Museomics allows comparative analyses of mitochondrial genomes in the family Gryllidae (Insecta, Orthoptera) and confirms its phylogenetic relationships.

Background: Next-generation sequencing technology can now be used to sequence historical specimens from natural history collections, an approach referred to as museomics. The museomics allows obtaining molecular data from old museum-preserved specimens, a resource of biomolecules largely underexploited despite the fact that these specimens are often unique samples of nomenclatural types that can be crucial for resolving scientific questions. Despite recent technical progress, cricket mitogenomes are still scarce in the databases, with only a handful of new ones generated each year from freshly collected material. Methods: In this study, we used the genome skimming method to sequence and assemble three new complete mitogenomes representing two tribes of the cricket subfamily Eneopterinae: two were obtained from old, historical type material of Xenogryllus lamottei (68 years old) and X. maniema (80 years old), the third one from a freshly collected specimen of Nisitrus vittatus. We compared their genome organization and base composition, and reconstructed the molecular phylogeny of the family Gryllidae. Results: Our study not only confirmed that the genome skimming method used by next generation sequencing allows us to efficiently obtain the whole mitogenome from dry-pinned historical specimens, but we also confirmed how promising it is for large-scale comparative studies of mitogenomes using resources from natural history collections. Used in a phylogenetic context the new mitogenomes attest that the mitogenomic data contain valuable information and also strongly support phylogenetic relationships at multiple time scales.

The biogeographic and evolutionary processes shaping population divergence in Laupala.

Speciation generates biodiversity and the mechanisms involved are thought to vary across the tree of life and across environments. For example, well-studied adaptive radiations are thought to be fuelled by divergent ecological selection, but additionally are influenced heavily by biogeographic, genomic and demographic factors. Mechanisms of non-adaptive radiations, producing ecologically cryptic taxa, have been less well-studied but should likewise be influenced by these latter factors. Comparing among contexts can help pinpoint universal mechanisms and outcomes, especially if we integrate biogeographic, ecological and evolutionary processes. We investigate population divergence in the swordtail cricket Laupala cerasina, a wide-spread endemic on Hawai'i Island and one of 38 ecologically cryptic Laupala species. The nine sampled populations show striking population genetic structure at small spatio-temporal scales. The rapid differentiation among populations and species of Laupala shows that neither a specific geographical context nor ecological opportunity are pre-requisites for rapid divergence. Spatio-temporal patterns in population divergence, population size change, and gene flow are aligned with the chronosequence of the four volcanoes on which L. cerasina occurs and reveal the composite effects of geological dynamics and Quaternary climate change on population dynamics. Spatio-temporal patterns in genetic variation along the genome reveal the interplay of genetic and genomic architecture in shaping population divergence. In early phases of divergence, we find elevated differentiation in genomic regions harbouring mating song loci. In later stages of divergence, we find a signature of linked selection that interacts with recombination rate variation. Comparing our findings with recent work on complementary systems supports the conclusion that mostly universal factors influence the speciation process.

Erebonyx catacumbae, n. gen. et sp.: a blind, troglobitic cricket from Brazil (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae).

Erebonyx catacumbae, new genus and species of a troglobitic phalangopsid cricket are described from Brazil. Few specimens were collected from a limestone cave located in the municipality of Campo Formoso, northern State of Bahia, in a semi-arid zone characterized by the Caatinga vegetation. A brief discussion on troglomorphisms is provided, as well as some ecological remarks and potential threats for this species.

Report of a new genus Majialandrevus, with a new species M. dingguo from Western Yunnan, China (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae).

We reported a new genus Majialandrevus from Western Yunnan, China. The new genus differs from other genera in having the following combination of characters: short forewings, male genitalia with blunt distal parts of posterolateral epiphallic lobes, absence of medial lobes of epiphallus and ectoparamere being membranous. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Studies on Neotropical crickets: The continental Otteiini taxa (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae), those cave crickets are not confined to the West Indies.

The tribe Otteiini is a group of cave crickets, that were believed only to inhabit the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Cayman Islands, and Hispaniola). However, when reviewing and studying similar cave crickets in Mexico, their relationship was proven with island taxa, expanding their distribution to the continental area, from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf and Northeast of Mexico. Herein, the genus Paracophus is divided, and three additional genera are described: Hubbellcophus n. gen., Venegascophus n. gen. and Hortacophus n. gen. Also, two additional species for Paracophus are described (P. victoriensis n. sp. and P. velazquezi n. sp.). Diagnoses for all genera and dichotomous keys for genera and species are provided. Finally, the taxonomic relationships between the insular and continental taxa of the tribe are discussed, and the different taxonomic placements they had over time, with some genera located in Phalangopsinae and Luzarinae (Phalangopsidae) and Pentacentrinae (Gryllidae).

Revision of Chinese crickets of the tribe Modicogryllini Otte amp; Alexander, 1983 with notes on relevant taxa (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; Gryllinae).

The article revised most species of genera of Modicogryllus Chopard, 1961, Gryllodinus Bolívar, 1927, Eumodicogryllus Gorochov, 1986, Svercacheta Gorochov, 1993 and Turanogryllus Tarbinsky, 1940 and proposed a new species, Gryllodinus jijilacus sp. nov., four synonyms, Mirigryllus He, 2020 syn. nov., Gryllus bordigalensis (=Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis) Latreille, 1804 syn. nov., Gryllus chivensis (=Eumodicogryllus chivensis) Tarbinsky, 1930 syn. nov. and Gryllopsis aelleni (=Turanogryllus aelleni) Chopard, 1954 syn. nov., seven new combinations, Modicogryllus (Modicogryllus) nigrus (He, 2020) comb. nov., Mitius vaturu (Otte Cowper, 2007) comb. nov., Loxoblemmus abrictos (Otte, 2007) comb. nov., Modicogryllus (Promodicogryllus) nigericus (Chopard, 1961) comb. nov., Eumodicogryllus chinensis (Weber, 1801) comb. nov., Eumodicogryllus vicinus (Chopard, 1968) comb. nov. and Svercacheta semiobscurus (Chopard, 1961) comb. nov., and re-established a species, Modicogryllus (Modicogryllus) latefasciatus (Chopard, 1933), as well as redescribed species of Modicogryllus (Promodicogryllus) consobrinus (Saussure, 1877), Svercacheta siamensis (Chopard, 1961) and Turanogryllus lateralis (Fieber, 1853).

One new species of Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 from China with comments on the characters of mitochondrial genome (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae; Gryllacridini).

This paper reported on new species from China which differs from other species of Homogryllacris in being without styli of male subgenital plate. The nearly complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), except control region, of the new species Homogryllacris parcibrevipenna was sequenced and analyzed. This partial mitogenome was 15509 bp in length and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA unit genes. The gene arrangement and contents were consistent with other members of the Gryllacrididae. All the PCGs were started with the standard ATN codons except ND1 with TTG; and most of PCGs were terminated with a complete stop codon (TAA/TAG). Most tRNAs could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structures, while tRNASer1 lacked a DHU stem. This data could enrich the genome information available for Gryllacrididae and facilitate phylogenetic studies of related insects. All the material were deposited in the Museum of Guangxi Normal University.

Studies on Neotropical crickets: A new Anurogryllina genus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae).

Andeogryllus n. gen. including two new species from the inter-Andean slopes and valleys of the Magdalena and Cauca rivers of Colombia are described. This new genus is similar to Zebragryllus in their habitus, differed by not have white stripes on the body or antennae and by a modified pseudoepiphallic sclerite. The genus Atsigryllus (Atsigryllae group) is located in the subtribe Anurogryllina, highlighting the secondary reduction of the median lobe. An updated key is provided for the genera of the subtribe Anurogryllina and the species of the new genus.

New intertidal crickets from Comoros and Mascarene islands (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Nemobiinae: Burcini).

Nemobiinae crickets of the tribe Burcini Gorochov, 1986 are described for the first time from the shores of South Western Indian Ocean islands. The new genus Makalapobius n. gen. is proposed to include M. aigrettensis n. gen. n. sp. from Mauritius and M. masihu n. gen. n. sp. from Grande Comore, and the new genus Gabusibius n. gen. to include G. ndzilu n. gen. n. sp. from Anjouan, G. mosi n. gen. n. sp., from Mohéli, and G. dzindzanu n. gen. n. sp. from Mayotte. The species Speonemobius littoreus Vannini Chelazzi, 1978 from Somalia coast is tentatively placed in the genus Gabusibius n. gen. as G. ? litoreus (Vannini Chelazzi, 1978) n. gen. n. comb. The songs of G. mosi n. gen. n. sp. and M. aigrettensis n. gen. n. sp. are described. The threats to SWIO Burcini and endemism of Orthoptera from SWIO coastal areas are discussed.

Studies on Neotropical crickets: New species and notes on the classification of Field Crickets genera Anurogryllus and Gryllus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae).

In this contribution to the American Field and Short-tail crickets, two new species from the continental and insular area of Colombia are described. Anurogryllus (Urogryllus) edithsantosum n. sp. from the Meta department, is more related to some Caribbean species, and its genital structure fits the morphological current definition of the subgenus Urogryllus, although it has pseudepiphallic median lophi covered with hairs, as it happens in the species of the subgenus Pilosogryllus. The same way, Gryllus (Gryllus) providiensis n. sp. from Providencia Island, San Andres Archipelago is described, this new species has thick hairs on the pronotum as Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis (widely distributed in America), as well as the color pattern of the cephalic capsule; but the new species is smaller in size, and has a particular organization in the harp veins of the tegmina, which only resembles Gryllus (Gryllus) marchena from the Galapagos Archipelago (Ecuador), from which it differs markedly in its morphology. Finally, the status of the Gryllus species, distributed in Latin America and the Caribbean, is reviewed, and it is recorded which species have acoustic records, and from here we start with the review of this peculiar genus in Latin America.

Anotated Checklist of Chinese Ensifera: The Gryllacrididae.

This paper lists all known Chinese Raspy Crickets (Gryllacrididae) following the scheme proposed by Cadena-Castañeda. A total of 23 genera, 104 species, 3 new combinations, 4 new synonyms, and 1 new replacement name are recorded. Based on these known species, keys to genera (or subgenera) and species with the diagnosis of each genus are also given. Also we provide the Chinese name of all categories.

Studies on Raspy Crickets: A new Andean Hyperbaenini genus (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae: Hyperbaeninae).

Mikrohyperbaenus n. gen. is the first Andean genus for the tribe Hyperbaenini, the other genera such as Hyperbaenus and Dibelona inhabit the low and humid lands of South America. The new genus is distinguished by the structure of the male terminalia and the apex of the labial and maxillary palps, which are unusually naked or without the cuticle, that covers the other body segments. Mikrohyperbaenus n. gen. is a monotypic genus, found in the surroundings of the Zapatoca municipality, Santander, Colombia, a territory inhabited in the past by the Guane indigenous people, for which the new species Mikrohyperbaenus guane n. gen. et n. sp. is dedicated to that particular Pre-columbian indigenous people.

Brachytrupes megacephalus Lefèbvre, 1827 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) in the Maltese Islands: notes on biogeography, behaviour, and habitat of populations in the central Mediterranean area and the Maghreb.

Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827) is of significant biogeographic importance. It occurs in Sicily and on some of the circum-Sicilian and Pelagian islands, as well as in the Maltese Islands, Sardinia and the Maghreb (notably but not exclusively, in Algeria and Tunisia, where it maintains populations in both coastal and desert regions). Within European territory, it occurs solely in Italy and Malta, where it is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention. In northern Africa, the species is regarded as a polyphagous pest, particularly in Saharan locations. The present work is based on field observations, mostly from the Maltese Islands, that span more than three decades; it provides insights on spatial distribution, population trends and behaviour. In examining the relationship between the species' frequency during its mating season and weather conditions, results suggest a weak yet statistically significant correlation between mating strategies and ambient meteorological conditions. Moreover, patch occupancy in spring and autumn varied considerably within a specified area of study, primarily due to competitive mating strategies employed in spring, with an occupancy ratio of approximately 1:6. To-date, the species is known from 13 locations, one in Gozo and 12 in Malta, of which some constitute the Ahrax promontory metapopulation. Connectivity between the Ahrax subpopulation cluster is discussed in the light of habitat and topographical characteristics. Contrasting findings on variances in behaviour between Maltese populations and other populations in Sicily and the Maghreb are discussed. Discernible behavioural disparities include the length of excavated tunnels during spring and summer/autumn seasons in the different geographical locations, attraction to artificial sources of light, and the degree of damage to crops across geographic regions.

First report of the genus emRhicnogryllus/em Chopard, 1925 (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae; Trigonidiinae) in China with description of a new species.

A new species, Rhicnogryllus nanlingensis sp. n., was reported from Guangdong, China. This was the first time of Rhicnogryllus was recorded from China. Description and illustrations for the new species were provided.

Colonization of different biomes drove the diversification of the Neotropical Eidmanacris crickets (Insecta: Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae).

The phylogeny of the cricket genus Eidmanacris is used to analyse its historical distribution and diversification in three South American biomes: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Chiquitano Dry Forest. A morphological phylogeny with all the 29 species of Eidmanacris and the Geographically explicit Event Model (GEM) is used to explain their colonization and diversification through three different biomes and their ancestral habitats and distributional areas. We analysed ecologically-significant characters, such as body size and metanotal characters, to test whether if morphology, habitat, or behaviour are connected. The relations of these features with the colonisation of wetter or drier biomes based on the distributional area, phylogeny and diversity of the genus were also tested. The results show that the ancestral distribution of the genus was the Atlantic Forest, and that biome occupancy, habitat, size, and mating behaviour evolved congruently through the phylogeny, drawing a coherent pattern of changes through Eidmanacris evolution toward the colonisation of drier biomes. Our results indicate that gallery forests could play a key role in the distribution and diversification of Eidmanacris species.

Isophya sonora, a new bush-cricket species from Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Phaneropterinae).

Herein I describe Isophya sonora sp. nov. a new bush-cricket species from Trabzon, Northeastern part of Turkey (Black Sea Region). The species is characterized by the shape of the markedly convergent fastigium, distinctly broadened pronotum at metazona, elongate tegmina and large mirror area of left tegmen in the male. The bioacoustic characteristics, and the shape and number of the teeth of stridulatory organs are also different compared to closely related species. The new species is clearly a member of I. zernovi species-group allied with I. bivittata. Both the bioacoustics, and the morphological data, demonstrate the relationships between species of the I. zernovi species-group are as follows: (I. bicarinata + (I. zernovi + I. horon)) + (I. sonora sp. n. + I. bivittata?))) + (I. karadenizensis + I. autumnalis)))).

Comparative Analyses of Phenotypic Sequences Using Phylogenetic Trees.

Phenotypic sequences are a type of multivariate trait organized structurally, such as teeth distributed along the dental arch, or temporally, such as the stages of an ontogenetic series. Unlike other multivariate traits, the elements of a phenotypic sequence are distributed along an ordered set, which allows for distinct evolutionary patterns between neighboring and distant positions. In fact, sequence traits share many characteristics with molecular sequences, although important distinctions pose challenges to current comparative methods. We implement an approach to estimate rates of trait evolution that explicitly incorporates the sequence organization of traits. We apply models to study the temporal pattern evolution of cricket calling songs. We test whether neighboring positions along a phenotypic sequence have correlated rates of evolution or whether rate variation is independent of sequence position. Our results show that cricket song evolution is strongly autocorrelated and that models perform well when used with sequence phenotypes even under small sample sizes. Our approach is flexible and can be applied to any multivariate trait with discrete units organized in a sequence-like structure.

Novel system of communication in crickets originated at the same time as bat echolocation and includes male-male multimodal communication.

Understanding the evolutionary origins of communication signals requires careful study of multiple species within a known phylogenetic framework. Most cricket species produce low-frequency calls for mate attraction, whereas they startle to high-frequency sounds similar to bat echolocation. Male crickets in the tribe Lebinthini produce high-frequency calls, to which females reply with vibrational signals. This novel communication system likely evolved by male sensory exploitation of acoustic startle to high-frequency sounds in females. This behavior was previously described for the Lebinthini from Asia. Here we demonstrate that this novel communication system is found in a Neotropical species, Ponca hebardi, and is therefore likely shared by the whole tribe Lebinthini, dating the origin of this behavior to coincide with the origin of echolocation in bats. Furthermore, we document male duets involving both acoustic and vibratory signals not previously described in crickets, and we tentatively interpret it as competitive masking between males.

Molecular Identification of Oxyspirura Petrowi Intermediate Hosts by Nested PCR Using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1).

Recently, the heteroxenous eyeworm, Oxyspirura petrowi, has gained attention due to its prevalence in the declining game bird, Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), but the intermediate hosts of many nematodes remain unknown. However, identifying the intermediate host of O. petrowi with traditional techniques would be difficult and time-consuming, especially considering there are more than 80 potential orthopteran hosts just in Texas. To screen a large number of samples quickly and effectively, primers for nested PCR (nPCR) were developed using the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region. Then the nPCR was used to identify which of the 35 species collected from the Order Orthoptera were potential intermediate hosts of O. petrowi. With this technique, 18 potential intermediate hosts were identified. Later, we collected live specimens of species that tested positive to confirm the presence of larvae, but larvae were not found in the live specimens, nor in the extra tissue of the species that had tested positive for O. petrowi DNA. Despite this, this study demonstrated that nPCR is more sensitive than traditional techniques and can be a valuable tool in determining the intermediate hosts of parasites.

Phylo-comparative analyses reveal the dual role of drift and selection in reproductive character displacement.

When incipient species meet in secondary contact, natural selection can rapidly reduce costly reproductive interactions by directly targeting reproductive traits. This process, called reproductive character displacement (RCD), leaves a characteristic pattern of geographic variation where divergence of traits between species is greater in sympatry than allopatry. However, because other forces can also cause similar patterns, care must be given in separating pattern from process. Here we show how the phylo-comparative method together with genomic data can be used to evaluate evolutionary processes at the population level in closely related species. Using this framework, we test the role of RCD in speciation of two cricket species endemic to Anatolian mountains by quantifying patterns of character displacement, rates of evolution and adaptive divergence. Our results show differing patterns of character displacement between species for reproductive vs. non-reproductive characters and strong patterns of asymmetric divergence. We demonstrate diversification results from rapid divergence of reproductive traits towards multiple optima under the dual influence of strong drift and selection. These results present the first solid evidence for RCD in Anatolian mountains, quantify the amount of drift and selection necessary for RCD to lead to speciation, and demonstrate the utility of phylo-comparative methods for quantifying evolutionary parameters at the population level.