Cercoteratura reniforma, Tan & Damit & Japir & Chung & Robillard, 2025

Cercoteratura reniforma View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 1 View FIGURE 1 , 2 View FIGURE 2 )

Material examined. Holotype: EAST MALAYSIA; Sabah State • ♂; Maliau Basin Conservation Area, along trail from Agathis–Nepenthes camps at 1 km; 14 November 2024, night; coll. M.K. Tan; SBH.24.93 ( FRC).

Diagnosis. The new species is most similar to Cercoteratura variegata Gorochov, 2019 from Sumatra and Sarawak and Cercoteratura mirabilis (Tan & Wahab, 2018) from Brunei Darussalam by the dark colour patterns, its general habitus and shape of the epiproct and cercus; but differs by the combination of these characters: the epiproct ( ep) large, with a large median lobe narrowest at the middle and its apex roundly truncated, consisting of a pair of large dorsal ( dl) and ventral ( vl) lobes (instead of having only one distinct pair of lateral lobes, with ventral lobes highly reduced); the epiproct at apex, in posterior view reniform and clearly separated into two closely spaced lobes at the middle (dorsal lobes) (instead of only partly separated in C. variegata , and distinctly separated at both lateral ends in C. mirabilis ); its cercus with the basal part having a ventral inner lobe ( il) irregularly rectangular, pointing internally, wider than long and its apex truncated (instead of having acute apices); the apical end of its cercus forming a rounded flattened lobe, in posterior view reniform (instead of a long curved process with acute apex in C. variegata and folding at apex in C. mirabilis ). The male genitalia is very similar to C. mirabilis by the shape of the epiphallus; but differs by the size and relative positions of lateral spines.

Etymology. The species name refers to the reniform shape, in posterior view, of the dorsal lobe of its epiproct and the apical end of the cercus.

Description. Male ( holotype). Relatively large and slender Meconematini with habitus typical of this genus ( Figs 1A, 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Eyes globular and distinctly protruding ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ). Frontal rostrum conical, slightly wider than scapus, with dorso-median sulcus ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ). Fifth (apical) segment of maxillary palpus longer than fourth (subapical) segment, slender but slightly widened apically. Fourth and third segments of subequal length, both longer than second segment. Pronotum covering tegminal mirror; dorsal disc roundly turned into lateral lobes; with distinct transverse sulcus separating prozona and metazona; metazona raised ( Figs 1C, 1D View FIGURE 1 ). Anterior margin of pronotal disc straight, posterior margin broadly rounded ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ); humeral sinus indistinct ( Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 ); ventral margin of pronotal lateral lobe very short ( Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 ). Thoracic auditory spiracle (= thoracic foramen) large, with ventral half elongated and dorsal half widened and with oblique cover at dorsal end, not covered with pronotal lateral lobe ( Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 ). Macropterous; tegmen extending well behind hind knees; hindwing distinctly extending beyond tegmina ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Coxal spur of foreleg long ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ). Fore tibia with both tympana elongated oval and open. Fore tibiae each with 5 outer and 4 inner subapical spines; middle tibiae each with 4–5 outer and 4 inner subapical spines; inner and outer genicular lobes of hind femora with obtuse lobe and with spinules; hind tibiae ventrally and dorsally with numerous outer and inner spines as well as 2 ventral and 1 dorsal apical spurs on each side.

Last abdominal tergite transverse ( 10 th) with postero-median lobe very broad and apex broad and almost truncated ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Epiproct ( ep) large, with large median lobe narrowest at middle and apex roundly truncated, consisting of one pair of dorsal ( dl) and ventral ( vl) lobes each ( Figs 2A–C View FIGURE 2 ). Dorsal lobe of epiproct hoof-shaped, longer than broad, pointing dorso-posteriorly, apex truncated and carinated, posterior view reniform ( Figs 2A–C View FIGURE 2 ); ventral lobe elongated and process-like, pointing ventrad, longer and more cylindrical than dorsal lobe ( Figs 2B, 2C View FIGURE 2 ), in posterior view slightly curved with apex subacute ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Cercus robust, in profile view strongly curved dorsad ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ); with basal part dorso-ventrally thickened, in ventral view triangular with external margin more sclerotized and having inner lobe ( il) irregular rectangular, pointing internally, wider than long and apex truncated ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ); thereafter almost laterally compressed and lamellar ( Figs 2A, 2B View FIGURE 2 ); at apex with rounded flattened lobe, in posterior view reniform ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Subgenital plate trapezoidal, apical end distinctly narrower, with posterior margin at medial emarginated, having stout styles ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Phallic complex consists of yoke-shaped epiphallus ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ); in posterior view with two lateral lobes at dorsal end; three pairs of lateral spinose processes; processes slightly curved with apices acute, middle ones larger than dorsal ones, ventral ones near end and smallest; another two pairs of smaller spinules towards ventral end; ventral end tapering into subacute apex.

Female. Unknown.

Colouration. Generally pale brown with dark brown patterns ( Figs 1A, 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Head dorsum, including fastigium dark brown with patches of pale brown ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ); otherwise, head including face, gena and mouth parts pale coloured ( Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 ). Eyes red brown ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ). Scapus yellow brown with inner side slightly darker; pedicel at basal half dark brown and apical half yellow brown; antennae yellow brown some black rings (incomplete and complete) ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ). Pronotal disc pale brown with narrow dark-brown medial longitudinal stripe; anterior half with two thicker and irregularly margined band converging at transverse suture; brown pattern narrowest before transverse suture; posterior half broad and margins poorly defined, covering almost entire metazona ( Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 ). Tegmen with numerous large black infumated dots ( Figs 1A, 1B View FIGURE 1 ). Fore and middle femora generally pale coloured, at apical end and knee areas dark brown; tibiae darker, dark rings around where spines inserted; ventral spines black. Hind femur also pale brown, at middle with dark and irregular patch on dorsal surface; apical end and knee area black. Hind tibia at basal and apical ends black; otherwise, dark brown; spines dark. Tarsi generally very dark brown. Abdomen brown.

Measurements (in mm). See Table 1.