Bioacoustics of Neoconocephalus curitibensis

Distribution. Minas Gerais [ new record ], Paraná , Rio de Janeiro [ new record ], and São Paulo states. Taxonomic notes. This species is most similar with N. cylindricus ( Karny, 1907 ) , N. dispar ( Karny, 1907 ) , and N. exaltatus ( Walker, 1869 ) . However, N. curitibensis can be distinguished from N. cylindricus by its pronotum lateral lobe with sinus humeral rounded and very marked ( Figs. 5C, L , 6C ) and ovipositor extending beyond tegmen apex ( Fig. 5K ) (sinus humeral concave and ovipositor not reaching the tegmen in N. cylindricus ); from N. dispar by presence of space between fastigium of vertex and fastigium of frons ( Figs. 5C, L , 6C ) and tegmen with basal and apical equally wide ( Figs. 5B, K , 6B ) (space between fastigium of vertex and fastigium of frons absent and tegmen with apical region narrower than basal region in N. dispar ); and from N. exaltatus by the pronotum lateral lobe with smooth curvature between anterior and lower margin ( Figs. 5C, L , 6C ) and stridulatory area with anterior elevated region measuring one third of tegmen width ( Fig. 5F ) (pronotum lateral lobe with sharp curvature between anterior and lower margin and stridulatory area with anterior elevated region measuring half of tegmen width in N. exaltatus ). The male holotype of N. rioclarensis syn. nov. is herein considered conspecific to N. curitibensis . Observing the type material of two species, important diagnostic similarities were observed, such as, robust body, being one of the largest Neoconocephalus species ( Figs. 5A, B, J, K , 6A, B ); oval head, in frontal view ( Figs. 5E, N , 6E ); similar sized fastigium of vertex base width and fastigium of vertex length ( Figs. 5C, D, E, L, M, N , 6C, D, E ); and thorax notoriously wider in comparison with the rest of the body ( Figs. 5A, J , 6A ). Additionally, the male holotype of N. rioclarensis syn. nov. shares with identified males of N. curitibensis the same number and disposition of elevated regions on the stridulatory area ( Figs. 5F , 6F ).

Redescription. Head: Oval in frontal view ( Figs. 5E, N , 6E ); fastigium of vertex semicircular in frontal view, two and a half times longer than scapus length, base three and a half times larger than scapus width, tooth projected at basal portion of fastigium ( Figs. 5C, D, E, L, M, N , 6C, D, E ); fastigium of frons projected, rounded ( Figs. 5E, N , 6E ). Thorax: Pronotum anterior margin almost straight and posterior margin slightly convex ( Figs. 5D, M , 6D ); lateral lobe longer than wide, anterior margin of lateral lobe almost straight followed by a smooth curve with lower margin almost straight, margin of humeral sinus very rounded and very marked, invagination of humeral sinus in an open V-shaped ( Figs. 5C, L , 6C ). Wings: Tegmen with basal and apical region equally wide ( Figs. 5B, K , 6B ). Legs: Foreleg genicular lobe little developed and triangular, tympanum with three distinct regions: proximal one circular and closed, median one with a pair of open longitudinal slits, and apical one circular and open; midleg with femur with two ventral small spines, genicular lobe little developed with inner side with acute apex and outer side with rounded apex, tibia with approximately six pairs of ventral spines; hindleg femur ventrally with 10 inner spines and six outer spines, genicular lobe little developed, tibia dorsally with approximately 17 inner spines and 21 outer spines, in addition two pairs of spurs, ventrally with seven pairs of spines. Color : Living specimens green with apical region of tegmen yellowish green or brown. Type and additional specimens green or brown; black on ventral surface of tarsi, joints of legs, and frontal area of the fastigium of vertex. Description of male. Tegmen : Stridulatory area with two distinct elevated transverse regions, anterior one long with median furrow and posterior one with a small callous projection ( Figs. 5F , 6F ). Cercus : dorsal lobe with spine measuring one third the length of lobe, ventral lobe two times longer than dorsal lobe ( Figs. 5G, H , 6G, H ). Description of female. Subgenital plate: Posterior margin deeply concave and with pair of triangular projections ( Fig. 5O ). Ovipositor: Slightly extending beyond tegmen apex ( Fig. 5K ). Measurements: Female holotype : BdL 33.7(35.0); FL 2.4(2.0); PdL 9.8(10.0); TegL 51.6(51.0); FlegL 9.2; HlegL 28.7(28.0); OvL 38.3(36.0). Females (n=3): BdL 28.1–33.3; FL 2.1–2.6; PdL 9.2–9.8; TegL 48.3–50.1; FlegL 8.7–9.3; HlegL 26.5–27.9; OvL 36.9–39.1. Males (n=11): BdL 26.4–27.2; FL 1.5–1.8; PdL 8.8–9.2; TegL 41.8–44.3; FlegL 6.2–7.0; HlegL 22.0–22.4.

Comments: Individuals of this species were found only at night, and we are able to locate them specially when they were singing. Males are quite large when comparing to another species of Neoconocephalus , presenting the tegmina with conspicuous black spots. This species is also polymorphic, since green and testaceous individuals are present. Bioacoustics ( Fig. 7A–D ): The song of the species was recorded in an amplitude above the limit of the recorder, but we were still able to infer some characteristics. Males emit regularly spaced echemes, during the night, each echeme composed by ca. 25 hemisyllables. The amplitude is constant. Dominant frequency : 5.4 ± 0.2 kHz. Bandwidth : 0.9 ± 0.5 kHz. Duration : Echeme: 0.2 ± 0.007 s . Mute interval : Echeme: 1.5 ± 0.003 s .