Nesiophasma sananaense n. sp.

(Figs. 40D–F, 41,B, 45D–F & O)

HT, ♀: Coll. I.R.Sc.N.B., Indonesia, Sanana Island, Waitara, I.2013, purchased and given by B. Kneubhüler, from B. De Groof. I.G.: 32.427 [IRSN].

PT, 5 ♀♀: Coll. I.R.Sc.N.B., Indonesia, Sanana Island, Waitara, I.2013, purchased and given by B. Kneubhüler, from B. De Groof [IRSN]

PT, 5 ♀♀: Indonesien, Prov. Maluku Utara, Sula Islands, Sanana Island, Waifara, III.2013 [coll. FH, No’s 0822-1 to 5].

Etymology: Named after its distribution on the island of Sanana, one south-eastern most of the Sula Islands and historically also known as Sula Besi, Sulabesi or Xulla Besi.

Differential diagnosis: Females of this huge new species are similar to those of N. giganteum n. sp. from Peleng and N. plateni (Dohrn, 1910) from Sangihe and Talaud, but differ from both by the somewhat smaller size.

From the first species they differ by the more slender and elongate form, pale greyish green base of the profemora, shorter antennae that only reach to the median segment (mid of abdominal segment II in giganteum), longer and narrower subgenital plate, more prominent tubercle of the Preopercular organ, and differently shaped anal segment, which has the posterior lobes narrower and less angular. From N. plateni they can readily be distinguished by the more stocky appearance and stronger legs, relatively longer median segment, single tubercle of the preopercular organ (two tubercles in plateni), shorter subgenital plate, much different anal segment and small epiproct and the flat dorsal carina of the basitarsi.

Description: The colouration is described exclusively from preserved specimens.

♀ (Figs. 40D–F, 41B). Large (body length including subgenital plate 230.0–264.0 mm) and slender for the genus with a long and lanceolate subgenital plate. Colouration variable and ranging from mid green over various shades of grey and ochre to yellowish mid brow; all over the head body and legs with dark brown speckles and mottling. Genae and lateral body surfaces in particular with more dense dark brown to black mottling (Fig. 45O). Legs with irregular annulations formed by dark speckles. Antennae greyish brown with basal half black ventrally. Eyes dull drab to dull reddish brown.

Head: Ovoid, moderately globose with vertex gently rounded and smooth, broadest some distance behind the eyes; about 1.4x longer than wide (Fig. 45O). Between the bases of antennae with two small impressions. Eyes small, almost circular and their length contained about 2,7x in that of genae. Antennae reaching to median segment. Scapus compressed dorsoventrally, rectangular and almost 2x longer than wide, pedicellus cylindrical, III slightly gradually narrowing towards apex and almost 2x longer than pedicellus.

Thorax: Pronotum shorter and notably narrower than head, almost rectangular with the lateral margins very gently rounded (Fig. 45O); transverse median sulcus fairly distinct, slightly curved and almost expanding over entire width of disc. Mesothorax slender, about 6.2x longer than prothorax, over 6x longer than wide and just very indistinctly swollen pre-medially. Metanotum a little less than half the length of mesonotum, roughly rectangular with the lateral margins gently concave and 4.5x longer than wide. Meso- and metasternum with a weak longitudinal median keel.

Abdomen: Abdomen much longer than head and complete thorax combined. Median segment somewhat longer than wide, tarpezoidal with anterior margin narrower than posterior margin and a little more than 1/3 the length of metanotum.Abdominal segments II–VI slightly increasing in length, II 1.7x and VI over 2x longer than median segment; on average 2x longer than wide. Preopercular organ formed by a prominent spiniform tubercle some distance off the posterior margin of sternum VII (Fig. 45F). Tergum VIII about 1.3 longer than wide and rectangular, IX transverse. Anal segment indistinctly tectiform longitudinally, the lateral margins with a deep rounded excavation near the base of cerci (Fig. 45D), the posterior margin with a very deep but narrow median incision and the lateral portions each forming an obtusely rounded lobe (Fig. 45E). Cerci conical, strongly constricted towards a pointed tip and not reaching apex of anal segment. Gonapophyses VIII projecting considerably over posterior margin of anal segment but not reaching apex of subgenital plate; gently up-curving and the inner surface with a deep longitudinal furrow. Subgenital plate long, lanceolate, bulgy in basal portion and gradually narrowed towards an obtuse tip (Figs. 45E–F); projecting over apex of abdomen by roughly the length of abdominal terga VIII–X combined. Apical portion slightly down-curving (Fig. 45D).

Legs: All moderately long and stocky, profemora longer than mesothorax, mesofemora reaching to posterior margin of abdominal segment II, metafemora projecting over posterior margin of abdominal segment IV and metatarsi almost reaching tip of subgenital plate. All carinae dentate or serrate; teeth of tibiae smaller but more numerous. Both posterior carinae of profemora distinctly serrate. Medioventral carina of all femora indistinct, that of profemora smooth and that of meso- and metafemora very sparsely armed with minute spines. The apical tooth of the two outer ventral carinae of meso- and metafemora noticeably enlarged. Basitarsi slender. Probasitarsus as long, meso- and metabsitarsus somewhat shorter than remaining tarsomeres combined; the latter two with all carinae minutely dentate.

Comments: Males and eggs unknown.

Distribution: Presumably endemic to the Island of Sanana, the south-eastern most island of the Sula Islands Regency.