Diapherodes gigantea subsp. saintluciae Hennemann, Conle & Perez-Gelabert, 2016, n. ssp.
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
Diapherodes
Diapherodes gigantea
Diapherodes gigantea saintluciae

description: Diapherodes gigantea saintluciae n. ssp.
(Figs. 136–143, 367, 381)
Diapherodes gigantea, Langlois, Lelong & Dorel, 2006: 42, figs. 19 a–g (♂, ♀, nymph), photos 5–6 (♀) & 27–29 (egg, REMphotos).
Langlois & Lelong, 2010: 60 (in part—only records from Saint Lucia).
HT, ♀: Saint Lucia, Mount Rochar 1100 ft., Nr. Dennery, 22.30 local time, 1994, on guava on side of track, AR + DP James [NHMUK].
PT, 2 ♀♀: Santa Lucia 89–99 [NHMUK].
PT, ♂: Saint Lucia, Prospect, 9.VI.1936, H.E. Box, Pres. by Com. Inst. Ent. B. M. 1952-302 [NHMUK].
PT, ♂: Saint Lucia, Castries, 9.XI.1934, H.E. Box, Pres. by Com. Inst. Ent. B. M. 1952-302 [NHMUK].
PT, ♂: La Perle Estate, Saint Lucia, W. Indies, J. Frew, B. M. 1935-270, Diapherodes sp. not in B. M. det. B. Uvarov 1935 [NHMUK].
PT, ♂: Saint Lucia: Union Agr. School, 25-V-1987, R.E. Woodruff [FSCA].
PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: Sainte-Lucie, Barre de l’Isle Trail, alt. 275–305 m, 13°55’34’’N 60°57’28’’E, 02.XI.2003 [MNHN, coll. ASPER; No’s SLU03-90 & 94].
PT, 3 ♀♀: Sainte-Lucie, Barre de l’Isle Trail, alt. 275–305 m, 13°55’34’’N 60°57’28’’E, 02.XI.2003 [coll. ASPER; No’s SLU03-91 to 93].
PT, ♀: Sainte-Lucie, Mount Beaujolais nord, alt. 38–274 m, 13°54’30’’N 60°55’45’’E, 22.X.2003 [coll. ASPER, No. SLU03- 18].
PT, 2 ♂♂: Sainte-Lucie, Banse 1 km nord, alt. 183–229 m, 13°47’09’’N 60°58’53’’E, 21.X.2003 [coll. ASPER, No’s SLU03- 98 to 99].
PT, ♂: Sainte-Lucie, Forestière, alt. 185–305 m, 13°57’29’’N 60°57’46’’E, 29.X.2003 [coll. ASPER, No. SLU03-074].
Diagnosis: Similar to the nominate form from Saint Vincent and Grenada but, apart from being geographically isolated, easily distinguished by the considerably smaller size, relatively shorter mesothorax and more numerous spiniform tubercles and spines of the mesonotum of both sexes. Females differ by: the more broadened mesothorax; longitudinal row of small spines near the lateral margins of the mesonotum (Figs. 136–137); more numerous granules and tubercles of the meso- and metasternum; lack of the distinct lamellate expansions of the mid and hind legs, as well as the almost smooth dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora and corresponding tibiae. ♂♂ differ from those of the nominate form by: the black mesothoracic armature; somewhat longer alae, which usually exceed the posterior margin of abdominal tergum VI (Figs. 138–139); broader posteromedian excavation of the anal segment (Fig. 143) and broader vomer, which has the terminal hook somewhat less acuminate and relatively shorter (Fig. 359). One of the ♂ paratypes (specimen from Prospect in NHMUK) has a rounded posterolateral lobe on abdominal tergum VII and the meso- and metafemora bear a sub-apical lobe dorsally, both of which features are also not known to occur in D. gigantea gigantea. The characterizations provided below emphasize on the distinctive features.
Etymology: Neuter. The name “ saintluciae ” refers to the type-locality Saint Lucia, one of the Lesser Antillean islands, to which this new subspecies is endemic.
Characterization: ♀ (Figs. 136–137). Of moderate size for the genus (body length including subgenital plate 118.5–132.0 mm), and fairly broad (body width at abdominal tergum III 11.0–14.0 mm). General colouration bright yellowish green to apple green, ventral body segments mid green with a slight whitish wash on abdominal sternites. All larger spines and spiniform tubercles of the thorax dull yellow with black tips. Meso- and metapleurae white ventrally with the longitudinal row of spines dark red to dull reddish brown. Antennae pale red, the scapus and pedicellus with a brownish hue. Eyes of moderate size, slightly elongate-oval; their length contained about 2.5x in that of cheek. Pronotum with a prominent median pair of blunt spines in the anterior half; posterior half armed with one or two pairs of blunt tubercles medially and a small, spiniform tubercle at each posterolateral angle. Mesothorax rather short and decidedly, gradually widened towards the posterior; about 1.4x longer than head and pronotum combined; mesonotum with posterior margin more than 2x wider than anterior margin (Figs. 136–137). Dorsal surface of mesonotum armed with two distinct pairs of spines close to anterior margin and a variable number of spines and spiniform tubercles in the remainder portion except the posterior 1/3; usually with two considerably enlarged spines medially. Along lateral margins with a longitudinal row of 6–12 moderately sized spines, which gradually decrease in size towards the posterior of segment (Figs. 136–137). Spines of the meso- and metapleurae acute and of moderate size, the largest spine less than 2x as long as its basal width. Meso- and metasternum unevenly tuberculose. Abdominal tergum VII ± deflexed with lateral margins gently rounded (Fig. 141). Posterior margin of anal segment broadly rounded, epiproct very small and fully hidden under anal segment (Fig. 141). Subgenital plate long and projecting over apex of abdomen by more than the combined length of tergites IX and X Figs. 140–141). Posterodorsal carina of profemora, as well as all carinae of the mid and hind legs finely but acutely granulose. Medioventral carina of meso- and metafemora faint and with 6–10 stout but distinct spines, which decrease in size towards the base of femur. Posteroventral carina with one, anteroventral carina with two moderately distinct, pointed sub-apical spines.
♂ (Fig. 138–139). Medium-sized for the genus (body length 83.0–89.0 mm). General colouration creamish mid brown, the ventral body segments except the prosternum whitish. Spines of the pro- and mesonotum black with olive bases, all smaller tubercles and granules of the thorax black. Antennae ochre. Anterior margin of tegmina and anterior margin in basal portion of alae pale yellow. If present, sub-apical dorsal lobes of the meso- and metafemora very dark brown. Vertex armed with two moderately decided ochre tubercles, back of vertex smooth. Pronotum with a well developed pair of blunt spines in front of the transverse median depression, and a pair of considerably smaller, spine-like tubercles in the posterior portion. Mesothorax about 2x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum dorsally armed with 8–12 distinct but blunt paired spines and usually a cluster of four paired spines close to anterior margin; posterior portion of dorsal surface irregularly covered with small, acute granules; a variable number of blunt tubercles present along lateral margins. Mesopleurae with a longitudinal row of 8–10 rather distinct tubercles, which gradually decrease in size towards the posterior. Alae reaching to or projecting over posterior margin of abdominal tergum VI. Anal region of alae pale transparent pink. Abdominal tergum VII either parallel-sided or with a rather distinct, rounded lobe posterolaterally. Anal segment with a broad but shallow posteromedian excavation (Fig. 143). Vomer roundly triangular, hardly longer than wide and with a fairly short and broad, acuminate apical hook (Fig. 367). Poculum with a distinct median incision at posterior margin (Fig. 367). Posterodorsal carina of meso- and metafemora sometimes with a ± prominent, roundly triangular lobe sub-apically; anterodorsal carina of meso- and metatibiae occasionally expanded and rounded subbasally and sub-apically. Spines on the medioventral carina of the meso- and metafemora fairly small.
Variability: Both sexes show some variability in the size and number of the mesothoracic spines. The ♂ from Prospect in NHMUK is characteristic for having the lateral margins of abdominal tergum VII with a rounded posterior lobe, having a roundly triangular sub-apical lobe on the posterodorsal carina of the meso- and metafemora and having the anterodorsal carina of the meso- and metatibiae roundly to triangularly expanded sub-basally and sub-apically.
Comments: Langlois, Lelong & Dorel (2006: 42) and Langlois & Lelong (2010: 69) reported D. giagntea saintluciae n. ssp. is not particularly common on Saint Lucia with merely nine specimens found at four of the thirteen prospected localities. However, these authors stated it was comparatively more abundant than other Diapherodes -species are on neighbouring islands. Diapherodes gigantea saintluciae n. ssp. occurs in various biotopes like montane and lowland hygrophilic forests as well as cultivated zones in xero-mesophilic environments and is usually found in vegetation 0.5–4 metres off the ground. In the wild mimosa (Mimosa camporum, Mimosaceae), guava (Psidium guajava, Myrtaceae) and mapou-baril (Sterculia caribea, Sterculiaceae) seem to represent natural food plants. Captive rearing in Europe has shown bay tree (Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus, Rosaceae) to be accepted as alternative food plants by both nymphs and adults.
Distribution (Fig. 381): Saint Lucia (Mount Rochar, nr. Dennery 1100 ft. [NHMUK]; Prospect [NHMUK]; Castries [NHMUK]; La Perle Estate [NHMUK]; Trail above Banse 183–229 m [ASPER]; Northern Mount Beaujolais 38–274 m [ASPER]; Forestière [ASPER]; Barre de l’Isle Trail 274–305 m [MNHN, ASPER] & Union Agricultural School [FSCA]). Endemic.
Number of specimens examined: 16
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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 80-83, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4128.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/271800