Pseudonicsara (P.) excisa, Ingrisch, 2009

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2009, Revision of the genus Pseudonicsara Karny, 1912 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) 2185, Zootaxa 2185, pp. 1-122 : 29-30

Pseudonicsara (P.) excisa sp. n.

Figs. 15, 22, 56, 93, 128, 153, 167, 278, 327, 376, 412, 433, 478, 512, 544, map 3.

Holotype (male): Papua New Guinea, East Sepik: D. N. Guinea, Kaiserin Augustafl. Exp. 210, Etappenberg [4° 37' S, 142° 7' E], 850 m, 19.XI.1912, Bürgers, depository: Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt- Universität , Berlin, Germany ( ZMB).

Paratypes: 4 females, same data as holotype ( ZMB) ; 1 male, same locality, 28.X.–30.XI.1912 ( ZMB) .

Diagnosis. P. excisa comes close to P. pallidifrons and P. undulata . Males differ from P. pallidifrons by the cerci that have the lobes of the apico-internal process of equal length and the baso-internal process shorter ( Figs. 153, 167), and especially be the apical parts of the titillators that are narrow and widening towards the truncate apex; a unique feature within the genus ( Fig. 376). From P. undulata , males differ by the peculiar shape of the titillators, by the apico-internal process of the cercus that is inserted vertically, and by the triangular epiproct ( Fig. 128). Females are unique for the subgenital plate, which has the short basal area divided in middle by a narrow membranous zone; the resulting lobes look in ventral view like two crescents facing each other ( Figs. 433, 512). Differences to other species are outlined in the key.

Description. Fastigium verticis in front of eyes 1.2 mm, from base 1.6 mm; dorsal eye length 1.6 mm; greatest diameter of eye 1.8 mm; index fastigium verticis from base: eye length 1.0. Face subsmooth in middle, with large but shallowly impressed dots, rugose towards genae ( Fig. 15). Tegmen little surpassing hind knees, apex rounded; pre-subcostal area wide in basal two thirds, narrow in apical third. Femora with the following number of spines on ventral margins: fore femur 7–9 external, 6 internal; mid femur 6–8 external, 2–4 internal near base; hind femur 11–14 external, 5–10 minute internal in basal area and 0–2 in apical area.

Male. Stridulatory file sinuate, 2.7 mm long; teeth at apex very dense and indistinct; with 90 teeth or 33.8 teeth per mm, in middle of file with 24.9 teeth per mm ( Fig. 56). Mirror narrowing posteriorly; fore and hind margins straight; 1.9 mm long 1.6 mm wide; index length:width 1.2. Tenth abdominal tergite transverse but slightly globular in middle; setose; apical margin wide and shallowly excised in middle, roundly projecting on both sides of excision ( Fig. 93). Epiproct with lateral margin strongly raised forming an angular crest, surface deeply furrowed ( Fig. 128). Projection of paraproct obtuse. Cerci conical, curved; internal surface with a laterally compressed, obtuse projection in basal quarter and with a compressed apico-internal projection with bi-spinose apex ( Figs. 153, 167). Subgenital plate wider than long; apex wide and moderately deep excised ( Fig. 278).

Titillators separate; gradually widening from basal parts to nearly truncate apex of apical parts, before apex more strongly widened and then a short way parallel-sided; apico-internal surface dark brown with clinging hairs; apex broadly truncate with lateral angle rounded; granular area of margin restricted to apex and apico-lateral angle; blackish brown ( Figs. 327, 376, 412).

Female ( Fig. 22). Tenth abdominal tergite transverse. Subgenital plate roughly horse-shoe shaped, divided in midline by a narrow membranous suture; apex of lobes conical, pointing mediad and varying from obtuse to subacute ( Figs. 433, 478, 512). Ovipositor typical for subgenus: sabre-shaped, moderately curved, margins converging, smooth, apex acute ( Fig. 544).

Coloration. Medium brown (discoloured? shades of green remain on legs of some specimens). Face with fastigium frontis except median ocellus, antennal scrobae, ventral side of scapus and base of pedicellus dark brown or black; another dark brown band running along the suture between face or genae and mouthparts and is interrupted in middle; mandibles pale ochre, apex brown. Pronotum brown, uniform or with light dots, disc with two yellow spots: one before first and the other behind second transverse sulcus; ventral area of paranota also yellow; pattern varying from little to very conspicuous. Tegmen with light veins and brown spots. Femora with genicular regions infumate, most distinct on hind femur; fore tibia infumate and with dark spots at tympanal area, sometimes also mid tibia infumate; hind tibia greyish yellow with little conspicuous brown spots at bases of dorsal spines.

Measurements (2 males, 4 females): body male 27–31, female 23–32; pronotum male 8.5–8.7, female 8.3–8.7; tegmen male 26.5–28.5, female 29.5–32.5; hind femur male 18.5–20.0, female 20–21; antenna female 100–110; ovipositor 20–22 mm.

Etymology. Named for the excised apical projection of the male cercus.