Diestramima phubdorjia 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 : 13-14

Diestramima phubdorjia Dorji, Morgan-Richards & Trewick sp. nov.

( Figure 10A–H and Figure 11A–F )

Holotype. BHUTAN • 1 adult male; Tshangkha, Tangsibji , Trongsa; 27.440°N, 90.420°E; 2161 m asl; 6 Jul. 2022; C. Dorji, Karma Chorten & Jigme leg.; Cool broadleaf forest: under fallen tree branches and leaf litter; MPN_ CW5509 ; NBCB149 .

Paratype. BHUTAN • 1 adult female; Tshangkha, Tangsibji , Trongsa; 27.440°N, 90.420°E; 2161 m asl; 6 Jul. 2022; C. Dorji, Karma Chorten & Jigme leg.; Cool broadleaf forest: under fallen tree branches and leaf litter; MPN_CW5510 ; NBCB154 .

Other material. BHUTAN • 1 adult male; Tshangkha, Tangsibji , Trongsa; 27.440°N, 90.420°E; 2161 m asl; 6 Jul. 2022; C. Dorji, Karma Chorten & Jigme leg.; Cool broadleaf forest: under fallen tree branches and leaf litter.; MPN_CW5508 . • 1 adult female; Philligang, Nabji, Korphoog , Trongsa; 27.178°N, 90.535°E; 1381 m asl; 30 Jul. 2022; Sanjit Rai leg.; Cool broadleaf forest: under fallen tree branches and leaf litter; MPN_CW5515 .

Description. Male. Body small (10–13 mm). Median ocellus oval and lateral ocelli circular situated on lateral surface of basal fastigium verticis. Posteromedian projection of 7 th abdominal tergite long, obviously surpassing apices of paraproct ( Fig. 10E & F ; Fig. 11A ). The first half concaved laterally from the sides ( Fig. 10E ; Fig. 11A ), second half flat and parallel curving downwards. The apex slightly curved inwards or downward ( Fig. 10E ; Fig. 11C ), apical area of posteromedian projection dichotomous and acute when viewed from ventral side ( Fig. 10C & E ; Fig. 11C ). Paraproct rather long (not as long as D. tsongkhapa ), proximal half broad, narrowing towards apex, obtuse, slightly curved from middle directing backward. Subgenital plate similar to sister species D. tsongkhapa ( Fig. 6 ). Cerci slender, conical, apices obtuse. Linear measures of body elements ( Table 2 ). Fore and mid leg spine details as per the generic description. Hind leg spine details ( Table 3 ).

Colouration. Head dorsally yellowish or white and black. The body is mostly very dark to black with or without small pale spots and numerous short black and yellow hairs. A pale dorsomedial stripe (think or thin) extends from the pronotum to the 2 nd or 6 th abdominal tergite ( Fig. 10F ). White spots possible on metanotum and 1 st tergite ( Fig.10F ). Paraproct black. Cerci black with white on ventral and basal parts, and with dense short yellowish-brown hairs and few long pale hairs at the base ( Fig. 10C ).

Female. Body colour darker than male without white spots on metanotum and 1 st abdominal tergite. Median line is rather thin extending only until 2 nd abdominal tergite. Posteromedian projection of 7 th abdominal tergite short and angular with posteromedial apex rounded completely covering 8 th abdominal tergite ( Fig. 11D ). Subgenital plate almost translucent, broad and short, almost convex with obtusely rounded apex ( Fig. 11F ). Ovipositor slightly longer than body length, thin. Upper valves broad and apex acute. Lower valves with numerous fine teeth from below the apex ( Fig. 11 ). Size of body elements ( Table 2 ) and leg spine combination ( Table 3 ) are similar to male.

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of late Dr. Phub Dorji, the first president of the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Diestramima tsongkhapa. Male: (A) Anterior view of head. (B) Lateral view of body. (C) Ventral view of lower abdomen showing finger-like distal part of paraproct (green arrows). (D) Dorsal view of lower abdomen showing notched apex of 7th abdominal tergite (blue arrow). (E) Lateral view of lower abdomen showing high profile 7th abdominal tergite (blue arrow). (F) Dorsal view abdomen. (G) Lateral view of hind femur and (H) basitarsus. Female: (I) Lateral view of ovipositor and (J) crenulated apex on lower valves. (K) Ventral view of lower abdomen showing subgenital plate (pink arrow). Scale bars = 2 mm.

FIGURE 10. Diestramima phubdorjia sp. nov. Male holotype (MPN_CW5509; NBCB149): (A) Anterior view of head. (B) Lateral view of body. (C) Ventral view of lower abdomen. (D) Dorsal view of lower abdomen showing flat and parallel distal half of 7th abdominal tergites (blue arrow) and dorsal pale medial line on abdomen (green arrow). (E) Lateral view of lower abdomen showing lateral curving (blue arrow) and dichotomous apex of 7th abdominal tergite. (F) Dorsal view of body, showing pale median line (green arrow), dorsal median white spot on metanotum and 1st tergite (pink arrows), and long 7th abdominal tergite projection (blue arrow). (G) Lateral view of hind femur and (H) basitarsus. Scale bars = 2 mm.

FIGURE 11. Diestramima phubdorjia sp. nov. Male (MPN_CW5508): (A) Lateral and (B) dorsal views of lower abdomen showing lateral curving (pink arrow) on proximal half and flat apex on distal half (blue arrow) of 7th abdominal tergite projection. (C) Ventral view of lower abdomen showing dichotomous apex (blue arrow). Female (MPN_CW5510; NBCB154): (D) Lateral view of lower abdomen. (E) Lateral view of ovipositor showing fine serration on lower valve (pink arrow). (F) Ventral view of subgenital plate. Scale bars = 2 mm.