Andeocalynda viridipes, Hennemann & Conle, 2020

Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2020, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXIV: Andeocalynda n. gen., a new genus of Andean stick insects, with the descriptions of nine new species from Colombia and Ecuador (Phasmatodea: “ Anareolatae ”: Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerinae), Zootaxa 4896 (3), pp. 301-341 : 334

Andeocalynda viridipes n. gen., n. sp.

( Fig. 18 )

HT, ♂: Ecuador, Cañar Prov. Rio Mazan , 25.VIII.1990, 3500 m, AJE. Harman; A. Harman M. Salton Coll. [ NHMUK] .

Diagnosis: Males of this species are similar to those of A. banosense n. sp. and A. granulicollis n. sp.. The red bases of the meso- and metafemora and spiniform central protuberance of the poculum is shared with the first but A. viridipes n. sp. differs from that species by the more bulgy poculum, which has the central protuberance notably larger and more acutely pointed, as well as the plain green meso- and metafemora and tibiae. From A. granulicollis n. sp. ♂♂ of this species readily differ by the noticeably larger size, smooth mesonotum and presence of a central protuberance of the poculum (lacking in granulicollis ).

Etymology: The name refers to the plain green meso- and metafemora and tibiae of this new species, which readily distinguishes it from closely related species.

♂♂ ( Fig. 18A ): Of moderate size (body length 64.0 mm) and fairly stocky for the genus. Body surface smooth and slightly shiny. General colouration of the unique holotype greyish mid brown with the lateral surfaces of the body darker brown. Meso- and metasternum reddish mid brown. Lower lateral portions of head pale cream, the genae with a faint dark postocular streak ( Fig. 18G ). Bases of profemora red interiorly ( Fig. 18F ). Lateral surfaces of abdominal terga blackish brown, lateral margins of abdominal tergum IX pale cream. Legs mostly pale green with only the knees and apices of the tibiae brown; bases of meso- and metafemora red. Antennae reddish mid brown.

Head: Sub-cylindrical, about 1.5x longer than wide and roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect with the genae parallel-sided. Vertex flattened with a fine but notably impressed coronal line ( Fig. 18F ). Posterior margin with a pair of low median nodules. Between the bases of the antennae there are three small swellings. Eyes strongly projecting and their diameter contained about 2.5x in length of genae ( Fig. 18G ). Antennae reaching to abdominal segment VI. Scapus flattened towards the base, roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect and about 1.4x longer than wide. Pedicellus round in cross-section, distinctly club-like and about 2/3 the length of scapus ( Fig. 18G ).

Thorax: Pronotum a little shorter and narrower than head, roundly rectangular in dorsal aspect but somewhat narrowed posteriorly and about 1.4x longer than wide ( Fig. 18F ). Surface with an impressed longitudinal median line; the transverse median sulcus distinct, almost straight but just not reaching lateral margins of segment, both ends terminating in a shallow pit. Mesothorax 3.3x longer than head and pronotum combined; very indistinctly widened in posterior portion. Mesopleurae with a few small granules in anterior portion. Mesosternum weakly tectinate medio-longitudinally.

Abdomen: Median segment a little less than 1/3 the length of metanotum, roughly 1.8x longer than wide and slightly widening towards the posterior; trapezoidal in dorsal aspect. Segment II slightly longer than median segment but a little shorter than III–VI; the latter ones roughly equal in length and about 4x longer than wide. VII only ¾ the length of III–VI. All sterna smooth. Tergum VIII 2/3 the length of VII, gradually widened towards the posterior and trapezoidal in dorsal aspect. IX 1.3x longer than VIII with the lateral margins distinctly deflexed and widely rounded; lateral surfaces of VIII and IX with a prominent and acute longitudinal bulge or keel ( Figs. 18 B–C). Anal segment about 3/5 the length of IX, tectiform and with the lateral surfaces roundly convex ( Fig. 18D ) and the posterior portion narrowed; in lateral aspect slightly longer than high and the posterior margin rounded in the lower portion ( Fig. 18B ). Posterior margin swollen, labiate and the two lateral portions facing each other with the interior surfaces densely armed with small black denticles ( Figs. 18C, E ). Vomer fairly short, broad and up-curving. Cerci moderately elongate, slender, evenly in-curving over their entire length and with the apex somewhat narrowed; about 1/3 the length of anal segment and ventrad directed ( Fig. 18C ). Poculum bulgy, strongly convex, angular and with an acute spiniform basal protuberance ( Fig. 18B ); almost reaching to posterior margin of tergum IX and the posterior margin narrowed and obtusely angular ( Fig. 18E ).

Legs: All long and moderately slender, entirely unarmed and all carinae minutely setose. Sub-apical tooth on the two lower outer carinae of the meso- and metafemora merely indicated. Profemora almost equal in length the head, pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora slightly shorter than mesothorax, mesofemora about as long as mesothorax, metafemora almost reaching about halfway along abdominal segment VI and metatibiae projecting considerably over apex of abdomen. All basitarsi considerably longer than remaining tarsomeres combined.

Comments: ♀♀ and eggs unknown.

Distribution: S-Ecuador: Azuay Province (Parque Nacional Cajas, Río Mazán, 3500m).

Figures

FIGURE 18. Andeocalynda viridipes n. sp. HT, ♂ [NHMUK]. A. Habitus dorsolateral view; B. Apex of abdomen in lateral view; C. Apex of abdomen in ventrolateral view; D. Apex of abdomen in dorsal view; E. Apex of abdomen in ventral view; F. Head, prothorax and basal portion of mesothorax in dorsal view; G. Head, prothorax and basal portion of mesothorax in dorsolateral view.