Studies on neotropical phasmatodea XIV: Revisions of the Central American Genera Hypocyrtus Redtenbacher, 1908 and Rhynchacris Redtenbacher, 1908 (Phasmatodea: "Anareolatae": Xerosomatinae: Hesperophasmatini)

Abstract

The two Central American genera Hypocyrtus Redtenbacher, 1908 and Rhynchacris Redtenbacher, 1908 (Xerosomatinae: Hesperophasmatini) are revised at the species level. Extended redescriptions of both genera are presented along with keys to the species contained. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of all seven known species are provided. Hypocyrtus Redtenbacher, 1908 is here confirmed as a valid genus and now contains three distinct species, all of which are restricted to southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Ocnophila ornatissima Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 is removed from Ocnophila Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907 and transferred to Hypocyrtus (n. comb.). H. postpositus Redtenbacher, 1908 is removed from Lamponius Stl, 1875 and returned to Hypocyrtus (rev. stat.). Two new synonyms are established in Hypocyrtus: Anophelepis vittatus Westwood, 1859 = Anophelepis scythrus Westwood, 1859 (n. syn.) and Hypocyrtus substrumosus Redtenbacher, 1908 = Hypocyrtus postpositus Redtenbacher, 1908 (n. syn.). The male and egg of H. ornatissimus (Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1907) and the egg of H. scythrus (Westwood, 1859) are described and illustrated for the first time. Rhynchacris now contains four known species distributed throughout southern Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) and northeast Colombia. The monotypic genus Pseudoceroys Hebard, 1923 was previously misplaced in Diapheromerinae: Diapheromerini: "Clonistria-group" and is here shown to be a synonym of Rhynchacris Redtenbacher, 1908 (n. syn.). The type-species P. harroweri Hebard, 1923 automatically becomes a member of Rhynchacris (comb. n.). R. chocoense n. sp. from the Choco Province is described from the female and is the first record of the genus from Colombia; the holotype is preserved in the Natural History Museum, London (BMNH). Ceroys bigibbus Rehn, 1904 was previously misplaced and is here transferred to Rhynchacris (comb. n.). Hesperophasma lobata Redtenbacher, 1908 is a synonym of the type species Rhynchacris ornata Redtenbacher, 1908 (n. syn.). The male of R. ornata Redtenbacher, 1908 is described and illustrated for the first time. Lectotypes are designated for Anophelepis scythrus Westwood, 1859 and Hypocyrtus substrumosus Redtenbacher, 1908.