Ramulus globosicaput
Creators: name: Hennemann, Frank H.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Phasmida
Phasmatidae
Ramulus
Ramulus globosicaput

description: Ramulus globosicaput (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907)
(Figs. 29, 35A–B)
Clitumnus globosicaput Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907: 192. HT, ♂: S. Celebes, Patuhuang, Jan. 1896, H. Fruhstorfer; det. Br. v. W. Clitumnus globosicaput; 20.756 [NHMW, No. 322].
Baculum globosicaput, Günther, 1935a: 2.
Brock, 1998: 31.
Hennemann, 1998: 115, 123 (in part—see coments on Ramulus torajanus n. sp. below).
Otte & Brock, 2005: 302.
Dagys balia Günther, 1935a: 3, pl. 1: 1. HT, ♂ nymph: Celebes, Latimodjong Geb. Oeroe 800 m, G. Heinrich 8.30; Type [MNHU]. (Synonymised by Hennemann, 1998: 124) Günther, 1938: 61.
Hennemann, 1998: 124.
Otte & Brock, 2005: 302.
Zompro, 2005: 255.
[Not: Baculum globosicaput, Günther, 1938: 60 → Misidentification; this is Ramulus extensum n. sp. above]
Further material: 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂, 1 ♂ n4, 1 egg: S-Sulawesi, Sulawesi Selatan, Lembang, Maros, leg. Gunawan XII.1995 [coll. FH, No’s. 0303-1 to 4 & E]; 1 ♀: S-Sulawesi, Prov. Sulawesi Selatan, Tana Toraja, Rantepao 700 m, leg. Tajuddin X.1995 - II.1996 [coll. FH, No. 0303-5].
Differential diagnosis: This species is well recognized by the colouration of the head of both sexes, which is green in ♂♂ and bears characteristic dark markings in both sexes, which however are variable in size and shape in ♀♀. Both sexes are similar to the sympatric R. torajanus n. sp. but differ by on avarage smaller size, more stocky shape, relatively shorter limbs and more prominent ventral sub-apical tooth of the meso- and metafemora. Males differ by the green head that bears conspicuous brown markings (Figs. 29L–M; plain orange in torajanus n. sp., Figs. 34K–L), not notably darkened three terminal abdominal segments and shorter, broader hemi-terga of the anal segment (Fig. 29E). Females can be separated by the more globose head that bears much larger dark markings (Figs. 29H–K), relatively shorter anal segment that has the posterior margin less deeply incised medially and smaller, more triangular epiproct (Fig. 29D). The eggs readily differ from those of R. torajanus n. sp. by the smaller size, shorter and more strongly sculptured capsule surface and larger dorsal projection of the operculum (Figs. 35A–B).
Variability: The three ♀♀ at hand show considerable chromatic variability. While one is generally olive green in colour and has all of the dark markings and flecks much more pronounced and almost black (coll. FH, 0303-2, Fig. 29A), the other two examples are rather drab greenish in colour with the dark markings notably less distinct and less defined (Fig. 29B). Moreover, the first specimen also has the markings of the vertex united to form a distinct black T-shaped mark (Figs. 29H, K), they form a rather pale brown Y-like mark in another specimen (coll. FH, No. 0303-1) and the third specimen merely has three separate pale brown markings (coll. FH, No. 0303-5, Fig. 29J). The specimen from the Tana Toraja highland is slightly larger (body length 115.0 mm) than the two examples from Maros (101.0– 102.5 mm). No such remarkable chromatic variability is seen in the two known ♂♂, the specimen from the authors collection (coll. FH, No. 0303-3) merely being lighther and more yellowish to orange in colour than the holotype with the markings on the vertex comparatively less defined. Both specimens have a body length of 89.0 mm.
Comments: Descriptions of the ♀ and egg were provided by Hennemann (1998). Comparative illustrations are presented below to allow better distinction of the three closely related new species described herein. The ♂ holotype in the collection of NHMW is labelled “Patuhuang”, which is believed to relate to Pattunuang, a village situated nearby to Maloku in the vicinity of Sulawesi’s capital Ujung Pandang (Fig. 4).
Re-examination of the material at hand from the authors collection and listed by Hennemann (1998: 115) has proven this to comprise two distinct species, one of which is here described as Ramulus torajanus n. sp. (see below). Examination of the ♂ from Mapane in the collection of NHMB recorded as Dagys balia by Günther (1938: 61) has proven this to be not conspecific to R. globosicaput, clearly differing by the slender shape, unicolorous head and more slender hemi-terga of the anal segment. It most likely represents another as yet undescribed species but since this fairly freshly moulted specimen has been preserved in spirits and thus is discoloured, it is not described herein. The ♀ from Mapane recorded by Günther (1938: 61) is a penultimate instar specimen and the specimen from Lake Poso is a small nymph. Hence, no confirmed decision on these specimens in the collection of NHMB can be made at this point.
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 72-74, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5073.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5760636