Sadyattes leytensis ( Zompro, 1997 ), 2025

Hennemann, Frank H., 2025, A review of Sadyattes Stål, 1875, with the descriptions of six new species from the Philippines (Phasmatodea: Platycraninae: Stephanacridini), Zootaxa 5610 (1), pp. 1-72 : 38-41

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5610.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EA0155F6-8422-43F3-A272-938BD4C1CE0F
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038187C1-FF9A-5D04-FF52-FD33A6B1FEB6
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Sadyattes leytensis ( Zompro, 1997 )
status	comb. nov.

Treatment

Sadyattes leytensis ( Zompro, 1997) View in CoL comb. nov.

( Figs. 10–11 View FIGURE 10 View FIGURE 11 , 21G–H View FIGURE 21 , 24 View FIGURE 24 )

Hermarchus leytensis Zompro, 1997: 38 View in CoL . HT, ♀: Philippinen, Leyte Isl., Mahaplag, Hilusig, Mt. Balocaue 700 m, November 1989, Th. Borromeo jr. legit [OZ, No. 287-1].

Sellick, 1998: 226. [Micropylar plate of egg]

Otte & Brock, 2005: 155.

Gottardo, 2008: 11, Figs. [Life history, description of egg]

Bollens, Krijns & Bresseel, 2010b: 23.

Gottardo & Vallotto, 2014: 258. [Description and microanatomy of ♂]

Harman, 2015: 26. [Note on culture stock]

Brock & Büscher, 2022: 559, Fig.

Further material:

17 ♀♀, 4 ♀♀ (immature): Coll. I.R.Sc. N.B., Philippines, Mindanao, Leg: R. Cabale 2011, Gift: J. Bresseel, IG: 32.386 [ RBINS] ; 1 ♂: Philippinen, Mindanao Id., Mount Busa , III.2007, leg. R. Kabale [coll. FH, No. 0601-1] ; 1 ♀: ex Zucht: Ingo Morisse 2009, Herkunft : Philippinen, Mindanao , Mount Apo , leg. Bresseel et al. 2008 [coll. FH, No. 0601-9] ; 50 eggs: ex Zucht: M. Gottardo ( Rovigo , Italien) 2007, Herkunft: Philippinen, Mindanao Id. [coll. FH, No. 0601-E] ; 2 ♀♀: Philippinen, Mindanao Island, Mount Matutum , 2007 [0601-2 & 3] ; 1 ♀: Philippinen, Mindanao Island, South Cotabato Province, Mount Apo , local collector III.2010 [coll. FH, No. 0601-4] ; 1 ♀: Philippinen, Mindanao Id., South Cotabato Prov., Kidapawan, ca. 30 m, via I. Lumawig , local collector IX.2011 [coll. FH, No. 0601-5] ; 2 ♀♀: Philippinen, Mindanao Island, Prov. Cotabato, Municipality Magpet O of Davao, local collector X.2011 [coll. FH, No’s 0601-6 & 7] ; 1 ♀: Philippinen, Mindanao Island, Prov. Davao del Sur, Talomo Mountain Range , local collector V.2011 [coll. FH, No. 0601-8] ; 1 ♀: Philippines, Panay Island, Mt. Madja-as , 1000 m, VIII.2005, R. Cabale legit [ MG, No. 0226] .

Differentiation. The very distinctive ♀♀ of this species are easily separated from all other members of the genus by the very stocky shape and broadened body, having the mesonotum strongly laterally dilated with the lateral margins forming a broadly rounded flange and the lateral margins of abdominal terga II–VII roundly deflexed, and all body segments relatively shorter with the mesonotum less than 4x the length of the pronotum ( Figs. 10A–B View FIGURE 10 ). Moreover, there is a very distinct medio-longitudinal carina on the meso- and metasternum, which is also present but notably less pronounced in the other species. The strong legs of these ♀♀ are only seen to a similar degree in matipuno sp. nov., but in this species the spines on the medio-ventral carina of the meso- and metafemora are much stronger. Males ( Fig. 11A–B View FIGURE 11 ) come morphologically closest to those of fallax and the possibly locally sympatric mindanaense sp. nov. but may be easily separated from both species by the relatively smaller and less globose head that lacks a dark postocular streak ( Fig. 11C View FIGURE 11 ), having the main longitudinal veins of the alae marked by dark brown stripes (almost unicoloured in fallax and mindanaense sp. nov.), longer and much slenderer, gradually tapering vomer and black apex of the meso- and metafemora ( Fig. 11D View FIGURE 11 ). The eggs also most closely resemble those of these two species but can be differentiated by the more globose overall shape and differently shaped capitulum, which bears an orangey irregularly cross-shaped bulge ( Figs. 21G–H View FIGURE 21 ).

Remarks. This species was originally described in the genus Hermarchus Stål, 1875 based upon a unique ♀ holotype from the island of Leyte, Philippines, which unfortunately is still deposited in the personal collection of its author (coll. OZ). The original generic placement is apparently wrong, since Hermarchus is restricted to Melanesia ( Hennemann & Conle, 2006; Gottardo, 2008; Gottardo & Vallotto, 2014). When Zompro (1997) described leytensis , he linked his new species to the New Guinean Macrophasma lyratus ( Redtenbacher, 1908) due to an overall resemblance of the ♀♀, a species that previously was in the genus Hermarchus . Hennemann & Conle (2006) have accommodated all New Guinean taxa formerly in Hermarchus in the newly described genus Macrophasma Hennemann & Conle, 2006 . The egg was described in detail and illustrated by Gottardo (2008: 11, fig. 2) and a superb and exhaustively illustrated macro- and microanatomical study of the previously unknown ♂ was presented by Gottardo & Vallotto (2014). Despite the striking ♀ morphology, which includes a very stocky general shape, a remarkably dilated mesonotum and laterally dilated abdominal terga, the morphology of the ♂ and egg as well as the distribution in the Philippines clearly links leytensis with the genus Sadyattes . The ♂ is a very typical representative of that genus and the egg strongly resembles that of the Philippine S. fallax (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) and S. mindanaense sp. nov. Therefore, leytensis is here removed from Hermarchus and transferred to Sadyattes (comb. nov.). The characteristic traits of Hermarchus and Macrophasma , that morphologically differentiate these genera from Sadyattes are highlighted in the keys to the genera of Stephanacridini above. Illustrations of both sexes and the eggs are presented herein.

Information on the life cycle, captive breeding and dietary was provided by Gottardo (2008), who stated Hypericum spp. ( Hypericaceae ), Quercus spp. ( Fagaceae ), Psidium guajava ( Myrtaceae ) and Rubus ulmifolius ( Rosaceae ) to be accepted as alternative foodplants in captivity in Europe. In addition to these, also Gaultheria shallon ( Ericaceae ), Corylus avellana ( Betulaceae ), Rubus idaeus ( Rosaceae ) and Fagus sylvatica ( Fagaceae ) have proven to be taken as alternative food (personal communication with Bruno Kneubühler). Two culture stocks have been introduced from Mount Apo, Mindanao, a parthenogenetic stock in 2007 and a second sexual stock in 2009, but unfortunately, both stocks were lost after only a few generations.

Body lengths ♂♂ 72.3–93.9 mm, ♀♀ (incl. subgenital plate) 127.8–149.0 mm.

Distribution. Philippines. Leyte (Mahaplag, Hilusig, Mount Balocaue, 700 m [OZ – type locality]. Panay (Mount. Madja-as, 1000 m [MG]). Mindanao: “Mindanao” [RBINS]; Province South Cotabato (Mount Apo [FH, MG, OC, MCFS, MSNG]; Mount Matutum [FH, OC]; Kidapawan [FH]); Province Cotabato (Magpet [FH]); Province Davao del Sur (Talomo Mountain Range [FH]); Province Sarangani (Mount Busa [FH]).