Nebulodraculus Mendes, 2022

Nebulodraculus Mendes gen. nov.

Figures 2–7 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 View FIGURE 7

Type-species. Nebulodraculus marioi sp. nov.. here designated; masculine gender.

Diagnosis. Fastigium-vertex elongated forming an acuminate projection, laterally flattened, in lateral view ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Pronotal disc dorsally with two elongated projections, the first on the anterior border and the second on the posterior border; first projection narrow, acuminate and with a length less than or equal to the projection of the fastigium-vertex; second projection enlarged at the base and apically acuminate, with a small curved spine directed towards the head, in lateral view ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Cerci with bifurcated apical region, with the two projections dorsoventrally flattened and curved; smooth external projection with acuminate apex; internal projection with the internal margin with a small serration and acuminate apex ( Figs. 2I–J View FIGURE 2 ). Subgenital plate elongated and moderately narrow ( Figs. 2I–J View FIGURE 2 ). Stylus small, rectangular and with apex directed inward ( Figs. 2I–J View FIGURE 2 ).

Description. Head dorsally with elongated fastigium-vertex forming an acuminate projection, laterally flattened, in lateral view ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Globular eyes ( Figs. 2B–D View FIGURE 2 ). Pronotal disc rectangular, without carina, in dorsal view ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ); dorsally with two elongated projections, the first on the anterior edge and the second on the posterior edge; first projection narrow, acuminate and with a length less than or equal to the projection of the fastigium-vertex; second projection enlarged at the base and apically acuminate, with a small curved spine directed towards the head, in lateral view ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ).

Dorsal-lateral suture straight and black ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Furcal suture concolorous with pronotal disc ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Tegmina narrow, with curved apical half and straight apex ( Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 ). Vein R sinuose and with small branches, most of them bifurcated near the apex ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Vein MP with three bifurcations branches reaching wing margin ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Vein MA with only one branch ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Vein CuA with two bifurcated branches reaching wing margin ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Fore femur slightly curved, with four long and narrow ventral spines ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ). Fore tibia straight, with open tympanum and four pairs of small spines in ventral region ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ). Mid femur slightly curved, with five narrow ventral spines, with the two apical spines much longer than the others ( Fig. 3G View FIGURE 3 ). Mid tibia with enlarged basal half, two pairs of long dorsal spines and five pairs ventral spines ( Fig. 3G View FIGURE 3 ). Hind femur enlarged at basal half, with eight pairs of long, narrow and curved ventral spines; apical half spines much larger than basal spines ( Figs. 3A, 3H View FIGURE 3 ). Hind tibia straight with long, narrow and curved ventral spines ( Figs. 3A, 3H View FIGURE 3 ). All legs with short bristles ( Figs. 3F–H View FIGURE 3 ). Cercus wide with bifurcated apical half ( Figs. 3I–J View FIGURE 3 ). Subgenital plate elongated and medially narrow ( Figs. 2I–J View FIGURE 2 ). Stylus small, rectangular and with apex directed inward ( Figs. 2I–J View FIGURE 2 ).

Additional taxonomic notes. Nebulodraculus gen. nov. appears most closely related to Markia White, 1862 and Lichenodraculus Braun, 2011 , differing from both genera in having two long dorsal projections on the pronotal disc (versus only one dorsal projection on the pronotal disc in Lichenodraculus ); projection of the fastigium-vertex larger or the same size as the first dorsal projection of the pronotal disc (versus the first dorsal projection of the pronotum larger than the projection of the fastigium-vertex in Markia ); apically bifurcated cercus (versus elongated, curved and with a small basal triangular projection in Lichenodraculus ).

Etymology. From Latin word nebulo = mist, fog + draculus = little dragon, meaning little fog dragon. In reference to the foggy altitude environment this katydid lives and the name of the proximate genus Lichenodraculus (Little lichen dragon).

Distribution. Brazil ( Roraima) and Venezuela (Bolíviar).