Sadyattes borrii Stål, 1875

Sadyattes borrii Stål, 1875 View in CoL

( Figs. 4–5 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 )

Sadyattes borrii Stål, 1875: 88 View in CoL . HT, ♂: Sadyattes Borrii Stål View in CoL ; Rec. Orth. III 1875, p 88.9; Coll. R.I.Sc.N.B. Sans localite; Holotype; Holotypus [RBINS]. Kirby, 1904: 358. Redtenbacher, 1908: 444. Vanschuytbroeck & Cools, 1981: 17. [Type data] Otte & Brock, 2005: 311. Hennemann & Conle, 2008: 132. Brock & Büscher, 2022: 559.

= Nesiophasma zanus Hennemann, 1999: 213 View in CoL , Figs. 1-2 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 . HT, ♀: Nouvelle Guinee, Fruhstorfer; Tirachoidea zanus Redt. sp. nov. [RBINS]. syn. nov.

Nesiophasma zanum, Otte & Brock, 2005: 227 View in CoL . Hennemann, 2021: 105 View Cited Treatment , 123. [Note: Locality doubtful] Brock & Büscher, 2022: 559. Hennemann et al., 2023: 4 View Cited Treatment .

Lonchodes feruloides Westwood, 1859: 45 (in part – only PLT). PLT, ♀ (penultimate instar): Paralectotype; Java. Horsfield / E. India Comp.; Feruloides Westw. ; Ind. Mus. 7964; Paralectotypus; BMNH(E) #845051 [NHMUK].

Eustygera feruloides, Dohrn, 1910: 405 . [♀ from Java in ZMPA]

? Pharnacia nigricornis, Caudell, 1927: 19 View in CoL . [♂ from Java, Mount Gede, Tjibodas in USNM]

Further material:

1 ♂: Rajamandala, Mts. Djampang , W. Java; Le Moult vend. via Reinbek, Eing. Nr. 1, 1957 [ ZMUH] ; 1 ♀: Java, H. Fruhstorfer [ ZMPA] ; 1 ♂: W-Sumatra, Prov. Sumatera Barat, Padang area , local collector, V.2002 [ FH, No. 1523-1] ; 1 ♀ (immature): W-Sumatra, Prov. Sumatera Barat, Sijunjung Region , local collector, VI.2012 [ FH, No. 1523-2] ; 1 ♂: no data [ ZSM] .

Differentiation. Both sexes of this, the type-species of Sadyattes , are morphologically closest to S. enganensis ( Redtenbacher, 1908) from Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and the islands of Enggano and Nias east of Sumatra, with which they share the distinctive pale cream-coloured protarsus of both sexes ( Figs. 4C View FIGURE 4 , 5F View FIGURE 5 ). Females of both species also have in common the distinct posterolateral lobes of abdominal terga VIII–X ( Fig. 4E View FIGURE 4 ), conspicuous shape of the anal segment, which has the lateral margins deeply and almost semi-circularly excavated and the posterior margin broadly bi-lobed ( Figs. 4E, G View FIGURE 4 ), as well as the rounded dorsal lobe of the probasitarsus ( Fig. 4C View FIGURE 4 ). However, ♀♀ of borrii ( Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 ) are less robust in overall shape, have comparatively slenderer legs, abdominal segments III–VI not swollen as in enganensis , the subgenital plate has the apex more obtuse and the dorsal lobe of the probasitarsus is not as high as in enganensis . At first glance ♀♀ appear similar to those of S. incertus (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) from Peninsular Malaysia, Bangka Island in the Strait of Malacca and the Andamans, but readily differ by the stockier shape and more ovoid head as well as the distinctive lateral lobes of abdominal terga VIII–X, conspicuous shape of the anal segment and contrastive pale cream-coloured protarsus, which has the basitarsus distinctly lobed dorsally. Males of borrii ( Fig. 5 View FIGURE 5 ) are easily distinguished from those of enganenesis by the slightly slenderer form and notably longer abdominal segments II–VI (6x vs. 4.5x longer than wide in enganensis ), less globose head which has the vertex notably less convex ( Fig. 5E View FIGURE 5 ), not distinctly club-shaped apex of the abdomen ( Figs. 5H–J View FIGURE 5 ), slightly more elongated and isosceles triangular vomer ( Fig. 5J View FIGURE 5 ; with a slight median widening in enganensis ), lacking the dark brown medio-longitudinal streak seen on the tegmina of enganensis , having all the dentations of the limbs more acutely pointed and distinctly black as well as the characteristic orange outer ventral carinae of the mesofemora ( Figs. 5C–D View FIGURE 5 ).

Description. Since this is the type-species of Sadyattes , and only a very brief original description of the ♂ was provided by Stål (1875: 88), a detailed re-description is here provided. The three non-type examples at hand match very well with the holotype and show no significant variability. The holotype has suffered from some damage since it’s description in 1875 with three of its legs uncarefully glued to the body in very awkward positions and the left front leg glued to a piece of cardboard. It however is almost complete and merely lacks the right profemur. Measurements in table 2 below.

♂ ( Fig. 5 View FIGURE 5 ). Fairly large (body length 121.0–131.0 mm) for the genus, form slender, with distinctive orange outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora and contrastive cream-coloured protarsi. Overall colour of body and legs olive, the abdomen genera generally more brownish to drab. Head pale ochraceous, the vertex sometimes of a slight greenish hue ( Figs. 5E–F View FIGURE 5 ). Eyes russet. Antennae greyish brown or reddish dark brown (specimen in ZMUH) with scapus and pedicellus dark ochre; following five or so antennomeres blackish ventrally. Meso- and metapleurae with a faint greyish stripe along lower margin; the prosternum and very posterior part of meso- and metasternum orange brown. Tegmina and costal region of alae light ochre with the main longitudinal veins brown and the anterior margin broadly cream-coloured, the tegmina with the radial vein marked by a washed but broad brown streak throughout basal half; anal fan transparent grey with greyish brown veins. Abdominal sterna II-VI each with a partly fused pair of faint whitish pro-posterior margin. All femora olive and slightly brownish at the apex with the two outer ventral carinae of the meso- and metafemora orange except for the basal portion ( Figs. 5 View FIGURE 5 C-D); profemora gradually becoming brown from the middle onwards and with irregular dark brown speckles and annulae. Tibiae dark ochre with three faintly orange annulae. All dentations contrastive black and marked by a black spot at the base ( Figs. 5C–D View FIGURE 5 ). Protarsi cream-coloured.

Head ( Figs. 5E–F View FIGURE 5 ): Sub-globose, somewhat flattened, vertex moderately convex and with a shallow but large impression in front; broadest at eyes and notably narrowing towards the posterior. Coronal line distinctly, lateral furrow weakly indented. Frons with a small but distinct transverse impression between bases of antennae. Eyes very large, projecting sub-spherically and their diameter corresponding to as much as 0.8x length of gena. Antennae long and reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment III; scapus rectangular and 1.5x longer than wide, pedicellus less than half as long as scapus und round in cross-section; following antennomeres first unevenly increasing then decreasing in length towards apex of antennae.

Thorax: Pronotum slightly shorter and noticeably narrower than head, roundly rectangular and 1.8x longer than wide; anterior margin concave, raised, swollen medially and followed by three impressions, the median one rather shallow and triangular the two outer ones near anterolateral angles of notum oval and deep ( Figs. 5E–F View FIGURE 5 ). Median line impressed over whole length of segment, transverse median sulcus short and almost straight. Mesothorax elongate, 6.5x longer than prothorax and just weakly widened at anterior margin and in posterior portion. Mesonotum with a weakly indicated medio-longitudinal line and a fairly distinct transverse ridge, which has the median part somewhat labiate and curved towards the anterior. Meso- and metasternum simple; the medio-longitudinal line just scarcely indicated in anterior portion of mesosternum. Tegmina spatulate in shape with the basal two-thirds gradually constricting and the apical oner-third rounded; central hump small and obtusely gibbose ( Fig. 5D View FIGURE 5 ). Alae reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment III.

Abdomen: Segments II–IV slightly increasing and V–VII decreasing in length, all uniform in diameter; IV longest and about 6x longer than wide, VII shorter than all preceding and less than 5x longer than wide. Tergum V with a prominent transversely gibbose posterior swelling ( Fig. 5G View FIGURE 5 ). Sterna II–VII with a shallow medio-longitudinal line. Tergum VIII slightly widening towards posterior, trapezoidal in outline and a little less than two-thirds the length of VII; IX rectangular and about three-quarters the length of VIII. Anal segment moderately tectate longitudinally, with posterior portion somewhat constricted; the posterior margin with a shallow median indention, the outer angles rounded in later aspect, the ventral surface supplied with several minute denticles facing each other at an angle of about 70–80° ( Fig. 5I View FIGURE 5 ). Vomer elongate, basically triangular in outline with the base somewhat widened and then gradually narrowing towards a fairly long, slightly up-curved terminal hook; the base with a narrow, curved transverse furrow, the central portion of ventral surface forming an indented triangular area and the outer lateral margins notably inflated ( Fig. 5J View FIGURE 5 ). Cerci round in cross-section with the apex slightly club-shaped and notably projecting beyond anal segment. Phallus projecting slightly over tight lateral margin of poculum ( Figs. 5H–J View FIGURE 5 ). The poculum large, bulgy with an obtuse central protrusion at the base ( Fig. 5H View FIGURE 5 ); the posterior margin slightly labiate, broad, widely bi-lobed and slightly projecting over posterior margin of tergum IX ( Fig. 5J View FIGURE 5 ).

Legs: Long, slender and with basically all carinae supplied with rather widely spaced flat, saw-tooth like teeth at fairly regular intervals; the spaces between the teeth gradually decreasing towards apex of each femur or tibia and teeth generally less pronounced on front legs. Two outer ventral carinae of meso- and metafemora with about 12–14 teeth, medioventral narrow and supplied with only about ten minute spines. Profemora about as long as head, pro- and mesothorax combined, mesofemora as long as combined length of pro- and mesothorax, metafemora reaching about halfway along abdominal segment VI and metatibiae projecting beyond tip of abdomen by more than combined length of five terminal abdominal segments. Meso- and metabasitarsi about as long as remaining tarsomeres taken together and serrate ventrally with the dorsal carina smooth. Probasitarsi wholly unarmed and notably longer than remaining joints combined.

Remarks. The identity and distribution of this species has long been a mystery, which has also had effect on the understanding of the genus Sadyattes , of which it is the type species. Thus, no subsequent author understood the true taxonomic position of Stål’s genus until Hennemann & Conle (2008: 132) recognised the congeneric nature of several previously misplaced species, which they transferred to Sadyattes . But still there was no proper diagnosis of the genus. Stål (1875: 88) described Sadyattes borrii , and therefore the genus Sadyattes , from a unique ♂ holotype without locality in the collection of RBINS. Meanwhile two further ♂♂ have been identified as being conspecific with borrii and provide the first definite records for Stål’s species, which in combination with the previously unrecognised ♀♀ render Java as the most likely type-locality of borrii .

A complete and nicely preserved ♀ is housed in the collection of ZMPA, which was recorded as “ Eustygera feruloides ” by Dohrn (1910: 405), who believed that this specimen would confirm Java as a locality for Westwood’s feruloides . However, the penultimate instar ♀ paralectotype of feruloides from Java in the collection of NHMUK is specifically distinct from the Philippine lectotype and actually is a specimen of Stål’s borrii . That this Javan specimen was most certainly a distinct species, has already been suggested by Seow-Choen (2023: 516) who provided detailed photographs of both of Westwood’s type specimens. Body length of the paralectotype ca. 125.0 mm.

Nesiophasma zanus Hennemann, 1999 was described from a unique ♀ in the collection of RBINS, which bears a label that states “Nouvelle Guinee, Fruhstorfer”. This locality information prompted Hennemann (1999) to assume the species belonged in the genus Nesiophasma Günther, 1934 , which the author however doubted subsequently and suspected the locality to be wrong ( Hennemann, 2021: 124). Actually, careful re-examination of the holotype has supported the falsity of the locality and shown the specimen be a ♀ of borrii , therefore most likely to be from Java. Therefore, zanum is here synonymised under borrii (syn. nov.). Comparison with the holotype of borrii in the same collection even suggests these two specimens might originate from the same source, collecting event and maybe even locality. Both are preserved on the same type of pin, which has been placed through the posterior portion of the mesothorax, appear to be of similar age and both show similar damage with several of the legs glued to the insect with apparently the same type of glue. The holotype of zanus has been repaired and re-set with the legs aligned and the front legs folded when it was described by the author in 1999, but previously it also had the legs arranged in a similar manner to the holotype of borrii .

Egg unknown.

Distribution. Java: W-Java (Jawa Barat, Sukabumi, Distr. Djampang Kulon, Rajamandala [ZMUH]; Jawa Barat, Gung Gede-Pangrango N. P., Gede Volcano, Tjibodas [USNM?]); “ Java ” [ZMPA]. W-Sumatra: (Sumatera Barat, Padang area [FH]; Sumatera Barat, Sijunjung area [FH]).