Paracandovia, 2023

Forni, Giobbe, Cussigh, Alex, Brock, Paul D., Jones, Braxton R., Nicolini, Filippo, Martelossi, Jacopo, Luchetti, Andrea & Mantovani, Barbara, 2023, Taxonomic revision of the Australian stick insect genus Candovia (Phasmida: Necrosciinae): insight from molecular systematics and species-delimitation approaches, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 197, pp. 189-210 : 203-204

PARACANDOVIA FORNI ET AL. GEN. NOV.

Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 59B2EB61-EF82-4457-8421-B4CC58BF99B2.

Type species: Paracandovia chiaroscuro , here designated.

This group has confused entomologists, with five described species (including three with revised status) being initially linked to five different mainly non-related genera, then later often transferred to other genera. Notably Echetlus Stål, 1875 was used by Zompro & Adis (2001), which is similar in general appearance, but has short, not long antennae, in addition to tiny forewings in known females, also long cerci in both sexes (only females in Paracandovia ). Candovia evoneobertii ( Zompro & Adis, 2001) was erroneously described in Echetlus , and this South American species is removed from the Australian phasmid fauna in this paper. As no existing generic name is appropriate for this particular group, it is necessary to erect a new genus. It became apparent when studying adults and eggs in detail, also considering molecular analyses, that samples originally identified as P. peridromes (PB178–PB180 and BJ13–BJ16) were not a single species, hence three other synonymized species ( cercata , longipes and tenera ) are reinstated as valid. The only one with distribution not known with certainty, nor egg, is P. peridromes . Other species from Western Australia and Three Hummock Island (near Tasmania) await formal description once further research has been undertaken. Molecular work indicates that this genus has a sister relationship to all Candovia species.

Description: Small to medium-sized (45–118 mm), plain, in nature brown or green (sometimes with lines by head), wingless, elongate, long-legged, fragile-looking phasmids, with the body smooth, granulated or with tubercles, the latter particularly conspicuous in females. Abdomen with carina or ridges distinct or indistinct. Cerci long in females, short in male. Head much longer than wide (typically about 1.8 × longer). Head, pronotum and mesonotum often smooth, or sparsely granulose in some species. Mesonotum more heavily granulose in one species and tubercles noted in one species. Antennae exceeding length of forelegs, with numerous segments (up to 89); two basal segments slightly broadened. Pronotum equal in length or shorter than head, mesonotum long, 4.3–6.0 × length of pronotum; mesonotum 1.6–1.9 × longer than combined length of metanotum and the shorter median segment. Wingless. Anal segment in female rounded at tip, usually tapered at sides and may be triangular incised in centre, with supra-anal plate visible in some species. Operculum not broad, rounded at tip, reaching beyond end of ninth abdominal segment, up to half length of anal segment. Anal segment tip in male (where known) with rounded tip, poculum a modest size with rounded tip, not reaching end of ninth abdominal segment. Anal segment tips are splayed. Cerci long in female, 2.0–2.4 × length of anal segment; much shorter in male, no more than same length as anal segment. Legs long, smooth; hindlegs reaching in excess of elongate abdomen. Egg: more elongate, almost rectangular, possibly with indented micropylar plate. Micropylar oval or round. Capsule rugged appearance, with various sculpturing. Distribution: Australia.

Etymology: Named after the close resemblance and affinity to Candovia .

Species included: The first five here transferred from Candovia Stål, 1875 :

Paracandovia cercata ( Redtenbacher, 1908) [Sydney stick insect] stat. rev., comb. nov.: New South Wales (known from culture stock), Victoria [removed from synonymy with Candovia peridromes ( Westwood, 1859) , which was originally described in the genus Bacillus ]. No molecular data were available for this taxon, but is supported by its different-shaped egg.

Paracandovia longipes ( Brunner, 1907) [Bowen Stick insect] stat. rev., comb. nov.: Queensland [lectotype l o c a l i t y B o w e n = s a m p l e C a n d o v i a s p. I f r o m Dingo]. The paralectotype from Western Australia is a misidentified female of Echetlus peristhenes ( Westwood, 1859) [removed from synonymy with Candovia peridromes ( Westwood, 1859) ].

Paracandovia pallida (Sjöstedt, 1918) [pale stick insect] comb. nov.: Northern Territory, Western Australia.

Paracandovia peridromes ( Westwood, 1859) [peridrome stick insect] comb. nov.: ‘Australia’ localities as yet uncertain, possibly Western Australia. No morphological nor molecular data were available for this species.

Paracandovia tenera ( Brunner, 1907) [Adelaide stick insect] stat. rev., comb. nov.: South Australia [type locality Adelaide, = sample of ‘peridromes’ from Wilmington, SA] [removed from synonymy with Candovia peridromes ( Westwood, 1859) ] .

Paracandovia bifurcata sp. nov. [bilobed stick insect] [= ‘peridromes’]: South Australia.

Paracandovia chiaroscuro sp. nov. [Chiaroscuro stick insect] [= Candovia sp. G ]: Queensland.

P a racandovia cloncurriensis sp. nov. [Cloncurry stick insect] [= Candovia sp. L]: Queensland.

PARACANDOVIA BIFURCATA BROCK & JONES