Research Article |
Corresponding author: Nathalie Baena-Bejarano ( ntbaena@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Andrej Gorochov
© 2015 Nathalie Baena-Bejarano, Sam Heads.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Baena-Bejarano N, Heads SW (2015) Three new species of the genus Ripipteryx from Colombia (Orthoptera, Ripipterygidae). ZooKeys 502: 129-143. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.502.8871
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Three new species of Ripipteryx Newman (Orthoptera: Tridactyloidea: Ripipterygidae) are described from Colombia; namely R. diegoi sp. n. (Forceps Group) and R. guacharoensis sp. n. (Marginipennis Group) from Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guacharos in Huila, and R. gorgonaensis sp. n. (Crassicornis Group) from Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona in Cauca. Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. is characterized by the antennae black with white spots on flagellomeres 3–7, male subgenital plate with median ridge forming a bilobed setose process, epiproct produced laterally near its base and phallic complex with virga thickened distally and not reaching beyond the membrane. Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. is characterized by the antennae thick with white spots present dorsally on flagellomeres 1–4 and 8, epiproct narrow and triangular, uncus reduced and lacking a distal hook, phallic complex with a concave ventral plate and a dorsal elevation in the middle extended to the virga, and the virga itself with two small projections basally. Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. is characterized by the epiproct with a lateral notch, antennae with a white dorsal spot on flagellomere 1 and flagellomeres 4–7 entirely white. The antennal color pattern of R. gorgonaensis sp. n. strongly resembles that of R. atra but differs from the latter in the absence of any significant morphological modification of the flagellomeres.
Se describen tres nuevas especies de Ripipteryx Newman (Orthoptera: Tridactyloidea: Ripipterygidae) provenientes de Colombia; son nombradas R. diegoi sp. n. (Grupo Forceps) y R. guacharoensis sp. n. (Grupo Marginipennis) encontradas en el Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guacharos en Huila y R. gorgonaensis sp. n. encontrada en el Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona en Cauca. Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. se reconoce por presentar antenas negras con mancha blanca en flagelómeros 3–7, placa subgenital con proceso medial bilobulado con setas, epiprocto extendido lateralmente cerca a la base y complejo fálico con virga engrosada distalmente que no se extiende más allá de la membrana. Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. se reconoce por presentar antenas gruesas con mancha dorsal blanca en flagelómeros 1–4 y 8, epiprocto angosto y triangular, uncus reducido y sin gancho distal, y complejo fálico con placa ventral cóncava y con elevación dorsomedial extendida hasta la virga, virga basalmente con dos puntas cortas. Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. se caracteriza por presentar epiprocto con muesca lateral, antenas con mancha dorsal blanca en flagelómero 1 y flagelómeros 4–7 completamente blancos. El patrón de coloración antenal en R. gorgonaensis sp. n. es similar al de R. atra pero se diferencia de esta especie por la ausencia de modificaciones morfológicas en los flagelómeros.
Caelifera , Tridactyloidea , species groups, Neotropics, Colombian National Natural Park
Ripipteryx Newman, 1834, or mud crickets (Orthoptera: Tridactyloidea: Ripipterygidae), comprises some 45 species of small, dark-colored, cricket-like orthopterans usually found near rivers, in bare soil, and in the moist zones of gallery forests. Like many of their relatives in the larger cosmopolitan family Tridactylidae, the mud crickets are able to jump from the surface of water. The genus is readily distinguished from Mirhipipteryx, the only other genus in the family, by its comparatively larger size (body 5.5–14.0 mm long), interocular distance at least half the width of the compound eyes, metatarsus approximately equal in length to the metatibial spurs, and the distinctly sclerotized lateral valvulae of the phallus (
The genus is distributed from Mexico to Argentina with their highest diversity found in Ecuador. Some species are very widely distributed (e.g. R. brunneri Chopard, 1920, R. carbonaria Saussure, 1896, R. hydrodroma Saussure, 1896, R. rivularia Saussure, 1896, etc.) and are found across large ranges in South and Central America (
The material studied here is deposited in the Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Villa de Leyva (IAvH-E) and the entomological museum of Universidad del Valle, Cali (MUSENUV). The male terminalia and the phallic complex were dissected and stored under glycerin in microvials mounted on the pin beneath the specimen. Some specimens were kept in alcohol. The description of morphological characters follows
Genitalia and terminalia with labels indicating main morphological features. A–B Comparison of phallic complex in dorsal view A Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. (IAvH-E 142877) (Scale bar 0.3 mm) B Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. (IAvH-E 137238) (Scale bar 0.2 mm) C Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. scanning electron micrographs of dissected paratype terminalia (IAvH-E 137238) in dorsal view.
♂ (no. IAvH-E 142877), Colombia, Huila, PNN Cueva de Los Guácharos, Cabaña Cedros, 1°37'N, 76°6'W, 2100 m, Malaise, 6-27.iv.2002, Col. J. Fonseca. Specimen dried and pinned; deposited at Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, Villa de Leyva.
Five specimens from same locality as holotype: 1) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 137238), specimen preserved in alcohol; 2) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 137239), specimen preserved in alcohol; 3) ♀ (no. IAvH-E 137240), specimen preserved in alcohol; 4) ♀ (no. IAvH-E 137241), specimen preserved in alcohol; 5) ♀ (no. IAvH-E 142878), specimen dried and pinned. Specimens deposited at same institution as holotype.
The new species is almost cryptically similar to R. forceps Saussure, 1896 in that the uncus is elongate and strongly recurved, and that the median ridge of the male subgenital plate is produced distally, forming a short and densely setose bilobed process. However, it can be readily distinguished from the latter species by [1] antennae with white spots on flagellomeres 3–4 and 6–7 with flagellomere 5 entirely white; [2] epiproct produced laterally near its base; [3] brachium curved along its entire length without prominent apical bulge; and [4] phallic complex with virga thickened distally and not reaching beyond the membrane.
Male (holotype). Body length including wings 8.1 mm, excluding wings 7.9 mm; pronotum length 1.6 mm, pronotum width 1.9 mm; tegmina length 3.1 mm; hind wings length 6.0 mm; interocular distance 0.39 mm. (n=1) (Fig.
Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. A Holotype lateral habitus (IAvH-E 142877) (Scale bar 2.3 mm) B Dorsal view of holotype phallic complex (IAvH-E 142877) (Scale bar 0.3 mm) C Outline of the subgenital plate in females (ventral view) D–G scanning electron micrographs of dissected paratype terminalia (IAvH-E 137238) D Dorsal view of terminalia E Dorsal view of epiproct and uncus F Ventral view of subgenital plate G Ventral view of medial bifurcated ridge of subgenital plate.
Head. Interocular distance more than half the eye width. Median ocellus fully developed. Patch that circumscribes anterodorsal margin of compound eyes absent. Internal margin of compound eyes convergent dorsally. Maxillary palp black, five segmented, with second segment reduced. Labial palp black. Gena below the compound eye and antennae insertion black.
Antennae black and filiform. Number of antennae segments 10. Scape wider than pedicel. Pedicel as long as 1stflagellomere. White spot on scape absent. White spot on pedicel absent. White dorsal spot on flagellomere 1 and 2 absent. White dorsodistal spot on flagellomere 3 present. Flagellomere 4 white with a brownish slender anterior ring. Flagellomere 5 completely white. Flagellomere 6 white with a brownish slender distal ring extended ventrally to the segment half. Flagellomere 7 and 8 black.
Thorax. Pronotum black. Mesonotum black. Tegmina black. Hind wings with white, transverse groove. Procoxa black. Profemora black with an inner distal white spot. Protibiae black with three distal spines and an anterior external white rounded spot close to tibiae-femora articulation. Mesocoxa black. Mesotrochanter black. Mesofemora black. Mesotibiae black. Metafemora black. Semi-lunar process brown. Metatibia brown. Metatarsi brown and longer than metatibial posterior spurs.
Abdomen. Cerci unsegmented, black. Brachium black with a yellow-white distal spot, in lateral view curved along its entire length without prominent apical bulge. Brachium spine present. Epiproct produced laterally near its base. Epiproct lateral lobes narrow. Medial epiproct (distal section) tongue-like. Uncus not embedded in brachium lobe basis, 1-hooked (Fig.
Basal plate heavily sclerotized, long, basally strongly widened and distally strongly split. Cingulum with apodemes elongate and well-sclerotized. Sclerotized region of cingulum discontinuous with a distal membranous region in-between. Virga very slender near base and distally thickened. Virga not extended beyond cingulum (Fig.
Variations. Body length including wings 7.9–8.3 mm, excluding wings 7.6–8.3 mm; pronotum length 1.6–1.7 mm, pronotum width 1.9–2.0 mm; tegmina length 3.1–3.2 mm; hind wings length 5.8–6.0 mm; interocular distance 0.39–0.44 mm. (n=3). Antennae: flagellomere 4 white with a brownish slender anterior ring extended ventrally to the segment half. Flagellomere 6 white with a brownish slender distal ring extended ventrally over the segment. Flagellomere 7 white dorsal spot on base.
Female. Body similar to male, except for antennal sexual dimorphism and abdominal sexual structures. White dorsodistal spot often present on flagellomere 2. Flagellomere 4 to 7 completely white. Subgenital plate smooth with two distal notches forming a rounded lobe in middle (Fig.
Females variation. body length including wings 7.9–8.6 mm, excluding wings 7.2–8.6 mm; pronotum length 1.7–1.8 mm, pronotum width 2.1–2.2 mm; tegmina length 3.4–4.1 mm; hind wings length 5.5–6.1 mm; interocular distance 0.46–0.47 mm. (n=3). Antenna: White dorsal spot on flagellomere 3 sometimes begins from middle. Flagellomere 7 sometimes presents ventral black color.
The specific epithet is patronymic and honours Señor Diego Baena, father of the senior author, in thanks for his care and dedication.
This species is currently known from the type locality.
The new species was found in one of the malaise samples together with R. guacharoensis and R. ecuadoriensis, with which it is believed to live sympatrically.
Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. is assigned to the Forceps group based on the predominately black coloration, the form of the subgenital plate, morphology of the phallic complex and the body size 7.2-8.7 mm. This species is similar to R. forceps with which it shares the form of the subgenital plate presenting a median ridge forming a bilobed setose process in ventral view (Fig.
♂ (no. IAvH-E 113834), Colombia, Huila, PNN Cueva de Los Guácharos, Cabaña Cedros, 1°37'N, 76°6'W, 2100 m, Malaise 2, 28.xi–2.xii.2001, Col. D. Campos. Specimen dried and pinned; deposited at Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, Villa de Leyva.
Two specimens from same locality as holotype: 1) ♂ (no IAvH-E 137236), 04–18.ii.2001, Col. D. Cortés, specimen preserved in alcohol; 2) ♀ (no. IAvH-E 137237), 27.iv–5.v.2002, Col. J. Fonseca, specimen preserved in alcohol. Specimens deposited at same institution as holotype.
The new species is distinguished from congeners by the following characters: [1] antennae with white dorsal spots on flagellomeres 1–4 and flagellomere 8 black with the distal half completely white; [2] epiproct lateral lobes narrow and posterior margin triangle-like (Fig.
Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. A Holotype lateral habitus (IAvH-E 113834) (Scale bar 2.2 mm) B Dorsal view of phallic complex (IAvH-E 113834) (Scale bar 0.2 mm) C Outline of the subgenital plate in females (ventral view) D–G scanning electron microscope micrographs of dissected male D Dorsal view of terminalia E Dorsal view of erect vertical setae at edges F Ventral view of subgenital plate G Dorsal view of epiproct.
Male (holotype). Body length including wings 7.55 mm; pronotum length 1.38 mm, pronotum width 1.64 mm; tegmina length 2.91 mm; hind wings length 5.84 mm; interocular distance 0.37 mm. (n=1) (Fig.
Head. Interocular distance more than half the eye width. Median ocellus fully developed. Internal margins of compound eyes convergent dorsally. Slight yellowish-white spot in the superior eyes corner. Gena below compound eye and antennae insertion black and below eye slightly yellowish. Maxillary palp black, distally slightly yellowish white, five segments with second reduced, fifth with strong setaes. Labial palp black.
Antennae thick and mainly black. Number of antennal segments 10. Scape wider than pedicel. Pedicel as long as 1st flagellomere. Slight white distal spot on scape. White dorsal spot on pedicel. White dorsal spot on flagellomeres 1, 2 and 3. White dorsodistal spot on flagellomere 4. Flagellomeres 5, 6 and 7 black. Flagellomere 8 black with distal half completely white.
Thorax. Pronotum black with an anterior slender white line and an almost imperceptible yellowish at anterior corners. Tegmina black. Hind wing with white, transverse groove. Procoxa black. Protochanter black. Profemora black with a yellowish serrated distal inner lobe. Protibiae black with three distal spines. Mesocoxa black. Mesotrochanter black. Mesofemora black. Mesotibiae black distally brownish. Metafemora black; Semi-lunar process, metatibia and metatarsi brown.
Abdomen. Tergum 9 with a distal notch. Tergum 10 slightly concave, strongly sclerotized with erect vertical setae at edges (Fig.
Basal plate heavily sclerotized, very short and widened basally. Cingulum distally serrated without apodemes. Lateral valves pointed and serrated. Virga thick, distally rounded and serrated, basally with two slight tips. Ventral plate concave with a dorsal elevation in middle extended to virga (Fig.
Variations. Body length including wings 8.9 mm, excluding wings 7.2 mm; pronotum length 1.6 mm, pronotum width 1.8 mm; tegmina length 3.3 mm; hind wings length 6.3 mm; interocular distance 0.40 mm. (n=1). Antennae Scape black.
Female. Body similar to male except for abdominal sexual structures. Subgenital plate obtuse (Fig.
Female variation. body length including wings 8.5 mm, excluding wings 7.4 mm; pronotum length 1.4 mm, pronotum width 1.9 mm; tegmina length 3.5 mm; hind wings length 6.7 mm; interocular distance 0.43 mm. (n=1). Antennae: scape black, white dorsodistal spot on pedicel. White dorsal small spot on flagellomeres 1, 2 and 3.
The specific epithet is derived from the name of the type locality, Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guácharos.
This species is currently known from the type locality.
This species was found in one of the malaise samples with the species R. diegoi and R. ecuadoriensis, which are believed to occur sympatrically.
Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. is assigned to the Marginipennis group based on the characters of the phallic complex, such as the very short and broad basal plate, the cingulum without apodemes, the presence of lateral valves, and the thickened virga (Fig.
The new species is similar to R. femorata in that both share a serrated distal inner lobe on the profemora, the shape of the male brachium in lateral view, the uncus reduced without distal hook and similar phallic complex (see
According with
♂ (no. IAvH-E 113896), Colombia, Cauca, PNN Gorgona, Alto el Mirador, 2°58'N, 78°11'W, 180 m, Malaise, 6-20.ix.2000, Col. H. Torres. Specimen dried and pinned; deposited at Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, Villa de Leyva.
5 specimens from same locality as holotype: 1) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 113898), 08–30.xi.2000, specimen dried and pinned; 2) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 113901), 01-04.iii.2000, Col. M. Sharkey, specimen dried and pinned; 3) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 113908), 18.i.2001, specimen dried and pinned; 4) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 113899), 30.x-18.xii.2000, specimen dried and pinned; 5) ♂ (no. IAvH-E 143179), 18.xii.2000-03.i.2001, specimen preserved in alcohol. Specimens deposited at same institution as holotype. 6) ♂ (no. GOR 3728-1), Colombia, Cauca, PNN Gorgona, Sendero cerro Trinidad, 2°58'22"N, 78°10'43"W, 90 m, Captura directa (manual), 21.x.2010, Col. F. Sarria. Specimen dried and pinned; deposited at Colección de insectos del PNN Gorgona - Museo de Entomología de la Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV), Cali.
The new species is almost cryptically similar to R. atra Serville, 1838 sharing with it the coloration of the antennae (white spots on flagellomeres 1 and 4–7). However, it is readily separated from the latter species by [1] flagellomeres 1 and 2 free (not fused as in R. atra); and [2] lateral lobes of epiproct with shallow lateral invagination.
Male (holotype). Body length including wings 6.80 mm, excluding wings 5.72 mm; pronotum length 1.34 mm, pronotum width 1.55 mm, tegmina length 2.84 mm, hind wings length 5.25 mm, interocular distance 0.41 mm (n=1) (Fig.
Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. male. A Holotype lateral habitus (IAvH-E 113896) (Scale bar 1.44 mm) B Dorsal view of phallic complex (IAvH-E 113899) (Scale bar 0.22 mm) C Scanning electron micrographs of dissected terminalia in frontal view (IAvH-E 143179) D Ventral view of subgenital plate.
Head. Interocular distance more than half the eye width. Median ocellus fully developed. Patch that circumscribes the anterodorsal margin of compound eyes absent. Internal margins of compound eyes convergent dorsally. Patch of setae at posteroventral border of eye present. Maxillary palp black. Four maxillary palps. Labial palp black.
Antennae black and filiform. Number of antennae segments 10. Scape wider than pedicel. Pedicel shorter than 1stflagellomere. Flagellomere 2 shorter than 1. White spots on scape and pedicel absent. White dorsal spot on flagellomere 1 present. White dorsal spot on flagellomere 2 and 3 absent. White dorsal spot on flagellomere 4–7 present. White dorsal spot on flagellomere 8 absent. Color of gena below compound eye and antennae insertion black.
Thorax. Pronotum, mesonotum and tegmen black. White transversal groove on hind wings present. Procoxa black. Profemora black with a distal white spot. Protibiae black. Mesocoxa black. Ventral Mesotrochanter black. Mesofemora black. Mesotibiae black. Metafemora black. Semi-lunar process brown. Metatarsi brown.
Abdomen. Cerci unsegmented, black, spots absent. Brachium black, in lateral view with parallel sides. Brachium spine present. Subgenital plate with medial ridge (Fig.
Basal plate heavily sclerotized, long and narrow; strongly widened distally. Virga very slender not extended beyond cingulum. Cingulum well-sclerotized, but discontinuous; apodemes of cingulum elongate, at base 2-hooked (Fig.
Variations. Body length including wings 6.56–7.74 mm, excluding wings 5.11–7.48 mm; pronotum length 1.24–1.43 mm, pronotum width 1.45–1.66 mm; tegmina length 2.65–3.31 mm; hind wings length 4.97–5.77 mm; interocular distance 0.40–0.44 mm. (n=7).
Female unknown.
The specific epithet is derived from the name of the type locality.
This species is currently known from the type locality.
Ripipteryx gorgonaensis was found in sympatry with the species R. atra and R. nodicornis.
The terminalia and the subgenital plate of the new species resemble those of R. atra, R. laticornis Günther, 1963 and R. antennata Hebard, 1924 suggesting placement in the Crassicornis Group. It shares the presence of numerous sharp spiculae on the cingulum with R. antennata and R. atra and the antennal color pattern with R. atra. However, R. gorgonaensis differs from the former species by the absence of modifications of the antennae. In other members of the Crassicornis Group, certain antennomeres are fused (e.g. in R. atra) or otherwise modified (e.g. flattened and wide in R. laticornis and R. antennata); this is not the case in R. gorgonaensis. The latter is easily distinguished from other species of the Crassicornis and Forceps groups by the form of the terminalia (Figs
A number of soft-bodied mites were found between the metanota and abdomina of some individuals. These are presumed to be ectoparasitic though further research is needed to clarify their biology and interaction with R. gorgonaensis (O. Combita pers. comm.).
Five species groups had been proposed in the genus Ripipteryx which are largely defined by the morphology of the male terminalia and the phallic complex (
We are grateful to Carlos Sarmiento, Jhon Jairo Ospina, and members of the laboratory of systematic and comparative biology of insects (UNAL) for helpful discussion and comments on the manuscript. Many thanks also go to M. Jared Thomas for assistance with photography and other illustrations, and Orlando Combita for opinions regarding the mites associated with R. gorgonaensis. We thank Sigfrid Ingrisch, Fernando Montealegre, and anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and critique of the manuscript, and Hugo Sánchez of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia for assistance with SEM. Partial financial support for this work was provided by Dirección de Investigación Sede Bogotá (DIB) grant 15221 entitled Relaciones filogenéticas de los géneros y grupos de especies de Ripipterygidae (Orthoptera: Tridactyloidea) basadas en morfología; and funding from the Instituto de Investigaciones de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (IAVH) as part of Gestión de Información y Conocimiento (GIC) program. Further thanks are due to Sina Firmenich for assisting the senior author with English translation, and Ranulfo González for his collecting effort.