Studies on the Australian stick insects (Phasmida), including a checklist of species and bibliography
Author
Brock, Paul D.
Author
Hasenpusch, Jack
text
Zootaxa
2007
2007-08-31
1570
1
1
81
https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1570.1.1
journal article
10.11646/zootaxa.1570.1.1
11755334
5096400
5A58505D-6A85-45E8-8783-5666A3944701
Davidrentzia valida
Brock & Hasenpusch
,
spec. nov.
[Rentz’s Strong Stick-insect]
(
Figs. 93–97
)
Description
Female (
holotype
) (
Figs. 93–97
): Robust-looking, medium-sized mottled brown insect, including legs.
A
darker longitudinal band stretches the length of the body, although less conspicuous on the head and pronotum. Vestigial wings present. Body length
97 mm
.
Head: Large (8.5 mm), rather broad (
7 mm
), with series of granules present centrally and laterally (two rows). Eyes brown, small (1.5 mm). Antennae with 24 segments, a faint darker stripe present along their entire length.
Thorax: Pronotum shorter than head, rugged appearance, heavily granulated (particularly anteriorly, in centre), with bold central indentation. Mesonotum granulated and sparsely tuberculated, 5 well spread larger tubercles laterally. Metanotum almost three times shorter.
Wings: Vestigial only.
Abdomen: Sharply ridged, including three centrally. End of anal segment slightly emarginated in centre. Operculum large, boat-shaped, extruding by length of anal segment. Cerci broad, tapering to tip.
Legs: Robust, femora and tibiae with series of very short spines.
FIGURE 93.
Davidrentzia valida
holotype female (ANIC), 97 mm.
FIGURE 94.
Davidrentzia valida
end of abdomen in holotype female, dorsal view.
FIGURE 95.
Davidrentzia valida
end of abdomen in holotype female, lateral view.
Male not known.
Holotype
♀
,
Lord Howe Island
,
Stevens Reserve
, nr.
Signal Point
,
31° 32´S
;
159° 04´E
,
6.xii.1988
,
Stop
LH-3.
D.C.F. Rentz
(
ANIC
).
FIGURES 96–97.
Davidrentzia valida
holotype female.
96.
end of abdomen, ventral view.
97.
head, thorax and wings, dorsal view.
Distribution
So far known by only a single specimen from Lord Howe Island, where the even stouter
Dryococelus australis
is believed to have become extinct.
Notes
This species is easily distinguished from other Australian
Platycraninae
, the genus being closer to the much longer winged
Megacrania
than
Anophelepis
and
Echetlus
.
In
Davidrentzia
the operculum extends well beyond the abdomen, unlike in
Megacrania
.
It is hoped that scientists will take up the challenge of studying this exciting new species and identifying any conservation needs.
Derivation of name
Named valida, meaning strong, because of the robust appearance of this species.