Phylogeny and biogeography of the wingless orthopteran family Rhaphidophoridae.

Cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are insects of an ancient and wingless lineage within Orthoptera that are distributed worldwide except in Antarctica, and each subfamily has a high level of endemicity. Here, we show the comprehensive phylogeny of cave crickets using multi-gene datasets from mitochondrial and nuclear loci, including all extant subfamilies for the first time. We reveal phylogenetic relationships between subfamilies, including the sister relationship between Anoplophilinae and Gammarotettiginae, based on which we suggest new synapomorphies. Through biogeographic analyses based on divergence time estimations and ancestral range reconstruction, we propose novel hypotheses regarding the biogeographic history of cave crickets. We suggest that Gammarotettiginae in California originated from the Asian lineage when Asia and the Americas were connected by the Bering land bridge, and the opening of the western interior seaway affected the division of Ceuthophilinae from Tropidischiinae in North America. We estimate that Rhaphidophoridae originated at 138 Mya throughout Pangea. We further hypothesize that the loss of wings in Rhaphidophoridae could be the result of their adaptation to low temperatures in the Mesozoic era.

Diversity and complexity of arthropod references in haiku.

Haiku are short poems, each composed of about 10 words, that typically describe moments in nature. People have written haiku since at least the 17th century, and the medium continues to be popular with poets, amateurs, educators, and students. Collectively, these poems represent an opportunity to understand which aspects of nature-e.g., which taxa and biological traits-resonate with humans and whether there are temporal trends in their representation or the emotions associated with these moments. We tested this potential using a mix of linguistic and biological methods, in analyses of nearly 4,000 haiku that reference arthropods. We documented the taxa and the life history traits represented in these poems and how they changed over time. We also analyzed the poems for emotion and tone. Our results reveal a mix of predictable trends and compelling surprises, each of which stand to potentially inform engagement strategies. At least 99 families of arthropods, in 28 orders, are represented in these haiku. The eight most commonly referenced taxa, from highest to lowest number of references, include: Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Araneae, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Odonata. Several common, conspicuous orders were never referenced, including Trichoptera, Plecoptera, and Megaloptera. The most commonly referenced traits relate to ecology (especially habitat, phenology, time of day), behavior (especially sound production), phenotype (especially color), and locomotion (especially flight). The least common traits in haiku relate to arthropod reproduction and physiology. Our analyses revealed few obvious temporal trends in the representations of taxa, biological traits, or emotion and tone. The broader implications of these results and possible future directions are discussed.

Balbiani body of basal insects is potentially involved in multiplication and selective elimination of mitochondria.

Oocytes of both vertebrates and invertebrates often contain an intricate organelle assemblage, termed the Balbiani body (Bb). It has previously been suggested that this assemblage is involved in the delivery of organelles and macromolecules to the germ plasm, formation of oocyte reserve materials, and transfer of mitochondria to the next generation. To gain further insight into the function of the Bb, we performed a series of analyses and experiments, including computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstructions, detection of DNA (mtDNA) synthesis as well as immunolocalization studies. We showed that in orthopteran Meconema meridionale, the Bb comprises a network of mitochondria and perinuclear nuage aggregations. As oogenesis progresses, the network expands filling almost entire ooplasm, then partitions into several smaller entities, termed micro-networks, and ultimately into individual mitochondria. As in somatic cells, this process involves microfilaments and elements of endoplasmic reticulum. We showed also that at least some of the individual mitochondria are surrounded by phagophores and eliminated via mitophagy. These findings support the idea that the Bb is implicated in the multiplication and selective elimination of (defective) mitochondria and therefore may participate in the transfer of undamaged (healthy) mitochondria to the next generation.

A new species of the Scinax cruentomma group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Ucayali River basin of Loreto, Peru.

We describe a new species of the Scinax cruentomma species group, with a red streak in the iris and a weakly bilobate vocal sac. It is known from oligotrophic soils in the sedimentary basin of the Ucayali River near Jenaro Herrera (province of Requena, Peru) and Ro Blanco (buffer zone of the Matses Indigenous territory and reserve). The new species can be distinguished from the other species of the S. cruentomma group by its small snout-vent length, body and iris color patterns, weakly bilobate vocal sac, myological characters, and the number of notes and pulses of the advertisement call. It is morphologically most similar to S. strussmannae, from which the advertisement call, nostril, canthus rostralis, and loreal region can distinguish it.

An account on some katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea) from Panti Forest Reserve in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Recent collection in Panti Forest Reserve in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia offered us the opportunity to better understand the species in southern Malay Peninsula. Two new species and one new genus of Meconematini are described here: Cercoteratura reflexa sp. n. and Platycercotura caricauda gen. et sp. n. We present new locality records for Peracca macritchiensis Tan & Ingrisch, 2014, Viriacca viridis Ingrisch, 1998; Lipotactes (Dialipotactes) maculatus Hebard, 1922; Asiophlugis rete Gorochov, 1998; and Arnobia pilipes tropica Gorochov, 1998, all of which were previously recorded in Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore, suggest that the distribution of these species is continuous between Pahang and Singapore. New locality record for Asiophlugis temasek temasek Gorochov & Tan, 2011, previously known only from Singapore, indicates that this subspecies is no longer endemic to Singapore.

Studies on Eumastacoid grasshoppers: Paralethus montanus n. sp. (Orthoptera: Episactidae) from Chiapas, Mexico.

Paralethus montanus n. sp. is described from Chiapas, Mexico. This new species constitutes the first record of the genus for Mexico, previously known only for El Salvador and Guatemala, and it is the first episactid species collected at higher elevations (above 3000 m). A standardization for the abbreviations of the genital structures of episactids is proposed, which could apply to other groups of eumastacoids. A key for the identification of Paralethus species is also provided. Finally, the taxonomy of the genus and the spatial and altitudinal distribution of Central American taxa are discussed.

The tanan [Chlorocoelus hypericifolius (Stoll 1813): Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Pseudophyllinae]re-discovered more than 150 years after the description of the male by Bates and the figuring by Darwin.

In his famous book, The descent of man and selection in relation to sex, Darwin (1871) described the male secondary sexual characters of Orthoptera in some detail. As the most prominent example, he presented a figure of a South American bush-cricket species. It had been described a few years before by Bates and was called, onomatopoetically, Chlorocoelus tanana. Surprisingly, the fascinating species has never been found since this time, although in old collections some additional specimens were located. Based on recently collected material and information on the internet, we clarify the taxonomy of the species and give details of the male stridulatory organ and its distribution. The peak frequency (2.1 kHz) of its resonant disturbance sounds indicates that also calling song may have an unusually low carrier frequency similar to other large bush-crickets with extraordinarily inflated tegmina.

Studies on Neotropical crickets: A new Tusked Cricket genus (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) from Colombia.

Dentoluzara spatulatus n. gen. et n. sp., from the middle lands of the Colombian Andes, is described. This new phalangopsid cricket is distinguished by its asymmetrical mandibles with a basal prolongation in the left one, which is why it is recorded as the first Tusked Cricket. This rare morphological structure has only been observed in some species of anostostomatids and a couple of genera of tettigoniids, but never in crickets. Furthermore, D. spatulatus n. gen. et n. sp., has the ps. p2, from the male genitalia, spatula-shaped, deriving its specific epithet from there. Finally, the new genus peculiar mandibular morphology and the subfamily Luzarinaes taxonomy are commented and discussed.

Contributions to Odontogryllini (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae) with comments on its taxonomic status and description of a new species of Xulavuna de Mello & Campos, 2014.

Odontogryllini is a tribe of ground-dwelling crickets exclusive to America. After several taxonomic rearrangements, this tribe has five genera and 23 species now placed in the subfamily Landrevinae. These crickets have dorsoventrally depressed bodies and are moderately to densely covered with bristles. The males may bear tegminal, metanotal, or tergal glands. In this contribution, we discuss the taxonomic status and the morphological features of Odontogryllini and the other two tribes of Landrevinae: Landrevini and Prolandrevini. The presence of dorsal spines between the outer spurs of the hind tibia distinguishes Odontogryllini from Prolandrevini, and the straight or slightly arcuate but never S-shaped stridulum from Landrevini. We also propose the enlarged and plate-like rami as a diagnostic characteristic to distinguish Odontogryllini from Landrevini. Additionally, we describe a new species of the genus Xulavuna de Mello & Campos from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, named Xulavuna krenakore sp. nov..

New species of Itara (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Itarinae) and descriptions of calling songs from Mindanao and Sabah.

A new species of Itara (Phormincter) is described from Mindanao in the Philippines: Itara (Phormincter) mindanao Tan, Grumo, Gono & Bahoy, sp. nov. This represents the first record of this subgenus in the Philippines, having previously known only from Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; as well as only the second species of Itara known from the Philippines and the first from Mindanao Island. The male calling song of the holotype was also recorded and is described here. Additionally, the male calling song of another congener, Itara (Singitara) singularis Gorochov, 1997 from Sabah, is described here. A new species of Itara (Bornitara) is also described from Sabah in Borneo: Itara (Bornitara) tenompok Tan, Japir & Chung, sp. nov.

An account on some katydids of the tribes Agraeciini (Conocephalinae) and Meconematini (Meconematinae) from the highlands of western Sabah.

Based on recent field sampling in the highlands of western Sabah, a new species of Depressacca Ingrisch, 1998 (Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) is described from Tenompok, Depressacca macrolima sp. nov., that can be easily distinguish from two other known congeners by the presence of numerous large and falcate spines on the legs numerous large and falcate spines on its legs. Based on the new material, we also document here the live images and/or new locality records for other katydids of the tribes Agraeciini and Meconematini: Bispinolakis longicauda Ingrisch, 1998, Palaeoagraecia philippina (Karny, 1926) and Salomona borneensis Willemse, 1959; Alloteratura (Meconemopsis) longa Gorochov, 2008, Borneratura kinabaluana (Bey-Bienko, 1971) and Rhinoteratura pulchra Gorochov, 2008.

Studies of Raspy Crickets: The Status of the Wingless American gryllacridines (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae).

In this contribution based on the American wingless gryllacridines, the two genera described for the New World Camptonotus and Neoeremus are defined and differentiated, resulting in three additional genera: Neortus stat. resurr., Fiancogryllacris n. gen. and Camposgryllacris n. gen. The species of these genera were described at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, and in most taxa, there are no records since their description, so the iNaturalist platform provided additional distributional data for some species. Taxonomic keys are provided for the identification of the genera and species studied. Finally, the evolutionary interpretation of the appearance and disappearance of wings in leaf-rolling crickets are discussed.

Description of a new species of the genus Woznessenskia from Xizang, China (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae).

The gryllacridid genus Woznessenskia Gorochov, 2002 comprises 13 extant species from Asia, with 8 species reported from China and 5 species reported from Vietnam. A new species from Xizang, China, Woznessenskia lianhua sp. nov., is reported in this paper.

Notes on the genus Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) with description of one new species from China.

This paper deals with five species of the genus Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 from China, including one new species, i.e. Homogryllacris nigromacula sp. nov. Morphological illustrations of most species and habitus of the new species are provided. Moreover, one geographical population of Homogryllacris yunnana Shi, Guo & Bian, 2012 and intraspecific variation of Homogryllacris platycis Liu & Bian, 2021 are discussed and illustrated. All specimens examined are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

The Orchestra Nocturne: Description For Six New Katydid Species From India (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

The paper describes six new species from three genera of Tettigoniidae. The paper evaluates the status of Hexacentrus Serville 1831, Phyllomimus Stl 1873 and Euconocephalus Karny 1907. Diagnostic characters for new members of each genus are described along with additional information about the ecology and distribution of species. Keys to all species of each genus is presented. Of the six, three namely H. sylavanus sp. nov., E.helleri sp. nov and E. brevicornis are recorded only from Assam. One species, E.latipennis is recorded from Arunachal Pradesh and one species P.midoriyae is recorded from both locations. One species E. malabaricum is recorded from the Alappuzha district, in Kerala. The paper also demonstrates the importance of acoustic signals in taxonomic studies.

Drymadusini katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Tettigoniinae): intraspecific variabilitymorphs or subspecies?

A new subspecies of Lithoxenus haptapotamicus minutus Korsunovskaya subsp. nov. and new color form of Eulithoxenus mongolicus caeruleum are described. Data concerning the male calling song of L. miramae (Velt.) and the structure of the sound apparatus of Eulithoxenus mongolicus Uv.and L. miramae is provided for the first time.

Contribution to the Chinese subfamily Rhaphidophorinae Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) VII: New descriptions of Rhaphidophora from Yunnan and Guangxi.

This paper contributes further studies Chinese cave crickets and describes seven new species and the female sex of Rhaphidophora longitabula Bian, Zhu & Shi, 2017. All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Potential strategic allocation of nuptial gift proteins of the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus (Orthoptera Tettigoniidae).

In many katydids, the male feeds his mate with a large gelatinous spermatophore. While providing large spermatophores can increase female fecundity and lifespan, it may also decrease their sexual receptivity, benefiting male fitness. Allocating resources to these edible gifts may entail a lower apportionment of them to other functions, generating a trade-off between somatic and reproductive functions. Despite their effect on male and female fitness, little is known of the compounds associated with katydid spermatophores. Our study found 177 different putative proteins in the spermatophore of Conocephalus ictus, with no correlation between male body size with spermatophore mass, number, concentration and mass of proteins. However, we did observe a negative relationship between male forewing length and protein concentration, and a negative relationship between the mass of the spermatophore transferred to the females and their body size, suggesting a resource allocation trade-off in males, but also strategic transference of resources based on female quality.

A Tale's blade: Understanding evolutionary features of oviposition behavior based on Tettigoniidae (Insecta, Orthoptera, Ensifera) ovipositor morphology.

A remarkable characteristic of katydids (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) is the elongated ovipositor, which is associated with oviposition behavior. The high degree of complexity of both sclerites and muscles arrangement of the ovipositor, is only similar to the ovipositor of Hymenoptera. Here we describe the morphology of the ovipositor within Tettigoniidae, and add descriptions of known oviposition behavior. Fifteen skeletal structures can be recognized, of these, three pairs of muscles are new while nine pairs were already described in the literature. The new muscles are ap2vf, anterior projection of second valvifer; bcov, blade complex of the ovipositor; and dbl, dorsal blade. The morphology of the ovipositor blade complex (bcov), the shape of the first valvifer (1vf), posterior intervalvular sclerite (piv), tergite IX (T9), anterior projection of the second valvifer (ap2vf), and the second valvifer (2vf), and their related muscles affect oviposition in Tettigoniidae. This contribution helps to understand katydid's oviposition behavior. Additionally, the new descriptions help in the search for new characters in Tettigoniidae.