Sungaya ibaloi, Hennemann, 2023

Sungaya ibaloi View in CoL n. sp.

( Fig. 51-53, 71K, 72Q & 73 T-U)

ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/ 03B079A2-E629-4A9E-BEF1-8C01334C6D7A

HT, ♀: Philippines, N. Luzon, Benguet 900-1000 m asl, leg. Heitzmann 2013 [ RBINS] .

PT, ♂: Philippines, N. Luzon, Benguet 900-1000 m asl, leg. Heitzmann 2013 [ RBINS] .

PT, 2 ♀, 6 ♂, 1 egg: Philippines, N-Luzon, Prov. Benguet, 900-1000 m, leg. Heitzmann, ex breeding B. Kneubühler 2015 [ RBINS] .

PT, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, 1 egg: ex Zucht: B. Kneubühler 2015, Herkunft : Philippines, NLuzon,Prov. Benguet, 900-1000 m,leg. Heitzmann [ FH, No’s 1456-1,2 & E] .

PT, 3 ♂: ex Zucht Eva Seidel-Hennemann 2016, Herkunft : Philippines, NLuzon, Prov. Benguet, 900-1000 m, leg. Heitzmann [ FH, No’s 1456-3 to 5] .

Differentiation. – Females of this new species most closely resemble those of S. aeta n. sp. and the type-species S. inexpectatata . From the latter these ♀ may be distinguished by stockier shape and comparatively stockier limbs as well as the small, rounded posteromedian indention of abdominal sternum VII ( Fig. 51E), which bears two obtusely conical tubercles close to the posterior margin (a triangular excavation in inexpectata ). From the very similar ♀ of S. aeta n. sp. they can best be separated by the shape of the praeopercular organ ( Fig. 51E), which is formed by only a small posteromedian indention and a pair of tubercles near posterior margin of abdominal sternum VII (a large semi-circular median excavation in aeta ), the less distinct median indention of the anal segment ( Fig. 51D), lack of notably enlarged medials on the mesonotum ( Fig. 51F), somewhat more raised and peg-like vertex ( Fig. 51F) and comparatively slenderer limbs. Males are morphologically very difficultto differentiate and merely differ from those of S. aeta n. sp. by the comparatively more raised and peg-like vertex ( Fig. 52L), somewhat longer mesothorax, which is 3x longer than the prothorax (only 2.6x in aeta ) and evenly triangular vomer, which has the terminal point smaller than in aeta ( Fig. 72Q). The eggs ( Fig. 73 T-U) readily differ from those of aeta by the characteristic additional posteroventral angle or bump of the capsule, smaller micropylar plate, which has the lateral extensions expanded and broadly rounded apically (rather slender and parallel-sided in aeta ), oval operculum (circular in aeta ) and somewhat lighter grey general colour. From the eggs of inexpectata these eggs may also be separated by the characteristic posteroventral hump of the capsule as well as the larger dimensions and more expanded apex of the lateral extensions of the micropylar plate.

Etymology. – Named after the Ibaloi people, an indigenous ethnic groupthatlivesinBenguetProvince of Luzon,the type-locality of this new species.Their name means “people who live in houses” and they are one of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Igorot, who live in the Central Cordillera of Luzon.They are well known for their mummification process of corpses and houses that are usually built on five footposts.

– A. Paratype, habitus dorsal view [ RBINS]. – B . Paratype, habitus dorsolateral view [ FH 1456-1 ]. – C. Terminalia of paratype in lateral view [ RBINS]. – D. Terminalia of paratype in dorsal view [ RBINS]. – E. Terminalia of paratype in ventral view [ RBINS]. – F. Head and thorax of paratype in dorsolateral view [ FH 1456-1 ]. – G. Mesosternum of paratype [ RBINS] .

Description & Variability

Since this new species morphologically almost wholly agrees with S. aeta n. sp., it appears fairly pointless to present a full description below, which would in most parts be nothing but a repetition.Therefore, only some important features and distinctive characters are summarized and highlighted below along with notes on the intraspecific variability. The colouration is described from live captive reared specimens and photos of live wild and captive reared specimens.

♀ ( Fig. 51)

Of average size and shape for the genus (body length 72.1-85.0 mm) and morphologically very similar to S. aeta n. sp. from the Bataan province. Body unevenly tuberculate and granular and entire dorsal body surface with a fine medio-longitudinal carina; body armature weakly developed. Colouration less variable than in aeta and usually less complex with less white markings and more commonly specimens are irregularly striped longitudinally. Head with vertex on average somewhat more conical and peg-like in shape than in aeta and the median coronals and posterior pair of occipitals comparatively more pronounced ( Fig. 51F). Antennae with 25 joints. Pronotum with the anterior pronotals strong, conical and the pair of medials just in front the of the distinctly impressed transverse median sulcus small but developed. Mesonotum rather short andmerely 1.9x longer thanwidth at posterior margin; only with a slightly enlarged pair of conical pre-median tubercles; otherwise without notably enlarged armature and the posterior mesonotals rather low, conical and surrounded by numerous small tubercles. Posterior metanotals also shorter and comparatively more obtuse than in aeta ( Fig.51F).All tubercles of the meso- and metapleurae rather uniform in size and only 6-7 very slightly more pronounced than the others;oneof the supra-coxalsnotablyenlargedbut rather short and conical. Meso- and metasternum with a distinct, densely granular medio-longitudinal carina that forms a roundish cluster of granules pre-posteriorly( Fig. 51G, 71K).Abdominal segments II-VI almost uniform in length and on average 1.7x wider thanlong; VII shorter than preceding. Terga II-V with all elements of armature seen in aeta only represented by small tubercles and only the second paired posterior slightly more pronounced and spiniform; VI and VII without nodes or tubercles. The medio-longitudinal carina more or less protruded and crested posteriorly on tergum VII, and occasionally forming a rounded lobe ( Fig. 51C). On VIII more or less obtusely protruded pre-posteriorly. Praeopercular organ formed by a small posteromedian indention that is laterally bordered by a tubercle close to posterior margin of abdominal sternum VII ( Fig. 51E). Anal segment with – A. Paratype, habitus dorsal view [FH 1456-2]. – B. Paratype, habitus dorsal view [FH 1456-3]. – C. Paratype, habitus dorsolateral view [FH 1456-2]. – D. Paratype, habitus dorsolateral view [FH 1456-3]. – E. Paratype, habitus ventral view [FH 1456-2]. – F. Paratype, habitus ventral view [FH 1456-3]. – G. Terminalia of paratype in lateral view [FH 1456-5]. – H. Terminalia of paratype in dorsal view [FH 1456-5]. – J. Terminalia of paratypein ventral view [FH 1456-5]. – K. Mesosternum of paratype [FH 1456-2]. – L. Head and thorax of paratype in lateral view [FH 1456-2].

– A. ♀ pretty stripedcolourform. – B. Closeup of head and prothorax of ♀ shown inA and demonstrating camouflage on moss. – C. Paratype ♂ (F2-generation) in lateral view. – D. Striped ♂ in dorsal view.

posterior margin roundly indented medially and obtusely bi-lobed ( Fig. 51D). Epiproct notably longer than anal segments, gently narrowing towards an angular and weakly concave apex. Subgenital plate slightly projecting beyond epiproct with apex triangular ( Fig. 51 C-D). Legs all rather slender. All of the major teeth of the femora on average comparatively broader and more triangular in shape than in aeta . Basitarsus longer than proceeding two tarsomeres taken together.

♂ ( Fig. 52)

Typical for the genus (body length 51.0- 59.5 mm) and morphologically very similar to S. aeta n. sp. from the Bataan province. Body armature weakly developed with only the posterior meso- and metanotals distinctly spinose. Colouration variable but basically as in aeta . Poculum usually with a pair of velvety black markings posteriorly ( Fig. 52J). Vertex comparatively more strongly raised and peg-like in shape than in aeta with the median coronals, posterior pair of occipitals and posterior pair of supra-orbitals notably larger, roughly uniform in size and forming a hexa-spinose crown ( Fig.52L). Supra-antennals somewhat less pronounced than in aeta . Inter-posterior pronotals strong, conical and just slightly smaller than the spinose posteriors; the anterior pronotals low and conical. Mesothorax slender, elongate and almost 3x longer than prothorax ( Fig. 52L); mesonotum with surface unevenly tuberculate but without any enlarged tubercles. Posterior meso- and metanotals represented by distinct spines and with some small tubercles round their base ( Fig. 52L). Meso- and metapleurae only with one notably enlarged, short but spiniform supra-coxal. Meso- and metasternum tectate medio-longitudinally with the keel densely supplied with shiny granules and forming a rounded cluster of granules pre-posteriorly ( Fig. 52K). Abdominal segments II-VII slightly gradually decreasing in length; terga II-VII with all elements of armature merely represented by small node-like tubercles, which become increasingly indistinct towards VII; only the posterior series occasionally somewhat pronounced. Sterna II-IV with an anterior pair of short spines and a posterior pair of somewhat more distinct spines, all of which gradually disappear towards VII. Anal segment with lateral margins somewhat protruded and obtusely angular basally, the posterior margin with a narrow, rounded median notch and the outer angled obtusely rounded ( Fig. 52H). Epiproct small, rounded. Vomer basically triangular with terminal point small, spinose and notably arched dextrally ( Fig. 72Q). Poculum with posterior margin indented medially and weakly bi-lobed ( Fig. 52J, 72Q). Legs all long, slender and comparatively somewhat more elongate than in aeta .

Egg ( Fig. 73 T-U)

Large and of typical shape for the genus; capsule bulgy, strongly constricted anteriorly and the polar area moderately constricted and obtusely conical with an obtuse central protrusion that is somewhat flattened in centre; a further rounded angle or bulge posteroventrally. Surface smooth but densely and minutely pitted. Micropylar plate very weakly raised above capsule surface and sculptured like capsule; shape broadly and invertedly T-shaped with the apex of all ends expanded and rounded; the lateral extensions somewhat larger than the median portion and reaching ca. 65% along lateral surfaces of capsule; posteromedian portiongently concave andwitha fairly distinct bowl-shaped micropylar cup. Outer marginof plate broadand bulgy. Medianline an obtuse bulge that reaches about half the way to pole of capsule. Operculum slightly oval in outline, flat and pitted like capsule with a very slight central bump; opercular angle ca. -8°. Colour ochraceous grey; the outer margin of the micropylar plate dark grey, anterior margin and posterior protrusions of capsule as well as the operculum blackish. Measurements [mm]: Length 4.8-4.9, width 3.4-3.5, height 3.8-3.9, length of micropylar plate 2.8.

Remarks. – The specimens collected at the type-locality by Thierry Heitzmann in 2013 gave rise to a culture stock that is being successfully reared in Europe. The first eggs were given to Bruno Kneubühler ( Switzerland) who raised the first specimens in 2015 and distributed the species as Sungaya inexpectata “Benguet”. The breeding conditions correspond to those summarized for S. aeta n. sp. above.

Distribution. – NW-Luzon, Cordillera Region, Province Benguet (mountainous habitats).