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| Didymocorypha libaii
Wu & Liu, 2020
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Abstract
The genus Didymocorypha Wood-Mason, 1877 (Eremiaphilidae, Iridinae) has only been recorded in South Asia, including a sole species D. lanceolata (Fabricius). Here, we firstly extend its distribution to China, with description of one new species D. libaii sp. nov. Didymocorypha libaii sp. nov. lives in an area about 3000 meters above sea level on the southern slope of the Himalayas (Tibet in China), one of the highest-altitude inhabited areas of mantis in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also the first recorded Oriental mantis species in which both sexes are wingless. Life history of the new species, necessary illustrations and ecological images are provided. The distribution of the new Didymocorypha species is discussed and mapped.
Keywords: apterous mantis species, life history, new species, Oriental Region, taxonomy
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| Figure 1. Didymocorypha spp. body in dorsal view and ootheca. A, C Male B female D oothecae. A D. lanceolata (Fabricius) B–D Didymocorypha libaii sp. nov. (holotype and paratype). |
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| Figure 2. Didymocorypha libaii sp. nov. adult female in its natural habitat. |
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| Figure 3. Adult and nymph of Didymocorypha libaii sp. nov. in natural habitat. A Adult male B nymphs C feeding adult female D copulating adults E ecological habitat. |
Didymocorypha libaii Wu & Liu, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The new species is distinguished from D. lanceolata by small body size, small and indistinct male ocelli, wingless male adults, comparatively large-sized genitalia, ventral phallomere without secondary distal process (sdp), additional obtuse tubercle on paa and different structure of afa (Fig. 6).
Distribution: China (Tibet: Gyirong County).
Etymology: The new species was named after Bai Li, who is a poet in the Tang dynasty of China and one of the most famous poets in Chinese history.
Chao Wu and Chun-Xiang Liu. 2020. New Record of Didymocorypha Wood-Mason (Mantodea, Eremiaphilidae) from China, with Description of A New High-altitude Wingless Mantis Species in Asia. ZooKeys. 922: 51-64. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.922.47987
