Phanocles horni Hennemann & Conle 2024, comb. n.
Creators: name: Hennemann, Frank H.
name: Conle, Oskar V.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Phasmida
Diapheromeridae
Phanocles
Phanocles horni

description: Phanocles horni (Redtenbacher, 1908) comb. n.   
(Figs. 52A, 55D, 58L, 60E, 64L–N, 65D–F, 67A–C, 87N, 92B, 97L, 100B, 119A–D)  
 Bacteria horni Redtenbacher, 1908: 419.   
Shelford, 1909: 364.  
Brock, 1998: 33.  
Otte & Brock, 2005: 64.  
Harman, 2015: 27.  
López-Mora & Llorente-Bousquets, 2018: 48.  
Brock & Büscher, 2022: 216, 232, 510, figs.  
Luna, 2022: 91.  
 Further material examined [94 ♂♂, 59 ♀♀, eggs]:   
 MEXICO: 1 ♀: Mexico, Procopp; Coll. Br. v. W., ex Mus. Budapest; Bostra lobulata m.; 23.319 [NHMW]; 1 ♀: Etat Oaxaca, km. 98 entre Oaxaca et Tehuantepec, 1050m. 10–1–1974, M. Descamps rec.; Muséum Paris, Mexique, M. Descamps rec. [MNHN]; 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀: Mexico, Oaxaca, Carr. 190, Est. S. D. Tehuantepec, 440 m, 15.IX.2008, #10, N 16°24’95’’, W 095°40’44’’, leg. Fontana, Buzetti, Mariño-P. z. [PF]; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (+ 5 eggs): Mexico, Oaxaca, Carr. 190 (border OAX-CHI) 15km Est. S. Pedro Tehuantepec, 611 m, 13.IX.2008, #7, N 16°26’33’’, W 094°05’47’’, leg. Fontana, Buzetti, Mariño-P. z. [PF]; 20 ♀♀, 13 ♂♂, eggs: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann 2010 /11, Mexiko, Oaxaca / Chiapas, Est. S. de Tehuantepec, 440–611 m, 13.–15.IX.08; F2– Generation [FH, No’s 0700–1 to 31, E]; 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (in copula), 16 ♂♂: ex Zucht: F. Hennemann 2012–2015, Mexiko, Oaxaca / Chiapas, Est. S. de Tehuantepec, 440–611 m, 13.–15.IX.08 [FH, No’s 0700–32 to 51]; 59 ♂♂, 28 ♀♀, 150 eggs: Ex Zucht: O. Conle 2010–2012 PSG 330 CLP 332, Mexiko: S-Mexiko, Oaxaca, near Tehuantepec, 440–611m, leg. Paolo Fontana 2010 [OC, 0431–1 to 90].   
 Diagnosis. This peculiar species is well recognised amongst Phanocles and separated from other Central American species of the genus by a number of morphological features. Females (fig. 52A) are characteristic for the distinctly spinose meso- and metathorax and median segment (Figs. 58L, 119A–C), almost smooth meso- and metasternum (Fig. 87N), very small posterolateral lobe of abdominal tergum VII, short gonapophyses VIII, that do not project over the posterior margin of the anal segment, and ± whitish head. The long, lanceolate and acutely pointed subgenital plate, that notably extends beyond the apex of the abdomen (Figs. 64L–N) is shared with the Mexican P. berezini sp. nov. Males (Fig. 55D) are readily recognised by the almost entirely white head (Fig. 60E), strongly enlarged and broadened anal segment (Figs. 60A–B), that is notably broader than all preceding abdominal segments, obtusely bidentate apex of the vomer (Fig. 97L) and the very distinct annulations of the legs. The eggs (Fig. 100B) differ from all other known eggs of the genus by the almost ovoid and just minutely coriaceous but not punctured capsule, that has the polar area rounded and is blackish in colour with the dorsal surface pale grey. Moreover, also the hollow opercular excrescence is much higher than in all other known eggs of Phanocles.   
 Variability. Females of this species in particular show a remarkable size range. Considerable variability is also seen in the number, degree and size of the thoracic spines in ♀♀ (Figs. 58L, 119A–C), which can be rather sparse or densely cover the entire meso- and metanotum, the meso- and metapleurae and the median segment. In some specimens with large and numerous spines, the largest of these on the mesonotum may be rather obtuse and peg-like (Figs. 58L). While the meso- and metapleurae are distinctly spinose in most specimens at hand, the pleural spines are much reduced and merely represented as small spiniform tubercles in a fairly small percentage of the specimens. Variability is also seen in the colouration of the thoracic spines which can be bright dark red (mostly in specimens with very pronounced armature) or dull yellow to ochre. The pair of cephalic spines shows slight variability in size and shape. The main colouration ranges from yellowish grey and pale buff over drab to greyish mid brown and the head is more or less distinctly white, although there are some specimens which only have the dorsal portion of the vertex faintly white. In contrast to ♀♀, no considerable variability other than a moderate size range and slight variability in colouration is seen in the numerous ♂♂ examined in the context of the present study. Noteworthy size variation is also seen in the distinctive eggs, which are here described for the first time. While identical in morphology, the larger eggs are black in colour whereas the black portions are sepia in most of the smaller examples. Interestingly, some ♀♀ constantly lay the larger black eggs while other exceptionally lay the smaller, brown type of eggs. Body lengths: ♂♂ 78.0–102.0 mm, ♀♀ 135.5–176.0 (including subgenital plate), 127.0–171.0 mm (excl. subgenital plate).   
 Egg (Fig. 100B). Large and atypical for the genus in several aspects. Shape of capsule ovoid, notably longer than wide or high, gently narrowed towards the polar end with the polar-area convex and rounded; slightly oval in cross-section and the dorsal surface slightly more convex than lateral or ventral surfaces. Capsule surface almost smooth, slightly glossy and just very minutely coriaceous (20x magnification). Micropylar plate elongate, very slightly but gradually widening towards the posterior with the anterior end rounded and the posterior end narrowed; about 3/4 the length of capsule and roughly 5x longer than wide. Surface sculptured like that of capsule and weakly convex medio-longitudinally, the outer margin slightly raised. Micropylar cup a small knoB-like swelling at posterior end of plate. Median line very fine but well defined and almost reaching to posterior pole of capsule. Operculum slightly oval. Operculum oval and with a very large sized, hollow and raised structure that is formed by a network of fimbriate or vein-like excrescences of the outer margin, that are connected by thin membranes (these only present in freshly laid eggs); the structure much higher than wide, somewhat narrowing towards the apex and often gently arcuate; height ± corresponding to two-thirds of capsule length. Colour of capsule basically plain dark grey to black or sepia, polar-area and most of dorsal surface pale grey to cream; centre of polar-area with an blackish central marking. Micropylar plate pale grey to cream with the very posterior portion dark brown and the outer margin marked by a fine yellow line. Opercular excrescence amber with the membranes yellow.   
Measurements [mm]: length incl. capitulum 5.9–7.0, length 3.4–3.9, width 2.7–3.0, height 3.0–3.4, length of micropylar plate 2.8–3.1.  
 Comments. This species has been reared in captivity for several generations based on stock collected by Paolo Fontana along the carretera 190 near Tehuantepec at the border between the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, South Mexico in September 2008 (Fig. 130A). Captive breeding has proven fairly easy in large gauze cages and in a moderately humid but well-ventilated environment.Average temperatures of 25°C have found to be appropriate and daily spray with fresh water was much appreciated by nymphs and adults, which were frequently observed drinking. Alternative food plants frequently accepted included bramble (Rubus fruticosus & R. armeniacus, Rosaceae), raspberry (Rubus idaeus, Rosaceae), wild roses (Rosa spp., Rosaceae), oak (Quercus robur, Fagaceae) and salal (Gautheria shallon, Ericaceae) but unfortunately, nothing is known about the native host plants. Females produced an average of 3– 4 eggs per day, which were simply flicked away by an abrupt movement of the abdomen with dispersal being supported by the long and lanceolate subgenital plate. At the average temperatures mentioned above, eggs hatched after 4–5 months and at more than 75% the hatching rates were consistently high during the first three or so generations. Mating was constantly observed all day and occasionally up the three ♂♂ could be seen trying to mate with the same ♀. Not surprisingly, struggles between competing ♂♂ could frequently observed.
description: Published as part of Hennemann, Frank H. & Conle, Oskar V., 2024, Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea XXVI: Taxonomic review of Cladomorformia tax. n., a lineage of Diapheromerinae stick insects, with the descriptions of seven new genera and 41 new species (Phasmatodea: Occidophasmata: Diapheromerinae), pp. 1-454 in Zootaxa 5444 (1) on pages 183-184, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5444.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/11071464