Micrornebius distinctus Tan

Tan, Ming Kai, 2014, New species of small scaly crickets of genus Micrornebius (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae; Mogoplistinae) from Singapore, Zootaxa 3895 (1), pp. 117-126 : 124-125

Micrornebius distinctus Tan , new species

( Fig. 4 )

Material examined. Holotype (male): Singapore, near Central Catchment Nature Reserve, near Mandai Track 15, disturbed and young secondary forest, on tree bark, coll. M. K. Tan & H. Yeo, 22 May 2014 ( ZRC.ORT.1045, dry pinned). Paratypes: 1 female ( ZRC.ORT.1044, dry pinned), same data as holotype.

Diagnosis. This species differs from all known species by distinctively longer male paraproct process; and ovipositor with apices of apical valves rounded, ventral apical valve feebly longer than dorsal valve. Similar to Micrornebius inopinatus Ingrisch 2006 from Thailand and Micrornebius lineatus Ingrisch, 2006 by maxillary palps with apical and fourth segments truncated, with fourth segment shorter than apical and third segments; but differs from both by paraproct bent at 90° apically, ovipositor with apex more elongated (more stout in M. lineatus ) ventral apical valve feebly longer than dorsal apical valve (ventral apical valve shorter than dorsal valve in M. lineatus ).

Description. Habitus as shown in Fig. 4 A, very similar to Micrornebius mandai Tan sp. n. Maxillary palps with apical (fifth) and fourth segments triangular, third segment cylindrical but short; apical and third segments of subequal length, both distinctively longer than fourth apical segment ( Fig. 4 B). Pronotum in male about 1.3 times (n = 1, holotype) longer than wide; with anterior dorsal margin concave. Hind femur 2.2 times (n = 1) longer than hind tibia; hind tibia 2.8 times (n = 1) longer than hind metatarsus.

Male. Last abdominal tergite and epiproct fused to a supra-anal plate; transverse basally, apically slightly setose, apical half with a broad medial lobe, with apical margin broadly rounded ( Fig. 4 C). Paraproct process long; hook bent at 90° apically, with apex obtuse ( Fig. 4 C). Phallic complex lost in holotype.

Female. Supra-anal plate angularly rounded. Subgenital plate triangular, longer than broad, apical margin feebly emarginate in the middle, not setose (with a few sparse hairs) ( Fig. 4 D). Ovipositor with ventral apical valve feebly surpassing dorsal apical valve; with apices of valves rounded; with long strong hairs at apices of dorsal and ventral valves ( Fig. 4 E).

Colouration. Similar to Micrornebius mandai sp. n.: generally brown when naked with scales brown and silvery in fresh specimens. Head brown, eyes dark; scapus and basal antennal segments pale yellow brown and partly black; maxillary palps mostly brown, joints between segments a little pale. Pronotum generally brown when naked. Mesosternum and metasternum pale yellow. Fore and middle femora mostly dark brown; tibiae pale with dark rings. Hind femora and tibiae black with pale variegation. Abdominal tergites mostly black when naked with scales brown and silvery; abdominal sternites and subgenital plate brown. Cerci brown with pale variegation towards the apex. Ovipositor brown.

Measurements. See Table 3 .

Etymology. This species name refers to the long male paraproct process and distinct female ovipositor with ventral apical valve feebly surpassing dorsal apical valve; derived from the Latin word distinctus (= distinct, masculine).

Life history. This species inhabits tree trunks, often hiding within crevices and beneath tree bark.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Micrornebius distinctus sp. n.: male habitus in dorsal view (A), maxillary palps in lateral view (B), male abdominal apex in dorsal view (C), female subgenital plate in ventral view (D) and ovipositor in lateral view (E). Scale bars: 1 mm (A), 0.1 mm (B, D, E), 0.5 mm (C).