 |
Chlidonoptera roxanae Moulin, 2020
left: [upper] Male Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. photographed in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic), by Philippe Annoyer
[lower] female Chlidonoptera vexillum group photographed in the forest surrounding Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre, Belabo, East Province (Cameroon), by Sean Brogan.
|
Abstract
Between 1998 and 2012, several scientific expeditions in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park led to the collection of many Mantodea specimens from Central African Republic (CAR). Among these specimens, several males of an undescribed species were discovered. Morphologically, this species most closely resembles to Chlidonoptera vexillum Karsch, 1892 and Chlidonoptera lestoni Roy, 1975. A new lineage was revealed by DNA barcoding. Therefore, a new species is described, Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. Habitus images, genitalia illustrations and descriptions, measurement data, a key to species, natural history information, and locality data are provided. These results add to the evidence that cryptic species can be found in tropical regions, a critical issue in efforts to document global species richness. They also illustrate the value of DNA barcoding, especially when coupled with traditional taxonomic tools, in disclosing hidden diversity.
Keywords: Afrotropical, Chlidonoptera, cryptic species, DNA barcoding, praying mantis, taxonomy
 |
| Figure 3. Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov., holotype male, dorsal and ventral habitus. Scale bar: 10.00 mm. |
 |
| Figure 2. A Male Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. photographed in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (CAR), by Philippe Annoyer B female Chlidonoptera vexillum group photographed in the forest surrounding Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre, Belabo, East Province (Cameroon), by Sean Brogan. |
Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Larger than Chlidonoptera vexillum and Chlidonoptera lestoni. Males: Body length (mm) 26.2–33.6; forewing length 23.6–30.2; hindwing length 24.9–27.3; pronotum length 5.1–6.9; prozone length 2.1–3.5; pronotum width 4.9–6.3; pronotum narrow width 1.6–2.1; head width 5.0–5.9; frons width 1.4–2.0; frons height 0.6–0.9; prothoracic coxae length 6.1–9.0; prothoracic femur length 8.0–10.2; mesothoracic femur length 6.2–8.1; mesothoracic tibia length 5.5–6.9; mesothoracic tarsus length 4.8–6.1; metathoracic femur length 7.2–9.1; metathoracic tibia length 6.5–8.4; metathoracic tarsus length 5.5–6.9; anteroventral femoral spine count 10–12; posteroventral femoral spine count 4; anteroventral tibial spine count 12–15; posteroventral tibial spine count 14–17. The colour patterns on the wings are almost similar (Figures 2–4). There are polymorphisms in the size of the forewings’ patterns in each of the species mentioned. The major difference is in the size of body, of genitalia and of the posterior process of sclerite L4A (ventral phallomere) being larger from one species to another (Figures 5, 6).
Etymology: This species is named in honour of my oldest daughter, Roxane, who was growing in her mother’s womb, while I was deep in the primary forest of the Central African Republic, for field work in February 2012.
Natural history: According to the collection locations of different individuals in the canopy, this species is considered to be arboreal. Both nymph and adult specimens, are presumed to reside on the inflorescences of trees. In tropical forests, these flowers are often located at the top, above the canopy, so that pollinators have access to pollen and nectar. In the present study, is only males were captured with a light trap, and were rarely captured during the day. Females Chlidonoptera specimens that were observed by climbing trees or by beating vegetation (Figure 2).
Nicolas Moulin. 2020. A Cryptic New Species of Chlidonoptera Karsch, 1892 from the south west protected zone of the Central African Republic (Insecta, Mantodea, Hymenopodidae). ZooKeys. 917: 63-83. 10.3897/zookeys.917.39270
Résumé: Entre 1998 et 2012, plusieurs expéditions scientifiques, dans la Réserve Spéciale de Dzanga-Sangha et dans le Parc National de Dzanga-Ndoki, ont permis de recueillir de nombreux spécimens de Mantodea en République centrafricaine (RCA). Parmi ceux-ci, plusieurs mâles d’une espèce non décrite ont été mis en évidence. Sur le plan morphologique, l’espèce est proche de Chlidonoptera vexillum Karsch, 1892 et de Chlidonoptera lestoni Roy, 1975. Le séquençage ADN a mis en lumière cette espèce. Par conséquent, une nouvelle espèce est décrite, Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. Des images des habitus, des illustrations et descriptions des genitalia, des données de mesure, une clé pour les espèces, des informations d’écologie et des données de localité sont fournies. Les résultats ajoutent à la preuve que les espèces cryptiques peuvent être trouvées dans les régions tropicales, un problème crucial dans les efforts visant à documenter la richesse en espèces de la planète. Ils illustrent également la valeur du séquençage ADN, en particulier lorsqu’il est associé à des outils taxonomiques traditionnels, pour la mise en évidence de la diversité cachée.
