A new Trychopeplus species (Phasmatodea, Diapheromerinae, Cladomorformia) discovered from Ecuador’s enigmatic Chocó ecoregion

By

Conle, Oskar V.
Valero, Pablo
Hennemann, Frank

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1217

Pages

309--326

Subjects

identification key , Insecta , Morphology , Stick insects , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1217.130397

 

Abstract

This study presents a description of a new stick insect species belonging to the genus Trychopeplus Shelford, 1909, discovered by the authors in the Chocó ecoregion of northwestern Ecuador. Trychopeplus mashpiensissp. nov. is described and illustrated based on males, females, and eggs. The distinctive features of this new species, such as its unique body ornamentation and the morphology of its egg structure without fringes, clearly differentiate it from other known species within the genus. Photographs of the new species are provided, along with an updated key and distribution map for all Trychopeplus species. These findings enhance our understanding of the genus’s diversity.