Haplopus brachypterus Hennemann, Conle & Perez-Gelabert, 2016, n. sp.
Creators: name: Frank H. Hennemann
name: Oskar V. Conle
name: Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Phasmida
Phasmatidae
Haplopus
Haplopus brachypterus

description: Haplopus brachypterus n. sp.
(Figs. 193–210, 339, 358, 380)
HT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-248 Entrance to Sabana Iglesia, Santiago Prov., 372 m, 19°20.196’N 70°45.483’W, 29.IV.2004, DPerez, BHierro, R. Bastardo. (d) [USNM].
PT, 1 ♀, 1 ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-248 Entrance to Sabana Iglesia, Santiago Prov., 372 m, 19°20.196’N 70°45.483’W, 29.IV.2004, DPerez, BHierro, R. Bastardo. (d) [USNM].
PT, 2 ♂♂: Dominican Republic, Janico, Santiago Prov., 30.IX.1996, on Pictetia spinifolia (Tabacuelo), D. Perez, S. Navarro [USNM].
PT, 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (penultimate instar), 1 ♀ (nymph n4): Dominican Republic, RD-247 Rd. Inoa—El Caimito, nr. San Josè de las Matas, Santiago Prov., 552 m, 19°22.225’N 71°00.661’W, 28.IV.2004, D. Perez, BHierro, RBastardo (d/n) [USNM].
PT, 1 ♀: Dominikaner Republik Haiti; Santiago de los Caballeros, P. Thumb leg., Eing. Nr. 92/37; PHA 7, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg [ZMUH].
PT, 1 ♀: Dominikaner Republik Haiti; Santiago de los Caballeros, P. Thumb leg., Eing. Nr. 92/37; PHA 8, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg [ZMUH].
PT, 1 ♀: Dominikaner Republik Haiti; Santiago de los Caballeros, P. Thumb leg., Eing. Nr. 92/37; PHA 9, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg [ZMUH].
PT, 1 ♀: Dominikaner Republik Haiti; Santiago de los Caballeros, P. Thumb leg., Eing. Nr. 92/37; PHA 10, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg [ZMUH].
PT, 3 ♂♂: Dominikaner-Republik Haiti, Oktober 1936, Santiago de los Caballeros, P. Thumb leg., Eing. Nr. 92, 1937 [ZMUH—in alcohol].
Diagnosis: Very similar to H. bicuspidatus de Haan, 1842 and H. intermedius n. sp.. From the first it differs by: the slightly smaller dimensions of both sexes; presence of posterior tubercles on the pronotum; tuberculose profurcasternum; parallel-sided abdominal tergum VII; more shallow posteromedian excavation of the anal segment and smaller, transverse epiproct of ♀♀ (Fig. 208), as well as the conspicuously shortened alae (5.6–6.0 mm); distinct yellow markings on the frons and posterior portion of the cheeks (Fig. 205); more prominent and spiniform anterior spines of the pronotum (Fig. 205); less decidedly excavated anal segment (Fig. 208) and longer papillate terminal hook of the vomer of ♂♂ (Fig. 350). From H. intermedius n. sp., with which ♂♂ share the shortened alae, it can be distinguished by: the conspicuously less distinct posterolateral lobe of abdominal tergum VII and lack of a sub-apical tooth on the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora of both sexes. ♀♀ also differ by: the slightly smaller dimensions; considerably smaller cephalad horns (Fig. 204); relatively longer mesothorax; absence of distinct paired posterior spines on abdominal tergites II–IV; absence of a sub-basal and sub-apical elevation of the anterodorsal carina of the meso- and metatibiae, and smaller epiproct (Fig. 208). Males have the anal region of the alae smaller and less well developed than in H. intermedius n. sp. (Fig. 206) and the cerci round in cross-section (compressed basally and carinate dorsally in intermedius).
The short alae of ♂♂ also resemble H. scabricollis (Gray, 1835) from the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Navassa Island and Cayman Islands. They however clearly differ from ♂♂ of H.scabricollis by: the more slender body; lack of longitudinal white stripes along the lateral margins of the pronotum, and white median markings on the median segment and abdominal tergites VIII–X; convex and prominently bi-cornute vertex (Fig. 205); more decidedly excavated anal segment (Fig. 210) and more distinct central spine of the poculum (Fig. 209). Females are well distinguished from H. scabricollis by: the globose and prominently bi-cornute vertex (Fig. 204); longer alae; less decidedly tuberculose pronotum and smaller epiproct (Fig. 208).
Etymology: The name “ brachypterus ” refers to the conspicuously shortened alae of both sexes.
Description: ♀ (Fig. 202). Of moderate size (body length including the subgenital plate 131.0–139.0 mm) and slender for the genus; body surface slightly glabrous. Colour creamish mid to dark brown with abdomen to a variable degree furnished with paler and darker mottling and speckles. Head with the cheeks irregularly whitish and a black marking above the eyes; two further small black spots on the frons between the bases of the antennae. Antennae dark ochraceous with a very slight reddish wash ventrally. Spines of the thorax dark reddish brown. Anterior portion of metapleurae whitish. Tegmina and costal region of alae dark brown to black with the veinature sepia; the latter blackish basally. Anal region of alae transparent and all major longitudinal and transverse veins broadly marked with dark brown.
Head: About 1.2x longer than wide, globose with the cheeks rather convex. Vertex rounded and with a pair of moderately sized and apically pointed cephalad spines (Fig. 204). Eyes circular and contained about 3x in length of cheeks. Antennae ± reaching half way along median segment and consisting of about 64 segments. Scapus 2.2x longer than wide and gently expanded pre-apically. Pedicellus less than half the length of scapus and about equal to III.
Thorax: Pronotum a little longer but distinctly narrower than head, about 1.4x longer than wide, roughly rectangular but the lateral margins with a wide ± semi-circular emargination pre-medially. Transverse median sulcus deep, strongly curved but not reaching lateral margins of segment. Dorsal surface with a pair of low spines in the anterior portion and two pairs of small tubercles in the posterior portion (the posterior pair may be lacking, Fig. 204). Prosternum smooth. Profurcasternum with three pairs of tubercles; a distinct pair marking the anterolateral angles of the segment, a much smaller pair at the posterior angles and a further even smaller pair posterior of distinct anterior tubercles. Mesothorax about 2.8x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum fairly narrow anteriorly but otherwise almost parallel-sided; surface with a variable number of spiniform tubercles or low spines; a rather defined marginal row of evenly sized tubercles is present laterally. Meso- and metapleurae with an irregular longitudinal marginal row of short but acute spines. Mesosternum sparsely set with some very low, irregularly paired spines, metasternum usually with two pairs of tubercles. Metanotum about ¼ length of mesonotum, unarmed. Tegmina oval, coriaceous, with the venation very distinct, dense and irregularly disposed, and slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum; median protuberance very shallow and slightly displaced towards the apex of tegmen. Alae very indistinctly longer than tegmina and reaching about ¾ the length along median segment.
Abdomen: Median segment 2x longer than wide and very gently narrowed medially. All segments unarmed, except for a pair of very shallow tubercles near posterior margin of tergum II. Segments II–IV very slightly increasing in length, V as long as IV; the latter two segments about 2x longer than wide. VI a little shorter and narrower than V, almost 2.5x longer than wide. Tergum VII slightly shorter than VI and parallel-sided, the posterolateral angles very slightly rounded; dorsal surface with two short converging carinae in posterior half. Praeopercular organ formed by an acute, longitudinal ridge in posterior portion of sternum VII (Fig. 339). Tergum VIII slightly shorter than VII, gently narrowed medially and almost 2.5x longer than wide. IX rectangular and about 2/3 the length of VIII. Anal segment with a very faint longitudinal median carina, narrowed in posterior half and with a shallow posteromedian emargination. Epiproct very small, roughly triangular and the projecting part wider than long (Fig. 208). Cerci very small, conical with a rather acute apex and slightly compressed laterally; hardly projecting over posterior margin of anal segment. Subgenital plate very long, lanceolate, longitudinally carinate and with a ± acute apex; extending greatly over apex of abdomen (Fig. 207).
Legs: Profemora about 2/3 the length of mesothorax, mesofemora reaching about 1/3 the way along abdominal segment II and metafemora reaching about half way along abdominal segment IV. Profemora occasionally with 1–3 very minute spines in the apical half of the medioventral carina. Anteroventral carina of meso- and metafemora with two, posteroventral carina with one sub-apical spine; medioventral carina armed with four distinct spines. Basitarsi about as long as following three tarsomeres combined.
♂ (Fig. 203). Of moderate size (body length 83.2–87.5 mm) and rather slender for the genus with conspicuously shortened alae (length 5.4–5.9 mm). Colouration rather complex with great parts of head, mesometapleurae, ventral body surface and legs bright green. Head green with the frons yellow and a yellow postocular stripe along cheeks (Fig. 205). Dorsal surface of thorax creamish mid brown, of abdomen drab to pale brown. Pronotum yellowish laterally. Dorsal spines of pro- and mesothorax dark reddish brown with black points. Meso- and metapleurae with a washed longitudinal yellow marking in posterior portion and each with a dull yellow longitudinal band along lower margin. Lateral margins of abdominal tergites VIII and IX broadly white. Tegmina and costal region of alae mid to dark greyish brown; anterior margin and basal portion of posterior margin of tegmina, as well as anterior margin of alae broadly white; base of alae blackish. Anal region of alae pink with all major veins brown (Fig. 206). Antennae drab to ochraceous. Tarsi pale to mid reddish brown.
Head: Generally as in ♀♀ but with the cephalad horns more prominent, slender and acutely pointed (Fig. 205). Eyes more prominent, projecting hemispherically and their length contained only about 2x in that of cheeks. Antennae moderately robust; broken in all specimens at hand.
Thorax: Pronotum slightly longer but narrower than head, general shape as in ♀♀; surface smooth except for a moderate pair of blunt spines or spiniform tubercles in the anterior portion (Fig. 205). Mesothorax about 2.5x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum with 7–8 pointed, irregularly dispersed but paired spines in the anterior 2/3. Mesosternum and metasternum with several irregularly dispersed ± spiniform tubercles. Tegmina oval and ± reaching posterior margin of metanotum, central protuberance very shallow. Alae small, slightly shorter than alae and reaching only about 2/3 the way along median segment (Fig. 206).
Abdomen: Segment II a little shorter than III–IV and equal in length to V, about 2.7x longer than wide. III and IV longest segments and almost 3.5x longer than wide. V–VII gradually decreasing in length with VII no more than 2.3x longer than wide. All tergites and sternites smooth. VII slightly expanded posteriorly (Fig. 210). VIII shorter than VII and gently widening towards the posterior; IX about ¾ the length of VIII and narrowed towards the posterior. Anal segment with a faint longitudinal median carina which becomes gradually more decided towards the base. Posterior portion narrowed and laterally emarginated, the posterior margin with a shallow median emargination (Fig. 210), slightly swollen and on ventral surface armed with several small, black in-curving denticles. Epiproct very small (Fig. 210). Vomer with a rather small, roughly semi-circular base and a very long, papillate, up-curving terminal hook which is>1.5x longer than the basal portion (Fig. 358). Cerci large, obtuse and about equal in length to anal segment, very slightly laterally compressed basally. Poculum moderately convex, cuplike and with a prominent, acute and spiniform basal hump (Fig. 209); posterior portion carinate longitudinally (Fig. 358).
Legs: Pro- and mesofemora very slightly shorter than mesothorax, metafemora projecting a little over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV. All legs less carinate than in ♀♀ but armature generally alike. Tarsi relatively more elongate and basitarsi a little longer than following three tarsomeres combined.
Nymphs: The half-grown ♀ and penultimate instar ♂ nymph at hand are greyish dark brown with fine pale grey mottling and both lack the sub-apical dorsal lobe on the meso- and metafemora, which distinguish them from nymphs of the very similar H. intermedius n. sp.. The ♀ nymph has abdominal tergum VII with a distinct, rounded posterolateral lobe, hence has this much better developed than adult specimens.
Comments: This new species appears to be not uncommon in the northwestern Dominican Republic and is known to feed on “Palo de Tabaco” (Pictetia spinifolia, Fabaceae) at Janico. Eggs unknown. Distribution (Fig. 380): Hispaniola, NW-Dominican Republic (Santiago Province) [USNM, ZMUH]. Number of specimens examined: 15
description: Published as part of Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle & Daniel E. Perez-Gelabert, 2016, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XVI: Revision of Haplopodini Günther, 1953 (rev. stat.), with notes on the subfamily Cladomorphinae Bradley & Galil, 1977 and the descriptions of a new tribe, four new genera and nine new species (Phasmatodea: " Anareolatae ": Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae), pp. 1-211 in Zootaxa 4128 (1) on pages 113-117, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4128.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/271800