Research Article |
Corresponding author: Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom Fondjo ( jayetchomfondjo@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Jun-Jie Gu
© 2024 Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom Fondjo, Armand Richard Nzoko Fiemapong, Maurice Tindo, Tarekegn Fite Duressa, Slobodan Ivković, Martin Husemann.
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:
Yetchom Fondjo JA, Nzoko Fiemapong AR, Tindo M, Duressa TF, Ivković S, Husemann M (2024) Taxonomic review of the grasshopper genus Pteropera Karsch, 1891 (Orthoptera, Acrididea, Catantopinae) with description of three new species and a preliminary phylogeny of the Cameroonian species. ZooKeys 1216: 219-264. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1216.130270
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The Afrotropical grasshopper genus Pteropera Karsch, 1891, is reviewed. Some species present in Cameroon are described, Pteropera augustini Donskoff, 1981, is recorded for the first time in the country, and three new species are described from Cameroon, Pteropera kennei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., Pteropera matzkei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov. and Pteropera missoupi Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., increasing the number of Pteropera species in Cameroon from eight to 12, and overall to 30 species in Central Africa. An updated key of Pteropera is provided. Photographs with data on the distributions of all known species are given. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on the basis of a concatenated dataset of COI, 16S, and 12S markers of available Cameroonian species. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the concatenated datasets resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny of the group and species of Pteropera were recovered as monophyletic, largely with high support. In all cases, the discrimination of all studied species based on barcode information was congruent with the species limits determined by traditional taxonomy. Our findings show the potential of integrative taxonomy to resolve the relationships among grasshoppers below the family level. Further analyses, including more comprehensive taxon sampling and additional nuclear markers, are needed, and the occurrence of several taxa still needs to be confirmed in African rainforests.
DNA barcodes, integrated taxonomy, short-horned grasshopper, tropical Africa
Pteropera Karsch, 1891, is a micropterous Afrotropical grasshopper genus belonging to the subfamily Catantopinae. This flightless grasshopper genus is morphologically similar to its close relative Serpusia Karsch (
Pteropera was originally described for a single species, Pteropera verrucigena Karsch, and remained monotypic until the description of P. pictipes by Bolívar in 1908. Moreover, P. karschi (Bolívar, 1905), previously included in the genus Aresceutica Karsch, 1896, was included in the genus Pteropera by
Field surveys were conducted from June 2017 to April 2022 at various locations situated in the central (Ongot), eastern (Somalomo, Dja), and littoral (Sohock, Koukoué, Iboti) regions of Cameroon. The grasshopper samples were collected using sweep nets and hand catches.
Specimens were identified using the identification key of
To study male genitalia, the standard methods of
Photographs of the habitus of types and allotypes held by the MNHN were captured with a Nikon D60 digital camera. Photographs of some samples were taken at the Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, Germany (ZMH) with a high-resolution DUN Inc. stacking system (DUN Inc. California, USA). Images of male and female genitalia were also taken at the ZMH with a Keyence VHX-7000 digital microscope (London, UK).
Measurements were obtained using a digital caliper (at a scale of 0.01 mm). All the measurements are given in millimeters (mm). For all traits, male and female samples were measured separately. For each sample, the following measurements were taken: HeadL: length of the head; HeadW: width of the head; AntenL: length of the antenna; I.O.D.: interocular distance; FastigL: length of the fastigium of vertex; PronotL: length of the pronotum in the midline; PronotW: pronotum width; TegL: length of the tegmina; TL: hind tibia length; FL: maximum length of the hind femur; FW: width of the hind femur, measured as the distance between the two parallel lines running through the dorsal and ventral extremities of the femur, drawn parallel to the long axis of the femur; and BodyL: body length, measured from the tip of the front to the hindmost tip of the abdomen. The measurements of the samples (Table
Measurements in millimeters (mm) of the examined Pteropera species currently known from Cameroon.
Species | Pteropera carnapi Ramme, 1929 | Pteropera descampsi Donskoff, 1981 | Pteropera karschi zenkeri Ramme, 1929 | Pteropera kennei sp. nov. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parameters | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female |
HeadL | 1.95 ± 0.15 (n = 7) | 2.34 ± 0.18 (n = 6) | 2.04 ± 0.20 (n = 8) | 2.19 ± 0.13 (n = 8) | 4.54 ± 1.04 (n = 4) | 4.54 ± 1.04 (n = 4) | 2.77 ± 0.24 (n = 20) | 3.07 ± 0.11 (n = 5) |
HeadW | 3.08 ± 0.12 (n = 7) | 3.67 ± 0.07 (n = 6) | 2.99 ± 0.10 (n = 8) | 3.61 ± 0.20 (n = 8) | 3.15 ± 0.13 (n = 4) | 3.15 ± 0.13 (n = 4) | 3.05 ± 0.15 (n = 20) | 3.73 ± 0.23 (n = 5) |
AntenL | 9.57 ± 0.73 (n = 6) | 10.34 ± 0.62 (n = 6) | 9.64 ± 0.66 (n = 7) | 10.22 ± 0.69 (n = 7) | 11.62 ± 0.50 (n = 4) | 11.62 ± 0.50 (n = 4) | 9.73 ± 0.37 (n = 20) | 10.36 ± 0.65 (n = 5) |
I.O.D. | 0.47 ± 0.19 (n = 7) | 0.60 ± 0.16 (n = 6) | 0.64 ± 0.08 (n = 8) | 0.64 ± 0.08 (n = 8) | 0.37 ± 0.12 (n = 4) | 0.37 ± 0.12 (n = 4) | 0.55 ± 0.12 (n = 20) | 0.68 ± 0.03 (n = 5) |
PronotL | 4.32 ± 0.25 (n = 7) | 5.02 ± 0.13 (n = 6) | 5.06 ± 0.32 (n = 8) | 5.06 ± 0.32 (n = 8) | 4.27 ± 0.07 (n = 4) | 4.27 ± 0.07 (n = 4) | 4.01 ± 0.26 (n = 20) | 4.94 ± 0.35 (n = 5) |
PronotW | 3.54 ± 0.38 (n = 7) | 4.38 ± 0.24 (n = 6) | 4.17 ± 0.26 (n = 8) | 4.17 ± 0.26 (n = 8) | 3.56 ± 0.26 (n = 4) | 3.56 ± 0.26 (n = 4) | 3.37 ± 0.28 (n = 20) | 4.39 ± 0.28 (n = 5) |
TegL | 3.58 ± 0.19 (n = 7) | 4.43 ± 0.47 (n = 6) | 3.73 ± 0.41 (n = 7) | 4.31 ± 0.63 (n = 7) | 4.17 ± 0.33 (n = 4) | 4.17 ± 0.33 (n = 4) | 3.80 ± 0.29 (n = 20) | 4.26 ± 0.56 (n = 5) |
TL | 10.45 ± 0.15 (n = 7) | 12.42 ± 0.71 (n = 6) | 12.11 ± 0.55 (n = 8) | 12.11 ± 0.55 (n = 8) | 11.59 ± 0.19 (n = 4) | 11.59 ± 0.19 (n = 4) | 10.27 ± 0.43 (n = 20) | 12.49 ± 0.57 (n = 5) |
FL | 12.07 ± 0.25 (n = 7) | 14.39 ± 0.48 (n = 5) | 12.17 ± 0.54 (n = 7) | 14.03 ± 0.82 (n = 7) | 13.52 ± 0.04 (n = 4) | 13.52 ± 0.04 (n = 4) | 11.91 ± 0.35 (n = 20) | 14.32 ± 0.56 (n = 5) |
FW | 1.61 ± 0.21 (n = 7) | 1.91 ± 0.11 (n = 5) | 1.64 ± 0.22 (n = 7) | 1.75 ± 0.22 (n = 7) | 3.10 ± 0.21 (n = 4) | 3.10 ± 0.21 (n = 4) | 3.10 ± 0.15 (n = 20) | 3.67 ± 0.23 (n = 5) |
BodyL | 19.92 ± 1.26 (n = 7) | 25.35 ± 2.20 (n = 6) | 24.52 ± 2.41 (n = 8) | 24.52 ± 2.41 (n = 8) | 21.24 ± 0.58 (n = 4) | 21.24 ± 0.58 (n = 4) | 18.15 ± 1.71 (n = 20) | 23.08 ± 1.69 (n = 5) |
Species | Pteropera matzkei sp. nov. | Pteropera missoupi sp. nov. | Pteropera uniformis Bruner, 1920 | Pteropera verrucigena Karsch, 1891 | ||||
Parameters | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female |
HeadL | 4.54 ± 1.04 (n = 4) | 5.33 ± 1.85 (n = 2) | 2.41 ± 0.53 (n = 8) | 2.87 ± 0.56 (n = 7) | 2.16 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 2.04 ± 0.24 (n = 2) | 2.24 (n = 1) |
HeadW | 3.15 ± 0.13 (n = 4) | 3.46 ± 0.71 (n = 2) | 3.29 ± 0.26 (n = 8) | 3.64 ± 0.69 (n = 7) | 3.10 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 3.43 ± 0.21 (n = 2) | 4.48 (n = 1) |
AntenL | 11.62 ± 0.50 (n = 4) | 12.75 ± 0.54 (n = 2) | 10.07 ± 0.57 (n = 8) | 10.71 ± 0.33 (n = 7) | 10.99 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | – | – |
I.O.D. | 0.37 ± 0.12 (n = 4) | 0.69 ± 0.68 (n = 2) | 0.55 ± 0.08 (n = 8) | 0.77 ± 0.19 (n = 7) | 0.44 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 0.66 ± 0.30 (n = 2) | 0.79 (n = 1) |
PronotL | 4.27 ± 0.07 (n = 4) | 5.47 ± 0.11 (n = 2) | 4.50 ± 0.26 (n = 8) | 5.35 ± 0.16 (n = 7) | 4.58 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 4.46 ± 0.45 (n = 2) | 5.58 (n = 1) |
PronotW | 3.56 ± 0.26 (n = 4) | 4.74 ± 0.01 (n = 2) | 3.81 ± 0.40 (n = 8) | 4.52 ± 0.56 (n = 7) | 3.62 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 3.74 ± 0.32 (n = 2) | 4.89 (n = 1) |
TegL | 4.17 ± 0.33 (n = 4) | 5.53 ± 0.81 (n = 2) | 3.81 ± 0.43 (n = 7) | 4.79 ± 0.40 (n = 7) | 3.76 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 3.70 ± 0.28 (n = 2) | 5.91 (n = 1) |
TL | 11.59 ± 0.19 (n = 4) | 14.28 ± 0.33 (n = 2) | 11.29 ± 0.28 (n = 8) | 13.99 ± 0.46 (n = 6) | 10.64 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 11.30 ± 0.80 (n = 2) | 14.72 (n = 1) |
FL | 13.52 ± 0.04 (n = 4) | 16.40 ± 0.69 (n = 2) | 13.20 ± 0.39 (n = 8) | 16.32 ± 0.71 (n = 7) | 12.83 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 12.84 ± 0.78 (n = 2) | 17.23 (n = 1) |
FW | 3.10 ± 0.21 (n = 4) | 3.73 ± 0.01 (n = 2) | 1.65 ± 0.16 (n = 8) | 1.98 ± 0.10 (n = 7) | 1.75 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 1.74 ± 0.11 (n = 2) | 1.69 (n = 1) |
BodyL | 21.24 ± 0.58 (n = 4) | 27.65 ± 0.57 (n = 2) | 21.02 ± 1.51 (n = 7) | 26.38 ± 1.35 (n = 7) | 19.88 ± 0.00 (n = 1) | – | 20.37 ± 0.43 (n = 2) | 28.86 (n = 1) |
Distributional data were obtained from geographical coordinates recorded during field observations and from locality records taken from specimen labels in the ZMH and the MNHN collections. The distribution maps of all the species were generated via QGIS 3.28.3.
EMT Egyptian Museum of Turin
To perform molecular analyses, genomic DNA was extracted from the femoral muscle tissue of 41 Pteropera specimens and 11 outgroups samples (Table
The master mix contained 10.78 µL of nuclease-free H2O, 1.5 µL of DreamTaq Buffer 10× (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts), 0.75 µL of the respective forward and reverse primers, 0.12 µL of dNTPs (VWR International, Radnor, Pennsylvania), 0.2 µL of DreamTaq DNA Polymerase (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts), and 1 µL of the template.
The PCR profile for the COI gene consisted of an initial denaturation step of 3 min at 94 °C, followed by 35 cycles of 30 s at 94 °C, an annealing step of 45 s at 50 °C, an extension step of 1 min at 72 °C, with a final extension of 10 min at 72 °C.
The PCR profile for the 16S gene consisted of an initial denaturation step of 3 min at 95 °C, followed by 35 cycles of 30 s at 95 °C, an annealing step of 45 s at 61 °C, an extension step of 1 min at 72 °C, with a final extension of 10 min at 72 °C.
The PCR profile for the 12S gene consisted of an initial denaturation step of 3 min at 95 °C, followed by 35 cycles of 30 s at 95 °C, an annealing step of 30 s at 60 °C, an extension step of 1 min at 72 °C, with a final extension of 5 min at 72 °C.
The PCR amplicons were checked on 1% agarose gels stained with GelRed (Biotium, Remont, CA, USA). Successfully amplified samples were purified with an ExoSap Enzyme cocktail (VWR, Pennsylvania, USA). The purified PCR products were then sequenced in both directions by Macrogen Europe (Amsterdam, Netherlands).
The newly obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers indicated in Table
For our study, the outgroups were selected among representatives from a few genera of the subfamily Catantopinae, on the basis of their close relationship with the ingroup. These include Catantops stramineus (Walker, 1870), Exopropacris modica (Karsch, 1893) and Parapropacris notatus (Karsch, 1891). In addition, we successfully sequenced the 16S fragment from 43 samples including 35 Pteropera samples and 8 samples from outgroups. For the 12S fragment, we sequenced 38 samples, including 34 Pteropera samples and four samples from outgroups.
The DNA sequences were edited using the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor v. 7.7.1 (
With our molecular datasets, we conducted one multilocus analysis (COI_16S_12S) with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Phylogenetic tree based on the maximum likelihood (ML) method was reconstructed using the IQ-Tree software v. 1.6.12 (
The COI fragment was sequenced from 35 Pteropera specimens and 11 outgroup sample (Table
Phylogenetic tree built from the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses of the concatenated (COI/16S/12S) dataset. The numbers close to the nodes of the tree are the bootstrap support (%) and the Bayesian posterior probabilities (PP). The collection localities are also indicated preceded by CM (Cameroon).
Family Acrididae MacLeay, 1821
Subfamily Catantopinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893
Genus group Serpusiae Johnston, 1956
Pteropera
Karsch, 1891: 185 (type species: Pteropera verrucigena Karsch, 1891, by original monotypy);
Of medium size (22.5 mm; 30.0 mm); integument moderately rugous dorsally and smooth ventrally; body and legs with inconspicuous hairs; antennal organ on the fifth segment before the apex; frons oblique (~ 45°); frontal ridge slightly curved, depressed near the median ocelli, with parallel carinae; fastigium of vertex short, triangular to hexagonal, more or less elongated, with the upper area very small, almost flat above; interocular distance narrower than or equal to the antennal scape; eyes large, globular, oval in profile, bean-shaped in dorsal view; ocelli large; pronotum cylindrical in cross-section at the typical groove, crossed by three transverse furrows; median carina faintly visible, lateral carina absent; metazona twice shorter than the prozona; anterior margin always notched, posterior margin excurved or notched; prosternal tubercle subconical, prominent, elevated, isolated; mesosternal lobes rounded. Tegmina lobiform, 3× longer than its width, covering the larger tympanum; wings less developed. Last article of the anterior and medial tarsi longer than the other two combined; Hind femur longer than wide; chevrons continuous and rounded in the outer median area; upper carinae serrate; upper basal lobe larger than the lower; hind tibia shorter than the femur, slightly S-curved, external apical spine absent, 8–10 spines on each upper margin; last tarsal segment as long as the other two combined; arolium larger and longer than the spurs. Supra-anal plate triangular, elongated; cerci slightly curved, conical, acute or truncated, sometimes with internal preapical lobules; male subgenital plate short, conical, or truncated; valves of ovipositor narrow, with curved apices, lower valves with small or no lateral projection; male genitalia: epiphallus bridge-shaped; bridge usually short, straight or arched, curved forward, reinforced in the vertical plane by a tubercle-like thickening and as prominent downwards as the lateral plates; ancorae short; lophi plate-shaped, aligned or forming an angle greater than 70°, posterior process not very prominent; oval sclerites small, rounded to subtriangular; cingulum horseshoe-shaped; rami of the cingulum not curved ventrally; ectophallus with two lower and two upper spiculated sheaths; intromission organ of aedeagus having four sclerotized blades and two upper spiculated sheaths; lower valves typically shorter than upper ones.
The complete list of the currently known Pteropera species and subspecies with the specimen ID, type category, collection location, date of collection and depository, are presented in Table
Complete list of currently known Pteropera species and subspecies considered in the present study.
N° | ID | Species | Type | Sex | Location | Author, year | Coll. date | Depository |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
Pteropera augustini | Holotype | m | Near Youmbi, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 11.06.1974 |
|
|
Pteropera augustini | Allotype | f | Near Youmbi, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 11.06.1974 |
|
|
2 |
|
Pteropera balachowskyi | Holotype | m | Between Mimomgo and Koulamouto, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 15.06.1974 |
|
|
Pteropera balachowskyi | Allotype | f | Between Mimomgo and Koulamouto, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 15.06.1974 |
|
|
3 |
|
Pteropera basilewskyi | Paratype | f | Sankuru: Komi, Congo Museum | Donskoff, 1981 | 12.1913 |
|
4 |
|
Pteropera bertii | Holotype | m | Nkoemvone, Cameroon | Donskoff, 1981 | 10–14.11.1975 |
|
|
Pteropera bertii | Allotype | f | Nkoemvone, Cameroon | Donskoff, 1981 | 10–14.11.1975 |
|
|
5 | NA | Pteropera bredoi | Holotype | f | Kalulu | Donskoff, 1981 | 06.05.1939 |
|
6 |
|
Pteropera brosseti | Holotype | m | Ipassa Quadrat, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 3–30.05.1974 |
|
|
Pteropera brosseti | Allotype | f | Ipassa Quadrat, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 3–30.05.1974 |
|
|
7 | BA000180S01 DORSA | Pteropera carnapi | Holotype | m | Yaoundé, Cameroon | Ramme, 1929 | 11.97 |
|
BA000180S02 DORSA | Pteropera carnapi | Paratype | f | Yaoundé, Cameroon | Ramme, 1929 | 11.97 |
|
|
8 |
|
Pteropera congoensis | Holotype | m | Dimonika, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 01.1964 |
|
|
Pteropera congoensis | Allotype | f | Dimonika, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 01.1964 |
|
|
9 |
|
Pteropera cornici | Holotype | m | N´Go, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 12.03.1973 |
|
|
Pteropera cornici | Allotype | f | N´Go, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 12.03.1973 |
|
|
10 |
|
Pteropera descampsi | Holotype | m | Ongot (Yaoundé), Cameroon | Donskoff, 1981 | 2–4.11.1975 |
|
|
Pteropera descampsi | Allotype | f | Ongot (Yaoundé), Cameroon | Donskoff, 1981 | 2–4.11.1975 |
|
|
11 |
|
Pteropera descarpentriesi | Holotype | m | Odzala, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 10.1963 |
|
|
Pteropera descarpentriesi | Allotype | f | Odzala, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 10.1963 |
|
|
12 | NA | Pteropera femorata | Holotype | f | Boko, Congo-Brazzaville | (Giglio-Tos, 1907) | - | EMT |
13 |
|
Pteropera grilloti | Holotype | m | N´Gongo, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 25.02.1970 |
|
14 |
|
Pteropera jeanninae | Holotype | m | Between Okondja and Odzala, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 18.06.1974 |
|
|
Pteropera jeanninae | Allotype | f | Between Okondja and Odzala, Gabon | Donskoff, 1981 | 18.06.1974 |
|
|
15 |
|
Pteropera karschi karschi | NA | m | Mvoum, Gabon | (I. Bolívar, 1905) | 1–15.11.1969 |
|
|
Pteropera karschi karschi | NA | f | Mont cristal, Gabon | (I. Bolívar, 1905) | 3.06.1974 |
|
|
16 | BA000178S01 DORSA | Pteropera karschi zenkeri | Holotype | m | Bipindi, Cameroon | Ramme, 1929 | 02.1904 |
|
BA000178S06 DORSA | Pteropera karschi zenkeri | Allotype | f | Bipindi, Cameroon | Ramme, 1929 | 11.04.1897 |
|
|
17 |
|
Pteropera menieri | Holotype | m | Dimonika, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 18.02.1978 |
|
|
Pteropera menieri | Allotype | f | Dimonika, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 18.02.1978 |
|
|
18 | NA | Pteropera meridionalis | Holotype | f | Kwango (Popokabak), Coll-Mus-Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 1949 | Tervuren Museum |
19 |
|
Pteropera mirei | Holotype | m | Nkoemvone | Donskoff, 1981 | 10–14.11.1975 |
|
|
Pteropera mirei | Allotype | f | Nkoemvone | Donskoff, 1981 | 10–14.11.1975 |
|
|
20 |
|
Pteropera morini | Holotype | m | M´Be, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 03.1973 |
|
|
Pteropera morini | Allotype | f | M´Be, Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 5.01.77 |
|
|
21 |
|
Pteropera pillaulti | Holotype | m | Djoumouna (Yaka-Yaka), Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 4.01.1977 |
|
|
Pteropera pillaulti | Allotype | f | Djoumouna (Yaka-Yaka), Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 4.01.1977 |
|
|
22 |
|
Pteropera poirieri | Holotype | m | M´Bomo, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 8.02.1977 |
|
|
Pteropera poirieri | Allotype | F | M´Bomo, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 8.02.1977 |
|
|
23 | BA000177S01 DORSA | Pteropera spleniata | Holotype | m | Chinchoxo, Congo | (Karsch, 1896) | NA |
|
BA000177S02 DORSA | Pteropera spleniata | Holotype | f | Chinchoxo, Congo | (Karsch, 1896) | NA |
|
|
24 |
|
Pteropera teocchii | Holotype | m | La Maboke, RCA | Donskoff, 1981 | 16.01.1968 |
|
|
Pteropera teocchii | Allotype | f | La Maboke, RCA | Donskoff, 1981 | 16.01.1968 |
|
|
25 |
|
Pteropera thibaudi | Holotype | m | Vouka (Mossendjo), Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 02.1974 |
|
|
Pteropera thibaudi | Allotype | f | Vouka (Mossendjo), Congo-Brazzaville | Donskoff, 1981 | 02.1974 |
|
|
26 |
|
Pteropera Uniformis | Neallotype | m | Nkoemvone, Cameroon | Bruner, 1920 | 10–14.11.1975 |
|
27 | BA000175S01 DORSA | Pteropera verrucigena | Lectotype | H | Barombi Station, Cameroon | Karsch, 1891 | NA |
|
BA000175S02 DORSA | Pteropera verrucigena | Allotype | f | Barombi Station, Cameroon | Karsch, 1891 | NA |
|
|
28 |
|
Pteropera villiersi | Holotype | m | Sibiti, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 11.1963 |
|
|
Pteropera villiersi | Allotype | f | Sibiti, Congo | Donskoff, 1981 | 11.1963 |
|
|
29 |
|
Pteropera kennei sp. nov. | Holotype | m | Somalomo (Dja), Cameroon | Yetchom & Husemann, 2024 | 10.04.2022 |
|
30 |
|
Pteropera matzkei sp. nov. | Holotype | m | Somalomo (Dja), Cameroon | Yetchom & Husemann, 2024 | 10.04.2022 |
|
31 |
|
Pteropera missoupi sp. nov. | Holotype | m | Iboti (Ebo forest), Cameroon | Yetchom & Husemann, 2024 | 07.01.2022 |
|
Species | Voucher Codes | Coll. date | Country of origin | GenBank accession number | GenSeq nomenclature | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COI | 16S | 12S | |||||
P. augustini | CM1205 | 11.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700650 | PP708801 | PP737690 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1361 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP707812 | PP708833 | NA | Genseq-3 Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
P. carnapi | CM1363 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP707813 | PP708802 | PP737691 | Genseq-3 Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1364 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700651 | PP708803 | PP737728 | Genseq-3 Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1365 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700652 | PP708804 | PP737692 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1366 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700653 | PP708805 | PP737729 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1371 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | NA | PP708806 | PP737693 | Genseq-3 16S, 12S |
P. carnapi | CM1373 | 12.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700654 | PP708834 | PP737694 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. descampsi | CM140 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP707814 | PP708835 | PP737695 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. descampsi | CM141 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP700655 | PP708807 | PP737696 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. descampsi | CM142 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP700656 | PP708808 | PP737730 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. descampsi | CM143 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP707815 | PP708809 | PP737697 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. descampsi | CM144 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP707816 | PP708836 | PP737698 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. karschi zenkeri | CM1425 | 09.09.2018 | Cameroon | NA | NA | PP737731 | Genseq-3 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1131 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP707817 | PP708810 | NA | Genseq-2 COI, 16S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1135 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP707818 | NA | PP737699 | Genseq-2 COI, 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1136 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700657 | NA | PP737700 | Genseq-2 COI, 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1138 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP707819 | PP708811 | NA | Genseq-2 COI, 16S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1183 | 11.04.2022 | Cameroon | NA | PP708815 | NA | Genseq-2 16S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1139 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | NA | NA | PP737732 | Genseq-2 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1141 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700658 | PP708812 | PP737733 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1142 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700659 | NA | NA | Genseq-2 COI |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1143 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | NA | PP708813 | PP737734 | Genseq-2 16S, 12S |
P. kennei sp. nov. | CM1182 | 11.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700660 | PP708814 | NA | Genseq-2 COI, 16S |
P. matzkei sp. nov. | CM1127 | 10.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700661 | PP708816 | PP737735 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. matzkei sp. nov. | CM1357 | 28.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700662 | PP708817 | NA | Genseq-2 COI, 16S |
P. matzkei sp. nov. | CM1358 | 28.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700663 | PP708818 | PP737736 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. matzkei sp. nov. | CM1359 | 28.06.2022 | Cameroon | PP700664 | PP708819 | PP737737 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM139 | 20.03.2022 | Cameroon | PP700665 | PP708837 | PP737738 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM278 | 15.06.2020 | Cameroon | PP700666 | PP708820 | PP737701 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM280 | 15.06.2020 | Cameroon | PP700667 | PP708838 | PP737702 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM281 | 15.06.2020 | Cameroon | PP700668 | PP708821 | PP737703 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM367 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP707820 | PP708839 | PP737739 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM569 | 07.01.2022 | Cameroon | PP700669 | PP708822 | PP737740 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM570 | 07.01.2022 | Cameroon | PP700670 | PP708823 | PP737741 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM571 | 07.01.2022 | Cameroon | PP700671 | PP708824 | PP737742 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. missoupi sp. nov. | CM1094 | 15.06.2020 | Cameroon | PP700672 | PP708825 | PP737704 | Genseq-2 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. uniformis | CM373 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP707821 | PP708840 | PP737705 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. uniformis | CM1187 | 11.04.2022 | Cameroon | PP700673 | NA | PP737743 | Genseq-3 COI, 12S |
P. verrucigena | CM1423 | 03.04.2017 | Cameroon | PP707822 | PP708826 | PP737706 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. verrucigena | CM1424 | 04.04.2017 | Cameroon | PP707823 | PP708841 | PP737707 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
C. stramineus | CM735 | 06.05.2020 | Cameroon | PP700674 | NA | NA | Genseq-3 COI |
C. stramineus | CM973 | 09.04.2020 | Cameroon | PP707824 | NA | PP737744 | Genseq-3 COI, 12S |
E. modica | CM 342 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700675 | PP708827 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
E. modica | CM343 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700676 | PP708842 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
E. modica | CM344 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700677 | PP708828 | PP737745 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
E. modica | CM345 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700678 | PP708843 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
P. notatus | CM358 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700679 | PP708829 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
P. notatus | CM359 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP707825 | PP708830 | PP737746 | Genseq-3 COI, 16S, 12S |
P. notatus | CM360 | 05.12.2021 | Cameroon | PP700680 | PP708831 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
P. notatus | CM596 | 02.03.2021 | Cameroon | PP700681 | PP708832 | NA | Genseq-3 COI, 16S |
P. notatus | CM781 | 17.07.2018 | Cameroon | PP700682 | NA | NA | Genseq-3 COI |
Pteropera augustini Donskoff, 1981: 51–52.
Holotype
• ♂; Gabon. Near Youmi, in forest habitat; 0°24.617'N, 9°26.200'E; 11 Jun. 1974; M. Donskoff & J. Le Breton leg.;
Cameroon • 1 ♀, subadult; Somalomo, in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, cocoa farm; 3°23.650'N, 12°53.583'E, 606 m a.s.l.; 11 Apr. 2022; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Two subocellar facial spots; posterior margin of the pronotum slightly indented; no marked difference between the upper half and lower half of the elytra; shiny black line along the lower margin; metathoracic episternites almost entirely pale; outer area of the hind femora green with pale spots, widely spread on the upper carina, median spot rounded, small, basal spot triangular; lower basal half of the inner area greenish-brown, pale spot rounded and small; only the lower inner area brownish; hind tibiae green.
Images of holotypes, allotypes, and paratypes of Pteropera species in lateral view A P. augustini (holotype ♂) B P. augustini (allotype ♀) C P. balachowskyi (holotype ♂) D P. balachowskyi (allotype ♀) E P. bertii (holotype ♂) F P. bertii (paratype ♀) G P. brosseti (holotype ♂) H P. brosseti (allotype ♀) I P. basilewskyi (paratype ♀) J P. bredoi (holotype ♀).
Female subgenital plate pentagonal; egg-guide short; anterior apodemes narrow, short; medio-dorsal pocket narrow; basivalvar sclerites broad, slightly fused, almost perpendicular to each other; end of the copulatory bursa enlarged in the shape of a bubble; spermatheca ampulla arched, both diverticula of different diameters; recurrent distal trunk of the lateral diverticulum 4–5× longer than the proximal trunk.
This species is known by both males and females. The last female subadult stage was collected during this study and represents the first signalization of this species in Cameroon.
Gabon; Cameroon (Fig.
Pteropera biloloca
Pteropera carnapi
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Yaoundé; 3°50.883'N, 11°30'7"E; Jun. 1887; V. Carnap leg.;
Cameroon • 4 ♀♀; Ongot; 3°42.517'N, 11°15.167'E; 15 Jun. 2020; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Images of holotypes and allotypes of Pteropera species in lateral view A P. carnapi (holotype ♂) B P. carnapi (paratype ♀) C P. congoensis (holotype ♂) D P. congoensis (allotype ♀) E P. cornici (holotype ♂) F P. cornici (allotype ♀) G P. descampsi (holotype ♂) H P. descampsi (allotype ♀) I P. descarpentriesi (holotype ♂) J P. descarpentriesi (allotype ♀).
Frontal ridge raised above the median ocelli, prominent between the antennae; head and pronotum with well contrasted pale and dark colors; subocellar facial spot large; lower margin of elytra shiny black; meso- and metathoracic episternites yellow in their center; front legs, ventral area of hind femora yellow-green; dorsal area of the body and upper areas of hind femora more or less dark brown; hind tibiae bluish-green; male pallium and supra-anal plate raised; male cerci bilobate, with inner lobe equal to or longer than the outer lobe. Epiphallus (Fig.
Cameroon; Central African Republic; Gabon; Congo (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Yaoundé, Ongot [Onguot]; 3° 50.899'N, 11°30.133'E; 2–4 Nov. 1975; M. Descamps leg.;
Cameroon • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Ongot; 3°51.517'N, 11°22.367'E; 15 Jun. 2020; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo & A.R. Nzoko Fiemapong leg.;
Subocellar facial spot V-shaped, wide; dark median longitudinal band on the pronotum disc not very distinct; the two contiguous pale bands present; lower part of body very pale on living specimen; pronotum disc shiny brownish; pale basal posterior spots on the lateral lobes of the pronotum extending almost to the lower margin; lower half of elytra shiny black, upper half brown; meso- and metathoracic episternites with pale, narrow, median and basal band; front and middle legs pale green; outer and inner sides of hind femora pale, greenish yellow with apical third gradually darkening towards the pregenicular black ring; knees pale brown; hind tibiae green, sometimes very dark; male subgenital plate truncated; male cerci with a small inner preapical lobe. Epiphallus (15E): of smaller size, ancorae small, anterior projections and lateral plates wide. Phallic complex (Fig.
Cameroon (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Bipindi, “Urwald”; 3°4.657'N, 10°24.607'E; Sep. 1898; G. Zenker leg.;
Cameroon • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Koukoué, on shrubs in palm plantations; 4°2.400'N, 10°7.002'E; 19 Sep. 2018; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Male: medium size; generally greenish; tegument weakly granular; head conical and oblique; fastigium of vertex short with obtuse apex; interocular space narrow; pronotum rugous, without lateral carinae, with straight median carina crossed by three furrows and with rounded posterior margin slightly indented in the middle, anterior margin incised in the middle; longitudinal median band of the pronotal disc darker and wider than the adjoining clear bands; prozona longer than the metazona; prosternal tubercle short conical and flattened at the base, forming an outline of a collar with the prothoracic presternite; mesosternal space open and longer than its wide; dorsal carina of hind femur finely toothed, distal end pointed; arolium large; outer area of hind femora with three pale spots; inner areas of hind femora with a median pale spot; inner and lower areas of hind femora, hind tibiae orange; middle area of male supra-anal plate with a transverse groove and tubercles on the sides; basal area with two digital tubercles; male subgenital plate conical, with a short tubercle at the apex; male cerci long conical, extending beyond the end of the supra-anal plate, with a wide internal pre-apical lobule. Epiphallus (Fig.
Images of holotypes, allotypes and paratypes of Pteropera species and subspecies in lateral view A P. femorata (holotype ♂;
Images of Holotypes and Allotypes of Pteropera species in lateral view A P. menieri (Holotype ♂) B P. menieri (Allotype ♀) C P. mirei (Holotype ♂) D P. mirei (Allotype ♀) E P. morini (Holotype ♂) F P. morini (Allotype ♀) G P. pillaulti (Holotype ♂) H P. pillaulti (Allotype ♀) I P. poirieri (Holotype ♂) J P. poirieri (Allotype ♀).
Female: subgenital plate pentagonal; egg-guide short; anterior apodemes short, narrow, with projecting posterior margin; valves of ovipositor robust, curved towards the apex; external margins of the dorsal valves saw-toothed; spermatheca with medium-sized axial diverticulum; distal trunk, recurrent of the lateral diverticulum of the spermatheca 1.5× longer than the proximal trunk.
Donskoff distinguished Pteropera karschi karschi from Pteropera karschi zenkeri on the basis of external morphology and described the genitalia structures of P. karschi karschi as representative of both subspecies. Pteropera karschi zenkeri resembles P. karschi karschi in several genitalia features but can easily be distinguished by a convex epiphallus bridge (concave in P. karschi karschi), with the apex of the aedeagus curved upward, oblique in lateral view (horizontal, in line with valves in P. karschi karschi), apodemes of the cingulum curved inwards in its apical part (straight in P. karschi karschi); and the distal trunk of the lateral diverticulum of the spermatheca being 1.5× longer than the proximal trunk (5–6× longer than the proximal trunk in P. karschi karschi). The juvenile of this species is unknown.
Cameroon; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Batanga; 2°50.795'N, 9°53.699'E; Apr. 1914; F.H. Hope leg.;
Cameroon • 1 ♂; Ongot; 3°51.517'N, 11°22.367'E; 5 Dec. 2021; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Lower side of the body clear; median dark band on pronotum disc narrow, the two contiguous clear bands faintly marked; posterior basal spot on the lateral lobes of pronotum narrow, not reaching the lower edge; metathoracic episternite with a straight, median stripe limited to the base of the segment; lower half of elytra shiny black, upper half brown; front and middle legs pale green. Inner and outer areas of posterior female hind femora pale, greenish yellow, with small pregenicular black ring; knees pale brown; posterior tibiae green, sometimes very dark; male cerci with small internal preapical lobule. Epiphallus (Fig.
Images of holotypes, allotypes, letotype and neallotype of Pteropera species in lateral view A P. spleniata (holotype ♂) B P. spleniata (holotype ♀) C P. teocchii (holotype ♂) D P. teocchii (allotype ♀) E P. thibaudi (holotype ♂) F P. thibaudi (allotype ♀) G P. verrucigena (lectotype ♂) H P. verrucigena (♀) I P. villiersi (holotype ♂) J P. villiersi (allotype ♀) K P. uniformis (neallotype ♂).
The juveniles of this species is unknown.
Cameroon (Fig.
Lectotype. Cameroon • ♂; Barombi Station; 4°40.016'N, 9°22.999'E; Dr. Paul Preuss leg.;
Cameroon • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Sohock; 4°57.250'N, 10°14.833'E; 3 Apr. 2017; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Male: medium size, integument rugous; head conical and oblique; fastigium of vertex short with obtuse apex; eyes prominent and globose; antenna, filiform longer than head and pronotum combined; pronotum without lateral carinae and with straight median carina, crossed by three sulci, its anterior and posterior margins rounded and incised in the middle; pale basal band of lateral lobes of pronotum narrowed in front of second transverse furrow but not interrupted; longitudinal median band of pronotum disc dark and less wider than adjacent clear bands; prozona longer than metazona; prosternal tubercle conical; anterior margin of mesosternum broadly projected medially; mesosternal space open and longer than it is wide; elytra vestigial or lobiform; median pale spot on inner area of hind femora absent; outer area of hind femora with three pale spots; incipient spots along medio-superior margin at level of outer spots present; dorsal carina of hind femora finely toothed; lower outer areas of hind femora dark, wine-colored; hind tibiae wine-colored; distal half of hind tibiae widened, basal ring present; supra-anal plate subconical, with two digital tubercles near lateral margins; subgenital plate short conical, gradually tapering towards rounded apex; cerci conical, curved inward and without preapical lobule. Epiphallus (Fig.
Female: Similar to the male but larger; supra-anal plate conical with a transverse groove in the middle field; posterior edge of the subgenital plate projecting; cercus conical with angular apex; dorsal valves of the ovipositor weakly toothed; base of the spermathecal duct widened well before it opened into the copulatory bursa; spermatheca ampulla relatively thin; distal, recurrent trunk of the spermatheca lateral diverticulum > 3× longer than the proximal trunk.
Pteropera verrucigena was originally described from Barombi station (southwest Cameroon) with some paratypes recorded between Kumba-Mamfé (Southwest Cameroon) by
Cameroon (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Somalomo, in the forest along the Dja River; 3°22.448'N, 12°43.990'E, 606 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 2022; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Pteropera kennei sp. nov. is similar to P. uniformis Bruner, 1920, from Cameroon in terms of its general coloration, a dark longitudinal band and contiguous pale bands on the pronotum disc and the outer area of hind femora without pale spots. However, the new species can easily be distinguished from P. uniformis (Figs
The new species is also similar to Pteropera descampsi Donskoff, 1981, from which it can be distinguished by the following characteristics: a pale basal band on the lateral lobes of the pronotum is absent but present in P. descampsi; bilobed male cerci, whereas male cerci are short in P. descampsi; the pallium and subgenital plate in males are slightly raised, whereas the apex of the subgenital plate is truncated in P. descampsi; the apex of the aedeagus is horizontal, in line with valves, whereas the aedeagus is curved upwards, and the apex is divergent pallets in P. descampsi; the dorsal arc of the cingulum is closed, whereas it is strongly open in P. descampsi; and the basivalvar sclerites of the female subgenital plate are described as an obtuse angle (acute angle in P. descampsi).
Male: General coloration brown with pale green; body and legs with inconspicuous hairs, moderately rugous dorsally, smooth ventrally; eyes prominent; the large subocellar facial spot interrupted at the facial furrow, sometimes extending to the cheeks; antennae thin, filiform, longer than head and pronotum together; pronotum dark brown; dark longitudinal median band on pronotum disc present, wider than adjacent pale bands; basal pale bands on lateral lobes of pronotum absent; two incipient pale spots on the anterior margin of lateral lobes of pronotum; posterior margins of pronotum with or without incipient pale spots; median carina present and crossed dorsally by three sulci; lateral carinae absent; prozona longer than metazona; prosternal process short conical, compressed at its base; tegmina lobiform, only slightly reaching the third abdominal segment, lower half shiny black and upper half pale ochreous; mesosternal interspace open, ~ 1.3× longer than wide; meso- and metathoracic episternites dark brown; front and middle legs, inner and outer sides of hind femora pale green, with the apical third gradually darkening toward the knee; knee dark orange; dorsal basal lobes of hind femora longer than ventral ones; upper margins of hind femora with fine teeth; hind tibiae dark green, basal ring absent; external apical spines of hind tibiae absent; male cerci bilobed, the inner lobe being twice shorter than the outer; subgenital plate obtuse to rounded in dorsal view; pallium and supra-anal plate of male slightly raised. Epiphallus (Fig.
Female: As male, but larger; cerci short conical; valves of ovipositor narrow, > 3.5× longer than wide in coalescence position; subgenital plate (Fig.
Males (mm) (n = 20): total length of body 11.81–19.83; length of pronotum 3.12–4.32; length of hind femur 11.23–12.53; length of elytra 3.24–4.27. Females (mm) (n = 5): total length of body 21.09–25.39; length of pronotum 4.59–5.37; length of hind femur 13.62–15.12; length of elytra 3.65–4.88; length of ovipositor 1.97–3.27. Detailed information is shown in Table
The species was named in honor of Professor Martin Kenne in recognition of his work and scientific contribution to the biodiversity of insects in Cameroon.
Dense evergreen forest in the Congo Basin, Dja Biosphere Reserve, south Cameroon.
Cameroon, Somalomo in the Dja Biosphere Reserve and Deng-Deng National Park (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Somalomo, in the forest along the Dja River; 3°22.448'N, 12°43.990'E, 602 m a.s.l.; 10 Apr. 2022; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
The new species Pteropera matzkei sp. nov. is close to Pteropera bertii Donskoff, 1981 (Figs
Images of holotypes, allotypes and paratype of Pteropera species in dorsal view A P. augustini (holotype ♂) B P. augustini (allotype ♀) C P. balachowskyi (holotype ♂) D P. balachowskyi (allotype ♀) E P. bertii (holotype ♂) F P. bertii (paratype ♀) G P. brosseti (holotype ♂) H P. brosseti (allotype ♀) I P. basilewskyi (paratype ♀) J P. bredoi (holotype ♀).
Pteropera matzkei sp. nov. differs from Pteropera teocchii Donskoff, 1981 (Figs
The new species is also similar to Pteropera verrucigena Karsch, 1891 (Figs
Male: Body and legs with inconspicuous hairs; integument moderately rugous dorsally, and smooth ventrally; general coloration dark brown with yellow bands; eyes of medium size; antennae thin, filiform, longer than head and pronotum together, with 21 segments; median subocellar facial spot single or unique; longitudinal median dark band on pronotum disc as wide as adjacent yellow bands, but widened behind the typical groove; basal yellow bands of lateral lobes of pronotum narrowed in front of the second transverse groove, but not interrupted; median carina distinct, crossed dorsolaterally by three sulci; lateral carinae absent; prozona longer than metazona; prosternal process short conical or pyramidal; mesosternal interspace open; meso- and metathoracic episternites entirely yellow; tegmina lobiform, narrow, brown in the lower half and yellow in the upper half, covering the tympanum; wings less developed; fore and middle legs entirely yellow, more or less pale; hind femur almost entirely dark brown, with a pregenicular yellow spot on the external and inner areas; dorsal carinae of hind femora with slight tooth; hind tibiae dark yellow, basal ring absent; external apical spines of the hind tibiae absent; spines on the hind tibiae varying from seven to eight in both external and internal sides; male subgenital plate acute in dorsal view; the pallium and supra-anal plate of male is not raised; the male cerci long, conical, incurved and exceeding beyond the supra-anal plate. Epiphallus (Fig.
Female: As male but larger; cerci short conical; subgenital plate (Fig.
Males (mm) (n = 4): total length of body 20.57–21.79; length of pronotum 4.17–4.33; length of hind femur 13.48–13.56; length of elytra 3.90–4.63. Females (mm) (n = 2): total length of body 27.25–28.05; length of pronotum 5.39–5.55; length of hind femur 15.91–16.89; length of elytra 4.95–6.10; length of ovipositor 2.96–3.30. Additional measurement information is shown in Table
The species was named after Mr. Danilo Matzke, an important taxonomist for Dermaptera in Germany for his dedication and scientific contributions to the taxonomy of earwigs.
Dense evergreen forest in the Congo Basin, in the forest along the Dja River.
At present, the species is known only from Somalomo in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon (Fig.
Holotype. Cameroon • ♂; Iboti, in the Ebo forest; 4°27.001'N, 10°27.002'E, 731 m a.s.l.; 7 Jan. 2022; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo leg.;
Pteropera missoupi sp. nov. differs from Pteropera balachowskyi Donskoff, 1981 (Figs
Images of holotypes, allotypes and paratype of Pteropera species in dorsal view A P. carnapi (holotype ♂) B P. carnapi (paratype ♀) C P. congoensis (holotype ♂) D P. congoensis (allotype ♀) E P. cornici (holotype ♂) F P. cornici (allotype ♀) G P. descampsi (holotype ♂) H P. descampsi (allotype ♀) I P. descarpentriesi (holotype ♂) J P. descarpentriesi (allotype ♀).
The new species is similar to Pteropera jeanninae Donskoff, 1981 (Figs
Images of holotypes, allotypes and paratype of Pteropera species in dorsal view A P. grilloti (holotype ♂) B P. meridionalis (holotype ♀) C P. jeanninae (holotype ♂) D P. jeanninae (allotype ♀) E P. karschi karschi (paratype ♂) F P. karschi karschi (paratype ♀) G P. karschi zenkeri (holotype ♂) H P. karschi zenkeri (allotype ♀) I P. menieri (holotype ♂) J P. menieri (allotype ♀).
The new species is also similar to Pteropera carnapi Ramme, 1929 (Figs
The new species Pteropera missoupi sp. nov. is similar to Pteropera mirei Donskoff, 1981 (Figs
Images of holotypes, allotypes and paratype of Pteropera species in dorsal view A P. mirei (holotype ♂) B P. mirei (allotype ♀) C P. morini (holotype ♂) D P. morini (allotype ♀) E P. pillaulti (holotype ♂) F P. pillaulti (allotype ♀) G P. poirieri (holotype ♂) H P. poirieri (allotype ♀) I P. spleniata (holotype ♂) J P. spleniata (holotype ♀).
Images of holotypes, allotypes, neallotype and paratype of Pteropera species in dorsal view A P. teocchii (holotype ♂) B P. teocchii (allotype ♀) C P. thibaudi (holotype ♂) D P. thibaudi (allotype ♀) E P. verrucigena (holotype ♂) F P. verrucigena (allotype ♀) G P. villiersi (holotype ♂) H P. villiersi (allotype ♀) I P. uniformis (neallotype ♂) J P. femorata (♀).
Pteropera kennei sp. nov. A habitus image of a male under natural conditions B male frontal view C female frontal view D male lateral view E female lateral view F male dorsal view G female dorsal view H epiphallus dorsal view I phallic complex lateral view J phallic complex dorsal view K phallic complex ventral view L female subgenital plate M female spermatheca.
Male: Body and legs with inconspicuous hairs; integument moderately rugous dorsally and smooth ventrally; eyes prominent; antennae thin, filiform, longer than head and pronotum together; large subocellar facial spot fused in a single spot; vertex, dorsal area of pronotum, external upper area of hind femur pale brown; dark longitudinal median band on pronotum disc absent; basal pale band on lateral lobes of pronotum narrowed in front of the second transverse sulcus but not interrupted; prozona longer than metazona; prosternal process conical in its apical part; meso- and metathoracic episternites pale; tegmina lobiform, only slightly reaching the third abdominal segment; mesosternal interspace open; dorsal and ventral area of abdomen yellowish; fore- and middle legs, external and upper inner areas of hind femur dark green; median and lower inner areas of hind femur yellow; knee brownish; hind tibiae dark blue in fresh specimens; male cerci with a short inner lobe; subgenital plate obtusely rounded in dorsal view; pallium and supra-anal plate of male raised. Epiphallus (Fig.
Pteropera matzkei sp. nov. A image of a female under natural conditions B male frontal view C female frontal view D male lateral view E female lateral view F male dorsal view G female dorsal view H epiphallus dorsal view I phallic complex lateral view J phallic complex dorsal view K phallic complex ventral view L female subgenital plate M female spermatheca.
Pteropera missoupi sp. nov. A habitus image of a female under natural conditions B male frontal view C female frontal view D male lateral view E female lateral view F male dorsal view G female dorsal view H epiphallus dorsal view I phallic complex lateral view J phallic complex dorsal view K phallic complex ventral view L female subgenital plate M female spermatheca.
Female: As male but larger; cerci short conical; subgenital plate (Fig.
Males (mm) (n = 8): total length of body 18.97–22.91; length of pronotum 3.95–4.74; length of hind femur 12.65–13.77; length of elytra 3.11–4.27. Females (mm) (n = 7): total length of body 24.41–28.70; length of pronotum 5.14–5.62; length of hind femur 15.43–17.36; length of elytra 4.32–5.40; length of ovipositor 2.28–3.75. Additional measurement information is shown in Table
The species is dedicated to Prof. Alain Didier Missoup in recognition of his work and achievements in the systematic and evolutionary biology of small mammals in Cameroon.
Dense evergreen forests in the Ebo forest; degraded forests and along the forest edges.
The keys provided here are derived from those presented by
1 | Three pale spots on the outer area of hind femora (Fig. |
2 |
– | No pale spots on the outer hind femora | 13 |
2 | A dark longitudinal median band on pronotum disc (Fig. |
3 |
– | No dark longitudinal median band on pronotal disc (Fig. |
P. brosseti Donskoff, 1981 [Equatorial Guinea, Gabon] |
3 | A pale median spot on the inner side of the hind femora in the upper or central position | 4 |
– | No pale median spot on the inner side of the hind femora; beginning of spots along the upper edge, near the outer spots | 7 |
4 | Base of the inner area of the hind femora red or orange. Hind tibiae red or orange | 5 |
– | Base of the inner side of the hind femora dark green or reddish brown. Hind tibiae black or dark green | 6 |
5 | Male cerci extending beyond the end of the supra-anal plate (Fig. |
P. karschi (I. Bolívar, 1905) [Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Fernando Poo] |
– | Male cerci not extending beyond the end of the supra-anal plate. Hind tibiae always red (Fig. |
P. thibaudi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
6 | The pale basal band on the lateral lobes of the pronotum extending from the anterior edge to the posterior edge (Fig. |
P. augustini Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of the pronotum limited to the posterior half (Fig. |
P. basilewskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
7 | The pale basal band on the lateral lobes of the pronotum narrows before the second transverse groove but not interrupted | 8 |
– | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of the pronotum interrupted in front of the second transverse groove by at least a thin dark line | 11 |
8 | Male cerci without inner preapical lobule | 9 |
– | Male cerci with inner preapical lobule (Fig. |
P. pillaulti Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
9 | Hind tibiae black or wine-red; lower-external areas of hind femora darkened | 10 |
– | Hind tibiae green; infero-external areas of hind femora pale (Fig. |
P. descarpentriesi Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
10 | Hind tibiae wine-red (Fig. |
P. verrucigena Karsch, 1891 [Cameroon] |
– | Hind tibiae black (Fig. |
P. teocchii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville] |
11 | Male cerci thickened or very slightly bifid (Fig. |
P. femorata (Giglio-tos, 1907) [Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Male cerci acute | 12 |
12 | Male cerci with inner preapical lobule (Fig. |
P. congoensis Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon] |
– | Male cerci without inner preapical lobule (Fig. |
P. menieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
13 | Hind tibiae more or less dark yellow (Fig. |
P. matzkei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
– | Hind tibiae more or less dark green | 14 |
14 | A dark longitudinal median band on pronotum disc | 15 |
– | No dark longitudinal median band on the pronotum disc | 23 |
15 | A dark longitudinal median band on pronotum disc twice as wide as each of the adjoining pale bands (Fig. |
P. meridionalis Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | A dark longitudinal median band on the pronotum disc as wide as each of the adjoining pale bands | 16 |
16 | Inner area of the hind femora almost entirely red without pale spots (Fig. |
P. grilloti Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Inner side of hind femora more or less dark green | 17 |
17 | The pale basal band on the lateral lobe of the pronotum completely absent (Fig. |
P. kennei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
– | The pale basal band on the lateral lobes of pronotum present | 18 |
18 | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of pronotum interrupted at the level of the second transverse groove by at least a thin dark line | 19 |
– | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of pronotum not interrupted at the second transverse groove | 21 |
19 | A large V-shaped facial spot extending from cheek to cheek; male cerci short | 20 |
– | A large subocellar facial spot, dark, median, sometimes divided into two small symmetrical spots centered on the carinae of the frontal side | P. spleniata (Karsch, 1896) [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
20 | Male subgenital plate rounded (in dorsal view) (Fig. |
P. uniformis Bruner, 1920 [Cameroon] |
– | Male subgenital plate truncated (in dorsal view) (Fig. |
P. descampsi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
21 | Male cerci acute (Fig. |
22 |
– | Male cerci bilobed, subocellar facial patch separated into two (Fig. |
P. cornici Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
22 | A large subocellar facial spot single, median | P. bertii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
– | A large subocellar facial spot divided into two small symmetrical spots centered on the carinae of the front side | P. villiersi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
23 | Basal half of the inner part of hind femora red; hind tibiae red at the base, green at the apex (Fig. |
P. bredoi Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Inner part of hind femora green | 24 |
24 | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of the pronotum always interrupted at the second transverse groove (Fig. |
P. mirei Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of the pronotum generally not interrupted at the second transverse groove | 25 |
25 | The pale basal band on the lateral lobes of the pronotum widened in front of the second transverse groove | 26 |
– | The pale basal band of the lateral lobes of the pronotum narrow in front of the second transverse groove | 27 |
26 | The pale basal band on the lateral lobes of the pronotum very wide and extends to the lower edge of these lateral lobes. Male cerci with preapical inner lobule (Fig. |
P. morini Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Pale basal band on the lateral lobes of pronotum, narrow, with parallel edges. Male cerci tapered (Fig. |
P. poirieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
27 | Male cerci simple; pallium and supra-anal plate not raised (Fig. |
P. balachowskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | Male cerci bilobed; pallium and supra-anal plate raised | 28 |
28 | Inner lobe of male cerci as long as or longer than the outer lobe (Fig. |
P. carnapi Ramme, 1929 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
– | Inner lobe of male cerci shorter than the outer lobe (Fig. |
29 |
29 | A lage subocellar facial spot divided into two | P. jeanninae Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
– | A large subocellar facial spot fused (Fig. |
P. missoupi sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
1 | End of the aedeagus, outside the ectophallic sheaths, bifid, pointed (Fig. |
2 |
– | End of aedeagus simple | 7 |
2 | The two membranous tips at the end of aedeagus belonging to the upper valve | 3 |
– | Each of the two membranous tips at the end of the aedeagus belonging to a different valve | 5 |
3 | The two tips of the end of the aedeagus widened, the end of the lower tip caps the upper tip (Fig. |
P. missoupi sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
– | The two tips at the end of the aedeagus, thin | 4 |
4 | The two tips at the end of the aedeagus curved downwards | P. balachowskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | The lower tip at the end of the aedeagus thin, and the upper tip widened and semicircular, both in line with the valve | P. villiersi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
5 | Aedeagus very long, straight, upper tip filiform, lower tip lamellar, lanceolate | P. jeanninae Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
– | Aedeagus shorter, curved | 6 |
6 | The upper ectophalic sheath extended. End of the upper valve of the aedeagus caps the lower valve | P. mirei Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | Upper ectophallic sheath globular. Tips of both valves convergent, plier-like | P. brosseti Donskoff, 1981 [Equatorial Guinea, Gabon] |
7 | Membranous apex of aedeagus, outside the sheaths, supported by two sclerites, formed by the longitudinal division of the upper valve | 8 |
– | Membranous apex of the aedeagus, outside the sheaths, without sclerites | 10 |
8 | Aedeagus strongly curved, upper ectophalic sheath widened dorsally at the base | P. descarpentriesi Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
– | Aedeagus slightly curved, upper ectophallic sheath not extended at the base (Fig. |
9 |
9 | Dorsal arch of cingulum slightly open, not reaching apex of endophallic valves nor overhanging them apically | P. bertii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
– | Dorsal arch of cingulum closed, long, extending beyond the apex of endophallic valves, and overhanging them apically (Fig. |
P. matzkei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
10 | Aedeagus almost straight | 11 |
– | Aedeagus curved | 15 |
11 | Aedeagus large, upper ectophallic sheath cylindrical, long, membranous apex of upper valve thin, acute (Fig. |
P. carnapi Ramme, 1929 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
– | Aedeagus small, Upper ectophallic sheath globular at the apex | 12 |
12 | Membranous apex of the upper valve of aedeagus horizontal or oblique | 13 |
– | Membranous apex of the upper valve of aedeagus truncate | 14 |
13 | Membranous apex of the upper valve of aedeagus lamellar, horizontal, in the extension of the valve, oval, acute | P. karschi karschi (I. Bolívar, 1905) [Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Fernando Poo] |
– | Membranous apex of the upper valve of aedeagus lamellar, curved upward, oblique in lateral view (Fig. |
P. karschi zenkeri Ramme, 1929 [Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea] |
14 | Lower ectophallic sheath enveloping, lateral | P. augustini Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | Lower ectophallic sheath nonenveloping, posterior | P. thibaudi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
15 | Aedeagus curved upwards | 16 |
– | Aedeagus curved downwards | 17 |
16 | Membranous apex of the aedeagus in diverging pallets (Fig. |
P. descampsi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
– | Membranous apex of the aedeagus in converging hooks | P. uniformis Bruner, 1920 [Cameroon] |
17 | Aedeagus small, slightly curved; membranous apex in short triangular blade | P. basilewskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Aedeagus large, well-curved | 18 |
18 | Membranous apex of the aedeagus long, filiform | 19 |
– | Membranous apex of the aedeagus never filiform | 23 |
19 | Lower ectophallic sheath, small, nonenveloping | 20 |
– | Lower ectophallic sheath, large, enveloping | 21 |
20 | Upper aedeagus valve thin, regularly curved | P. femorata (Giglio-tos, 1907) [Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Upper aedeagus valve widened into a transverse blade (Fig. |
P. kennei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
21 | Upper ectophallic sheath long, slightly curved; membranous apex of aedeagus recurrent | P. menieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Upper ectophallic sheath short, strongly curved; membranous apex of aedeagus extending to the curvature of the upper valve | 22 |
22 | Base of upper ectophallic sheath molding the valves of the aedeagus; membranous apex of the aedeagus long and thin | P. spleniata (Karsch, 1896) [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Base of upper ectophallic sheath swollen dorsally; membranous apex of aedeagus shorter, hook-like | P. congoensis Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon] |
23 | Apex of the aedeagus with a ridge-like expansion | P. cornici Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Apex of aedeagus without ridge-like expansion | 24 |
24 | Apex of aedeage short, rounded | P. poirieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Apex of aedeagus acute or widened | 25 |
25 | Apex of aedeagus widened | 26 |
– | Apex of aedeagus acute | 27 |
26 | Apex of aedeagus widened into a rounded spatula | P. pillaulti Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Apex of aedeagus widened into a transverse angular, self-wrapped blade | P. grilloti Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
27 | Aedeagus strongly curved, curvature accentuated by the molded ectophallic sheath, long tip | 28 |
– | Aedeagus slightly curved, ectophallic sheath widened dorsally at the base, tip short | P. morini Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
28 | Aedeagus forming only a semicircle (Fig. |
P. verrucigena Karsch, 1891 [Cameroon] |
– | Aedeagus forming an almost complete circle | P. teocchii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville] |
1 | Bottom of the copulatory bursa at least as far from the arc of the basivalvar sclerites as their spacing | 2 |
– | Bottom of the copulatory bursa close to the arc of the basivalvar sclerites | 6 |
2 | The base of spermathecal duct widened to a length equal to the distance between the basivalvar sclerites and parallel to the copulatory bursa | 3 |
– | Copulatory bursa curved | 5 |
3 | Copulatory bursa with parallel edges. Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites obtuse | P. jeanninae Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
– | Copulatory bursa tapering to mid-height | 4 |
4 | Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites right | P. carnapi Ramme, 1929 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
– | Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites rounded (Fig. |
P. missoupi sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
5 | Copulatory bursa above the basivalvar sclerites, formed by a thick ventral gutter and a membranous roof. The base of the spermathecal duct widened, very short, hooked. Basivalvar sclerites bent, obtuse | P. brosseti Donskoff, 1981 [Equatorial Guinea, Gabon] |
– | Bottom of copulatory bursa thickened, regularly narrowed. The base of the spermathecal duct widened over a large distance and coiled into two inverted spiral arcs. Basivalvar sclerites not bent, almost straight | P. mirei Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
6 | Copulatory bursa almost straight | 7 |
– | Copulatory bursa arch-shaped | 11 |
7 | The base of the spermathecal duct opening laterally into the bursa. Roof of the bursa membranous | P. villiersi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Base of the spermathecal duct leading to the apex of the copulatory bursa | 8 |
8 | Each basivalvar sclerite straight or only slightly curved | 9 |
– | Each basivalvar sclerite angular | P. basilewskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
9 | Copulatory bursa without internal sclerite | P. karschi (I. Bolívar, 1905) [Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Fernando Poo] |
– | Copulatory bursa with two internal sclerites | 10 |
10 | The two inner sclerites of the copulatory bursa rounded | P. augustini Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | The two inner sclerites of the copulatory bursa elongate | P. thibaudi Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon] |
11 | Distal, recurrent section of the lateral spermathecal diverticulum 5× longer than the proximal section | 12 |
– | Distal, recurrent section of the lateral spermathecal diverticulum < 5× as long as the proximal section | 13 |
12 | Spermathecal duct fine, widening into a small ampulla at the outlet into the copulatory bursa | P. poirieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Spermathecal duct gradually widening at the base | P. menieri Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
13 | Arch formed by the copulatory bursa short, medial sclerite, single | 14 |
– | Arch of copulatory bursa long, well-curved or wrapped | 18 |
14 | Inner sclerite of the copulatory bursa fine | 15 |
– | Inner sclerite of the copulatory bursa broad and narrow at the apex. Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites obtuse | 16 |
15 | Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites acute | P. uniformis Bruner, 1920 [Cameroon] |
– | Angle formed by the two basivalvar sclerites obtuse (Fig. |
P. kennei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
16 | Inner sclerite of copulatory bursa short. Distal recurrent section of the lateral diverticulum of the spermatheca 4× longer than the proximal section | P. descarpentriesi Donskoff, 1981 [Gabon] |
– | Inner sclerite of the copulatory bursa long. Distal recurrent section of the lateral diverticulum of the spermatheca 3× as long as the proximal section | 17 |
17 | Spermathecal ampulla broad at the apex | P. bertii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
– | Spermathecal ampulla elongated at the apex (Fig. |
P. matzkei sp. nov. [Cameroon] |
18 | Arch of copulatory bursa wrapped, forming more than one complete turn. Internal median sclerite of copulatory bursa acute at both ends | P. cornici Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Arch of copulatory bursa less wrapped, forming less than one turn | 19 |
19 | Arch of copulatory bursa describing a half-turn | 20 |
– | Arch of the copulatory bursa describing only a quarter turn | 27 |
20 | Copulatory bursa gradually narrow at the apex | 21 |
– | Copulatory bursa abruptly narrow at the apex | 22 |
21 | Apex of the copulatory bursa descending at the joint of the basivalvar sclerites | P. verrucigena Karsch, 1891 [Cameroon] |
– | Apex of the bursa descending below the joint of the basivalvar sclerites | P. teocchii Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville] |
22 | Basivalvar sclerites almost straight | 23 |
– | Basivalvar sclerites angular | 24 |
23 | Basivalvar sclerites acute | P. descampsi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon] |
– | Basivalvar sclerites obtuse | P. meridionalis Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
24 | Basivalvar sclerites forming a right angle. Arch of copulatory bursa thin and slender | P. femorata (Giglio-tos, 1907) [Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Basivalvar sclerites obtuse, arch of copulatory bursa short | 25 |
25 | Base of the spermathecal duct widened | P. bredoi Donskoff, 1981 [Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Base of spermathecal duct narrow | 26 |
26 | Anterior apodemes of the subgenital plate short | P. spleniata (Karsch, 1896) [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo] |
– | Anterior apodemes of the subgenital plate long | P. congoensis Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon] |
27 | Roof of the copulatory bursa membranous. The base of the spermathecal duct widened to twice the length of the space between the bases of the two basivalvar sclerites | P. balachowskyi Donskoff, 1981 [Cameroon, Gabon] |
– | Bottom of the copulatory bursa thickened. The base of the spermathecal duct widened forming a short arch | 28 |
28 | Distal, recurrent section of the lateral spermathecal diverticulum > 4× longer than the proximal section, well-enveloping | P. pillaulti Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
– | Distal, recurrent section of the lateral diverticulum of the spermatheca 3× longer than the proximal section, less enveloping | P. morini Donskoff, 1981 [Congo-Brazzaville] |
Although some attempts have been made to generate the DNA barcode data of orthopterans and mantids from the Central African Republic, Gabon, Ivory Coast, and South Africa (
The works by
Moreover, we failed to find three Pteropera species previously reported from Cameroon, probably because we did not have the opportunity to sample the localities where they were reported and because most species are narrow endemics. These species are P. bertii and P. mirei (both known from Koemvone and Ebolowa in the southern part of Cameroon) and P. teocchii (known from Bafut in the western part and Goyoum in the eastern part of Cameroon).
Nevertheless, the distribution range of P. augustini, which is known only from Gabon, was extended in this study, as we were able to report the species from Cameroon for the first time. The new record of P. augustini, combined with the description of three new species, increases the number of Pteropera present in Cameroon from eight to 12 species, and overall to 30 species and subspecies that are currently recorded from Afrotropical regions. Nevertheless, this genus may be more diverse than currently known, given the large number of localities in the African rainforests that have not yet been investigated in general and in Cameroon in particular. Thus, further sampling efforts at different locations and habitat types are needed.
The authors thank Cameroon´s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation for granting the research permit for field collection (N°: 0000010/MINRESI/B00/C00/C10/C13). The authors also thank the Museum of Nature Hamburg for providing the necessary facilities. We are grateful to Prof. Laure Desutter-Grandcolas for permitting us to check the types and paratypes at the Muséum National d´Histoire Naturelle Paris, France. We are also grateful to Dr. Iker Iisari (Manager of Phylogenetic and Phylogenomic section at the
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
No ethical statement was reported.
This work was financially supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Orthopterists´ Society provided additional funding for sequencing genomics through the Theodore J. Cohn research grant 2023. This work also received support from the Linnean Society and the Systematics Association through LineSys: Systematic Research Fund grant 2023.
J.A. Yetchom Fondjo and M. Husemann conceived the study; J.A. Yetchom Fondjo performed the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript; M. Husemann also contributed to the interpretation of the results, provided critical feedback, and contributed to the final manuscript; A. R. Nzoko Fiemapong, M. Tindo, S. Ivković, and T. Fite Duressa provided critical feedback and contributed to the final manuscript.
Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom Fondjo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2192-6366
Armand Richard Nzoko Fiemapong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8759-8142
Maurice Tindo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6217-6982
Tarekegn Fite Duressa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3492-4933
Slobodan Ivković https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5571-8245
Martin Husemann https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5536-6681
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.
Locations and coordinates of all species of Pteropera
Data type: csv
Explanation note: Localities and geographical coordinates used to map the distribution of Pteropera species (CAR = Central African REPUBLIC; DRC = Democratic Republic of Congo).