Orthomeria limogesi Hennemann & Le Tirant 2021, n. sp.
Creators: name: Hennemann, Frank H.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Phasmida
Aschiphasmatidae
Orthomeria
Orthomeria limogesi

description: Orthomeria limogesi Hennemann & Le Tirant n. sp.
(Figs. 6–8)
HT, ♂: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids. E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu village, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [IMQC].
PT, 27 ♂♂, 24 ♀♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luk-sagu village, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [IMQC].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [MNHN].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [IRSN].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara, District, near Luksagu village, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [NHMB].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [NHMW].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, a. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [SMFM].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., A. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [CMN].
PT, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀: O-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids., W-Peleng Island, Buko District, Tinanasu, VI.2011 [coll. FH, No’s 0734-1 to 4].
PT, 11 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀: O-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids. E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu village, ca. 60 m elev., E. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [coll. FH, No’s 0734-5 to 21].
PT, 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀: O-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai-Inseln, W-Peleng Island, Buko District, btw. Tatendeng village and Eben village 400–550 m, IX.2011 [coll. FH, No’s 0734-22 to 31].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids. E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., E. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [coll. RTC].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids. E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu vil-lage, ca. 60 m elev., E. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [coll. RL].
PT, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai Ids. E-Peleng Island, Tinangkung Utara District, near Luksagu village, ca. 60 m elev., E. Brata leg., XI–XII.2016 [coll. AB].
PT, 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀: E-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Tengah, Banggai-Islands, W-Peleng Island, Bulagi District, Alul village near Bulagi, VI.2020 [coll. EB].
PT, ♀: Indonesia: Peleng, Tinangkung Utara District, Luksagu, Hutanlomou, Lolou Forest, 1.I.2016, A. Brata leg. [coll. RTC].
PT, ♂: Indonesia, W-Peleng Is., Buko District Tinanasu, 1.2017 [coll. RTC].
PT, ♂: Indonesia, Peleng, 06.2007 [coll. OC, No. 0543-1].
PT, ♂: Indonesia, Peleng, 08.2006 [coll. OC, No. 0543-2].
PT, ♂: Indonesia, Peleng, 04.2007 [coll. OC, No. 0543-3].
Etymology: This new species is dedicated to René Limoges, entomological technician at the Montreal Insectarium (IMQC), for taking photos of this species for this work as well as for many professional courtesies.
Differential diagnosis: Readily distinguished from the Sulawesian O. forstenii (Haan, 1842) by the larger size, longer alae, relatively smaller head and dull orange antennae of both sexes (black in forstenii). From the lectotype of the Philippine O. pandora (Westwood, 1859) ♂♂ of this new species differ by the smaller head, that is notably narrower than the pronotum, in relation slightly shorter mesonotum, differently shaped cerci (Fig. 6F) and dull orange antennae (except scapus and pedicellus). Since the synonymy of O. catadromus (Westwood, 1859), which is currently regarded as a synonym of O. pandora (see Vallotto et al., 2016: 52), deserves validation as no confirmed differentiation of ♀♀ of O. limogesi n. sp. can be presented at this place. It may however be mentioned that ♀♀ of this new species differ from the type-specimens of O. catadromus by the relatively smaller head, that is notably narrower than the pronotum and the dull orange antennae.
Description: The colouration is described from dried specimens and colour photographs taken of live specimens by local collectors.
(Figs. 7, 8C). Of average size for the genus (body length 46.5–55.5 mm), typical in shape with a comparatively small head, that is narrower than the pronotum. Entire body surface covered with fine, cream to dull yellow setae; setae on legs but tarsi in particular dull orange. General colour mid to dark brown, sometimes with a slight reddish hue. Abdominal tergum VII sometimes of slightly paler colour than rest of body. Head blackish brown and somewhat darker than rest of body and legs. Antennae (except scapus and pedicellus) orange to reddish mid brown. Eyes dark ochre to reddish brown. Tegmina dark orange. Costal region of alae dark brown with veins dark orange; the basal half of the radial vein and some of the diverging transverse veins sometimes with a green wash (Fig. 8C). Anal region of alae plain greyish mid brown, slightly transparent with the longitudinal veins dark brown and the transverse veins transparent (Fig. 7E).
Head: Wider than long, widest behind eyes, prognathous in lateral view, vertex flat (Fig. 7F); shorter and somewhat narrower than pronotum (Fig. 7G). Genae slightly shorter than diameter of eye. Eyes very large, almost circular in outline and projecting hemispherically. Two very shallow impressions on frons between bases of antennae. Gula sclerite very narrow and transverse. Antennae cylindrical, reaching to abdominal segment V and consisting of ca. 62–64 antennomeres. Scapus slightly compressed dorsoventrally, rectangular in dorsal aspect and about 1.3x longer than wide. Pedicellus round in cross-section, slightly constricted towards apex and shorter than scapus. Antennomere III about equal in length to scapus and pedicellus combined. IV much shorter, following ones first notably increasing then decreasing in length.
Thorax: Pronotum roughly quadrate, the anterior portion with a longitudinal median groove, convex and raised on both sides of groove and notably higher than posterior portion (Fig. 7F). Glandular field elliptical, the foramen slightly anteriad directed and at anterior margin. Posterior margin swollen and almost straight. Mesonotum almost rectangular (Fig. 7G), 1.7x longer than pronotum and approximately 1.6x longer than wide. Mesosternum flat with a slight longitudinal median furrow in anterior half, furcasternum with demarcated furca. Metanotum transverse, with central portion convex and strongly setose. Metasternum with a longitudinal median furrow in anterior half. Tegmina small, spatulate and folded longitudinally (Figs. 7F–G). Alae reaching to posterior portion of abdominal segment VI. Radial vein very strong and sclerotized; this as well as anterior and posterior median veins simple and unbranched (Fig. 7E).
Abdomen: Abdomen excluding median segment 1.15x longer than head and complete thorax combined. Segments II–V very slightly widening, VI –VII progressively narrowing. II–IV slighty increasing and V–VII decreasing in length with V longest segment; all somewhat longer than wider and almost rectangular. Tergum IX shorter than VIII. Anal segment strongly tectiform with a very obtuse longitudinal median bulge; posterior margin very slightly angular (Fig. 7D). Epiproct very small und wholly conealed under anal segment. Cerci small, round in cross-section, somewhat tapered in the apical half and very gently in-curving; projecting notably over posterior margin of anal segment (Fig. 7B). Subgenital plate deeply keeled, and very slightly reaching beyond apex of abdomen; posterior margin rounded (Fig. 7C).
Legs: Short and fairly stocky; all femora with very indistinct and rounded dorsal carinae, the two outer ventral carinae more defined but unarmed, or at best with a single sub-apical spine weakly indicated. Tibiae slightly shorter than corresponding femora and almost circular in cross-section with the two outer ventral carinae just very weakly indicated. Basitarsus of all tarsi a little longer than following two tarsomeres combined. Ungues pectinate (Fig. 6C).
♂ (Figs. 6, 8D). Of average size for the genus (body length 41.5–46.3 mm), shape very typical but with a comparatively small head that is notably smaller than the pronotum. Entire body surface, legs and tarsi densely setose, colour of setae dull yellow (body) to pale orange (tarsi). General colour plain black, tarsomere V and ungues dull orange. Antennae fairly bright dull orange except for scapus and pedicellus. Tegmina and alae as in ♀♀ but areas between veins in costal region of alae anterior to radial vein may be increasingly to almost entirely orange (Fig. 6B) to red (Fig. 8D).
Head: Generally as in ♀♀ but eyes relatively larger and much more strongly projecting. Length of gena cor-responding to only about ¾ the diametre of eye (Figs. 6-D–E). Antennae as in ♀♀ and reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment VI.
Thorax: Pronotum generally as in ♀♀ but the anterior portion somewhat less swollen (Fig. 6D). Mesonotum very slightly more elongate than in ♀♀, being almost 1.7x longer than wide with the anterior margin strongly swol-len and gently V-shaped (Fig. 6E). Longitudinal median furrow of meso- and metasternum very shallow. Tegmina and alae as in ♀♀, but the tegmina notably larger (Figs. 6D–E) and the alae reaching to posterior margin of abdomi-nal segment VI (Fig. 8D).
Abdomen: Abdomen excluding median segment 1.25x longer than combined length of head and complete thorax. Segments II–V almost uniform in length and width, VI and VII progressively shorter and slightly widening. II–V on average 1.6x longer than wide, VII just indistinctly longer than wide. Anal segment slightly longer than tergum IX, strongly tectiform and without ventral thorn pads at posterolateral angles; the posterior margin broadly rounded. Epiproct very small, triangular and fully hidden under anal segment. Vomer acutely triangular, strongly sclerotized and with a pointed, up-curving terminal hook. Cerci large, almost 1.5x length of anal segement, slightly compressed laterally and generally bone-shaped in lateral aspect with the median portion constricted and the apex strongly expanded and angular (Fig. 6F). The lower angle much more expanded than the upper one and obtuse, the upper angle bearing a sclerotized and shiny, blade-like ridge. Poculum large, scoop-shaped and projecting beyond apex of abdomen by about 2/3 the length of anal segment (Fig. 6F).
Legs: As in ♀♀ but averaging more slender. Ungues pectinate (Fig. 6C).
Variability: Females do not show any noteworthy variability, except for a rather remarkable range in body length (see table 1 below) and slight variability in overall colour. Males in contrast show considerable variability in the colouration of the costal region of the alae anterior to the radial vein. This is mostly coloured more or less like the posterior portion, being brown with dull orange veins, but a good number of specimens has the areas between the veins increasingly orange, particularly towards the base of the wing. In a very few specimens the anterior portion is almost entirely orange. It shall also be mentioned that on average specimens from Tinanasu are slightly larger than ones from Luksagu.
Comments: This species is fairly common in lowland regions throughout most of Peleng and can frequently be found on small trees of an unidentified species, that most likely belongs in the genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae). This tree appears to be the main host plant of Orthomeria limogesi n. sp. (Figs. 8A–B). Eggs not available.
Distribution: Apparently endemic to the Island of Peleng, the largest of the Banggai Islands.
description: Published as part of Hennemann, Frank H., 2021, Stick insects of Sulawesi, Peleng and the Sula Islands, Indonesia- a review including checklists of species and descriptions of new taxa (Insecta: Phasmatodea), pp. 1-189 in Zootaxa 5073 (1) on pages 16-21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5073.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5760636