| Description: |
Comparison of Haematoloecha merkli sp. nov. with related taxa Character states of Haematoloecha merkli sp. nov. recognized as of diagnostic value are discussed below. (1) Microptery. —The new species evidently differs from most of the described species of Haematoloecha by its microptery. Although the hemelytra might be shortened to different degree in other congeners, namely H. rufithorax (Breddin, 1903) and H. limbata Miller, 1953, micropterous morphs (entirely lacking a differentiated membrane) are known in only two other species of the genus: H. puetzi (China: Sichuan) and H. curta (Taiwan). Both of the latter two species were treated by Rédei & Tsai (2012). The new species is immediately distinguished from them based on its colour (ground colour dark-brown with yellow and red markings on the head, thorax and abdomen dorsally; all legs with broad red annuli surrounding femoro-tibial articulations) (Figs. 1–12); micropterous morphs of the other two species are fairly uniformly dark-brown, at most with some indistinct pale markings in H. curta (Rédei & Tsai 2012: 4, figs. 1–2). In addition to colour, the female of H. puetzi (male unknown) differs from the female of H. merkli sp. nov., among others, by the distinctly larger eyes, different shape of the postocular lobe of the head, relatively longer anterior lobe of the pronotum (as compared to the length to the posterior lobe), mesothoracic wings surpassing the posterior margin of the metanotum, the fore femur being much less thickened, and the legs being covered by a relatively long and dense pilosity (Rédei & Tsai 2012: 5, figs. 8–11). Males and females of H. curta conspicuously differ from the respective sexes of H. merkli sp. nov. among others by the highly different shape of the head (more elongate, anteriorly less tapering in lateral view, with a dorsally elevated proximal portion of the clypeus in both sexes of H. curta) and the smooth anterior lobe of the pronotum. A comparison of specimens of these species suggests that the similarity of ... |