A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
49
ANARTIA
Publicación del Museo de Biología de la Universidad del Zulia
ISSN 1315-642X (impresa) / ISSN 2665-0347 (digital)
hps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21084187 / Anartia, 42 (junio 2026): 49-62
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4CFFC21F-23A1-4BE6-8561-4B8893AB3299
A new species of the genus Pelmatosilpha (Blattodea: Blattidae:
Eurycotiinae) for Venezuela, South America
Una nueva especie del género Pelmatosilpha (Blattodea: Blattidae: Eurycotiinae)
de Venezuela, Suramérica
Carlo Sormani1,2,3, Jeff Shea4 & Jorge M. González5,6
1 Musée dHistoire Naturelle de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland.
2 Entomological Research, Metepec, Bo. San Mateo, Estado de México, México.
3 Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Apdo. Postal 63, 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
E-mail: sormanihc@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6661-6244
4 World Parks, Inc., 2785 Goodrick Ave, Richmond, CA 94801, USA. E-mail: jeffs@atsduct.com
5 Austin Achieve Public Schools, Austin, Texas, (Research Associate, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity), USA.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7208-7166
6 Correspondence: gonzalez.jorge.m@gmail.com
(Received: 08-03-2026 / Accepted: 04-06-2026 / On line: 30-06-2026)
ABSTRACT
A new species of Pelmatosilpha Dohrn (Blattidae: Eurycotinae) was described based on a male specimen collected from
Tepui Ichum in Venezuela, South America. We include general remarks on the Blattidae family as well as detailed obser-
vations regarding the habitat of the new species. e collecting site, along with the morphological characteristics of the
novel species and its genital structures, are presented in accompanying illustrations. Comparative analyses were conducted
with select species of Pelmatosilpha and Euriycotis. Additionally, we propose a profound study to reevaluate the taxonomic
boundaries between these two genera.
Keywords: Bolivar State, Eurycotis, Neotropics, Tepui Ichum, Venezuelan Guayana.
RESUMEN
Se describe una nueva especie de Pelmatosilpha Dohrn (Blattidae: Eurycotinae) a partir de un espécimen recolectado en el
Tepui Ichum, en Venezuela, Suramérica. Incluimos comentarios generales sobre la familia Blattidae, así como observacio-
nes detalladas sobre el hábitat de la nueva especie. El lugar de recolección, junto con las características morfológicas de la
nueva especie y sus estructuras genitales, se presenta en las ilustraciones adjuntas. Se realizaron análisis comparativos con
especies seleccionadas de Pelmatosilpha y Eurycotis. Además, proponemos un estudio en profundidad para reevaluar los
límites taxonómicos entre dichos géneros.
Palabras clave: estado Bolívar, Eurycotis, Guayana Venezolana, Neotrópico, Tepui Ichum.
diversity of cockroach species (Blattodea), with approxi-
mately 2,000 of the world’s 5,500 cockroaches (Beccaloni
2026, Bell et al. 2007). e whole Order is still largely
understudied, and the number of described species is in-
INTRODUCTION
e Neotropical zone, encompassing South and Cen-
tral America and the Caribbean Islands, has the highest
Sormani, Shea & González
50
creasing, especially in the Neotropical region (Vidlička
2013). e order comprises approximately three to four
superfamilies (including termites) and seven to 13 fami-
lies, depending on the classication system used (Deng et
al. 2026, Beccaloni 2026).
Blattidae is a family of large cockroaches within the
Blattodea, characterized by dorsally more or less attened
(it could be slightly bulging in some species, such as Pel-
matosilpha convexa) oval-to-elongate, leathery tegmina,
long antennae, and fast-running legs (Bell et al. 2007).
Among the several families, while not the most diverse,
Blattidae is widely distributed throughout the world and
consists of approximately 659 species belonging to 65 gen-
era, most of which are solitary and fast-moving, adapted to
live in dark, humid places, oen in hiding (Luo et al. 2025,
Beccaloni 2026, Bell et al. 2007, Roth 2003), and is sig-
nicant for including a small number of household pests,
but also as decomposers, food sources for other organisms
(i.e. birds, lizards), and vectors of pathogens like the widely
known Periplaneta americana (L.), and Validiblatta austral-
asiae (Fabricius, 1775) (Bastidas[sic] Pérez & Zavala Gó-
mez 1995, González 2005b, Bell et al. 2007, Rubio Espina
& uirós de González 2013, Marshall 2017). Some are
even used in medicine and food waste disposal in China,
Mexico, and Brazil (Luo et al. 2025, Feng 2023, Hurtado-
Noriega 2021, Ramos-Elorduy 2007, Costa-Neto 2005).
Blattidae is the oldest family of roaches, with represen-
tatives dating back to the Paleozoic (Laurentiaux 1951).
However, modern forms of this family appeared in the
Cretaceous along with Blattellidae and Polyphagidae
(Roth 2003).
When the wings are fully developed, the anal area of
the hind wing is generally folded in a fan-like congura-
tion when at rest, or it may present a large appendicular
eld that is folded longitudinally and then reected over
the rest of the wing. e thickened clypeal shield is not
present. Typically, the body does not show pilosity. e
arrangement of thorns adheres to type A: the proximal
spines are usually the longest, with the following spines
gradually decreasing in length, while the terminal spines
are longer. In some Blattidae that display atypical type A
femurs, the stout spines may be of similar length, with the
terminal spines being longer, or the arrangement may con-
sist of a few large spines that are relatively spaced apart.
Males have two simple, symmetrical, cylindrical styles that
are widely separated, situated in the posterolateral corners
of a symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical subgenital plate.
e genitalia are quite complex. Males from the subfami-
lies Blattinae and Polyzosteriinae lack uricose glands. Fe-
males possess a subgenital plate that is divided into two
valves by a longitudinal groove (bivalvular). ey are ovip-
arous, producing non-rotating oothecae without parental
care; however, they protect their oothecae by attaching
them to surfaces and covering them with surrounding
substrate that hardens around the ootheca (Roth & Willis
1960, Roth 2003, Bell et al. 2007).
On the American continent, Blattidae is represented
by the species Henycotyle antillarum (Brunner von Wat-
tenwyl, 1892) and by the subfamily Eurycotinae, which
was proposed by McKittrick (1964) as a tribe (Euryco-
tini), but later elevated to family by Deng et al. (2023) and
Djernæs & Murienne (2022). Eurycotinae is characterized
by a robust caudal metatarsus that is relatively short, dis-
tinctly shorter than the other tarsal joints, and strongly
compressed. e ventral surfaces of the second and third
joints of the caudal tarsi are unspined, while the ventral
surface of the caudal metatarsus is spined (Hebard 1917,
Beccaloni, 2026, Luo et al. 2025).
e subfamily Eurycotinae consists of only two genera,
Eurycotis Stål and Pelmatosilpha Dohrn. However, the
separation between these two genera is ambiguous, need-
ing further review (Hebard 1917, 1919, 1926, Estrada-
Alvarez 2023, Estrada-Alvarez & Gutiérrez 2023, Estrada-
Alvarez et al., 2026).
According to Dohrn (1887) Pelmatosilpha contains
two groups, one of which includes smooth, moderately
shiny terrestrial non-domestic cockroaches, primarily
found in the Neotropics. Although most species in the ge-
nus generally share morphological traits common to cock-
roaches, some specic characteristics allow them to be eas-
ily distinguished (Bell et al. 2007, Salazar 2004).
As in most non-pest cockroaches, detailed bionomics
(life cycles, behavior, and specic environmental relation-
ships) for most Pelmatosilpha species are mostly unknown,
and this is especially true for Venezuela, where cockroach
collecting and knowledge are scarce (Gutiérrez & Perez-
Gelabert 2000, Cerdá 2003, Salazar 2004, González et al.
2025, Sormani et al. 2025).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Collecting site
A large roach was discovered by one of us (JS) at a
campsite while resting from a raing cruising trip during
an expedition to the headwaters of the Ichum River in the
Tepui Ichum (also “Meseta” or “Cerro” Ichum), in Venezu-
ela (Shea 2013, 2014). A “at-topped” mountain as wide
as the island of Trinidad, the Tepui Ichum is an oval, large,
wide, and low altitude sandstone tepui located in Bolívar
state, Venezuela (Montoya Lirola 1958, Reinoso 1962,
Michelangeli Ayala 2005, Brewer-Carías 2010, Brewer-
Carías and Audi 2011) (Fig. 1). is tepui acts as a basin
A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
51
outpouring its waters through the Ichum falls (Montoya
Lirola 1958, González et al. 2015).
Although the Guayana Shield is known for a high di-
versity of animal and plant life, due to under-sampling of
insects, little is known about them from the Pantepui (a
unique “archipelago” of ancient, at-topped mountains
[tepuis] in South America’s Guiana Highlands) (González
2005a, Costa et al. 2014). is is also true for the order
Blattodea (Cerdá 2003, Evangelista et al. 2015).
While resting beside the Ichum River, within the cen-
tral region of the tepui, on March 4, 2014, a large roach,
somehow similar to an American cockroach but sturdier,
darker, and larger, was found wandering and slowly moving
around some river rocks adjacent to the campsite. e ex-
act coordinates of the collecting site are 04°31'13.242'' N,
063°22'8.028'' W with an altitude of approximately 607 m.
e roach was discovered at a camp made at the conu-
ence of the Ichum River (which was itself about 25 me-
ters wide at that point) and a small side stream. Numer-
ous rocks of dierent sizes and at surfaces were present
(Fig.2). e cockroach was placed on one of the larger
rocks to be photographed; there it interacted with a fall-
en leaf and several stingless bees (Fig. 4). is area of the
river was approximately 25 kilometers (in a straight line)
upstream from (and 200 m higher than) the Ichum wa-
terfall. is site was also near to the place where JS et al.
discovered a specimen of the rare and interesting orthop-
teran Bactrophora dominans Westwood, 1842 (Orthop-
tera: Romaleidae) (See González et al. 2015). is place
was also notable in that from here north to Ichum Falls,
the river was characterized by a 200 m elevation dierence
over approximately 35 km of river run, whereas from here
south (upstream), over the same 35 km distance, the el-
evation dierence was approximately 50 m. us, this site
marked what could be described as the boundary between
the “Upper Ichum” (south) and the “Lower Ichum” to the
north, forming a natural barrier.
e cockroach was immediately preserved in Everclear
(neutral grain alcohol, 190 proof ). It was subsequently re-
moved from the container and dried to be dissected and
examined for the preparation of this work.
Imaging and dissection
A detailed topographic map of northern South Amer-
ica, illustrating also the Tepui Ichum is included (Fig. 1).
Before dissection, the cockroach was again photo-
graphed with an iPhone with a dual 12MP front camera
with a wide lens ƒ/2.4 aperture, 23mm equivalent, with
optical image stabilization (OIS) and 100% Focus Pixels
for fast focusing (Fig. 3). While in the eld, it was photo-
graphed with a Nikon D800E camera, with an AF-S VR
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens (Figs. 4A-4E).
Figure 1. Northern South America map, showing the location and enhanced detail of Tepui Ichúm in Venezuela’s Pantepui, Guiana
Highlands. e red dot marks the approximate area where the cockroach Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. was collected.
Sormani, Shea & González
52
Figure 2. Side stream diverging from the Ichúm river, with the surrounding forest in the background. e campsite was located around
the blue tarp observed behind Janeiro Lesama (with a blue shirt). is is the habitat and collecting site of the cockroach Pelmatosilpha
ichumiensis sp.n.
Figure 3. Dorsal and ventral view of the holotype of Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. before dissection. Scale: 10 mm.
A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
53
To expose and allow the extraction of the genital struc-
tures, the specimen’s abdominal sternites 7 to 9 were
removed. e exposed parts of the abdomen’s tip were
treated with a few drops of 5% KOH for 12h to facilitate
the removal of the genital capsule. Aer that time, the ex-
posed section of the abdomen was cleaned with water and
ethanol 98%. e genital capsule was removed and then
submerged in 5% KOH for 24h. Photographs were taken,
and the sclerites were separated for further photograph-
ing.
Dissections were performed using Dumont#5 forceps
and Asta stainless steel insect pins (sizes 0 & 3). Follow-
ing dissection, the specimen was dry-pinned aer sclerites
were removed. e removed sclerites, one tarsus (that fell
o while handling the insect), and the genital sclerites
(Figs. 7, 8I, 8J) were preserved in a vial with 98% ethanol.
e separated genitalia and their components were
photographed using a Dino-Lite AM4113ZTL digital
microscope, with an adjustable polarizer, a 1.3P sensor,
and a magnication range of 10x to 90x.
For comparison purposes, genitalia images of Pelmat-
osilpha larifuga Gurney, 1965, P. purpurascens Kirby, 1903
(from Gurney 1965), P. l e n t i Rocha e Silva & Lopes, 1976
(from Rocha e Silva & Lopes 1976), were used (Figs. 8A-
8H) as well as descriptions of other species. e original
images from the cited references were altered to depict
the sclerites 2 of right and le falomeres (gonapophyses)
(R2 and L2), for comparison with the genitalia of Pelma-
tosilpha ichumiensis n. sp. e phalomeres’ sections were
labeled to more clearly indicate the dierences between
the species (Figs. 8A-8H). A comparative analysis of the
Pelmatosilpha species was also conducted alongside species
from the genus Eurycotis, using the sclerite R2 of the right
phalomere, as illustrated in Gutierrez (1996, 2001, 2004,
2013, 2014) and Estrada et al. (2026), represented by the
R1, R2, R3, and R4 sets of sclerites.
e sclerite R2 of the right phalomere in this study cor-
responds to the right “ventral” sclerite R2v as described by
McKittrick and Mackerras (1965), illustrated in Euryco-
tis oridana and other species within the Blattidae fam-
Figure 4. Pelmatosilpha ichiumiensis sp.n. in nature. A: Dorsal View; B: Slightly sideways showing the le fore-, mid-, and hind tibiae
and tarsi. A stingless bee is about to perch on the cockroach. C: the cockroach in prole (le side) in the process of interacting with a
fallen leaf. D: the cockroach, almost in a front view, grooming its le foreleg. E: Stingless bee standing on the pronotum of the cock-
roach.
Sormani, Shea & González
54
ily. Furthermore, R2 (R1 in Estrada et al, 2026; claried
in his work) has two projections, “a” and “b”, which are
taxonomically important. Following Estrada et al. (2026),
projections “a” and “b” correspond to R1a and R1b, while
“c” corresponds to the base of R1, together with R2, R3,
and R4. Likewise, the sclerite L2 of the le falomere cor-
responds to sclerite L2v, and projection “c” corresponds to
the upper part, or base, of L2v, which divides apically into
the projections “a” and “b,” corresponding to L2va and
L2vb in Estrada et al. (2026).
Given the geographical proximity of P. guianae and P.
lata to P. ichumiensis n. sp., it was recommended that we
conduct a more detailed comparison of additional struc-
tures, including the rostrum, ocelli, cerci, and supra-anal
plate (see Fig. 9).
RESULTS
Order BLATTODEA Latreille, 1810
Family BLATTIDAE Latreille, 1810
Subfamily EURYCOTINAE McKittrick, 1964
Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis Sormani, Shea
& González n. sp.
(Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8I, 8J, 9A, 9D, 9G, 9J, 9K)
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A1ECD8BF-F8F4-4A06-950F-
8C78C3722C99
Material
Venezuela, Tepui Ichum, Shore of Ichum River,
04°31'13.242'' N, 063°22'8.028'' W, 607 m, 4.III.2014,
Coll. J. Shea, 1 male (holotype). e holotype and a vial
containing some of its sclerites and its genitalia are de-
posited in the entomological collection of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
(ANSP), USA.
Diagnosis and description
Male (holotype). Large-sized cockroach (total length
440 mm) (Fig. 3). Overall coloration is mahogany brown.
is species is close to Pelmatosilpha lata in length (400
to 460 mm) and, when comparing the apical section of
the supra-anal plate, which is bilobed, subquadrate, and
convergent; however, in P. l a t a , the supra-anal plate is nar-
rower and lacks the pilosity found in P. ichumiensis n. sp.
(Fig.9). Furthermore, P. l a t a is the species with the closest
geographic distribution (Guyana and Suriname), which
could explain a possible phylogenetic proximity (Hebard
1929, Bruijning 1959, Princis 1963, 1966, Evangelista et
al. 2015). Furthermore, P. ichumiensis n. sp. can be dier-
entiated from other members of the genus by its distinctly
rounded and wide caudal angles of the pronotum, which
exhibit an almost elliptical shape. e species also shows
the most developed tegmina and hind wings known for
the genus. e insect’s dorsal surface is glabrous, while the
ventral one is velvety. Cerci and supra-anal plate with ro-
bust, long, and dense setae.
Lateral section of the sternites and basal section of the
sub genital plate are orange-brown. Head is wider than it is
long. Convex face, with a central area of a lighter - brighter
mahogany tone, arched vertex, and interocular space as
wide as the space between the antennal sockets (Fig.5A).
Clypeus with ochre-colored lateral and apical edges, as well
as its central area; labium with apical edge ochre (Fig.5A).
Triangular ocelli are ochre-colored (Fig. 5A).
Maxillary palpi are hairy; all their segments are dark
brown, except for the apical one, which is light brown.
Palps 4th and 5th are of similar size, and 3rd is slightly lon-
ger than the others (Fig. 5A). Antennae with brown seg-
ments that lighten to chestnut tones as they approach the
apical portion (Fig. 5A). Pronotum slightly convex, para-
bolic-elliptical in shape, uniformly dark reddish brown in
color (e almost elliptical eect of the pronotum comes
from the very broad and rounded caudal angles), caudal
margin slightly convex, nearly straight. Eighth tergite with
rounded lateral tips, markedly dierent from the tips of
the remaining tergites (Fig. 5D).
Metanotum and 1st abdominal tergite with glandular
modication, gland hidden beneath the metanotum, 8th
and 9th tergites greatly reduced, 8th tergite with rounded
lateral tips (Fig. 5C). Subgenital plate is broad, short, and
bilobed; its surface is velvety (Fig. 5D). Closely associated
cerci are large with sharp tips, hirsute with long, disor-
dered setae (Figs. 5D, 5E, 5F). Medium-sized styles are the
same length as the subgenital plate and measure half the
length of the cerci (Fig. 5D, 5E). Supra-anal plate of the
same length as the subgenital plate, slightly curved down-
ward, bilobed, and hirsute with long, dense setae (Figs. 5E,
5F). Tegmina and hind wings extending well beyond the
apex of the cerci (Figs. 5D, 5E) (It should be noted that
in some species of the genus, the tegmina barely reach the
tips of the cerci, while P. ichumiensis n. sp., and P. lata seem
to be the only two species in the group whose tegmina ex-
tend beyond the tip of the cerci; but P. ichumiensis n. sp.
denitely exhibits a much more developed process on the
wings).
Wings with clearly marked and complete venation from
the base. Tegmina of uniform mahogany brown color, all
veins of the same thickness, evenly distributed (except for
the base of the costal vein, which is thicker and bright
reddish in color) without reticulations. e costal vein
A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
55
Figure 5. Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. A: ventral view, face.; B: dorsal view, vertex, pronotum; C: Metanotum and 1st abdominal
tergite with glandular modication (arrow); D: subgenital plate, ventral view; E: Supra anal plate, dorsal view; F: Supra anal plate,
ventral view.
Sormani, Shea & González
56
has three levels of branching and 16 branches; the other
veins have ve to six branches; the wing has a very wide
anal eld, wider than the outer eld, and half as long as the
tegmina. Functional hind wings, with the same length as
the tegmina, ochre-orange in color, opaque, with the same
venation pattern as the tegmina, anal eld paler than the
external eld (Fig. 6).
Antero-ventral femoral spines on the rst pair of legs
with 9 to 10 short, robust spines plus two large apical
spines (Type A2, sensu Roth 2003). Antero-dorsal portion
with four basal spines plus two apical spines. Metatarsus is
almost as long as the apical tarsus, pulvilli well developed.
Unspecialized, symmetrical tarsal claws. Body length: 44
mm;Pronotum length: 9 mm; Length of the widest sec-
tion of the pronotum: 16 mm; Tegmina: 35mm. Head
width: 9 mm. Interocular space at the vertex (cephalic ver-
tex or forehead): 4 mm.
Regarding the genitalia, sclerite L2 corresponds to
sclerite L2v, and projection “c” corresponds to the upper
part, or base, of L2v, which divides apically into branches
“a” and “b”; these correspond to L2va and L2vb as seen
in Estrada et al. (2026). In P. ichumiensis n. sp., projection
“c” features a slightly trilobulate apical tip (pointing down-
ward), while the remainder is of a more or less rounded-
trapezoidal shape. e right-hand arm connecting “a” and
“b” is thickened at the base and tapers toward the apex,
resembling an inverted teardrop, terminating in a hook-
like structure; together with branches “a” and “b,” it forms
a loop, with both branches being notably short relative to
the group under study. Branch “a” is shorter and slimmer,
whereas projection “b”, which is thickened from its base,
gradually thins out and curves toward the le at the apex,
giving the structure as a whole the general appearance of a
semi-closed hand or st.
Sclerite R2 corresponds to sclerite R1 according to Es-
trada-Alvarez et al. (2026) and is characterized by projec-
tion “c” (a complex comprising sclerites R2, R3, and R4
according to Estrada-Alvarez et al., 2026), which is quad-
rangular at its base and tapers toward the right, featuring
a slight bilobulation of a lighter shade at the apex, similar
to that observed in P. purpurascens, P. coriacea, and P. l e n t i .
e base of projections “a” and “b” is thickened and more
or less circular, with no distinct arm discernible, as is the
case in the other species. As in the other species, except
P. coriacea, projection “a” is slimmer than “b”; however, it
diers from the other species in being equal in length to
“b” and in “twisting” somewhat in the manner of a cork-
screw, curving toward the right. Projection “b”, which is
thickened, curves in the same direction, a feature that also
distinguishes it from the other species; its apex is rounded,
as in P. l e n t i .
Etimology
e species is named aer the isolated sandstone Tepui
Ichum (Cerro Ichum), located in Bolívar State, Venezuela,
which is part of Pantepui and the distinctive Guiana High-
lands, and the place where the species was collected. Tepui
Ichum is the typical locality of the species. e specic
epithet “ichumiensis” should be treated as a feminine ad-
jective indicating that the species “originates from Ichum.”
DISCUSSION
e overall coloration of P. ichumiensis n. sp. is brown.
e species has well-developed tegmina and functional
hind wings with nely marked venation; the shape of its
bilobed terminal tergites and sternites places it within the
alaris group sensu Rehn (1930). Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis
n. sp. alignes with P. kevani Princis, 1955, from the occiden-
talis group, in the velvety ventral surface. However, in P.
kevani the dorsal surface is also velvety, while in P. ichumi-
ensis sp.n. is glabrous.
e robust head and convex face of P. ichumiensis sp. n.
(Fig. 5A) resemble those of P. guianae Hebard, 1926, and
P. rotundata Scudder, 1900, but in these two species, the
vertex is straight, while in P. ichumiensis sp. n. it is convex
(Figs. 5A, 5B), as in P. lata Hebbard, 1929. e subgenital
plate of P. ichumiensis sp. n. is bilobed (Fig. 5D), as in P.
guianae, P. l a t a , P. micra Hebard, 1919, and P. rotundata,
Figure 6. Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. tegmina and hind
wings.
A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
57
but it is wider and the styles are proportionally shorter.
As for the species within the alaris group, the cerci of P.
ichumiensis sp. n. are elongated and signicantly exceed
the length of the supra-anal plate (Figs 5D, 5E, 5F), as in
P. l a t a , P. guianae, and P. alaris (Saussure, 1864), while in
P. rotundata, P. macu Rehn, 1930, and P. miranha Rehn,
1930, they are only slightly longer than the supra-anal
plate.
Likewise, the supra-anal plate of P. ichumiensis sp. n.
(Fig. 5E) is similar to those of P. alaris and P. rotundata,
while in P. guianae and P. l a t a it is narrower. Pelmatosil-
pha ichumiensis sp. n. can also be easily separated from the
Colombian P. erythrocephala Salazar, 2004, by its general
brown color, its well-developed tegmina and wings, and
the shape of the pronotum, among other morphological
features.
Male genital sclerites are crucial for Blattodea classica-
tion, shiing the focus of taxonomy from strictly external
morphology to the detailed study of genitalia in cock-
roaches (McKittrick 1964, Salazar 2004, González et al.
2019, Evangelista 2020, Deng et al. 2026). However, the
genitalia of Pelmatosilpha have been scarcely studied; thus,
we have been able to compare the genitalia of P. ichumien-
sis sp. n. with four other species in the genus (three from
the Caribbean islands and one from Venezuela) (Estrada-
Álvarez & Gutiérrez 2023).
Moreover, the genus Pelmatosilpha has been separated
from the genus Eurycotis based on traits associated with
the length of the tegmina. Nevertheless, the two genera are
so similar that they may require more accurate dierentia-
tion (Hebard 1919, Estrada-Alvarez & Gutiérrez 2023). In
this study, we illustrate the genitalia of P. ichumiensis sp.n.
(Figs. 7, 8I, 8J) and compare it with other species within
the genus Pelmatosilpha, in an eort to better understand
how the new species ts within the group. Furthermore,
we also compare it with species in the genus Eurycotis to
deepen our comprehension of the interspecic relation-
ships between the two genera.
Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp. n. genital structures are
highly sclerotized (Figs. 7, 8I, 8J), and the phallic append-
ages cannot be distinguished unless they are separated.
Two of them (L2 and R2) were selected for comparison
with other species, and signicant dierences were ob-
served. e le phallic appendage (L3) is illustrated only
for P. ichumiensis sp. n. (Fig. 7) and P. lenti. (Fig. 8A).
Gurney (1965) provides detailed illustrations of the
genitalia for three Pelmatosilpha species found in some
Caribbean islands, utilizing diagrams that eectively dif-
ferentiate the L2 and R2 sclerites. In the case of P. l e n t i ,
the presentation of the phalomeres is less clear, exhibiting
partial representation and insucient distinction, attrib-
utable to the low-quality images presented in Rocha e Silva
and Lopes (1976). e comparison with Eurycotis species
was made possible by using the focusing on the sclerite
R2, illustrated in some species found in a few Caribbean
islands (Gutiérrez 2014, 2013, 2004, 2001, 1996).
e structure “c” of the sclerite L2, shows signicant
dierences among most analyzed species. However, P.
ichumiensis n.sp. (Fig. 8I) and P. larifuga (Fig. 8G) show
remarkable similarity, whereas P. purpurascens (Fig. 8C)
and P. coriacea (Fig. 8E) are quite distinct. e incom-
plete image of P. lenti (Fig. 8A) prevents a valid compari-
son of this structure. Furthermore, structures “a” and “b”
of P. purpurascens and P. coriacea are separated at their
apices, while in P. lenti, P. larifuga, and P. ichumiensis sp.
n., their tips touch each other, forming a ring. However,
it is important to note that the size and shape of “a” and
“b” in P. l e n t i dier signicantly from those observed in
P. larifuga and P. ichumiensis n.sp. (Figs. 8A, 8C, 8E, 8G,
8I).
Figure 7. General views (in dierent positions) of the genitalia of Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. Note the sclerotized nature of the
structures. L3: phallic appendage. Scale: 1 mm.
Sormani, Shea & González
58
Figure 8. Images of the le (L2) (le boxes) and right (R2)
(right boxes) phalomeres of several species of Pelmatosilpha,
as published by several authors, to compare with the new spe-
cies. A & B: Pelmatosilpha lenti (modied from Rocha & Lopes
1976); C & D: Pelmatosilpha purpurascens; E & F: Pelmatosilpha
coriacea; G & H: Pelmatosilpha larifuga (modied from Gurney
1965); I & J: Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp.n. (this work).
e sclerite R2 of four species of Pelmatosilpha was
compared with that of een species of the genus Eury-
cotis, revealing remarkable similarities. In this analysis,
it can be seen that structure “b” in Pelmatosilpha lenti as
documented by Rocha e Silva and Lopes (1976) (Fig. 8B),
is very similar to structure “b” of Eurycotis isabeltorres,
as well as to other related species described by Gutierrez
(1996, 2013, 2014). In addition, structures “a” and “b”
project to the right in all analyzed species of Eurycotis and
Pelmatosilpha, but not in Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis n.sp.,
which has a distinctive morphology, and projects to the
opposite side (Fig. 8J).
A comprehensive analysis of the genitalia across a
greater number of Pelmatosilpha species, particularly those
belonging to the alaris group, which are characterized by
their coloration and functional ight organs (Rehn 1930),
would facilitate comparisons with other Eurycotis species,
thereby oering a more precise understanding of the re-
lationships among species within the Eurycotinae (Blatti-
dae). It would also be benecial to examine the genitalia
of the Colombian species P. erythrocephala Salazar, 2004,
which appear to exhibit various geographical morphs
that dier in coloration, as observed in iNaturalist pho-
tographs (https://www.inaturalist.org/) and in collected
material (Valero-Pérez, 2021). is species, P. erythro-
cephala, shares similarities with the Venezuelan species P.
lenti in coloration patterns, contours, a slender, elongated
body shape, and reduced, rounded tegmina, suggesting
they may be part of a group of related species, as corrobo-
rated by their genitalia. However, as mentioned above, P.
ichumiensis n.sp. can be easily separated from them.
Additionally, we compared four dierent structures
that allow us to separate P. ichumiensis n.sp. from P. l a t a
and P. guianae, species with close geographic distributions,
which also belong to the alaris group (Fig. 9). Relatively
close characteristics can be observed among the three
species, thereby bringing them phylogenetically closer in
terms of their morphology (Fig. 9).
When examining the subgenital plate of P. ichumien-
sis n.sp. (Fig. 9A), a notable contrast emerges compared
to P. l a t a (Fig. 9B) and P. guianae (Fig. 9C). In the lat-
ter two species the subgenital plates are glabrous, with a
uniform coloration, and a distinctive curved oset in the
basal portion. ese features lend their subgenital plates a
smooth, unicolored appearance with a slight curvature, a
key morphological trait shared by the two species. In con-
trast, P. ichumiensis n.sp. exhibits a pilose subgenital plate
and is distinctly bicolored. Moreover, its subgenital plate
is straight, lacking the curved oset present in the other
two species. ese dierences clearly separate P. ichumien-
sis n.sp. from P. l a t a and P. guianae.
A new Venezuelan Pelmatosilpha
59
Figure 9. Comparison of four morphological structures in three species of the alaris group, Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis n.sp. (a, d, g, j, k),
P. lata (b, e, h), and P. guianae (c, f, i, l). Images A, D, G, J, K are from this work; ose of P. lata were taken from https://cockroach.
speciesle.org/otus/863508/overview (B, E) and Hebard 1929; those of P. guianae were taken from https://cockroach.speciesle.org/
otus/863504/overview (C, F, I) and Hebard 1926 (L).
When comparing the rostra of the three species (Figs.9D,
9E, 9F), it can be noticed that in P. ichumiensis n.sp. is simi-
lar to P. guianae, as they appear convex, while that of P. l a t a
is completely at (the specimen was handled very carefully
with no pressure applied to it, as it was preserved immedi-
ately upon collection and not opened for the intervening 12
years). In contrast, the ocelli of P. l a t a look similar to those
of P. ichumiensis n.sp. in that they are smaller than the anten-
nal sockets, whereas in P. guianae they are of nearly equal
size (though this character might not be entirely reliable, as
we do not know whether there is variability in these dimen-
sions among individuals of the same species) (Fig. 9).
Similarly, the supraanal plates of P. l a t a , and P. g u i -
anae (Figs. 9H, 9I), are glabrous and distinctly narrower
Sormani, Shea & González
60
in the middle and apical portions when compared to P.
ichumiensis n. sp. (Fig 9G). erefore, we included two
images depicting the supraanal plate of P. ichumiensis n.sp.
(Figs.9J, 9K), with the subgenital plate removed to better
observe the apical bilobulation, slightly subquadrate and
convergent as in P. l a t a (Fig. 9H), but with a more pro-
nounced central incision, quite similar to that of P. g u i -
anae (Fig.9L).
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Pelmatosilpha ichumiensis sp. n. is the rst species of
cockroach described from the remote Tepui Ichum and
the third species recorded and/or described from the ge-
nus in Venezuela. Likewise, P. ichumiensis n.sp. is an inter-
esting species within the genus Pelmatosilpha due to the
unusual development of its tegmina and hind wings, and
the distinctive genitalia that separate it from other species
in its species-group.
Morphologically, this new species falls within the
alaris group, as evidenced by distinct characteristics that
dierentiate it from other Pelmatosilpha species. No-
tably, it lacks the lighter, contrasting margins typically
observed in related species and exhibits tegmina that are
neither brachypterous nor of the intermediate sizes and
shapes characteristic of the genus Eurycotis. Pelmatosilpha
ichumiensis n.sp. (Figs. 8I, 8J) shows limited morpho-
logical anity with P. larifuga (Figs. 8G, 8H), particu-
larly concerning the le sclerite L2; however, it is entirely
distinct from other representatives of Pelmatosilpha and
Eurycotis regarding the right sclerite R2. Furthermore, it
does not exhibit a discernible similarity with P. coriacea
(Figs. 8E, 8F) as it is also dissimilar to the other Pelma-
tosilpha species in both sclerites L2 and R2, as well as to
Eurycotis in sclerite R2.
As for the right sclerite R2, the ve species of Pelma-
tosilpha can be dierentiated from the species of Euryco-
tis of the insular Caribbean by having a more developed
structure “c” and a robust base connecting branches ‘a’ and
“b.” However, the shape of “a” and “b” in P. lenti, P. pur-
purascens, and P. larifuga (Figs. 8B, 8D, 8H) are similar in
species of Eurycotis. Likewise, the Eurycotis species that we
were able to compare using the right sclerite R2 belong to
three neighboring Caribbean islands (Cuba, Hispaniola,
and Puerto Rico) and appear closely related.
Although our ndings and comparisons serve to de-
scribe this new species, they also conrm the need to
analyze the genitalia of a larger number of Pelmatosilpha
and Eurycotis species from dierent geographical areas, to
clearly assess the boundaries between those two genera.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Je Shea thanks José Luis Rodríguez Castillo (Caracas,
Venezuela), and Janeiro Lesama (Shiriana village of Ka-
vaimaken, Bolívar state, Venezuela), Carlos Núñez “Car-
lucho”, Antonio Castillo, Ramón Montarioca “Parato”,
Rafael Díaz, Joel Díaz, and Alfonso Pérez, for their help
during the Ichum expedition. His thanks also go to the
personnel of the Venezuelan consulate in San Francisco,
and Guayana Páez-Acosta (AVINA) for help while plan-
ning the Expedition. To the Venezuelan authorities in La
Paragua, Bolívar, Venezuela, the Customs personnel at
Simón Bolívar International Airport, Caracas, Venezuela,
and Dallas, Texas, USA, for matters concerning the trans-
portation of equipment and preserved insects.
We extend our gratitude to Julio Cesar Estrada Alvarez
(Museo Universitario de Historia Natural Dr. Manuel M.
Villada, Toluca, Mexico) and Esteban Gutiérrez (Museo
Nacional de Historia Natural, La Habana, Cuba) for their
insightful comments and taxonomic observations. We
also thank John Hollier from the Geneva Natural History
Museum (MHNG) for identifying the location of Pelma-
tosilpha alaris, the reference species of the “alaris” group to
which P. ichumiensis sp. n. is associated. Additionally, we
appreciate the dedicated assistance of Brendon Boudinot
and Cassidy Slivensky-Graf from the Senckenberg Natural
History Museum in Frankfurt (SMF) in their eorts to lo-
cate the misplaced type specimens of P. alaris.
We are also indebted to Charles Brewer Carias (Fun-
dación Explora) for kindly providing us with the Northern
South America – Ichum map (Fig. 1), and to Gerardo La-
mas (Museo de Historia Natural at Universidad Nacional
Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú) for his thoughtful com-
ments regarding the etymology of this cockroach species.
Finally, we are thankful to an anonymous reviewer and
our friend Julian Salazar (Museum Center – Natural His-
tory, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales, Colombia) for
their invaluable comments and corrections, which helped
improve the nal manuscript.
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