Planispectrum hongkongense Zompro, 2004

(Fig. 24)

Planispectrum hongkongense, Zompro, 2004: 235, figs. 12: 5 & 135f. Otte & Brock, 2005: 278.

Hennemann et al., 2008: 22.

Type. Holotype: Ƥ, 180– 380 m., au sud de Tai Po, Tai Mo Shan Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2.XII.1988, leg. B. Hauser, BRU-88/56 (MHNG). [Assessed from the original description and figures, also Phasmida Species File images]

Other specimens examined. [11 females, 9 eggs] Ƥ, Ma Wo, Tai Po District, Hong Kong, 24.VII.2006, Lai, S.Y.H. (TLEF); Ƥ, no data (HKU); Ƥ, Shing Mun, Hong Kong, no data, Philip Lo Yik-Fui (GH, ex coll. Philip Lo Yik-Fui); Ƥ, Ng Tung Chai, Hong Kong, 27.IV.2008, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, 3 eggs, Ng Tung Chai, Hong Kong, 28.IV.2009, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, 6 eggs, Tai Tung Shan, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, 21.V.2009, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 6.IX.2009, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 21.X.2009, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, Tai Po Kau, Hong Kong, 14.V.2012, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, Violet Hill, Hong Kong, 3.VI.2012, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH); Ƥ, Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 5.VI.2012, George Ho Wai-Chun (GH).

Diagnosis. This species is distinctive from all other members in the genus by abdomen boarder than thorax. The only allied species is Planispectrum hainanensis (Chen & He, 2008) comb. nov., but this species is different from the latter by the gently emarginate posterior margin of the anal segment, legs lacking setae, and antero-dorsal and postero-dorsal carinae of meso- and metafemora with indistinct fin-like lamellae.

Notes. Male is not known. This species is likely to reproduce by thelytokous parthenogenesis. Very detailed description of female and egg was provided by Zompro (2004).

Distribution. Only known from Hong Kong, probably endemic.