Homalocyrtus glendae, Rukmane-Bārbale & Acal & Mohagan, 2024

9. Homalocyrtus glendae sp. nov.

( Fig. 2G View Figure 2 , 4B – C View Figure 4 , 5E View Figure 5 , 6I- J View Figure 6 )

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Type material. Holotype: ( Fig. 4B View Figure 4 ), male: PHILIPPINES / Dinagat Isl., Dinagat / II. 2019 / local collector leg. (white printed label). With additional red printed label : HOLOTYPE / Homalocyrtus glendae Rukmane-Bārbale & Mohagan, 2024 / Rukmane-Bārbale det. ( DUBC)

Paratypes: 1♂, 1♀ same data as holotype, with additional red printed label : PARATYPE / Homalocyrtus glendae Rukmane-Bārbale & Mohagan, 2024 / Rukmane-Bārbale det. ( DUBC) .

Description. Male. Measurements: LB: 9.4 – 9.9 (mean 9.65, holotype 9.4); LE: 6.3 – 6.5 (mean 6.4, holotype 6.3); WE: 5.6 – 5.8 (mean 5.7, holotype 5.6); LP: 3.0 – 3.2 (mean 3.1, holotype 3.0); WP: 3.1 – 3.3 (mean 3.2, holotype 3.1); LR: 1.7 (mean 1.7, holotype 1.7); WR: 1.4 (mean 1.4, holotype 1.4). N = 2 for all measurements.

Integument reddish to dark brown; head, antennae and tarsus black; coxa and tibia red except black apices. Body surface lustrous, underside more strongly shiny. Head. Dorsal surface weakly punctured, with sparse setae between eyes; lateroventral sides smooth except wrinkled genae, with rare setae on genae; forehead with deep medial groove from base of rostrum to after the distal margin of eyes; 1.5 times as wide as eye width; single round metallic scales dispersed on all length; eyes medium sized, not prominent in lateral outline of head. Rostrum. ( Fig. 5E View Figure 5 ) Dorsal surface strongly rugose, with sparse setae at basal half, pubescent in apical half; as long as wide (LR/WR 1.0); with deep basal transverse groove ending before inner margin of eye; moderate longitudinal medial groove from base to sub apical part, with corresponding, shallow medial impression; dorsal contour narrowest at base, then gradually rising, widest just before the middle, then gradually declined; dorso – lateral margins well expressed from outline of dorsal contour, gradually widened from middle of basal part to apex; in lateral contour strongly raised at base, then gradually raised to widest middle, then smoothly declined towards apex; shallow triangular impression on each lateral side before the eye. Antennae. Antennal scape shorter than funicle, with rare setae in all length; club elliptical, three times longer than wide; funicular segment I 1.5 times longer than II, three times longer than wide; segment II more than two times longer than wide, two times longer than III, segments III – VII as long as wide, sub equal in size. Prothorax. Cylindrical, moderately rugose, pubescent along sub apical part and on sides; without scally markings; slightly wider than long (WP/LP 1.03); in dorsal contour narrowest along anterior margin, firmly rounded dorso- lateral edges, widened to widest just before the middle, straight to base; posterior margin straight, with deep sub basal groove in all length; disc without medial groove; in lateral contour nearly straight, slightly raised just before the middle. Elytra. Sub globular, slightly longer than wide (LE/WE 1.12), less than two times wider than prothorax (WE/WP 1.78), moderately granulate, with corresponding pubescence; tuft of long white hairs on the sutural beginning of posterior declivity; without scally markings; in dorsal contour firmly rounded, widest after along apical 1/3, then firmly rounded, apex not visible; in lateral contour raised along middle, abruption angle of 90 ° along posterior declivity ( Fig. 2G View Figure 2 ). Legs. Thick; tibia covered with long white setae in all length; fore tibia with moderate tuft of hairs. Male genitalia as shown in Fig. 6I- J View Figure 6 .

Female. ( Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ) Measurements: LB: 11.3; LE: 7.8; WE: 8.0; LP: 3.4; WP: 4.0; LR: 2.0; WR: 1.8. N = 1 for all measurements. Elytra wider than long (WE/LE 1.02), otherwise, essentially as in males.

Ecological notes: H. glendae sp. nov. abundantly inhabits the cloud pygmy forest ecosystem of Mt. Redondo, Dinagat Islands situated 10.21’3.26’’N, 125’38’33.32’E

( Fig. 8 View Figure 8 ). It is classified as forest over the limestone. Such ecosystems are characterized by their unique vegetation structure, with stunted trees from 0.4 m to 5.0 meters high with a nutrient- poor soils and harsh environmental conditions. The pygmy forest on Mt. Redondo is a distinct ecological niche. The Altitude is 894 masl. The vegetation is dominated by dwarf or stunted trees such as Agathis philipinensis (Alma- ciga), Cinnamomom mercadoi, Suararia sp., with gnarled branches, Cycas sp. (Pitogo), Nepenthes ssp (Pitcher plants), mosses, lichens, and epiphytes due to nutrient- poor

125 ultramafic soils, acidic conditions, and exposure to strong winds. The ultrabasic or serpentine soils with low nutrient levels, containing heavy metals and it is rich with chromite, nickel and several elements. The climate is wet and humid, with significant rainfall and moderate temperatures. It has high levels of endemism among flora and fauna. Along with the beetles, rare and brightly stick insects were spotted in the area. The major threats of fauna is habitat destruction - a large scale open pit mining that flattens some of the mountain peaks of the area as it is nationally declared as mining zone. Mining activities on Dinagat Islands, particularly in ultrabasic areas, pose a severe threat to the pygmy forest and its unique species. The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dinagat Islands is engaged in conservation initiatives as it gave an ordinance to stop the mining activities in the area and converted it to a local conservation area as they promote tourism to ensure sustainable practices and minimize habitat degradation. H. glendae sp. nov. serves as a microcosm of the ecological uniqueness and vulnerability of the beautiful Mt. Redondo pygmy forest. Its conservation underscores the importance of protecting small, specialized ecosystems and the rich biodiversity they harbor.

Differential analyses: The new species is similar to H. conicus Bohemann, 1844 (Mindanao population) by general brownish body without specific scally markings but can be distinguished by the following characters: 1) body of H. glendae sp. nov. significantly bigger, legs thicker than in H. conicus Bohemann, 1844 ; 2) elytra in dorsal contour strongly convex after the midline in H. glendae sp. nov. while slender in H. conicus Bohemann, 1844 ; 3) prothorax of H. glendae sp. nov. with basal half straight in dorsal contour, posterior margin bulged, while prothorax of H. conicus Bohemann, 1844 incurved along middle of basal half, posterior margin indistinct; 4) in dorsal contour apex of elytra not visible because of

126 the sharp abruption angle in H. glendae sp. nov. while visible in H. conicus Bohemann, 1844 ; 5) different shape of male penis (6G- H).

Etymology. The species is named glendae (a feminine genitive Latin form) in honor of Glenda Ecleo, the wife of Ruben Ecleo, the founder of the province of Dinagat Islands in the Philippines. The name recognizes her contributions to the community and commemorates her significant role in the cultural and social development of the region. The species, endemic to the area, reflects the rich biodiversity of Dinagat, linking its natural heritage with the human history of its founders.

Distribution. Homalocyrtus glendae sp. nov. is known only by the type locality from Dinagat Island, Philippines.