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| Stenobrimus pilipinus Eusebio, Lit & Lucañas, in Lit, Eusebio, Lucañas, Barrion-Dupo, Abenis, Taray, Alviola et Naredo, 2023. |
The unique Philippine spiny stick insect genus Stenobrimus, was reviewed. One new species, S. pilipinus Eusebio, Lit & Lucañas, sp. nov., is described from the forest over limestone outside the Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex (CURCC) in Cavinti, Laguna Province. S. pilipinus, sp. nov., is unique among Stenobrimus species in having post-median mesonotal spines in both males and females. Its morphologically nearest congeners, S. bolivari Redtenbacher and S. tagalog Rehn & Rehn, are redescribed. The distribution of the genus in relation to karst forests and the historical biogeography of the Philippines is briefly discussed. Revised keys to the identification of Stenobrimus species for males, females, and eggs are presented.
Keywords: cave and karst landscape, karst forest arthropods, slender spiny stick insects
TAXONOMY:
Order Phasmatodea
Family Heteropterygidae Kirby
Subfamily Obriminae Brunner von Wattenwyl
Tribe Obrimini Brunner von Wattenwyl
Genus Stenobrimus Redtenbacher
Stenobrimus pilipinus Eusebio, Lit & Lucañas, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Based on the armature of the mesonotal area, S. pilipinus, sp. nov., is unique among its congeners for having post-median mesonotal spines on both males and females. Stenobrimus pilipinus, sp. nov., is morphologically close to both S. tagalog and S. bolivari in having median mesonotal spines, which are absent in S. lumad. The eggs of both S. pilipinus, sp. nov., and S. lumad have the lateral arms of the micropylar outline appearing as connected to each other forming a circular band. However, they may differ from each other in the position and shape of the formed band with that of S. lumad having the ventral arm distinctly transverse and positioned on the posterior half, whereas that of S. pilipinus, sp. nov., is on the anterior half of the egg capsule and forming a somewhat semi-circular band.
Etymology. S. pilipinus Eusebio, Lit & Lucañas, sp. nov., is named after and dedicated to the Filipino people and is an assertion that nationalism, bravery, and dedication to our country and people should continue to inspire us, even in science, to be proud of Philippine treasures (which include endemic species) and continue to have the courage to do what is right for our country – including pushing for scientific literacy and scientific culture, and conservation of our biological diversity
Ireneo L. Lit Jr., Orlando L. Eusebio, Cristian C. Lucañas, Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo, Kristine O. Abenis, Kirk J. Taray, Marnelli S. Alviola and Jeremy Carlo B. Naredo. 2023. Synoptic Review of Stenobrimus Redtenbacher, 1906 (Phasmatodea: Heteropterygidae: Obriminae), with the Description of A New Species from the Cavinti Karst Landscape, Laguna, Philippines. Philipp J. Sci. 152(3): 783–796.
