Neohirasea hujiayaoi subsp. shengtangshanensis Ho 2017, subsp. nov.
Creators: name: Ho, George Wai-Chun
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Phasmida
Diapheromeridae
Neohirasea
Neohirasea hujiayaoi
Neohirasea hujiayaoi shengtangshanensis

description: Neohirasea hujiayaoi shengtangshanensis subsp. nov.
(Figs. 46–49, 84–85)
Types. Holotype: ♂, 900–1200m, Shengtangshan, Jinxiu, Guangxi, China, 20–21.VII.2014, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES); Paratypes: 7♂, 7♀ (including 2 immatures), 900–1200m, Shengtangshan, Jinxiu, Guangxi, China, 20– 21.VII.2014, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES & SNUC).
Diagnosis. Neohirasea hujiayaoi shengtangshanensis subsp. nov. [China (Guangxi)] is similar to the nominate N. h. hujiayaoi sp. nov. & subsp. nov. [China (Guangxi)], but can be separated by lacking posterior spine-like tubercle on mesopleurae and lacking spine-like mediolateral tubercle on metapleurae in both sexes.
Description. Male (Figs. 46–47, 84). Medium-sized. Generally similar to the nominate race but slightly smaller. General colouration of body and legs brown to dark brown. Head as in the nominate race. Antennae as in the nominate race. Thorax as in the nominate race. Pronotum as long as head, with indistinctly incurved anterior margin, paired anterior spines weakly developed, apices curved forwards. Mesonotum with smaller granules than nominate race; median medial and posterior medial spines weakly developed. Mesopleurae lacking spine near posterior area and lacking supra-coxal spine. Metapleurae lacking mediolateral spine and with weakly developed supra-coxal spine. Abdomen as in the nominate race. Anal segment with small emargination on posterior margin.
Poculum with distinct elevation medially. Cerci and vomer as in the nominate race. Legs slender and long. Unarmed. All femora shorter than corresponding tibiae.
Female (Figs. 48–49, 85). Generally similar to the nominate race, but comparatively smaller. Head as in the nominate race. Oval, indistinctly constricted after compound eyes. Antennae as in the nominate race. Thorax as in the nominate race. Pronotum with a pair of weakly developed spine-like tubercles on anterior margin. Mesonotum longer than combined length of pronotum, metanotum and median segment. Mesopleurae less granulated than nominate race, lacking spine-like tubercle near posterior area. Metapleurae less granulated than nominate race, lacking spine-like tubercle mediolaterally and with a short spine-like supra-coxal tubercle. Abdomen as in the nominate race. Subgenital plate with pointed apex, reaching posterior margin of anal segment. Legs as in the nominate race. Slender and long. Unarmed. Anterodorsal and posterodorsal carinae of mesofemora and metafemora indistinctly waved.
Measurements in Table 6.
Distribution. China (Guangxi).
Notes. The measurements of female are only given to adults.
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Shengtangshan (Jinxiu, Guangxi, China).
Neohirasea nanlingensis sp. nov. (Figs. 50–52, 66, 86–94, 276–277)
Types. Holotype: ♂, Ruyuan, Guangdong, China, 15.VIII.2012, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES); Paratypes: 2♂, 2♀ & 34 eggs (naturally laid by paratypes ♀), Ruyuan, Guangdong, China, 15.VIII.2012, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES).
Diagnosis. Neohirasea nanlingensis sp. nov. [China (Guangdong)] is closely related to N. guangdongensis Chen & He, 2008 [China (Guangdong)], but can be separated by lacking subapical spines on anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of mesofemora and metafemora in both sexes, broad anal abdominal segment in male and lacking spine-like mediolateral spine on mesonotum and lacking mediolateral spines on metapleurae in female.
Description. Male (Figs. 50–51, 66, 86–88, 93). Medium-sized. General colouration of body and legs brown. Body slender and slim.
Head: Lacking granulation. Oval, indistinctly constricted after compound eyes, as long as pronotum. Vertex flat. Compound eyes rounded and small. Posterior margin of occiput with six indistinct small swellings. Median and lateral longitudinal furrows indistinct. Genae with a dark brown postocular band. Antennae filiform, sparsely covered with short bristles, surpassing apices of protarsi; scapus flattened basally, longer than pedicellus; third segment as long as combined length of scapus and pedicellus.
Thorax: Slender. Pronotum rectangular, longer than wide, as long as head; anterior margin weakly incurved, nearly truncate, with a pair of small and short spines, posterior margin rounded; transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing near center, with two to three small granules along each side of longitudinal sulcus. Mesonotum gently expanded posteriorly, median longitudinal carina indistinct, with small pits and a few small granules marginally; with paired medial spines anteriorly, medially and posteriorly. Metanotum trapezoidal, gently narrowing posteriorly, with a pair of medial spines on posterior margin. Mesopleurae with a few small granules and a minute supra-coxal spine. Metapleurae with a few granules and a short supra-coxal spine. Mesosternum and metasternum lacking granulation.
Abdomen: Slender, rough, lacking granulation. Median segment trapezoidal, gently expanded posteriorly. Second to sixth tergites roughly equal in length. Seventh tergum as long as eighth tergum. Seventh to ninth tergites with median and lateral longitudinal carinae. Eighth tergum gently expanded posteriorly. Ninth tergum shorter than eighth tergum. Anal segment distinctly broader than long, almost as long as ninth tergum, posteriorly constricted in second half, with a small notch on posterior margin. Poculum cup-shaped, elevated medially, posterior margin rounded, reaching middle area of anal segment. Cerci flattened, apices rounded and not surpassing end of anal segment.
Legs: Slender and long, sparsely covered with short bristles, unarmed. All femora thicker and shorter than corresponding tibiae. Profemora incurved basally, longer than mesonotum.
Vomer: Apical part asymmetrical, hook-like, tapering apically, apex blunt, gently curved and pointing left side in anteroventral view.
Female (Figs. 52, 89–92, 94). Similar to male, but body distinctly larger and more robust. General colouration of body dark brown. Legs yellowish brown with blackish markings.
Head: Oval, longer than wide, indistinctly constricted behind compound eyes. Vertex flat. Posterior margin of occiput with six small swellings. Compound eyes oval and small. Genae with a few small granules. Antennae filiform, surpassing apices of protarsi, sparsely covered with short bristles; scapus flattened and constricted basally, as long as third segment; pedicellus shorter than scapus.
Thorax: Wrinkled. Pronotum rectangular, longer than wide, slightly shorter than head, sparsely covered with a few small granules; anterior margin weakly incurved, posterior margin rounded; transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing at center of segment. Mesonotum three times length of pronotum, moderately expanded posteriorly, median longitudinal carina indistinct; with a small bi-tuberculate hump medially and paired spine-like tubercles anteriorly and posteriorly. Metanotum trapezoidal, gently constricted posteriorly, with paired spine-like tubercles on posterior margin. Mesopleurae with a few small granules. Metapleurae with a few small granules and a short spine-like supra-coxal tubercle. Mesosternum and metasternum inconspicuously covered with minute granules.
Abdomen: Cylindrical, gently tapering posteriorly, sparsely covered with small granules. Median segment trapezoidal, expanded posteriorly, shorter than metanotum. Second to sixth tergites equal in length. Seventh to eighth tergites equal in length, longer than preceding tergites. Median segment to seventh tergites with a small tubercle posteromedially. Eighth and ninth tergites with a crest-like structure posteromedially. Seventh sternum with granule-like praeopercular organ on posterior area. Anal segment longer than ninth tergum, posterior margin truncate, posterolateral angles rounded. Subgenital plate scoop-shaped, median longitudinal carina distinct, apex pointed and reaching middle area of anal segment. Cerci short, flattened, apices rounded and not surpassing posterior margin of anal segment.
Legs: Slender and long, sparsely covered with short bristles. Unarmed. All femora thicker than corresponding tibiae. Profemora incurved basally, as long as protibiae. Mesofemora roughly as long as mesotibiae. Metafemora shorter than metatibiae.
Measurements in Table 7.
Eggs (Figs. 276–277). Capsule dark brown, oval, wrinkled, posterior pole rounded. Micropylar plate rounded, with a short median longitudinal carina. Micropylar cup placed after middle point of micropylar plate. Median line short, about one-third of micropylar plate. Operculum dark brown, wrinkled, rounded, lacking capitulum, gently convex medially, marginally elevated.
Measurements. Length 2.8 mm, width 2.0 mm, height 2.2 mm.
Distribution. China (Guangdong).
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Nanling massif running through Guangdong, Guangxi and Hunan in southern China.
Neohirasea pengzhongi sp. nov. (Figs. 53–56, 67, 95–103)
Types. Holotype: ♂, 1300–1400m, Dashahe, Daozhen, Guizhou, China, 7.VII.2015, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES); Paratype: 1♀ & 7 eggs (extracted from abdomen of paratype ♀), 1300–1400m, Dashahe, Daozhen, Guizhou, China, 7.VII.2015, George Ho Wai-Chun (HKES).
Diagnosis. Neohirasea pengzhongi sp. nov. [China (Guizhou)] is the smallest Neohirasea species in China and can be separated from other known species by its small size, non-spinose thorax and waved anterodorsal and posterodorsal carinae of femora and tibiae in both sexes. N. pengzhongi sp. nov. is related to N. nana (Carl, 1913) [Vietnam], but can be separated by distinctly waved anterodorsal and posterodorsal carinae of femora in both sexes.
Description. Male (Figs. 53–54, 67, 95–97, 102). Small size. Body slender and slim, distinctly smaller and more slender than female. General colouration of body and legs dark brown.
Head: Lacking granulation. Oval, constricted behind compound eyes, as long as pronotum. Vertex flat. Posterior margin of occiput with six small swellings. Median longitudinal furrow distinct, lateral longitudinal furrows indistinct. Genae with indistinct blackish markings. Compound eyes rounded and small. Antennae long and filiform, sparsely covered with short bristles, left antenna broken, apex of right antenna reaching apex of right protibia; scapus flattened basally, longer than pedicellus; third segment longer than scapus.
Thorax: Pronotum rectangular, slightly longer than wide; transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing at middle point, with small granules along both sides of longitudinal sulcus; anterior margin weakly curved inwards and with a pair of small granules, posterior margin rounded. Mesonotum rough, moderately expanded posteriorly, median longitudinal carina distinct; with paired enlarged granules anteriorly and medially, also with a few small granules along lateral margins. Metanotum trapezoidal, constricted posteriorly, distinctly longer and wider than median segment; with a few small granules and distinct median longitudinal carina. Mesopleurae with a few small granules. Metapleurae with a few small granules and a minute supra-coxal tubercle. Mesosternum and metasternum with inconspicuous granulations.
Abdomen: Slender, with a few small granules and short wrinkles dorsally, only wrinkled ventrally. Median segment to ninth tergites with an obscure granule-like hump posteromedially. Median segment wider than long. Third to seventh tergites parallel-sided and roughly equal in length. Eighth tergum gently expanded posteriorly, as long as ninth tergum. Ninth tergum with slightly elongate posterolateral angles, apex pointed. Anal segment slightly shorter than ninth tergum, with a broad U-shaped emargination on posterior margin, posterolateral angles rounded. Poculum cup-shaped, elevated medially, posterior margin truncate, reaching middle area of anal segment. Cerci flattened, apices rounded and not surpassing end of anal segment.
Legs: Slender and long, sparsely covered with short bristles. Anterodorsal, posterodorsal, anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of femora waved with indistinct elevations, ventral carinae with less distinct elevations than dorsal carinae. Profemora incurved basally. Mesofemora as long as mesotibiae. Dorsal carinae of tibiae waved with indistinct elevations, less prominent than femora.
Vomer: Apical part asymmetrical, hook-like, distinctly constricted apically, apex pointed, gently curved and pointing right side in anteroventral view.
Female (Figs. 55–56, 98–101, 103). Similar to male, but body distinctly larger and more robust. General colouration of body and legs dark brown.
Head: Lacking granulation. Oval, longer than wide. Vertex flat. Posterior margin of occiput with six small swellings. Median and lateral occipital longitudinal furrows indistinct. Compound eyes oval and small. Antennae filiform, reaching apices of protibiae, covered with sparse long and dense short bristles; scapus flattened basally, median longitudinal carina indistinct, longer than third segment; pedicellus shorter than scapus and roughly as long as third segment.
Thorax: Thick-built, sparsely covered with short brownish bristles. Pronotum square, roughly as long as head, covered with a few small granules, transverse and longitudinal sulci crossing at middle point; anterior margin weakly incurved, with a pair of slightly larger granules, posterior margin truncate. Mesonotum wrinkled and granulated, two times length of pronotum, moderately expanded posteriorly in anterior half, moderately swollen medially and narrowing in posterior half; mediolongitudinally carinate, with a bi-tuberculate hump medially, a pair of large granules on posterior margin and lateral margins interspersed with comparatively larger granules. Metanotum wrinkled, with a bi-tuberculate hump on posterior margin, but smaller than the tuberculate hump on mesonotum. Mesopleurae with a few small granules. Metapleurae covered with a few small granules and a short supra-coxal tubercle. Mesosternum and metasternum with sparse and inconspicuous granulations.
Abdomen: Cylindrical, tapering posteriorly. Wrinkled, sparsely granulated and covered with short bristles. Median segment broader than long, as long as metanotum. Second to fourth tergites equal in length. Fifth tergum to anal segment roughly equal in length, longer than preceding tergites. Median segment to sixth tergum with a short tubercle posteromedially. Seventh to ninth tergites with a crest-like structure posteromedially, increased in size posteriorly, apex obtuse. Praeopercular organ on seventh sternum distinct, formed by two short longitudinal carinae. Anal segment with median longitudinal carina, with two small emarginations on posterior margin, posterolateral angles rounded. Subgenital plate scoop-shaped, median longitudinal carina distinct, apex rounded and reaching posterior margin of anal segment. Cerci short, flattened, apices rounded and not surpassing posterior margin of anal segment.
Legs: Slender and long, sparsely covered with short bristles. Anterodorsal, posterodorsal, anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of femora waved with distinct elevations, ventral carinae with less distinct elevations than dorsal carinae. Profemora incurved basally, as long as protibiae. Mesofemora as long as mesotibiae. Metafemora shorter than mesotibiae. Anterodorsal, posterodorsal, anteroventral and posteroventral carinae of tibiae waved with indistinct elevations, ventral carinae with less distinct elevations than dorsal carinae, tibiae with less distinct elevations than femora.
Measurements in Table 8.
Distribution. China (Guizhou).
Notes. The left foreleg of the holotypic male is a regenerated leg and measurement and description are only given to the right foreleg. The egg description, illustrations and measurements are insufficiently provided because the extracted eggs removed from the abdomen of the paratypic female are in an immature stage.
Etymology. This species is named in honour of Peng Zhong [specialist of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera), Shanghai, China] who helped me in many ways during the collecting trips in Guangxi and Guizhou, China.
description: Published as part of Ho, George Wai-Chun, 2017, Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Phasmatodea V: New taxa and new nomenclatures of the subfamilies Necrosciinae (Diapheromeridae) and Lonchodinae (Phasmatidae) from the Phasmatodea of China, pp. 1-72 in Zootaxa 4368 (1) on pages 19-23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4368.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1125305