Phyllium shurei n. sp., a third species of leaf insect from Java, Indonesia (Phasmida, Phylliidae)

Abstract

A new species, Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is described and
illustrated from Java, Indonesia. Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is currently
only known from a male specimen, therefore only a key to known Phyllium males
from Java is included. Nomenclature note are added about the name Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) lambirense Seow-Choen, 2017.

Full text

Faunitaxys
Revue de Faunistique, Taxonomie et Systématique
morphologique et moléculaire
Volume 6
Numéro 1 Janvier 2018 ISSN : 2269 - 6016
Dépôt légal : Janvier 2018

Faunitaxys
Revue de Faunistique, Taxonomie et Systématique
morphologique et moléculaire
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Phyllium shurei n. sp., a third species of leaf insect from Java,
Indonesia (Phasmida, Phylliidae)
ROYCE T. CUMMING (1) & STEPHANE LE TIRANT (2)
(1) Entomology Department, San Diego Natural History Museum, POB 121390, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, United States,
92112-1390. Associate researcher for the Montréal Insectarium, Québec, Canada - phylliidae.walkingleaf@gmail.com
- ZooBank : http://zoobank.org/6CA8501F-10BA-4E07-9BF4-65CFCE4E9E92
(2) Collection manager, Montréal Insectarium, 4581 rue Sherbrooke, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1X 2B2 - sletirant@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- ZooBank : http://zoobank.org/A9391F8A-15D7-4D3B-9E3F-7123BA27EA2E
Abstract. – A new species, Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is described and
illustrated from Java, Indonesia. Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is currently
only known from a male specimen, therefore only a key to known Phyllium males
from Java is included. Nomenclature note are added about the name Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) lambirense Seow-Choen, 2017.
Cumming R. T. & Le Tirant S., 2018. – Phyllium shurei n. sp., a third species of leaf insect
from Java, Indonesia (Phasmida, Phylliidae). Faunitaxys, 6(1) : 1 – 5.
Introduction
A new species of leaf insect, Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium)
shurei n. sp. is described and illustrated from Java,
Indonesia. It is surprising that the island of Java is the
type locality for this new species because of the island's
popularity as a tourist destination and the breeding center
for other popular Phyllium species commercially
available (Fig. 1). However, the camouflage of the leaf
insect family has allowed many species to be overlooked
for years, even in very popular locations. The discovery
of Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) maethoraniae Delfosse,
2015, from Chiang Mai Province of northern Thailand,
named from a single unique female specimen, is another
surprising discovery from a very popular destination. To
date only the holotype male specimen has been recovered
of Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp., and it is the
hope of the authors that the recognition of an additional
species from Java will prompt the search for this rare
species and for the currently unknown female.
Materials and Methods
Photo in Fig. 1 was taken by Maman Cahyana in
Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. Photos in Fig. 2 were
taken by the first author at the San Diego Natural History
Museum using a Canon 5D Mark II and a MP-E 65mm
macro lens and were stacked using Zerene photo stacking
software, version 1.04, 64-bit. Photos in Fig. 3 were taken
by René Limoges of the Montreal Insectarium using a
Nikon D810 DSLR camera with Nikon Micro-Nikkor
200 mm f/4 lens on Manfrotto 454 micrometric
positioning sliding plate. Lighting was provided by two
Nikon SB-25 flash units with Cameron Digital diffusion
photo box. Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 was used as
Phasmatodea ;
Phasmida ;
Phylliidae ;
Phylliinae ;
Phylliini ;
Phyllium ;
West Java ;
Indonesia ;
new species ;
males ;
identification key.
Keywords :
1
Faunitaxys, 6(1), 2018 : 1 – 5.
post processing software. The measurements of the
holotype were made to the nearest 0.1 mm using digital
calipers. The holotype is deposited in the Montreal
Insectarium type collection.
ZooBank : http://zoobank.org/76907036-205E-44B4-9E12-5BA0A39ABA80
Fig. 1. - Breeding cage in Western-Java, Indonesia commonly used to
breed Phyllium (Photos courtesy of Maman Cahyana (pictured center)).

CUMMING & LE TIRANT. – Phyllium shurei n. sp. from Java
Taxonomic placement
The exterior lobe of the protibia is reduced almost to the
status of the Phyllium (Phyllium) subgenus, however the
other prominent lobes of the meso- and metatibiae, and
serrate antennae clearly place the new species in the
Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) subgenus and the bioculatum
species-group as per Hennemann et al., 2009. Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp., is morphologically
similar to Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) mannani Seow-
Choen, 2017, which unfortunately is also only known
from male specimens, with the female of both species
currently unknown. The common issue of only finding
male specimens is likely due to their ability to fly and
propensity to fly to lights at night making them frequently
the only sex collected at light traps at night as the females
are left behind in the foliage due to their inability to fly.
Differentiation
– Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. can
immediately be differentiated from congenerics on Java
by the rounded shape of the abdomen (rectangular in
Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) pulchrifolium Audinet-
Serville, 1838, and spade-shaped in Phyllium (Phyllium)
jacobsoni Rehn & Rehn, 1933).
– Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is more
morphologically similar to Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium)
mannani Seow-Choen, 2017, and can be differentiated
from it by the exterior profemoral lobe with an angle of
~130° (Ph. (Pu.) mannani ~100°), and lobes of the meso-
and metatibia less prominent (Phyllium (Pu.) mannani,
mesotibia with a fine distinct point, mesotibia with a
prominent large lobe) (Fig. 2).
– Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is now the
third species Phyllium described from Java and is here
differentiated from congenerics.
Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp.
(Fig. 2C, 3A-B)
ZooBank : http://zoobank.org/5331AA73-D007-499F-B867-
C58D0CBAB295
Holotype, ♂: Indonesia, West-Java, Sukabumi Regency,
Kabandungan Village (August, 2016) [Coll. RC 16-258].
Holotype with red label deposited in the type collection
of the Montreal Insectarium.
Coloration. – Coloration of the holotype is based on the
dried specimen and it is assumed the living individual had
a darker green coloration. Overall color is a pale green
ranging from a lime green to a pale yellow-green. Alae
are transparent with the scletorized section slightly darker
with a green hue. Antennae, eyes, and eyespots on
abdominal segment V are a light tan/brown color.
Morphology.
Head. – Capsule as long as wide, with a slightly irregularly
granulose vertex, including a wide posteromedian tubercle with
2
a short but notable seta on each side. Three well-developed
ocelli project up from the vertex and are very distinct.
Antennae. – Long and slender, with 22 segments (including
the scapus and pedicellus) covered in evenly spaced setae,
except for the terminal three segments which are covered in
shorter, more dense setae.
Thorax. – Pronotum slightly longer than wide with a
posterior margin that is slightly wider than half the width of the
anterior margin. Anterior and lateral margins with distinct rims
which are marked with a single row of evenly spaced thin
setae, posterior margin lacking setae and a distinct rim.
– Mesopraescutum, at its widest, is slightly wider than long,
gradually narrowing toward the posterior. – Raised surface of
the mesopraescutum with irregular, warty, granulation running
the length of the medial sagittal plane starting at the anterior
rim, which lacks a distinct spine medially. – Lateral margins of
the mesopraescutum irregularly armed with ~8 major tubercles
and 3-4 minor tubercles of varying sizes. The largest of the
tubercles include a short dark setae in their center.
– Mesopleurae gradually diverging, armed with 7-8 major
tubercles and 4-5 minor tubercles of varying size and spacing,
some of which are slightly irregular in shape. Each tubercle has
at least a single stout dark setae projecting from it, with some
of the largest tubercles occasionally marked with 2-3 setae.
– Mesonotum anterior ridge only distinct along the center,
tapering quickly before reaching the lateral margins and lacking
a prominent medial spine.
– Pro- and mesosternum covered in irregularly sized and spaced
minor granules, metasternum less granular than pro- and
mesosternum.
– Tegmina reaching the posterior of abdominal segment II.
Alae. – Well developed, when folded, reaching the posterior
margin of abdominal segment IX, with exposed section of
folded alae slightly sclerotized.
Abdomen. – Segments II through anterior half of VI
gradually widening, with VI the widest segment of the body. –
Segment V with an eyespot (diameter of ~2.0mm) on each side
of the midline. – Posterior half of VI through anal abdominal
segment converging, and slightly rounded edges creating a
gentle lobed abdominal edge. – Anal abdominal segment X
slightly wider than long, with the apex not particularly broad. –
Poculum broad, starting halfway through abdominal segment
VIII and ending in a broad rounded apex that reaches the
anterior margin of segment X, lateral margins not reaching the
lateral margins of the abdominal segment. – Cercus with about
half the length protruding from under the anal segment, cercus
are relatively short, broad, and relatively flat without strongly
curved margins. – Vomer short and wide, only reaching half
way through the anal segment, apical spine hooked upward
pointing into the paraproct.
Legs. – Interior profemora lobe rounded with 4 serrate,
unevenly spaced teeth with large dipping spacing between the
largest of the teeth. – Exterior lobe, slightly wider than interior,
obtuse angle of ~130° and edges but with 5 small serrate teeth
on the distal half. – Protibiae exterior lobe greatly reduced and
only slightly noticeable on the anterior edge, interior lobe a
rounded triangle spanning the entire length of the protibia. –
Mesofemora, exterior lobe gently arcing with three prominent
teeth; interior lobe rounded, with five serrate teeth and thinner
than the exterior lobe. – Metafemora exterior lobe with a
smooth edge and thinner than interior lobe. – Metafemora
interior lobe slightly wider than exterior and armed with 6-7
small serrate teeth that are more prominent near the distal end.
– Mesotibia with a small rounded exterior lobe slightly on the

Faunitaxys, 6(1), 2018 : 1 – 5. 3
Fig. 2. - Males, dorsal view. - A: Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) pulchrifolium (West-Java) [Coll. RC 16-153]. - B: Ph. (Pu.) mannani (Sabah,
Borneo) [Coll. RC 16-100]. - C: holotype Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. [Coll. RC 16-258].
A B C
Fig. 3. - Male holotype of Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. [Coll. RC 16-258]. - A: ventral of genitalia. - B: dorsal of base of antennae,
head, and thorax.
A B

distal half, about as wide as the tibia itself. – Metatibiae
exterior lobe the largest of the tibial lobes, a rounded scalene
triangle larger on the distal end.
Measurements [mm].
– length of body (including head and cerci, excluding
antennae): 57.8
– length/width of head: 3.1/3.2
– length of pronotum: 2.8
– length of mesonotum: 3.0
– length of tegmina: 15.5
– greatest width of tegmina: 4.6
– length of alae: 43.7
– greatest width of abdomen: 21.3
– length of profemora: 10.3
– length of mesofemora: 8.3
– length of metafemora: 9.0
– length of protibiae: 6.0
– length of mesotibiae: 5.2
– length of metatibiae: 7.4
– length of protarsi: 4.4
– length of antennae: 22.0.
Etymology. – The new species is named to honor Max
Shure, friend to the first author and fellow adventurer
passionate about international travel and entomology.
Distribution. – Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. is
currently only known from the type-locality in Western
Java, Indonesia. Just north of Java, the island of Borneo is
home to Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) mannani Seow-
Choen, 2017, this close proximity of distributions coupled
with the morphological similarity to Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp. makes them likely
adelphotaxon. Within the first authors collection Ph. (Pu.)
mannani Seow-Choen, 2017 appears to be one of the
most frequently encountered Phyllium males from Borneo
next to Ph. (Ph.) bradleri Seow-Choen, 2017 and
therefore it is surprising that its sister species Ph. (Pu.)
shurei n. sp., is now the least commonly encountered
Phyllium species from Java.
CUMMING & LE TIRANT. – Phyllium shurei n. sp. from Java
4
Key to known Phyllium males from Java, Indonesia
1. Several or all tibia with an exterior lobe; antennae ventrally serrate: (subgenus (Pulchriphyllium)) ........................... 2.
–– All tibia lacking an exterior lobe; antennae simple/filiform: (subgenus (Phyllium)) ................................................... 3.
2. Exterior lobe of profemora a clear obtuse angle ~130°; exterior lobe of protibia reduced to only a sliver, many times
smaller than the interior lobe; abdomen ovular with segment VII converging towards the apex: .....................................
............................................................................................................................ Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp.
–– Exterior lobe of profemora ~100° angle; exterior lobe of protibia notable and only slightly thinner than interior;
abdomen rectangular in appearance with segments V-VII parallel to slightly widening: ..................................................
.................................................................................... Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) pulchrifolium Audinet-Serville, 1838
3. Exterior lobe of profemora greatly reduced, several times thinner than the interior lobe; abdomen spade-shaped with
V the widest segment, all the rest tapering towards the apex: .......... Phyllium (Phyllium) jacobsoni Rehn & Rehn, 1933
Nomenclatural note
To maintain accordance with ICZN article 34.2, Seow-
Choen's 2017 description of Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium)
lambirensis needs to be respelled to Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) lambirense Seow-Choen, 2017.
Adjectival species names such as this one named after the
type locality, Lambir Hills, must agree with the gender of
the genus. In this case, Phyllium is a neuter genus and the
suffix must agree.
Acknowledgments
Amber MacInnis for proofreading the author’s first draft.
Francis Seow-Choen for discussion on the Bornean sister
species Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) mannani Seow-
Choen, 2017. Jim Berrian at the San Diego Natural
History Museum, for years of entomological support. Paul
Brock for the revision of the paper and interesting
discussion on the statut and study of Phyllium. René
Limoges, entomological technician at the Montreal
Insectarium for taking photos for this work as well as for
many professional courtesies.
Literature cited
Audinet-Serville J., 1839. – Histoire naturelle des
Insectes. Orthoptères 292 [1838].
Delfosse E., 2015. – A new giant leaf insect species of the
genus Phyllium from Thailand (Phasmida, Phylliidae).
Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France,
120(3): 411-415.
Gray G. R., 1832. – In Griffith & Pidgeon: The animal
kingdom arranged in conformita with its organisation
by the Baron Cuvier, 15: 191, pl. 63:3.

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Résumé
Cumming R. T. & Le Tirant S., 2018. – Phyllium shurei n. sp., un troisième insecte feuille de Java, Indonésie (Phasmida, Phylliidae).
Faunitaxys, 6(1) : 1 – 5.
Une nouvelle espèce du genre Phyllium est décrite de Java, avec illustrations et photographies. Une clé de détermination des
Phyllium mâles de Java est donnée ainsi que des précisions de nomenclature concernant Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) lambirense
Seow-Choen, 2017.
Mots-clés. – Phasmatodea, Phasmida, Phylliidae, Phylliinae, Phylliini, Phyllium, Java-Ouest, Indonésie, nouvelle espèce, mâles, clé de détermination.
Hennemann F. H., Conle O. V., Gottardo M. & Bresseel
J., 2009. – On certain species of the genus Phyllium
Illiger, 1798, with proposals for an intra-generic
systematization and the descriptions of five new
species from the Philippines and Palawan (Phasmida:
Phylliidae: Phylliinae: Phylliini). Zootaxa, 2322: 1–83.
Rehn J. A. G. & Rehn J. W. H., 1933. – On certain species
of the genus Phyllium (Orthoptera; Phasmidae).
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, 85: 411–427, pls. 16–17.
Seow-Choen F., 2017. – A taxonomic guide to the stick
insects of Borneo Volume II. Natural History Publications
(Borneo); Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. 261 p.
Faunitaxys, 6(1), 2018 : 1 – 5. 5

Faunitaxys
Volume 6, Numéro 1 Janvier 2018
SOMMAIRE
Phyllium shurei n. sp., un troisième insecte feuille de Java, Indonésie (Phasmida, Phylliidae)
Royce T. Cumming & Stéphane Le Tirant ............................................................................... 1 – 5
CONTENTS
Phyllium shurei n. sp., a third species of leaf insect from Java, Indonesia (Phasmida, Phylliidae)
Royce T. Cumming & Stéphane Le Tirant ............................................................................... 1 – 5
Illustration de la couverture : Indonésie, Java-Ouest, Sukabumi, localité type de Phyllium
(Pulchriphyllium) shurei n. sp.
Crédit :
Fig. 1 & couverture : © Maman Cahyana
Fig. 2A-C : © Cumming R. T. (San Diego Natural History Museum)
Fig. 3A-B : © Limoges René (Montreal Insectarium)
Publié par l’Association Française de Cartographie de la Faune et de la Flore (AFCFF)