The Phlesirtes complex (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini) reviewed: integrating morphological,molecular, chromosomal and bioacoustic data

The tettigoniid genus Phlesirtes Bolivar and its allies are reviewed. Morphological, ecological and molecular data prompt the erection of the new genus Chortoscirtes gen.n. with type species Xiphidion meruense Sjöstedt. The genera Phlesirtes, Chortoscirtes, Karniella and Naskreckiella are characterized by morphological characters supported by molecular, acoustic, ecological and chromosomal data. Four species, Chortoscirtes pseudomeruensis sp.n. , C. masaicus sp.n. , C. puguensis sp.n. and C. serengeti sp.n. , are described from localities in northern and coastal Tanzania and one Karniella, K. crassicerca sp.n. , is described from Uganda. The following comb n. are proposed: Phlesirtes kibonotensis (Sjöstedt) and Phlesirtes kilimandjaricus (Sjöstedt). Subtribal status is proposed for the four investigated African genera. A key to the Chortoscirtes species is provided.     

Ecological adaptations of grassland‐inhabiting flightless Orthoptera: Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes,two new genera of African Karniellina (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini)

Two new genera, Fulvoscirtes n.gen. and Acanthoscirtes n.gen. , are established within the subtribe Karniellina of Conocephalini. Fulvoscirtes is based on Xiphidion kilimandjaricum Sjöstedt, 1909 and Acanthoscirtes on Phlesirtes kevani Chopard from northern Kenya. The majority of Fulvoscirtes spp. are confined to open grasslands in the submontane zone of mountains. Fulvoscirtes contains eight species, seven of which are newly described in this paper. Three species and one subspecies occur on Mt Kilimanjaro. These are F. kilimandjaricum (Sjöstedt) constricted to the southern slopes, F. legumishera n.sp. confined to the northern side and F. sylvaticus n.sp. occurring on the western side of Kilimanjaro and on the eastern slopes of Mt Meru. Fulvoscirtes fulvus n.sp. is divided into two subspecies, F. fulvus fulvus n.ssp. found in the submontane zone of east Kilimanjaro and F. fulvus parensis n.ssp. in submontane to montane localities of the North and South Pare mountains. Fulvoscirtes fulvotaitensis n.sp. occurs in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya. Fulvoscirtes viridis n.sp. is described from savannah habitats between Mts Longido and Meru. Fulvoscirtes laticercus n.sp. is found in the Kenyan highlands, while the most southerly occurring species, Fulvoscirtes manyara n.sp. , is found on Mt Hanang and the Mbulu highlands of northwestern Tanzania. Acanthoscirtes contains three species, of which A. albostriatus n.sp. is described newly from savannah habitas of eastern Kilimanjaro. Information is given on the ecology and the acoustic behaviour of some of the species together with keys to the genera of the Karniellina and the species of Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes. The genera of Karniellina probably evolved at a time when grasslands spread in East Africa due to an increasing aridification of the climate. The earliest lineage, the genus Karniella, is adapted to more forested habitats while the majority of the genera of Karniellina prefer open grasslands. Major splits within Karniellina probably occurred with the emergence of savannah grasslands due to the ongoing fragmentation of forest habitats several millions years ago, but most species within the genera are geologically young, their radiation being boosted by climatic fluctuations of the past 1–2 Ma.     

A new genus and species of African Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), with data on its ecology,bioacoustics and chromosomes

A new genus is proposed for a new East African Phaneropterinae species, Lunidia viridis, occurring on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Based on 33 records, notes on distribution and habitat are given, as well as acoustical data provided. Climate and vegetation parameters obtained along several transects on Mt. Kilimanjaro were evaluated describing the ecological niche of the new species. This interdisciplinary approach allows not only a profound characterisation of the ecological demands of the new genus but also predictions of the potential distribution area, which is tested for the first time for an African bush cricket species. Lunidia viridis n. gen. n. sp. occurs within humid and perhumid forests and Chagga home gardens, avoiding subhumid conditions on the mountain. It is found from 1,330 m upwards on the southern slopes, whereas the same ecological conditions are expressed from 1,930 m upwards on the drier northern slopes. Lunidia viridis has an unusually complex and variable song, which is described from field and laboratory recordings. The FISH technique for characterizing chromosomes is applied for the first time for an African species; L. viridis exhibits a karyotype typical for most Tettigoniidae.     

A new genus of Decticinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Middle East

A new genus, Raggeana, is erected for Metrioptera bodenheimeri Uvarov, and the hitherto unknown female of this species is described.     

Taxonomic Study of the Genus Conocephalus Thunberg in Korea (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae)

ABSTRACT The genus Conocephalus Thunberg in Korea was taxonomically studied. As the result, five species were confirmed to Korean fauna including a newly recorded species, Conocephalus bambusanus Ingrisch. The key to species, distributional data and comparative figures for identification are given.     

Cytological and morphological differences between two species of the genus Tettigonia (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae) from Korea

Tettigonia ussuriana and T. dolichopoda maritima differ in the length of tegmina, details in venation, and in females in details of the subgenital plate. The two species of the genus Tettigonia have the same number and morphology of autosomes but a different morphology of the X chromosome: in T. ussuriana it is metacentric, whereas in T. dolichopoda maritima acrocentric. In both species, euchromatic zones and breaks of one or to chromatids during meiosis and mitosis in the X chromosome were observed. Additionally, B chromosomes were noted in most individuals of both species.     

A new genus of African Acrometopini (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) based on morphology,chromosomes, acoustics,distribution, and molecular data,and the description of a new species

A new genus, Altihoratosphaga, is erected for species formerly assigned to Horatosphaga Schaum, 1853, and a new species is described. Four species are included in Altihoratosphaga: Altihoratosphaga nomima (Karsch, 1896), Altihoratosphaga montivaga ( Sjöstedt, 1909 ), Altihoratosphaga nou (Hemp, 2007) and Altihoratosphaga hanangensis sp. nov. All four species are restricted to Tanzanian localities, and, except for A. nomima, for which no ecological data are available, are confined to montane forest habitats. Data on ecology, acoustics, chromosomes, and molecular relationships are provided, as well as a key to Altihoratosphaga species. The present‐day distribution of Altihoratosphaga species suggests former migration events at times when wetter and colder climatic fluctuations favoured connections between montane forest communities, which today are isolated, enabling flightless taxa such as Altihoratosphaga and Monticolaria to spread. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 66–82.     

A new genus and species of larval mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Microtrombidiidae) parasitising Orthoptera (Tettigoniidae) from the Sierra Nevada, Spain

Nevada capileirarum n. g., n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae: Microtrombidiinae) is described from ectoparasitic larvae parasitising two endemic species of Orthoptera (Tettigoniidae), Baetica ustulata (Rambur) and Pycnogaster inermis (Rambur) from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada, Spain. A key to the larvae of microtrombidiine genera with three dorsal scuta and a coxal setal formula of 2-1-1 is presented.     

The biology of the West African bush-cricket,Euthypoda acutipennis Karsch (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

This paper presents the results of the first comprehensive study of the biology of a tropical bush-cricket. The eggs were laid without any external protective structures and lost water readily in unsaturated air; losses of more than 16% of the original fresh weight were usually fatal. Development and hatching took place only if the eggs were in contact with water. The water content increased by about 500% during development. The mean incubation period was 171 and 116 days at constant temperatures of 20^oC and 28^oC, respectively, but at temperatures fluctuating by±3°C about a mean of 28°C this period was reduced to a mean of 88 days. The eggs failed to develop if exposed to freezing temperatures for more than five days or kept at a constant temperature of 307deg;C or above. The duration of the nymphal period varied from 83 to 131 days at a temperature range of 22–30°C (mean 26° C). There were four or five nymphal instars in the male and five or six in the female. The linear growth of the hind femur conformed to Dyar's law. There was a conspicuous colour change during development, all the first-instar nymphs being leaf green and the adults predominantly brown. In nature the species lives exclusively on the forest floor and is markedly nocturnal in habits, hiding underneath litter during the day. The eggs are dormant during the dry season, hatching at the onset of the rains (March/April at Ibadan). The nymphs reach maturity from July onwards and the adults have mostly died off by the end of the rainy season (October). In the laboratory the species was found to have a temperature preference of 26–32°C, immobilization setting in at 18°C and 42°C, and a humidity preference of 60–80% R.H.; this corresponds with the prevailing conditions in its forest habitat. The nocturnal pattern of activity persisted for several days in continuous darkness, with no marked acceleration. Movement was inhibited for several days by artificial illumination. Reversed illumination reversed the rhythm of activity.     

Colour polymorphism in Ephippiger ephippiger (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)

Colour in the Ephippiger ephippiger complex varies with the geographical distribution and with rearing density. In the W European subspecies E. e. vitium , wild insects from northern and eastern parts of the range tend to have green tergites with relatively inconspicuous banding, whereas those from S France have conspicuously pale banded dark-green or brown tergites. These forms represent the ends of a continuum and there is no zone of distinction. However, the E Pyrenean subspecies, E. e. cunii , lacks the broad banding of its neighbouring E. e. vitium. The tergites of laboratory cultured insects of these stocks when reared in isolation are distinctly green but when reared together become progressively brown. The darkness of the brown is density dependant, so that at high densities the tergites may become almost black. These colour changes are irreversible. Adult insects also become darker with sexual maturity and after contact on mating. Wild-caught E. e. ephippiger from Italy and Yugoslavia have green tergites without obvious banding. Colour changes have not been found or induced in this subspecies. The significance of the colour change is considered and although firm data are wanting, circumstantial evidence suggests a deliberate shift to an aposematic or pseudoaposematic colour pattern.     

Structure of the stridulation ofOrchelimum (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Summary The structure of the stridulation was investigated by re-playing tape-recordings at very slow speed. The findings were corrobrated by sonograms and mingograms.The central part of the song is the ripple, a fast succession of syllables around which isolated syllables (clicks) are distributed according to species and circumstances. The rate of syllables in the ripple is a linear function of temperature.A quantitative expression for the stridulatory activity is the actual number of syllables per time unit, including pauses. By changes in the combination of elements, at leastO. agile is able to increase the output of syllables four to six times.This work was made possible by a grant from the Carlsberg Foundation to whom my most sincere thanks are due. —As I do not have advanced equipment for sound analysis, I am very much indebted to Dr. Bondesen and cand. sci. Poul Hansen, Bioakustisk Laboratorium, Naturhistorisk Museum, Aarhus, Denmark, and Mr. W.B. Broughton and Dr. M. Samways, Animal Acoustic Unit, City of London Polytechnic, London, for analysing part of the material by sonograms and mingograms. The very valuable help of Dr. Th.J. Walker, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, in identifying the species is gratefully acknowledged. For friendly discussions and linguistic corrections my best thanks are due to H.T. Evans and F.D.S. Evans.     

Systematics and phylogeny of Parapholidoptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Genus Parapholidoptera is revised and three species, P. yoruka sp.n., P. bolkarensis sp.n. and P. salmani sp.n., are described. Parapholidoptera delineata Stolyarov is placed in synonymy with P. ziganensis Karaba?. Parapholidoptera bodenheimeri Karaba? and P. distincta bodenheimeri Karaba? are placed in synonymy with P. distincta (Uvarov). Parapholidoptera flexuosa Karaba?, previously a subspecies of P. castaneoviridis (Brunner von Wattenwyl), is recognized as a separate species. A key to world species is provided. Cladistic analysis revealed the monophyly of the genus with two major clades. A short account of distribution is presented.     

A new genus of Asiatic short-tailed shrew(Soricidae,Eulipotyphla) based on molecular and morphological comparisons

Blarinellini is a tribe of soricine shrews comprised of nine fossil genera and one extant genus. Blarinelline shrews were once widely distributed throughout Eurasia and North America, though only members of the Asiatic short-tailed shrew genus Blarinella currently persist(mostly in southwestern China and adjacent areas). Only three forms of Blarinella have been recognized as either species or subspecies.However, recent molecular studies indicated a strikingly deep divergence within the genus, implying the existence of a distinct genus-level lineage. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes and one nuclear gene of three Asiatic short-tailed and two North American shrews and analyzed them morphometrically and morphologically. Our molecular analyses revealed that specimens ascribed to B. griselda formed two deeply diverged lineages,one a close relative to B. quadraticauda, whereas the other—comprised of topotype specimens from southern Gansu—diverged from other Blarinella in the middle Miocene(ca. 18.2 million years ago(Ma),95% confidence interval=13.4–23.6 Ma). Although the skulls were similarly shaped in both lineages, we observed several diagnostic characteristics, including the shape of the upper P~4. In consideration of the molecular and morphological evidence, we recognize B. griselda as the sole species of a new genus, namely, Pantherina gen. nov. Interestingly,some characteristics of Pantherina griselda are more similar to fossil genera, suggesting it represents an evolutionarily more primitive form than Blarinella.Recognition of this new genus sheds light on the systematics and evolutionary history of the tribe Blarinellini throughout Eurasia and North America.     

A new genus of African Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera)

The species Gastroplakaeis idakum Bethune-Baker, 1913, G. balia Tams, 1929, and G. elongata Hering, 1941 are transferred from the genus Gastroplakaeis Möschler, 1887 into the newly erected genus Weirdonia gen. n. (the type species is Gastroplakaeis idakum Bethune-Baker, 1913), and corresponding new combinations are established. New species, Weirdonia baccara sp. n. and W. hypocrita sp. n. (type locality: Democratic Republic of the Congo), W. murena sp. n. (type locality: Northern Nigeria), and W. helicea sp. n. (type locality: Gabon) are described. A new synonymy is established: Gastroplakaeis balia Tams, 1929 = Gastroplakaeis elongata Hering, 1941 syn. n. Diagnoses and distribution maps are given for all the species.     

A morphological and molecular assessment of the genus Sinotubimorpha (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta)

A critical reassessment of the morphological features of two closely related red algal genera,Grateloupia C.Agardh and Sinotubimorpha W.X.Li & Z.F.Ding (Halymeniaceae),pointed out that members of the t...     

A new species of Andean toad (Bufonidae, Osornophryne) discovered using molecular and morphological data, with a taxonomic key for the genus

Combining a molecular phylogeny and morphological data, we discovered a new species of Osornophryne from the Amazonian slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Morphologically, the new taxon is distinguished from all others species in Osornophryne by having the Toes IV and V longer than Toes I-III, a short and rounded snout with a small rostral papilla, and conical pustules on flanks. The new species previously was confused with Osornophryne guacamayo. A taxonomic key is provided for all known species of Osornophryne.     

A new genus and a new species of Akicerinae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Pamphagidae) from Libya

A new genus, Neotmethis gen. n., with a new species, Neotmethis bidentatus sp. n., from the Fezzan Province of Libya is described and illustrated. A key to the Libyan genera of the subfamily Akicerinae is provided. Some additional characters of female genitalia at generic and species level are also provided.