 with Conocephalus annulicornis Walker, 1869 . However, the holotype of C. annulicornis from Durban (“Pt. Natal) differs significantly from that of P. africanus from W. Africa in the shape of the fastigium of vertex (proportionally smaller in L. africana), its proportion to the size of the head, the convexity of the frons (frons distinctly more convex in L. africana), and the shape of the pronotum (Figs. 10C, D). Since the former is a male specimen and the latter a female one, a comparison of relevant stridulatory and reproductive structures is not possible. However, the differences in the head and thoracic characters are consistent across a series of specimens of Lanista that originate from southern and West Africa (Guinea and Ghana), respectively. For this reason, P. africanus is reinstated here as a valid species.

Material examined (10 specimens). West Africa: female (holotype) (BMNH); Ghana: Eastern Region, Atewa Range, Asiakwa, main road, elev. 817 m (6.25019 -.56492), 7–11.xii.2007, coll. P. Naskrecki, V. Awotwe-Pratt and N. Jengre— 1 female, 1 male; Guinea: Simandou Mts., Camp 1, nr. Pic du Fon, elev. 1300 m (8.51667 -8.9355), 27–30.xi.2002, coll. P. Naskrecki— 1 female, 2 males ; Guinee Forestiere, Foret Classee Dere, elev. 440 m (7.62333 -8.27), 17–19.xi.2003, coll. P. Naskrecki— 1 female ; Mt. Bero, elev. 630 m (8.133333 -8.566667), 2–6.xii.2003, coll. P. Naskrecki— 1 male ; Simandou Mts., nr. Banko, Camp 2, elev. 590–700 m (8.51667 -8.93333), 3–7.xii.2002, coll. P. Naskrecki— 1 female, 1 male (MCZ).