Eupholidoptera stelae Willemse, Makris & Odé, 2025

Willemse, Luc, Makris, Christodoulos & Odé, Baudewijn, 2025, Eupholidoptera stelae sp. nov. a new bush-cricket from Cyprus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), Zootaxa 5653 (2), pp. 275-285 : 276-283

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5653.2.7
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:52918E18-C072-4D2B-AE34-5B4E72142036
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/EB2D879B-3E27-AA11-01DD-FAB7FF2AAD93
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Eupholidoptera stelae Willemse, Makris & Odé
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Eupholidoptera stelae Willemse, Makris & Odé sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7A7A295E-788E-4D68-9EAD-24A039172F91

( Figs 1–24 View FIGURES 1–4 View FIGURES 5–10 View FIGURES 11–19 View FIGURES 20–22 View FIGURE 23 View FIGURE 24 , 29 View FIGURE 29 )

Material studied: 7 males (m), 11 females (f)

HOLOTYPE • Cyprus, Lemesos Mt. Troodos Kannoures , 1515 m, N 34.942764° E 32.879097°, leg. C. Makris: holotype: 10.X.2019 RMNH. INS1141834 About RMNH (m) ( RMNH) GoogleMaps , ALLOTYPE as holotype 11.X.2019 RMNH. INS1141835 About RMNH (f) ( RMNH) , PARATYPES 6m, 10f: as holotype 21.IX.2019 RMNH. INS1124496 About RMNH (alcohol) (m) ( RMNH), 23.VIII.2019 RMNH. INS1124497 About RMNH (alcohol) (f) ( RMNH), 26.IX.2019 RMNH.5087195 (DNA sample) (m) ( RMNH), 11.X.2019, RMNH.5087194 (DNA sample, forewing & titillator dissected) (m) ( RMNH), 06.X.2019 RMNH. INS1124499 About RMNH (alcohol) (f) ( RMNH), 10.X.2019 RMNH. INS1124498 About RMNH (alcohol) (f) ( RMNH); • Lemesos Mt. Troodos Trooditissa 4 km NNW Pano Platres , 1480 m, N 34.9195°, E 32.8458°, maquis mountain slope in open forest, leg. C. Makris & L. Willemse 16.IX.2021 RMNH.INS.1452620 (f) ( RMNH); • Lemesos Mt. Troodos Trooditissa 4 km NNW Pano Platres GoogleMaps , 1455 m, N 34.9176°, E 32.8470°, maquis mountain slope in open forest, leg. L. Willemse & M. Aristophanous 28.IX.2024 RMNH.INS.1571811 (f) ( RMNH); • Lefkosia Cedar Valley ca. 10 km NNE Pano Panayia GoogleMaps , 1130 m, N 34.990966° E 32.688621°, mountain slope, open forest, maquis, leg. C. Makris & L. Willemse, 17.IX.2021 RMNH.INS.1452624 (m) ( RMNH), leg. C. Makris, 7.IX.2021 RMN.INS.1452619 (f) ( RMNH); • Lefkosia Cedar Valley Forest GoogleMaps , 650 m, N 35.024722° E 32.687222° leg. J. Tumbrinck, E. Tzirkalli & K. Siedle, 22.IX.2021, 1 (m) 3 (f) ( ZFMK); • Lefkosia Pafos forest 2 km south of Tripylos peak GoogleMaps , 1135 m, N 34.974707° E 32.683484°, leg. C. Makris, 14.VII. 2019 1f ( CMC); Lefkosia, Pafos forest, Gefyria old forest station GoogleMaps , 525 m, N 34.937555° E 32.677136°, leg. C. Makris, 7.IX.2021 1m ( CMC)

Description

Male ( Figs 3–6 View FIGURES 1–4 View FIGURES 5–10 )—General appearance smaller and darker than type species E. chabrieri , predominantly brownish, fore and mid legs with green shades, last tergite only partially dull black.

Head. Fastigium of vertex broad, in dorsal view wider than diameter of an eye. Frontal groove narrow ( Fig. 9 View FIGURES 5–10 ), half as wide as the width of the antennal scape.

Thorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 10 View FIGURES 5–10 ) short, 1.8 times longer than high, slightly longer than the fore femur, hardly widening posteriorly, without median or side keels, almost cylindrical, the central part of the disc somewhat flattened, side flaps forming a wide angle with the disc, visible from above, transverse sulcus in front of the middle, metazona slightly longer than the prozona, fore margin very weakly convex almost straight, hind margin convexly rounded, dorsal surface smooth, shoulder incision distinct, concave and slightly impressed. Prosternum flat, without spines, meso- and metasternum extended into triangular flaps, mesosternum more so, and more pointed than metasternum. Fore tibia with three spines on the outer dorsal margin. Hind femur slender, 5,5 times longer than its largest width, with one or more spines on the inner and outer ventral keel. Hind tibia apically with four spines ventrally, two longer ones at the outside, two shorter ones in the middle.

Tegmina and wings. Elytra brachypterous, hardly extending beyond the pronotum ( Fig. 10 View FIGURES 5–10 ), reaching or slightly surpassing the first abdominal segment. Stridulatory file left elytron ( Fig. 11 View FIGURES 11–19 ), shortest distance between proximal and distal end 2 mm, greatest width 0.1 mm; 91 teeth including proximal and distal ones; spacing of teeth in mid two thirds of the file, ca. 50 teeth per mm.

Abdomen. Last abdominal tergite ( Figs 12–13 View FIGURES 11–19 ) in dorsal view slight convex, toward the middle concave, dull, grainy with a few white hairs, from the sides gradually narrowing, the hind margin forming two strong teeth, pointing distad, separated by wide semi-circular excision; in lateral view triangular, lower edge in proximally straight, with a bend at one third, apically concave, tooth slightly pointing ventrad, dorsal edge concave, in apical third convex.

Cercus ( Figs 14–15 View FIGURES 11–19 ) slender, length 4.3 times the basal width, conical, covered with stiff hairs of variable length, in dorsal view straight, at one quarter of the length at the inner side widened, forming a small side tooth, provided with a small apical spine pointing frontad, in the second third narrowing, apical third hardly narrowing, tip rounded; in lateral view straight, wider in basal third, narrowing in second third and narrow in apical third.

Genitalia. Subgenital plate ( Figs 16–17 View FIGURES 11–19 ) compact, slightly wider than long, widest at the base, in proximal half slight convex, apical half flattened; proximal margin straight, lateral margin forming a rim, in ventral view subapically suddenly narrowing and disappearing; posterior margin, above the styli with two, well separated small spines, toward the middle forming a narrow V-shaped median incision along one quarter of the total length, edges concave, near the styli produced into pronounced rounded protuberance pointing inward; in profile slender, lower edge straight, in apical third slightly upturned, narrowing apically. Styli ( Fig. 16–17 View FIGURES 11–19 ) long, ca. 5 times longer than wide, conical, straight, inserted at the tip pointing distad.

Titillator ( Figs 18–19 View FIGURES 11–19 ) subsymmetrical, in dorsal view apical arms in basal third straight, merged, in second third widened and still merged at first, narrowing into two long slender separate adjoining teeth in apical third, pointing strongly upward and slightly sideways, surface wrinkled; in lateral view in proximal half straight, equal in width, in apical half narrowing and strongly curved into a pointed apex.

Coloration. General coloration maroon alternated with some yellowish and blackish parts, a shade of green visible on the legs. Head light coloured, the frontal part below antennae and eyes yellowish with 4 black dots, the two central ones elongated into short vertical stripes, the outer lower corner of the genae, and the border between frons and clypeus also black, upper part head light maroon, lower edge fastigium black, occiput behind the eyes black dorsally bordered by a whitish stripe. Pronotal disc ( Fig. 5–6, 10 View FIGURES 5–10 ) maroon, halfway with a thin black transverse line forming a wide open “V”, ventral half side-flap whitish near the ventral margin smudgy, dorsal half with irregular black marking which reaches the hind margin extending dorsally along the hind margin towards the middle of the disc. Elytra maroon, veins lighter coloured. Legs maroon and yellow, with a shade of green with black dots and stripes. Hind femur mottled maroon and yellow, the dorsal and outer surface with parallel transverse black stripes, pre- and post-genicular part dark coloured. Abdomen maroon mottled with yellowish spots, last tergite black along the sides and proximal margin, remaining part maroon.

Female ( Figs 1–2 View FIGURES 1–4 , 7–8 View FIGURES 5–10 )—General appearance as male. Elytra micropterous, hidden by the pronotum, not visible in profile ( Figs 7–8 View FIGURES 5–10 ). Cercus conical, hairy, straight, narrowing in apical fifth, apex pointed. Subgenital plate ( Figs 20–21 View FIGURES 20–22 ) smooth, as wide as long, hind margin in ventral view straight, gradually narrowing apically, forming two lobes with rounded tips, separated by a narrow V-shaped incision along one third of the length; in profile triangular with a simple broadly rounded apex. Ventral margin of the 7 th and 8 th tergite somewhat swollen, the ventral margin of the 8 th tergite together with the slightly swollen latero-dorsad margin of the subgenital plate forming an oval, shallow hollow, its frontal half divided by a rim ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 20–22 ). Ovipositor ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 20–22 ) sturdy, ca. 2 times as long as pronotum, shorter than hind femur, proximal two thirds straight, apical third slightly upcurved.

Coloration as the male; proximal edge last abdominal tergite black.

Measurements (in mm) and ratios

Body male 16.2–19.5, female 17,4–21,4; pronotum male 6.6–7.1, female 6.2–7.2; elytron male 0.3–1.4; hind femur male 16.0–17.4, female 16.0–17.9; ovipositor 13.4–14.8. Ratio hind femur/pronotum male 2.34–2.50, female 2.40–2.58; ovipositor/pronotum 1.86–2.39; length/width hind femur male 4.89–5.94, female 4.65–5.00.

Bioacoustics ( Fig. 23 View FIGURE 23 )

The song of E. stelae sp. nov. —as in many species of Eupholidoptera —is a repetition of single syllables ( Fig. 23 View FIGURE 23 ). So far, the sound of three specimens has been recorded. In the available sound recordings, the series may last more than 20 minutes. Individual syllables last about 50–70 ms depending on temperature. Closing hemisyllables are always present and last between 33 ms and 56 ms, largely depending on temperature. The opening of the tegmina may be silent ( Fig. 23A View FIGURE 23 ) or visible as opening hemisyllables ( Fig 23B View FIGURE 23 ). In each syllable roughly 50 individual tooth impacts may be visible ( Fig.23A View FIGURE 23 , lower oscillogram). Syllables are repeated at the rate of about 0,5/s, but frequently at a much lower rate. The peak frequency is 45kHz and maximum frequencies reach above 100kHz.

In Eupholidoptera cypria , the only other Eupholidoptera species known from Cyprus, the series lasts more than about 20s up to more than a minute. Syllables last about 70–110 ms and are repeated at the rate of about 1,5/s.

Differential diagnosis

In many ways E. stelae sp. nov. is a peculiar species within Eupholidoptera . Its dark appearance lacking the usual shades of green or yellow, the male anal tergite not entirely black (completely body coloured in the female) and the subgenital plate body coloured, lacking any dark patches, separates it in colouration from all other species in Eupholidoptera .

In the male subgenital plate—with the quadrangular apical lobes, the presence of a protuberance on the hind margin and the spines at the base of the styli— E. stelae sp. nov. fits in with species in the E. chabrieri group ( Çiplak et al. 2009) but differs from all species in the E. prasina group ( Çiplak et al. 2009). Within the E. chabrieri group, E. stelae sp. nov. differs from other species by the placement, shape and orientation of the side-tooth of the cercus. Only four other species in the E. chabrieri group have a side tooth away from the base. In E. gemellata and E. pallipes from Crete as well as E. ledereri from Lebanon the side tooth is larger and more distinct, quite different from the rather small, gradually shaped side tooth in E. stelae sp. nov. E. peneri has a similarly shaped side tooth but compared to E. stelae sp. nov., the cercus itself is more robust, the apical arms of the titillator are differently shaped, the two teeth of anal tergite are not widely separated and its main bodycolour is green.

Distribution ( Figs 24–25 View FIGURE 24 View FIGURES 25–28 )

The species is restricted to the Troodos massif ( Fig. 24 View FIGURE 24 ) in Cyprus where it has been found from medium to high altitude at several locations in the central and south-western part of the mountain range ( Fig. 25 View FIGURES 25–28 ).

Habitat ( Figs 26–28 View FIGURES 25–28 )

The species is found at mid to high elevations (525 m – 1515 m) on Mt. Troodos in Cyprus. At higher elevations the habitat consists of rather open Pinus nigra forests with an undergrowth of shrubs dominated by Quercus alnifolia , Sorbus graeca , Rubus sanctus, Genista fasselata and Rosa spp. ( Fig. 26 View FIGURES 25–28 ) and Cedrus brevifolia forests with Platanus orientalis , Quercus alnifolia and Rubus sanctus ( Fig. 27 View FIGURES 25–28 ). At lower altitudes the species was found in Quercus alnifolia shrubs in Pinus brutia forests ( Fig. 28 View FIGURES 25–28 ) and in valleys with Alnus orientalis , Platanus orientalis , Quercus alnifolia, Acer obtusifolium and Hedera pastuchovii subsp. cypria .

Phenology

Adults have been found from mid-July until mid-October.

Etymology

The species is named after the daughter of the second author, Stela Makris.

IUCN Red List Status

The locations where E. stelae sp. nov. has been found up to now are situated in the central and south-western part of Mt. Troodos between 525 m and 1515 m above sea level. The habitat preferred by the species belongs to the predominant vegetation across Mt. Troodos. Based on the present distribution data the extent of occurrence of this species (EOO) ( IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee, 2024) is 120 km 2. However, if the species is also distributed across similar forested areas on Troodos, the extent of occurrence could easily cover more than 1000 km 2. The current area of occupancy (AOO) ( IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee, 2024) based on the currently available information is 24 km 2. Yet again, as the species is not easily detected this may very well also be an underestimate of the habitat area occupied by the species. Based on the male calling song, the species is quite common at the locations where it was found. A large part of Mt. Troodos is protected as National Forest Park or Nature Reserve, and substantial parts have been designated Natura 2000 areas. Although Troodos Mountain is a tourist attraction all year round for hiking and a small area at the summit of Troodos during winter for skiing, any development (buildings or roads) is prohibited throughout the entire distribution area of the new species. The only possible threat to the habitat of the species in Cyprus is bushfires. Therefore, it seems unlikely that this species categorizes under one of the threatened categories of the IUCN Red List. It most likely resides in the category Least Concern (LC). Yet, further research is needed to provide more information on the conservation status of E. stelae sp. nov.