Holiday Ayo - Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) recently discovered two new species of turtle beetles from the genus Thlaspidula originating from Sulawesi, Indonesia. 

The two species are named Thlaspidula gandangdewata and Thlaspidula sarinoi. This discovery adds to the richness of Indonesia's biodiversity, especially in the group of leaf beetles included in the Cassidinae subfamily. 

The genus Thlaspidula was first proposed by Spaeth in 1901. Beetles from the genus Thlaspidula have general characteristics like other turtle beetles, namely elytra (wings) and pronotum (front part of the body) that are widened and often form a shield that covers the head and legs. 

However, Thlaspidula has a distinctive labrum shape, body proportions, antenna segments, rows of dots on the elytra, and elytra texture. 

They also have very thin and long antennae, as well as simple claws. To date, only eight species have been recorded in this genus, spread from the Malay Peninsula to Papua.

The specimen collection was carried out by the BRIN Biosystematics and Evolution Research Center Team from two different locations, namely Mount Gandangdewata and Mount Torompupu in Sulawesi using insect nets.

The researchers then analyzed the morphology of the specimens under a microscope and took photos using a special camera.

The data obtained was then compared with other species in the genus Thlaspidula to ensure that the two species were indeed new.

According to Anang Setyo Budi, First Expert Researcher at the BRIN Biosystematics and Evolution Research Center, the two new species have characteristics that distinguish them from other Thlaspidula species.

"Thlaspidula gandangdewata, T. sarinoi, and T. boisduvali are included in the group of species of the genus Thlaspidula that have wide black spots on the posterolateral widening of the elytra border only. However, all three have different black spot patterns on the elytra and pronotum. In addition, the differences lie in the morphological form of the claws, mandibles, pronotum, and elytra protrusions. Other characters that can also help distinguish these species are the length and color of the segments on the antenna," explained Anang. 

The first species, Thlaspidula gandangdewata, was found in Gandang Dewata National Park, West Sulawesi. 

This species has unique characteristics such as dark spots on the pronotum that are shaped like blunt triangles, as well as a color pattern on the wings that is different from other species in this genus.

T. gandangdewata also has shorter mandibles (jaws) and claws that are not too serrated.

Body length: 7.9 mm Body width: 7.4 mm Characteristics: Dark spots on the pronotum in the shape of an obtuse triangle, distinctive wing color patterns, and two-tone antennae (yellow and brown).

The name gandangdewata is taken from the name of the mountain where this specimen was found, namely Mount Gandang Dewata.

The second species, Thlaspidula sarinoi, was found in the Kulawi area, Central Sulawesi. This species has a different color pattern on the wings, with dark spots that merge with the posterior band.

In addition, T. sarinoi has more serrated claws and longer mandibles compared to T. gandangdewata.

Significance of Discovery The discovery of these two new species shows how rich and yet unexplored the biodiversity of Indonesia is, especially in Sulawesi. 

These two species also provide new information about morphological variation in the genus Thlaspidula, which can help scientists understand the evolution and relationships between species in this group of beetles. 

With this discovery, the number of species in the genus Thlaspidula has now increased to eight.

Further research is expected to reveal more new species from the Indonesian region, which still holds many mysteries for the world of science.