Sinatablatta Vélez & Daza, 2021

Vélez-Bravo, Andrés & Daza, Juan M., 2021, Molecular systematics and genital morphology of the Neotropical cockroaches from the genus Xestoblatta (Blattellidae), Zootaxa 5057 (3), pp. 301-328 : 315-317

Sinatablatta Vélez & Daza , gen.n.

( Figs 4A–H )

Type species. Sinatablatta magdalenensis Vélez & Daza , gen. et sp.n., herewith designated.

Diagnosis. Adults of Sinatablatta gen.n. can be distinguished by the presence of the following combination of characters: tergal modification on the abdominal segments I, II, III and VII. First three tergites centrally depigmented. In contrast, tergite VII with a fold of the cuticle that forms a deep transverse groove covering almost three quarters of its width. Hind wings pigmented and ulnar vein from 9 to 13 branches. Some branches do not reach the posterior margin of the wing. Male genitalia with subregion R1v extending anteriorly beyond the posterior margin of R3 but never reaching to R 1t. R2i with two projections approximately the same length. Right projection with apical area wider than the left projection. Region R4 as a transverse plate. Its species can be differentiated from similar species of Xestoblatta (sensu stricto) by the shape of tergal modification. The species of Xestoblatta (sensu stricto) have the tergal modification on abdominal segment VII as a central oval deep pit or oval shallow depression.

Description. Species of medium size (19–27 mm ♂, 17–27mm ♀) with body and legs light brown to pale yellow. Head uniformly colored and antennae entirely brown. Pronotum and tegmina glossy in appearance, between chestnut and reddish brown, except the marginal field that is pale yellow ( Fig. 4A ). Ventral side of middle and hind coxae with 2–3 irregular light black spots, while front coxa with unique spot.

Head triangular with big reniform eyes not globose. Eyes extending postero-laterally beyond to the antennal sockets. Interocular distance of the same length than distance between antennal sockets. Globose face. Face and gena with short sparse bristles. Antennae filiform and with short setae along their length, first flagellar segment of the same length that the pedicel.

Pronotum parabolic with anterior margin convex and posterior margin obtuse-angulate produced with broadly rounded apex to the middle. The two pairs of wings surpassing the cerci apexes. Fore wings with base of the remigium narrower than base of vanal region, with discoidal sector longitudinal and rounded apex. Hind wings with small intercalated triangle and ulnar vein vary from 9 to 13 branches in males and from 9 to 13 in females.

Legs long and slender.Antero-ventral margin of front femur with a row of heavy spines which decrease gradually in size meso-distal and with two terminal spines. Postero-ventral margin of front femur with 4-5 heavy spines and one terminal spine. Both margins of middle and hind femora with heavy spines of almost the same length, with genicular spine. Tarsomeres I–IV with small pulvilli. Tarsal claws simple and symmetrical, arolium present.

Abdomen often convex and long with tergal modification on abdominal segments I, II, III and VII ( Figs 4A, B ). First three tergites centrally depigmented. In contrast, tergite VII with a fold of the cuticle that forms a deep transverse groove covering almost three quarters of its width ( Fig. 4B ). Anterior margin of tergite I with a setulose transverse ridge covering almost three quarters of its width. Tergite VII with thickened lateral margins and with distolateral angles greatly produced. Abdominal segments VIII, VIX and X narrower than previous segments. Supra-anal plate trapezoidal with posterior margin bilobed ( Fig. 4D ). In males, paraprocts transverse and specialized. Long and thin cerci. Male subgenital plate asymmetric, with each style different in shape and length, usually the right longer or complex in shape than left style ( Fig. 4E ).

Genital sclerites. Sclerite L2 thin and elongated. Region L2d and the process “via” strongly sclerotized, both closely articulated (articulation 10). The process “via” V-shaped ( Fig. 4F ). The sclerotized region of hla-hook (sclerite L3) with distal area narrow and elongated. In addition to the notch “45”, the hook also exhibits groove “hge” along of its lower margin ( Fig. 4G ). Basal area of L3 twice the length of the apical area or even, in some species almost with the same length than the apical area. Membranous tube of the hla-hook covered by long and docile setae o bare. Sclerite L4 as a small dorsal or lateral slightly sclerotized plate articulated with the apex of left projection of R2i. Only X. hoplites without L4.

Sclerite R formed by the sclerotized regions R1, R2, R3 and R4 ( Fig. 4H ). Region R1 as a large and bulky structure at the right postero-lateral region of sclerite R. Regions R1 and R3 articulated (articulation A3) by lower right corner of R3 and upper right corner of R1 (R1c). Subregion R1v extends anteriorly beyond the posterior margin of R3 but never reaching to R 1t. Subregion R1d only sclerotized near their posterior margin. Subregion R 1t merged with region R2, forming the complex R 1t +R2. R2 longer than R 1t. Only apex of R2 extending beyond posterior margin of R3. Subregion R2i articulates with lower left corner of R3. R2i with two projections the approximately same length. Right projection with apical area wider than the left projection. Region R3 as a slightly sclerotized triangle shaped plate. Corners of posterior margin of R3 nearly aligned, both on the same horizontal axis or on close horizontal axes ( Fig. 4H ). Region R4 as a strongly sclerotized plate articulated with left corner of posterior margin of R1 ( Fig. 4H ).

Etymology. The generic name refers to the tergal modification on abdominal segment VII with pocket form, which is unique in the species of this genus. Sinatablatta (in spanish “cucarachas con bolsillo”). Sinus (latin) = pocket.

Distribution and biology. Currently, Sinatablatta gen.n. ranges from southern Mexico to southern Brazil ( Fig. 1C ). The distribution range of this genus and Xestoblatta (sensu stricto) widely overlap ( Figs 1C, D ). However, Sinatablatta gen.n. has not been recorded in the Guiana shield. Cockroaches are, in general, rarely collected, so the lack of sampling may explain the absence of this genus in this region of South America.At eight locations in Central America, the northern Andes, and the Amazon, we simultaneously collected specimens of Sinatablatta gen.n. and Xestoblatta (sensu stricto). The existence of sympatry between species suggest that these lineages likely share similar biogeographic histories. All species within Sinatablatta gen.n. were observed active during the first hours at night on the vegetation either at low height or on the litter. These cockroaches are strongly attracted to carrion.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geographic sampling for genetic and morphology data. (A) Genetic sampling for Xestoblatta (sensu lato). (B) (C) (D) correspond to morphology data obtained from either specimen examination or literature records. Colors correspond to clades shown in Fig. 2.

FIGURE 4. Sinatablatta magdalenensis gen. et sp.n. (male). A, Habitus (dorsal) of holotype (CEUA 88086). Red arrows indicate the tergal modification on the abdominal segments I, II and III. The following drawings are based on the paratype CEUA 88087, B, Abdominal segment VII (dorsal); C, Left paraproct (ventral); D, Supra-anal plate (dorsal); E, Subgenital plate (ventral), Left style = L, Right style = R. F-H, Genital sclerites, (F) L2 (dorsal), the dashed lines represent membranes, (G) L3 (ventral), and (H) R (dorsal). Scale bar 1 mm.