Maoricicada otagoensis
Maoricicada otagoensis is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John S. Dugdale and Charles Fleming in 1978.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are two subspecies:- Maoricicada otagoensis maceweni Dugdale & Fleming, 1978.
- Maoricicada otagoensis otagoensis Dugdale & Fleming, 1978.
Description
''Maoricicada otagoensis otagoensis''
The males of this subspecies are 15-20 mm in length, with a wing spread of 33-41 mm. The females are 16.5-20 mm in length with a wing spread of 35-41 mm. Maoricicada otagoensis have transparent wings, with the costal vein being pale yellow or reddish brown. In males, the dorsal surface is black with silver tomentum, containing orange patches on frontal ledge above antennae. The sternites are horn like and pink, with dark central and proximal areas containing a black pattern. The opercula are flesh colored with dark bases. In females, the color is similar but more pubescent, leading to a paler look. The ventral side of the body is pale yellow to pink in color. In males, the tip of the aedeagus is rough or covered in tiny bumps on the underside. The pseudoparameres extend from the upper side. In females, the clypeus is pale with a black spot in the center. The copulatory tube has an angled shape. Genitalia in males consist of an acute pygophore beak, with the lower lobe thumb-like and inner lobe scarcely visible. The aedeagus in males is shallowly curved and expanded apically and the pseudoparameres arise dorsally. In females, the genital scale contains two dorsal ridges that are square like, and the vagina is angulate. The tymbals contain three long ridges and one short ridge. The dorsal sliver is joined to tergite, and the basal spur is short. The basal dome of the tymbal contains an appendage.''Maoricicada otagoensis maceweni''
The males of this subspecies measure 17-20 mm in length, with a wing spread of 34-40 mm. Females in this subspecies are 18-21.5 mm in length, and have a wing spread ranging from 38-44 mm. The color of this subspecies is similar to Maoricicada o. otagoensis, but the sternites are more black in males. There are also more distinct boundaries between the black and orange elements in color pattern. The genitalia are similar to those of Maoricicada o. otagoensis, but in males the upper pygophore lobe is rounded apically. In females, the genital scale is sloping, rather than square. The tymbals are similar to Maoricicada o. otagoensis, but lack distal fusion of the tymbal ridges and a reduced dorsal sliver.Distribution and habitat
Global Range
Maoricicada otagoensis is endemic to New Zealand, with no recordings of existence anywhere else in the world.New Zealand Range
This species has very few recorded sightings, and the two subspecies have been found in various different locations within the central and southern regions of New Zealand.Maoricicada otagoensis otagoensis: This subspecies has been found in the mountains of Otago and Southland, southwest of Lake Wanaka and the Clutha River, and south to the Mararoa – Oreti gap. Maoricicada o. otagoensis has been found at altitudes of 1000-1650 m, but most commonly found below 1400 m.
Maoricicada otagoensis maceweni: This subspecies has been found in the Takitimu Range, presumably at similar altitudes and habitats to Maoricicada o. otagoensis, but all three sightings of this species have been on the western side of the mountain range.