Pharmacus cristatus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: B9EEEC40-AB6E-4184-89BF-B78E086B4F6B

Figs 1–2, 6, 8F, 9D, 10G–I, 12G–I, 14F, 17D, 18C

Diagnosis

A mid-sized cave wētā found in the alpine regions of northern Fiordland and South Westland, at elevations greater than 1000 m. Body colour is chequered pale/brown, with variegated legs and brown antennae. A prolateral apical spine is always present on both fore and mid femora.

The species is sympatric with P. cochleatus nauclerus subsp. nov. in the Skippers Range (South Westland) and with P. cochleatus fiordensis subsp. nov. in Fiordland. Across its whole distribution range, it is also sympatric with Notoplectron brewsterense comb. nov. It is differentiated from all of these taxa by the presence of prolateral apical spines on fore and mid femora.

Etymology

‘ Cristātus ’ is Latin for ‘tufted’. Named after the prominent hair tufts on the vertex of the male subgenital plate (Fig. 10G–H).

Material examined (see also Supp. file 1: Table S6)

Holotype NEW ZEALAND • ♂, adult; Westland (WD), Skippers Range High Point; 44.43914° S, 168.16515° E; 1520 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 2019; D. Hegg leg.; on rock bluffs; night search; NMNZ AI.052292 (prev. MPN CW4561).

Paratype NEW ZEALAND • 1 ♀, adult; same collection data as for holotype; NMNZ AI.052293 (prev. MPN CW4486).

Other material

NEW ZEALAND – Fiordland (FD) • 2 ♂♂; Homer Saddle, Darran Mountains; 44.760° S, 167.983° E; 1200 m a.s.l.; Jan. 2014; T. Jewell leg.; in dry cracks in rock bluff; hand collected, in daylight; GenBank: OM293684, OM293685; MPN CW2607, CW2610 • 1 ♀, 1 nymph; same collection data as for preceding; MPN CW2608, CW2609 • 1 nymph; Gertrude Saddle, Darran Mountains; 44.74521° S, 168.01649° E; 1300 m a.s.l.; 25 Mar. 2017; D. Hegg leg.; on rock bluffs; night search; GenBank: OM293698; MPN CW3415A • 2 ♂♂, 2 nymphs; same collection data as for preceding; MPN CW3398, CW3399, CW3414, CW3415B • 1 ♂; Mistake Creek, Earl Mountains; 44.85123° S, 168.02471° E; 1000 m a.s.l.; 21Apr. 2017; D. Hegg leg.; under boulder; night search; GenBank: OM293700; MPN CW3431. – Westland (WD) • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; GenBank: OM293723; MPN CW4485 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 nymphs; same collection data as for holotype; MPN CW4365, CW4376, CW4484, CW4562 • 1 ♂; Skippers Range; 44.46821° S, 168.10095° E; 1200 m a.s.l.; 6 Feb. 2019; D. Hegg leg.; on rock bluffs; night search; GenBank: OM293725; MPN CW4563 • 1 nymph; Skippers Range; 44.50459° S, 168.12086° E; 1400 m a.s.l.; 7 Feb. 2019; D. Hegg leg.; on rock bluffs; night search; GenBank: OM293712; MPN CW4364.

Description

MEASUREMENTS. See Table 1.

HEAD. As per generic description. Eyes grey/brown. Antennae brown.

THORAX. As per generic description.

LEGS. Relative to the body, longer than in any other Pharmacus species. The hind tibiae are on average 15% to 20% (max. 45%) longer than the body in both males and females. Fore and mid femora always armed at the apex with a prolateral spine, in addition to the retrolateral apical spine on the mid femur. The first hind tarsus segment is armed with a variable number of dorsal linear spines.

ABDOMEN. Tergites sparsely tomentose. A thin, pale median line along the whole length of the insect may or may not be present. The colour of the tergites is mostly chequered pale/brown (Fig. 8F).

MALE TERMINALIA. Subgenital plate similar to P. cochleatus, but shorter and bent upwards. Moderately hairy underneath, with two characteristic hair tufts on the spoon’s vertex, both dorsal and ventral (Fig. 10G–I).

FEMALE TERMINALIA. Very similar to P. cochleatus. Subgenital plate bilobed, the two rounded lobes short, broad, and asymmetrical, with a wide gap in between; very hairy (Fig. 12G). Ovipositor on average 70% of body length, only very gently curving upwards; lower valve with 5 to 9 strong teeth below at the apex (Fig. 12H–I).