Rhaphidophora bhutanensis Dorji, Morgan-Richards & Trewick, 2025

Dorji, Cheten, Morgan-Richards, Mary & Trewick, Steven A., 2025, Little-known wingless crickets of Bhutan (Rhaphidophoridae): discovery and description of nine new species, Zootaxa 5653 (1), pp. 1-32 : 18

Rhaphidophora bhutanensis Dorji, Morgan-Richards & Trewick sp. nov.

( Figure 14A–G )

Holotype. BHUTAN • 1 adult male; Marung bridge, Khar , Pema Gatshel; 27.011°N, 91.420°E; 923 m asl; 25 May 2022; C. Dorji, Tshewang Namgay & Jigme leg.; Subtropical forest: cliff base under leaf litter and small rocks; MPN_CW5483 ; NBCB145 .

Other material. BHUTAN • 1 nymph female; Bali-Pothey, Kilkhorthang, Tsirang; 27.464°N, 90.059°E; 1266 m asl; 1 May 2022; C. Dorji & Yeshi Phuntsho leg.; Temperate forest : under two huge boulders; MPN_CW5470 .

Description. Male. Body medium in size (~ 25 mm). Median and lateral ocelli oval. Epiproct oval when viewed dorsally, not strongly curved but deeply grooved with a conspicuous pair of projections on the distal end directed slightly backwards ( Fig. 14E ). Ventral part of epiproct triangular, with a pair of large swollen lobes directed upward and triangular sclerotised apical lobe that usually remains inserted into genital cavity ( Fig. 14E & F ). Cerci almost twice as long as epiproct. Paraproct obtusely rounded ( Fig. 14F ). Subgenital plate with two ovoid lobs not completely divided ( Fig. 14E ). Styli stout (as short as the length of subgenital plate), more cylindrical than conical ( Fig. 14F & G ). Linear measures of body elements ( Table 4 ). Fore and mid leg spine details as per the generic description except mid tibiae with two linear superior spines (one prolateral and one retrolateral). Hind leg spine details ( Table 5 ).

Colouration. Body brownish from above and yellowish brown from beneath. Legs light to medium brown. Head brownish dorsally, face yellowish with 4 short vertical black stripes on epicarnium below eyes and antennae scapi ( Fig. 14C ). Epiproct white/yellowish with light black lining along groove. Cerci and styli white with dense yellowish brown short hair and fewer longer hair along cerci.

Female. Unknown.

Etymology. The new species is named in recognition of the Bhutan nation.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Rhaphidophora bhutanensis sp. nov. Male holotype (MPN_CW5483; NBCB145): (A) Lateral and (B) dorsal views of body. (C) Anterior view of head showing 4 vertical short black strips on the face. (D) Lateral view of hind femur and basitarsus. (E) Ventral view of lower abdomen showing epiproct projection (blue arrow) and ventral triangular basal plate of epiproct (red arrow). (F) Lateral and (G) latero-posterior views of lower abdomen. Scale bars = 2 mm.