Markia major

Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., 2013, The tribe Dysoniini part II: The genus Markia (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Phaneropterinae), new species and some clarifications, Zootaxa 3599 (6), pp. 501-518 : 509-511

Markia major (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878)

(Plate 4; Plate 7 figs. E and F; Plate 8 figs. G and H; Plate 9.)

Markia longivertex Márquez Mayaudón, 1965 n . syn.

Diagnosis: Fastigium spine oblique. Pronotal spines with similar length. Distance between the pronotal spines in the following way: at the bases 2.8 mm; at the apices 3.9 mm. Metazonal spine 1.5 times as long as the fastigium. Cerci long and acuminate, with paw-shaped internal process; external branch of male cerci sickle-shaped, thin and sharp, three times longer than the internal branch. Subgenital plate with delicate subtriangular incision. Ovipositor 1.5 times as long as the pronotum, slightly curved, margins strongly serrulate and crenulate. Basal plates of ovipositor and subgenital plate with black bases. Subgenital plate of the female oval with a small emargination at the apex.

Remarks: Brunner von Wattenwyl's original description as Machima major is based on two specimens, male and female, both syntypes. His monograph on Phaneropterinae also includes a brief redescription of Markia hystrix (as Machima ), based primarily on a female specimen from Colombia. Brunner von Wattenwyl explicitly included a note that he knew the male of that species only from Westwood's illustration. The female syntype of M. major actually does belong to a distinct new species. However, the male syntype belongs to M. hystrix , corroborated by identical shape of cerci and subgenital plate (Plate 8 E, F). Both syntypes have identical labels with "Medellin, Columb." as locality and the name "Dämel". Since the entomologist and insect dealer Eduard Dämel apparently received material from Mexico (where M. major actually occurs), the locality data of the female were probably confused.

PLATE 4. Markia major Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878. Male in living condition (A); head and pronotum in lateral view (B); male abdominal apex in ventral view (C) and axial view (D). Photos: J. Monzón.

According to fieldwork at the type locality of M. major (Medellín, Antioquia department) and other areas in Colombia, as well as extensive revision of Colombian collections, M. hystrix does not occur in this country.

The female syntype of Machima major (Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna) is here designated as lectotype of Markia major .

Specimens examined: Holotype M. longivertex n. syn.: MEXICO, 3 Mexico Gulf, Veracruz, Santiago Tuxtla, Cerro El Vigía. [UNAM]. HONDURAS. Ƥ Depart. Choluteca, Duyure, San Marcos de Colón, 13 April 1989, F. Zarsa leg. (BM 1900-1). [BMNH]. GUATEMALA, 3 Izabal Morales, Sierra de Caral, Finca Firmeza 900 m. July 1992. J. Monzón Sierra leg. [UVGCA]. COSTA RICA: 3 Prov. Puntarenas, Garabito, Distr. Tárcoles, Reserva Biológica Carara, Estación Quebrada Bonita; December 1 1995, 100 m., R. Guzman leg. (INBIOCRI002494925). 3 Prov. Puntarenas, Osa, Distr. Cortés, Ciudad Pto Cortés; June 6 2005, 680 m., J. Montero leg. (INB0003949789). [INBio].

Measurements: Total length: 51–53, Pronotum: 7.2–8, Tegmina: 40.8–42, Fore femur: 7–8, Fore tibia: 8–9.2, Middle femur: 10–11, Middle tibia: 11.2–12, Hind femur: 25.7–27, Hind tibia: 33.8–35, Subgenital plate: 2.8–3, Cerci: 2.3–2.5.