Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea XXI: Sigaruphasma, a new genus of Hesperophasmatini Bradley & Galil, 1977, from Hispaniola with the descriptions of two new species (Phasmatodea: Cladomorphinae)

Abstract

The new Hesperophasmatini–genus Sigaruphasma gen. nov. from Hispaniola is described and illustrated. It is remarkable for violating several of the previously stated diagnostic features of the tribe Hesperophasmatini Bradley and Galil, 1977. It is well characterized by the cylindrical, cigar–like body of females, proportionally very short legs, strongly broadened profemora of females, lacking sensory–areas on the probasisternum and profurcasternum as well as the smooth egg–capsule. Two new species are described from the Dominican Republic, both from the males, females and eggs. S. bouladoui sp. nov. occurs in the eastern portion of Hispaniola (Monseñor Nouel, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa and Samaná provinces) and has fully winged males. S. armatum sp. nov. occurs in the southern and southeastern Dominican Republic (Barahona, La Vega, San José de Ocoa, Elías Piña, Santiago provinces) and has apterous males with a strong body spination. Both species show a remarkable range of intraspecific variability and polymorphism, which is described and illustrated.

Keywords

• stick insects
• phasmids
• phasmatodea
• cladomorphinae
• hesperophasmatini
• hispaniola
• dominican republic
• new genus
• new species
• descriptions, eggs