Haplopus intermedius Hennemann, Conle & Perez-Gelabert, 2016, n. sp.
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
Haplopus
Haplopus intermedius

description: Haplopus intermedius n. sp. (Figs. 211–219, 359, 380)
HT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-158, ~ 2 km N Maizal, Valverde Prov., dry forest, 19°39.819’N 70°58.422’W, 23.VII.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro. (day) [USNM].
PT, ♀: Dominican Republic, RD-088 4 km E Montecristi, Montecristi Prov., 19°49.657’N 71°37254’W, 10.XII.2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo (night) [USNM].
PT, ♂ (nymph n5): Dominican Republic, RD-088 4 km E Montecristi, Montecristi Prov., 19°49.657’N 71°37254’W, 10.XII.2002, D. Perez, R. Bastardo (night) [USNM].
PT, ♂ (nymph n4): Dominican Republic, RD-028 5.II.02, 3 km S. Montecristi, near road, Montecristi Prov., near sea level.Day. RB, BH, DP [USNM].
Diagnosis: Very similar to H. bicuspidatus de Haan, 1842 and H. brachypterus n. sp. but well distinguished from both species by the triangular sub-apical tooth on the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora of both sexes, as well as the sub-basal and sub-apical elevation of the anterodorsal carina of the meso- and metatibiae of ♀♀ and basally compressed and dorsally carinate cerci of ♂♂. From the first species ♀♀ also differ by: the presence of posterior tubercles on the pronotum and tubercles on the profurcasternum; slightly shorter mesothorax; considerably larger epiproct (Fig. 215) and distinct paired posterior spines on abdominal tergites II–IV (Fig. 218). Males readily differ from those of H. bicuspidatus by the shortened alae (length 5.6 mm) and the posterolateral tooth or lobe of abdominal tergum VII (Fig. 217). From H. brachypterus n. sp. this species can be distinguished by: the distinct posterolateral lobe of abdominal tergum VII and sub-apical tooth on the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora of both sexes. Females furthermore differ by: the slightly larger dimensions; larger horns of the vertex; relatively shorter mesothorax; presence of a sub-basal and sub-apical elevation of the anterodorsal carina of the meso- and metatibiae, and larger epiproct (Fig. 215). Males have the anal region of the alae larger and better developed than those of H. brachypterus n. sp..
The short alae of ♂♂ also resemble H. scabricollis (Gray, 1835) from the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Navassa Island and the Cayman Islands. They however clearly differ from ♂♂ of H. scabricollis by: the more slender body; lack of longitudinal white stripes along the lateral margins of the pronotum and white median markings on the median segment and abdominal tergites VIII–X; convex and prominently bi-cornute vertex; more decidedly excavated anal segment (Fig. 217) and more acute central spine of the poculum (Fig. 216). ♀♀ are well distinguished by: the globose and prominently bi-cornute vertex, longer alae and typical armature of the mid and hind legs.
Etymology: The specific name “ intermedius ” (lat. = inbetween) is meant to refer to the close relation to the genus Cephaloplopus n. gen. in several morphological aspects.
Description: ♀ (Fig. 211). Rather large (body length including the subgenital plate 152.0 mm) and slender for the genus; body surface slightly glabrous. Metathorax and great parts of abdomen discoloured to very dark brown during the process of dehydration in the unique ♀ paratype. Colour creamish mid brown and all over furnished with pale cream to whitish mottling and speckles. Head with lateral surfaces whitish and two small black markings above the eyes; vertex with irregular bown markings. Antennae mid grey dorsally, brown ventrally. Eyes dark reddish brown. Spines of the thorax dark sepia with the points black. Tegmina and costal region of alae dark brown with the venations of a slightly paler colour; the latter black basally. Anal region of alae transparent drab and all major longitudinal and transverse veins broadly marked with dark brown (Fig. 219). Legs and subgenital almost entirely creamish white with faint grey mottling.
Head: About 1.2x longer than wide, globose with the cheeks fairly convex. Vertex rounded and armed with a pair of large apically pointed cephalad horns. Eyes circular and contained almost 3.5x in length of cheeks. Antennae broken in the only specimen available. Scapus 2.2x longer than wide with the lateral margins gently rounded. Pedicellus less than half the length of scapus and a little shorter than antennomere III. Both antennae broken in the only specimen available.
Thorax: Pronotum longer but considerably narrower than head, almost 2x longer than wide, roughly rectangular and with the lateral margins gently emarginated medially. Transverse median sulcus deep, almost straight and not reaching lateral margins of segment. Dorsal surface with a pair of moderately sized but pointed spines in the anterior portion; in posterior portion with two pairs of smaller spines. Prosternum smooth. Profurcasternum with three pairs of small tubercles, one pair marking the anterolateral angles of the segment, a much smaller pair at the posterior angles and a further even smaller pair positioned posterior of the distinct anterior tubercles. Mesothorax about 2.7x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum almost parallel-sided, the surface with a good number of irregularly disposed spines of variable size; along lateral margins with a marginal row of about eight small but pointed spines. Meso- and metapleurae armed with an irregular longitudinal marginal row of moderately sized spines. Mesosternum with four pairs of low spines, metasternum with two pairs of blunt spines. Metanotum about ¼ the length of mesonotum, unarmed. Tegmina oval, coriaceous, with the venation very distinct, dense and irregularly disposed; slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum. The median protuberance very shallow and conspicuously displaced towards the apex of tegmen. Alae a little longer than tegmina and reaching about 2/3 the way along median segment.
Abdomen: Median segment 2x longer than wide and very gently narrowed medially. All segments unarmed, except for a pair of compressed posteromedian spines on tergites II–IV; this pair of spines most prominent on II (Fig. 218). Segments II–IV very slightly increasing in length, V as long as IV; the latter two segments about 1.8x longer than wide. VI a little shorter and narrower than V, about 2x longer than wide. Tergum VII slightly shorter than VI and parallel-sided, with the posterolateral angles protuded into a rather narrow, blunt triangular lobe (Fig. 214). VIII slightly shorter than VII, gently narrowed medially and roughly 2.5x longer than wide. IX rectangular and slightly more than half the length of VIII. Anal segment with a very faint longitudinal median carina, narrowed in posterior half and with a deep triangular posteromedian emargination. Epiproct prominent, acutely triangular and projecting considerably over apex of anal segment (Fig. 215). Cerci small, conical with a rather acute tip and slightly compressed laterally; somewhat projecting over posterior margin of anal segment. Subgenital plate very long, lanceolate, carinate longitudinally and with a fairly acute apex; extending over apex of abdomen by more than the combined length of tergites VIII–X (Figs. 213–214).
Legs: Profemora about 3/5 the length of mesothorax, mesofemora slightly projecting over median segment and metafemora reaching about 2/3 the way along abdominal segment IV. Profemora occasionally with three very minute spines in the apical half of the medioventral carina, otherwise unarmed. Anteroventral carina of meso- and metafemora with two, posteroventral carina with one sub-apical spine; medioventral carina armed with four prominent and strong spines. Both dorsal carinae with a triangular lobe-like tooth sub-apically. Anterodorsal carina of meso- and metatibiae with roundly triangular elevation sub-basally and sub-apically. Basitarsi about as long as following three tarsomeres combined.
♂ (Fig. 212): Of moderate size (body length 82.5 mm) and rather slender for the genus with conspicuously shortened alae (length 5.6 mm). Great parts of head, meso- metapleurae, ventral body surface and legs mid green. Head green with a faint yellow marking on the frons and a fine yellow postocular stripe. Dorsal surface of thorax and abdomen creamish mid brown. Dorsal spines of pro- and mesothorax mid brown with black points. Meso- and metapleurae with a very faint longitudinal yellowish marking in posterior portion and each with a dull orange longitudinal stripe along lower margin. Lateral margins of abdominal tergites VIII and IX broadly white. Tegmina and costal region of alae greyish mid brown and becoming darker towards the base; anterior margin and basal portion of posterior margin of tegmina, as well as anterior margin of alae broadly white; base of alae black. Anal region of alae pink with all major veins brown. Antennae greyish mid brown. Tarsi mid brown.
Head: Generally as in ♀♀ but eyes more prominent, projecting hemispherically and their length contained only about 2x in that of cheeks. Antennae moderately robust and reaching to abdominal segment VI; with 61 segments.
Thorax: Pronotum slightly longer but narrower than head, general shape as in ♀♀ but relatively shorter and anterior margin slightly broader than posterior margin; surface smooth except for a moderate pair of spines in the anterior portion. Mesothorax about 2.7x longer than head and pronotum combined. Mesonotum in the HT with four paired spines at anterior margin and five further pointed spines in the median portion. Mesosternum with seven and metasternum with two pairs of spiniform tubercles. Tegmina oval and very slightly projecting over posterior margin of metanotum, central protuberance very shallow. Alae small, a little shorter than alae and hardly reaching 2/3 the way along median segment; anal region well developed.
Abdomen: Segments II a little shorter than III–IV and equal in length to V, about 3.2x longer than wide. III and IV longest segments and almost 4x longer than wide. V–VII gradually decreasing in length with VII no more than 2.2x longer than wide. All tergites and sternites smooth. VII with a distinct, roundly triangular posterolateral tooth (Fig. 187). VIII slightly shorter than VII and very gently widening towards the posterior; IX about ¾ the length of VIII and narrowed towards the posterior. Anal segment with a very indistinct longitudinal median carina in basal portion and posterior margin with a distinct triangular median emargination (Fig. 217), slightly swollen and on ventral surface armed with several small, black in-curving denticles. Epiproct very small and roughly triangular (Fig. 217). Vomer with a broad, roughly semi-circular base and a very long, papillate, up-curving terminal hook (Fig. 359). Cerci large and about equal in length to anal segment; distinctly laterally compressed in basal portion and slightly longitudinally carinate dorsally (Figs. 187 & 306). Poculum moderately convex, cup-like and with a conical basal hump (Fig. 216); posterior portion with a distinct longitudinal median keel.
Legs: Pro- and mesofemora about 2/3 the length of mesothorax, metafemora projecting a little over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV. All legs less carinate than in ♀♀ but armature generally alike, except for the dorsal sub-apical teeth of the meso- and metafemora less distinct and dorsal elevations of the meso- and metatibiae lacking. Tarsi relatively more elongate and basitarsi a little longer than following three tarsomeres combined.
Nymphs: The two half-grown ♂ nymphs at hand are of a greyish brown colour with pale mottling and already show the characteristic features that distinguish this new species from H. brachypterus n. sp., having the sub-apical tooth on the dorsal carinae of the meso- and metafemora and the posterolateral lobe of abdominal tergum VII well developed.
Comments: This pretty new species emphasizes the close relation between Haplopus Burmeister, 1838 and Cephaloplopus n. gen. by ♂♂ having basally compressed and slightly carinate cerci (Figs. 217, 351), a character otherwise unusual for Haplopus. Eggs unknown.
Distribution (Fig. 380): Hispaniola, NW-Dominican Republic (Valverde Prov. & Montecristi Prov.) [USNM].
Number of specimens examined: 4
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 117-120, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4128.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/271800