Phaulotypus insularis

Phaulotypus insularis (Burr, 1899) Figs 107, 108, 109 References for Socotra. Burr 1899 a: 88, 302–303 [as Plagiotriptus insularis]; Burr 1899 b: 44 [as Plagiotriptus insularis]; Burr 1903: 412, 413, 417, plate XXV: fig. 6 [as Plagiotriptus insularis]; Burr 1904: 5–6 [as Brachytypus (Plagiotriptus) insularis]; Krauss 1907: 17, 29 [as Brachytypus (Plagiotriptus) insularis]; Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 366, figs 10, 11 [as Brachytypus insularis]; Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 369, figs 18, 19 [as Clerithes (?) nanus]; Descamps 1970: 124, 126, 130, figs 23–30; Descamps 1977: 50, 79, 80, figs 153–160; Popov 1997: 120–122, figs 10–12; Wranik 2003: 318, plates 150, 154. Diagnostic notes. Phaulotypus insularis is a small brown, sometimes greenish species. The female pronotum is not protruding posteriorly. The median carina on the male femur is armed with large spines. The male pronotum has a strongly sinuous and humped median carina (Figs 107, 108). The ventral carina of the hind femur is smooth in both sexes. Taxonomic notes. Descamps (1970) synonymised Clerithes nanus Popov, 1957 with Phaulotypus insularis (Burr, 1899). The holotype of the former appeared to be the male of P. insularis. Distribution and occurrence. Phaulotypus insularis is a widespread and common endemic to Socotra (Fig. 109). It can be found wherever there are shrubs. Habitat and biology. Like all species in the genus, P. insularis is a phytophilous species found in various bushes like Jatropha unicostata Balf. f., but also on rocks or the ground. It occurs from 10–1100 m a. s. l. and in all seasons. Nymphs were recorded in April.