Minarisoma landecki sp. nov.

Minarisoma gen. nov. differs from the South African genera Libanasa, Henicus, and Nasidius in that it does not have sexual dimorphism in the head or jaws. Libanasidus differs from the new genus by the presence of an additional projection of the male’s jaws.

The genus most closely resembling Minarisoma gen. nov. is the East African genus Tryposoma Cadena-Castañeda & Hemp, 2024. Both genera lack sexual dimorphism in the head or jaws, and the arrangement of hind tibia spurs exhibits remarkable similarity. However, Minarisoma gen. nov. differs by its smaller size (15–18 mm) compared to the larger Tryposoma (28–40 mm). Notably, Minarisoma gen. nov. lacks a tympanum at the fore tibia, and its tenth tergite hooks are closely positioned, while Tryposoma possesses a tympanum and a membranous space between the hooks.

Both genera share similarities in terms of male genitalia morphology, featuring a ventral projection of df and the presence of a sclerotized plate SP.dl. However, the structure of SP.dl differs between Minarisoma gen. nov. and Tryposoma; in Minarisoma gen. nov., it is shoulder blade-shaped, while in Tryposoma, it is thin and ribbon-shaped. Additionally, the ti in Tryposoma is sclerotized, and the TS is predominantly membranous with conspicuous microstructures. Conversely, in the new genus Minarisoma gen. nov., the ES and ejv are conspicuous and elongated, while the ejd lacks sclerotized areas, and ejv are rounded and small.

Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. (type species), M. crassipes (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) comb. nov., and M. tigrinum (Karny, 1929) comb. nov.

From Latin minare = smaller and Greek –soma = body, since the new genus is generally of small body size. The gender of the name is being established as neuter.

Small size (15–18 mm. Coloration yellowish-brown or golden-brown, with darker brown strips on the tergites (Fig. 1A, B). Females of lighter coloration than males; dorsal surface may vary in shades of brown or reddish-brown (Figs 1C, 4, 7A–C). Head. Dorsally and frontally smooth, with frons higher than wide (Figs 1B, 2B, 7C). Laterally widened (Figs 2B, 5A, 7A), fastigium rounded, 1.5 times as broad as first antennal segment (Figs 2A, 5B, 7C). Eyes frontally elevated, dorsally unpigmented (Figs 2A, B, 5B, 7B). Ocelli conspicuous, round, all similar in size (Figs 2A, 5B). Scapus and pedicellus unarmed, and antennae exceed length of body (Figs 1, 5A). Mandibles and maxilla symmetrical, without any sexual specialization (Figs 2A, 5B, 7C). Ventral process extended beside base of labial segment in front of base of lacinia. Palpi thin, elongated, fully pilose, and dilated at apex (Fig. 2B). Thorax. Pronotum smooth, not covering the mesonotum. Lateral margin of the pronotum is slightly rounded, and the pronotal disc displays a slight curvature at the anterior margin, while the posterior margin is almost straight (Figs 1B, 4B, 7B). Lateral lobe of pronotum wider than high, with a nearly straight dorsal margin and a slight convexity at the ventral margin. Ventral edge of the mesopleuron forms a weakly projecting rounded flap (Fig. 2B). Prosternum bears a pair of short cone-like processes. Mesosternum bispinose, with horizontally compressed spines and slightly backward-bent apices. Metasternum wears thorn-like processes with acute backward-bent tips and a broad laterally compressed base. Wings are absent. Legs. Fore and mid coxae are armed with one prominent lateral spine having a broad and pointed base. Fore and mid femora unarmed but with two longitudinal parallel carinae at the ventral margin. Fore tibiae armed with an inner dorsal spur at the middle of its length, ventrally with four or five spines on each ventral margin. Mid tibiae with spines along the dorso- and ventrolateral margins. Tympanum absent (Figs 2B, 5A). Hind femur with 12–14 distinct chevron ridges well-separated by a medial groove extending from base to the distal edge of the chevron area. Apical spurs of the hind tibia fully movable within insertion rings. Dorsal subapical pair is relatively short, prolateral apical spur slightly shorter than the metatarsus, and retrolateral apical spur reaches about to the middle of the second tarsomere. A short ventroapical pair and an even shorter subapical ventral pair are present (Figs 1A, C, 4A, 5A). Abdomen. Male. Individuals have pegs on the first three abdominal tergites, with few and sparse spinules likely to serve as stridulatory area. Sternites broaden distally. Ninth tergite slightly produced and with posterior undulations (Fig. 2D, E). Tenth tergite characterized by two small and well-sclerotized hooks joining together dorsally. Epiproctus rounded, conspicuous, and wider than long (Figs 2F, 5C). Paraprocts latero-laterally flattened, flexible, and armed at apex by a well-sclerotized spine (Fig. 2C). Cerci setose, thin, and moderately elongated (Fig. 2F). Subgenital plate quadrangular, posterior margin straight; styli short, emerging before apex of subgenital plate (Figs 2G, 5D).

Female. Pegs as in the male on first three abdominal tergites. Ovipositor is about two-thirds the length of the hind femur, dorsal valves protruding from ventral valve at apex, sharply narrowing to the apex of the ovipositor (Fig. 2H, I). Subgenital plate wider than long and triangular shaped (Figs 2J, 4C). Male genitalia with several sclerotized and membranous structures, such as ti and TS structures, forming a peduncular system with few and small-sized denticulate microstructures (Fig. 3A). SP.dl usually shoulder-blade shaped. Dorsal lobe membranous but covered by circular microstructures (Fig. 3A); ejd wide and with a pair of ES (Fig. 3C); ejd present and elongated (Figs 3B, C). df extends toward the anterior margin and curves inwards, with a rounded edge and few microstructures (Fig. 3B).

Africa, South Africa, between Eastern Cape and Free State.

Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA • ♂; Eastern Cape, 6.25 km, NNW Paterson Sundays, Riv. Valley, Pure Nature Familodge Farm; PF16; sclerophyllic vegetation on rock south of the valley; -33.39194, 25.92374; 427 m.; 27 Feb. – 9 Mar. 2020; I Landeck leg.;CAUD. Paratypes—SOUTH AFRICA • 1♀; same data as holotype; but with an additional label, DNA_IL-2020_SA_058. Libanasa sp.; CAUD. • 2♂, 3♀; same data as holotype; CIL • 1♀; Eastern Cape, 6.25 km NNW Paterson Sundays Riv. Valley, Pure Nature Familodge Farm; PF18, sclerophyllic vegetation on rock south of the valley; -33.39381, 25.93145; 412 m.; 27 Feb. – 9 Mar. 2020; I Landeck leg.; CIL • 1♀; Eastern Cape, 6.25 km NNW Paterson Sundays Riv. Valley, Pure Nature Familodge Farm; northern slope of the valley, Fynbos, rocky; -33.385601, 25.936866; 436 m.; 1 Mar. 2020; I Landeck leg.; CIL.

We dedicate this species to Ingmar Landeck who collected all the specimens studied here.

Male. Medium size (21 mm). General coloration yellowish with brown spots (Figs 1A, B). Face with four greyish-brown stripes (Fig. 2A), vertex and most tergites dorsally brown. Corners of base of clypeus with a black spot (Fig. 2A). Ocelli yellow; eyes black, discolored on dorsal edge (Fig. 2B). Antennae yellowish brown throughout their length without color variations in sections of antennomers. Lateral surface of thorax and abdomen ocher (Fig. 2B). Fore and mid femora with lateral sides ocher and with brown dorsal and ventral edges. Fore and mid tibiae predominantly brown. First half of hind femur yellow, last half darkened to brown. Sternites light yellow, as are the palps and the terminalia. Head. Fastigium of vertex not projected, almost as wide as scapus (Fig. 2A). Fastigium of frons rounded (Fig. 2A), touching fastigium of vertex (Fig. 2B). Scapus two times wider and longer than pedicel (Fig. 2A). Compound eye oval, black with white dorsal edge (Fig. 2B). Clypeus as wide as high, subtriangular, lateral margin gradually narrowing toward apical margin, slightly curved; apical margin arched; labrum ovoid and twice as long as wide (Fig. 2A). Maxillary palp long, exceeding length of fore tibia, last palpomere rounded and conspicuously widening at apex (Fig. 2B). Thorax. Pronotum with anterior and lateral margins rounded, posterior margin straight, lateral lobe wider than high. Mesonotum and metanotum like pronotum, the first a little wider than the latter (Fig. 1B). Mesopleural projection small, rounded, and slightly prominent (Fig. 2B). Legs. Coxae, fore and mid legs covered by hairs. Fore and mid femora dorsally rounded with anterior, posterolateral, and ventral margins flattened. Fore tibiae armed with four spurs on each ventral margin, dorsally with a spur at middle section of tibiae; apically with two small spurs on inner and outer sides, ventral spurs two times longer than dorsal spurs (Fig. 2B). Mid tibiae armed with four spurs on each ventral margin; dorsally armed with three spurs on inner side and two ones on outer side, spines alternate on each dorsal margin; apically with two mid-sized spurs on inner and outer sides, both similar in length. Hind femur unarmed and with 14 chevron ridges (Fig. 1A). Hind tibiae dorsally with 12 spines on inner side and 14 on outer side, ventrally armed with a medium-sized spur in middle at outer side. Abdomen. Tergites of similar width and length. Ninth tergite angulated, slightly produced, partially covering the hooks of the tenth tergite (Fig. 2D), distally truncate and slightly undulating (Fig. 2E). Tenth tergite narrow, with two joining black hooks curved dorsally (Fig. 2F). Epiproctus conspicuous, covering the paraprocts, apex rounded (Fig. 2E, F). Paraprocts falciform and oblong with a sclerotized mid-line in lateral view ending in a sclerotized spine at apex. Spine of the paraproct slightly furcated at apex (Fig. 2C). Cerci as long as subgenital plate and covered by many hairs (Fig. 2F, G). Subgenital plate laterally upcurved and rounded around the phallus (Fig. 2E–G). Male genitalia. dl surface displays numerous ovoid and small-sized microstructures. Posterior border of dl projects towards the anterior margin and curves backward and downward. ti and TS structures form a peduncular system with few and small-sized denticulate structures, which surrounded ventrally and laterally by ldl. ti mostly membranous, TS sclerotized and w-shaped in dorsal view. A shoulder blade-shaped Sp.dl present on the dl (Fig. 3A). up.vl have a rounded distal margin, while the lw.vl membranous and possess an angled posterior margin (Fig. 3B). ejd wide and with rod-shaped sclerotized structures (Fig. 3C). ejv conspicuous, ovoid, and elongated (Fig. 3B, C). VS membranous and internally covers the TS. fdl is “U”-shaped and surrounds the base of TS (Fig. 3C).

Fig. 1. 

Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. A. Male habitus in lateral view; B. Male habitus in dorsal view; C. Female habitus in lateral view.

Fig. 2. 

Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. A. Face; B. Head and pronotum in lateral view; C. Male paraprocts detail in lateral view; D–G. Male terminalia in dorsal, axial and ventral views, respectively; H, I Female terminalia in axial and lateral view; J. Subgenital plate of female.

Fig. 3. 

Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. Male genitalia. A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Axial view.

Female. Similar to male in shape and size. Last tergites without modifications (Fig. 1C). Cerci thin and medium-sized. Epiproctus ovoid and broader than long (Fig. 2H). Ovipositor elongated, measuring approximately two-thirds the length of hind femur, and exhibits a gradual curvature ascending from the base to apex. Dorsal valves extend beyond the ventral valves at the apex, creating a distinctive sharp narrowing of ovipositor apex (Fig. 2I). Subgenital plate triangular shape with a rounded apex and subtle undulations (Fig. 3J).

male / female (only type specimens deposited in CAUD): LB: 21 / 24. Pr: 5 / 7. HF: 12.5 /14–15. HT: 14 / 14.5. SP: 4 / 2.5. Ov: 12.

male / female (additional paratype material): LB: 20.5–21 / 21.5–24. Pr: 6–6.5 / 7–7.5. HF: 14–15 / 16–18. HT: 12.5–13.5 / 14.5–16. SP: 3.5–4 / 2–2.5. Ov: 13–14.5.

According to the National Vegetation Map (SANBI 2006–2018), the region where all specimens have been collected falls within the Albany Thicket Biome, specifically classified as the Albany Valley Thicket (AT18) vegetation type. The farm’s expansive terrain, situated in a complete section of a small valley (Sundays River Formation, sandstone/siltstone), contributes to a rich and diverse vegetation. The landscape exhibits a spectrum of habitats, ranging from confined areas with Fynbos vegetation on the rocky upper edges of the valley to thickets covering the valley slopes. Additionally, there are small forested areas on edaphically suitable sites, open sclerophyll vegetation on dry rocky slopes, and dense Sweet Thorn Woodland on weathered soils at the valley’s bottom (Fig. 4A).

Fig. 4. 

Minarisoma landecki sp. nov. A. Habitat; B. Female specimen from Pure Nature Familodge Farm.

The observed species predominantly occupies the crevice system between large boulders and cavities under rocks at the base of the slope. A few specimens were discovered on the rocky upper edges of the valley, where Fynbos vegetation prevails. During the night, the specimens were noted to move freely among stones and boulders on exposed, litter-free, weathered soil with limited ground vegetation cover.

Adult specimens were discovered between February and early March (Fig. 4B), with an observed sex ratio of approximately 1:5 (males:females) when specimens were located outside crevices during the nighttime. Unfortunately, field data for the remaining months of the year are not available. Apart from two nymphs collected in February/March, there is no information regarding the presence of earlier developmental stages.

Given that Waggie Onderplaas Farm shares a direct border with the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, it is reasonable to infer that the species is present in suitable habitats, at least within this protected area. Moreover, outside of nature conservation areas, the species is likely to be threatened by habitat destruction, as its habitat is not extensively utilized for grazing by livestock such as cattle.

In its habitat, the species was associated with at least one other anostostomatid species and crickets such as Cophogryllus sp. and Mogoplistidae sp.

This species was originally described by Brunner von Wattenwyl (1888) in his monograph based on a single female specimen (collection code 6720) from Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province (Fig. 5). Subsequently, Karny (1930) reported a male specimen (collection code 17416), determined by Brunner von Wattenwyl, originating from Capland (the Cape). This male specimen had been transferred from the Museum of Lübeck, Germany, to the collection of the museum in Vienna, Austria (Fig. 6). However, upon morphological comparison with the female holotype of M. crassipes comb. nov., it is evident that it differs morphologically from the female of M. landecki sp. nov.

Fig. 5. 

Minarisoma crassipes (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) comb. nov. Female type. A. Habitus in lateral view; B. Habitus in dorsal view; C. Habitus in ventral view; D. Labels. (Photos M. Fianco)

Fig. 6. 

Minarisoma crassipes (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) comb. nov. Male. A. Habitus in lateral view; B. Frons; C. Terminalia in dorsal; D. Ventral view; E. Labels. (Photos: M. Fianco).

Holotype ♀ labelled (1) South Africa, Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, Higgins leg. Coll. Br.v.W. (2) 6720 (catalog code). (3) Coll. Nat.-Mus. Wien. (4) Onosandrus crassipes (handwritten). ♂ labelled (1) Capland. Coll. Br.v.W. ex Mus. Lübeck. (2) Capland (handwritten). (3) 17416 (catalog code).

This species was initially classified as belonging to the genus Onosandrus based on an adult female (Fig. 7) and an immature female collected from Smithfield (Free State). Karny (1930) emphasized the resemblance between M. tigrinum comb. nov. and M. crassipes comb. nov., noting a significant similarity between the two species. As underscored in this newly proposed genus, which encompasses the three species under study, there is a noticeable difference in the thickness of the hind femur compared to species previously assigned to Onosandrus.

Fig. 7. 

Minarisoma tigrinum (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) comb. nov. Female type. A. Habitus in lateral view; B. Habitus in dorsal view; C. Frons; D. Labels. Labels. © by Iziko Museums of South Africa / H. Mujahid; published with permission.

The female of M. tigrinum comb. nov. deviates from the other two species within this new genus in terms of tergite coloration and the shape of the subgenital plate, as outlined in the species identification key.

Holotype ♀ labelled (1) Smithfield O.R.C. Kannemeye (printed). Onosandrus tigrinus det. Karny Type (in Karny’s hand). (3) Onosandrus spec.?. (handwritten). (4) SAM-ORT_A000151 (catalog code).