The taxonomic status of the Bermuda beach cricket (Orthopteroida: Gryllidae) |
| |
Authors: | D KEITH McE KEVAN |
| |
Institution: | Department of Entomology and Lyman Entomological Museum and Research Laboratory, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, P.Q., Canada |
| |
Abstract: | Abstract. Gryllus bermudensis Caudell from the Bermudas is compared with its closest relative G.firmus Scudder from the southeastern seaboard of the U.S.A. The two are very similar: a few minor morphological differences, mainly in the male copulatory structures, have been detected; bermudensis differs from most, but not all, mainland populations of firmus in that it lacks a diapause; the calling songs and stridulatory apparatus are virtually indistinguishable. They interbreed freely, and apparently indefinitely in captivity, but there is an initial fall-off in fertility when ♀ bermudensis are mated with ♂ firmus from North Carolina, although not in the reciprocal cross. The reduction is not sustained at so low a level in the hybrids. G.bermudensis is therefore regarded as a subspecies of G.firmus . The most closely related species is probably G.ovisopis T. J. Walker. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|