A new genus of Phlugidini (Insecta, Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) from the Atlantic Forest.

In the Neotropical Region, Phlugidini is the most diverse tribe of Meconematinae, with 62 valid species in 10 genera, six of them recorded from Brazil. Brachyphlugis gen. nov. is described herein based on two new species, Brachyphlugis longicercalis sp. nov. (type species) and Brachyphlugis curvata sp. nov., collected in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia and Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, both in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro State. The new genus is most similar to Neophlugis, but it can be distinguished from the latter and other neotropical Phlugidini by the following combination of characteristics: (1) mandibles symmetrical; (2) tegmen extending beyond metanotum; (3) pronotal disk posterior margin convex; (4) tenth tergite strongly projected and downcurved; (5) male cercus pronounced with a larger base and acuminate apex; (6) paraproct modified with developed spine; (7) male subgenital plate with two distolateral projections connected to a pair of styles; and (8) female subgenital plate wider than long, posterior margin with two projections. An up-to-date key to neotropical Phlugidini genera is also provided.

Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probes resolve relationships over broad phylogenetic scales.

Phylogenomic data are revolutionizing the field of insect phylogenetics. One of the most tenable and cost-effective methods of generating phylogenomic data is target enrichment, which has resulted in novel phylogenetic hypotheses and revealed new insights into insect evolution. Orthoptera is the most diverse insect order within polyneoptera and includes many evolutionarily and ecologically interesting species. Still, the order as a whole has lagged behind other major insect orders in terms of transitioning to phylogenomics. In this study, we developed an Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probe set from 80 transcriptomes across Orthoptera. The probe set targets 1828 loci from genes exhibiting a wide range of evolutionary rates. The utility of this new probe set was validated by generating phylogenomic data from 36 orthopteran species that had not previously been subjected to phylogenomic studies. The OR-TE probe set captured an average of 1037 loci across the tested taxa, resolving relationships across broad phylogenetic scales. Our detailed documentation of the probe design and bioinformatics process is intended to facilitate the widespread adoption of this tool.

A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly and Annotation for the Oecanthus rufescens (Orthoptera: Oecanthidae).

Oecanthus is a genus of cricket known for its distinctive chirping and distributed across major zoogeographical regions worldwide. This study focuses on Oecanthus rufescens, and conducts a comprehensive examination of its genome through genome sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analysis. A high-quality chromosome-level genome of O. rufescens was successfully obtained, revealing significant features of its genome structure. The genome size is 877.9 Mb, comprising ten pseudo-chromosomes and 70 other sequences, with a GC content of 41.38% and an N50 value of 157,110,771 bp, indicating a high level of continuity. BUSCO assessment results demonstrate that the genome's integrity and quality are high (of which 96.8% are single-copy and 1.6% are duplicated). Comprehensive genome annotation was also performed, identifying approximately 310 Mb of repetitive sequences, accounting for 35.3% of the total genome sequence, and discovering 15,481 tRNA genes, 4,082 rRNA genes, and 1,212 other noncoding genes. Furthermore, 15,031 protein-coding genes were identified, with BUSCO assessment results showing that 98.4% (of which 96.3% are single-copy and 1.6% are duplicated) of the genes were annotated.

Study of the Chinese Members of the Subfamily Anabropsinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) VII: Description of two new subgenera and five new species of Anabropsis from China.

This paper is further study Chinese Anabropsinae and proposes two new subgenera of Anabropsis from China, Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) subgen. nov. and Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) subgen. nov.. Five new species are described, namely Anabropsis (Apteranabropsis) daweishanensis sp. nov., Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) pengi sp. nov., Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) erythronota sp. nov., Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) nigrimaculatis sp. nov. and Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) flavimaculata sp. nov. All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) XV: Two new species of Larnaca (Larnaca) from Yunnan Province.

Two new species of Larnaca Walker, 1869, Larnaca (Larnaca) longispina sp. nov. (Chinese name: -) and Larnaca (Larnaca) nigrimacula sp. nov. (Chinese name: -), are described from Yunnan Province, China based on new material deposited in Guangxi Normal University. The two new species are placed Larnaca (Larnaca) Walker, 1869 and compared to the corresponding closely related species. The male of Larnaca (Larnaca) longispina sp. nov. and both sexes of Larnaca (Larnaca) nigrimacula sp. nov. are illustrated.

A new species of the genus Burmadactylus Heads, 2009 from mid-Cretaceous amber in north Myanmar (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Tridactyloidea).

This paper describes a new species of the genus Burmadactylus Heads, 2009 (Tridactylidae: Dentridactylinae) from Burmese amber, namely: Burmadactylus tenuicerci sp. nov. This new species is similar to Burmadactylus grimaldi Heads, 2009, but differs from latter by mesotibia basally inflated and almost as long as mesofemur; the second segment of cercus distinctly slender; paraproctal lobe covered with sparse and slender setae, one of the setae near the apex distinct thick and long.

Ovipositor and mouthparts in a fossil insect support a novel ecological role for early orthopterans in 300 million years old forests.

A high portion of the earliest known insect fauna is composed of the so-called 'lobeattid insects', whose systematic affinities and role as foliage feeders remain debated. We investigated hundreds of samples of a new lobeattid species from the Xiaheyan locality using a combination of photographic techniques, including reflectance transforming imaging, geometric morphometrics, and biomechanics to document its morphology, and infer its phylogenetic position and ecological role. Ctenoptilus frequens sp. nov. possessed a sword-shaped ovipositor with valves interlocked by two ball-and-socket mechanisms, lacked jumping hind-legs, and certain wing venation features. This combination of characters unambiguously supports lobeattids as stem relatives of all living Orthoptera (crickets, grasshoppers, katydids). Given the herein presented and other remains, it follows that this group experienced an early diversification and, additionally, occurred in high individual numbers. The ovipositor shape indicates that ground was the preferred substrate for eggs. Visible mouthparts made it possible to assess the efficiency of the mandibular food uptake system in comparison to a wide array of extant species. The new species was likely omnivorous which explains the paucity of external damage on contemporaneous plant foliage.

Highly divergent karyotypes and barcoding of the East African genus Gonatoxia Karsch (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae).

East Africa is a hotspot of biodiversity of many orthopteran taxa, including bushcrickets. Gonatoxia Karsch, 1889 species are fully alate Phaneropterinae, which are perfectly adapted to the foliage of forests. We examined five species using combined cytogenetic and molecular data to determine the inter- and intraspecific genetic diversity. The variation in the diploid number of chromosomes in males ranged from 2n = 28 + X0 and 26 + X0 to 2n = 6 + X0. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed from one to many 18S rDNA loci as well as interstitial sequences, especially in G. helleri. 18S rDNA loci coincided with active NOR and C-banding patterns. The isolation of populations of the species explains differences in the number of chromosomes (G. maculata), chromosomal polymorphism and chromosomal heterozygosity (G. helleri). Our molecular phylogeny based on the COI locus supported the monophyly of the genus Gonatoxia and separateness of the five examined species in accordance with their morphological features and chromosome numbers as well as the species' distribution.

A new addition to the genus Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004 (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae).

Herein one new species of Apterolarnaca is reported from Southwest China, Yunnan. The morphological features are described, and provided with colored charts of classification features. Up to now, the number of the genus reach four for Chinese fauna. The hootype is deposited in the Museum of Guangxi Normal University.

Two new species of the genus Criotettix Bolivar (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Scelimenidae) from Zhejiang, China.

Two new species of the genus are described from Zhejiang, China in this paper. The new species Criotettix jinningensis sp. nov. is similar to Criotettix strivertexoides Zheng, Wei Li, 2009, but differs in width of vertex narrower than diameter of eye; pronotum shorter, not reaching the end of hind tibiae; width of fore wing 1.3 times width of mid leg femur and hind wing not reaching the end of pronotum. The new species Criotettix pananensis sp. nov. is similar to Criotettix transpi-noides Zheng, Bai Xu, 2012, it differs from latter by width of vertex narrower than diameter of eye; pronotum with parallel lateral keels and without a pair short longitudinal keels between shoulders; hind femur without projection in upper keel and hind wing extending over the end of pronotum. The type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China.

Orthoptera Tettigoniidae as indicators of biodiversity hotspots in the Guinean Forests of Central and West Tropical Africa.

The present paper has two aims: 1) to present the results of the study of selected species of Orthoptera Tettigoniidae collected in the Guinean forests of West Africa and in the important hotspot of Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic); 2) to carry out a check-list of six subfamilies of Tettigoniidae (Pseudophyllinae, Conocephalinae, Hexacentrinae, Phaneropterinae, Mecopodinae and Hetrodinae) living in Central-West tropical Africa, in particular in two main tropical forests, in the subregion of upper Guinea, and in the subregion Nigeria-Cameroon plus the biodiversity hotspots of Central African Republic and Gabon. Many new records are reported and the following new species are described: Plangia astylata n. sp. from Central African Republic and Gabon, Plangia chopardi n. sp. from Côte d'Ivoire, and Catoptropteryx lineata n. sp. from Liberia. In addition the male of Plangia karschi Chopard, 1954 is described and some taxonomical notes on the recently described Arantia marginata Massa, 2021 are discussed. The new name Pseudorhynchus raggei is proposed for Pseudorhynchus robustus Ragge, 1969, junior primary homonym of Pseudorhynchus robustus Willemse, 1953. Then, the author lists all the Tettigoniidae of the above listed subfamilies presently known in central-west tropical Africa (Guinean forests). This wide tropical area holds important biodiversity hotspots that the author highlights through the study of katydids. Many groups of species tend to isolate and speciate probably more than other groups of insects. Overall, the total number amounts to 332 species, of which 242 live in Cameroon-Nigeria subregion plus Central African Republic and Gabon, 216 in the Upper Guinea subregion. The occurrence of endemic taxa is 35.9 and 40.3%, respectively; this resulted a very high percentage compared to that known for plants and animals in the area. Starting from the list of Tettigoniidae three remarkable biodiversity hotspots were examined, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic), Mt. Tonkoui and Taï National Park (both in Côte d'Ivoire); overall they hold 134, 81 and 88 species, respectively. It seems that in tropical Africa there is a specific richness gradient with an East-West impoverishment, but also a possible increase of endemism occurrence. However, presently this richness suffers a high decline risk, due to deforestation and environmental degradation, in turn dependent on the inequality between human populations, wars and political instability in some tropical areas.

First record of the genus Yalvaciana (Tettigoniidae; Tettigoniinae; Platycleidini) with the description of a new species from India.

The genus Yalvaciana Ciplak et.al (2002) is reported for the first time from India represented by a new species. Previously the genus comprised a single species, Yalvaciana yalvaci Demirsoy, (1974). Brief information about morphology, distribution and key to species are given. The Holotype has been deposited in the Museum of Zoology Department, AMU (ZDAMU).

Description of a new species of the genus Ruspolia (Schulthess, 1898) (Conocephalinae: Copiphorini) from Kashmir, India.

Karny (1912) proposed the tribe Copiphorini within the subfamily Conocephalinae, family Tettigoniidae. Copiphorini is one of the four tribes of Conocephalinae. The members of this tribe are characterized by slanting head shape and notched frons. The specimens for this study were collected in different regions of the Kashmir valley in the year 2020. A brief morphological description of the genus and new species is given. Also, a key to Indian species is provided. The type specimen has been deposited in the Museum of Zoology Department AMU.

Taxonomic revision of Phaesticus Uvarov and synonymy with Flatocerus Liang amp; Zheng syn. nov. (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae).

The genus Phaesticus Uvarov, 1940 is revised here with updated generic characteristics and a key to the species. New synonyms and a new combination are proposed: 1) Phaesticus Uvarov, 1940 = Flatocerus Liang Zheng, 1984 syn. nov.; 2) P. mellerborgi (Stål, 1855) = P. insularis (Hancock, 1907) syn. nov., = P. carinatus Zheng, 1998 syn. nov., = P. azemii Mahmood, Idris Salmah, 2007 syn. nov., = F. brachynotus Liang, Chen Chen, 2008 syn. nov., = P. uvarovi Storozhenko Dawwrueng, 2015 syn. nov.; 3) P. moniliantennatus (Günther, 1940) = F. nankunshanensis Liang Zheng, 1984 syn. nov., = F. wuyishanensis Zheng, 1991 syn. nov., = F. guizhouensis Wang, 1992 syn. nov., = F. daqingshanensis Zheng Jiang, 1998 syn. nov., = F. dentifemura Zheng, 2003 syn. nov.; 4) P. hainanensis (Liang, 1988) comb. nov. = F. hainanensis Liang, 1988. Intraspecific variation in the lengths of the hind pronotal processes and hind wings in the family Tetrigidae are discussed in detail.

A new species of Parapteronemobius from Zhejiang, China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Nemobiinae).

Parapteronemobius contains 7 species or subspecies distributed in East Asia with only one species recorded from China. In this study, we reported the second species, P. chenggong He sp. nov., from Zhejiang. The new species differs from P. dibrachiatus in body size, male genitalia and COI gene. The phylogeny of this genus in subfamily Nemobiinae are discussed based on COI, 18S and 28S genes. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Report of a new genus Arboramima belonging to tribe Diestramimini, with a new species A. cattusis from Guangxi, China (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Aemodogryllinae).

A new genus (Arboramima Zong, Qin He gen. nov.) with a new species (Arboramima cattusis Zong, Qin He sp. nov.) is reported from Guangxi, China. The morphology of the new genus and species are provided. Samples of Aemodogryllinae species were selected for the reconstruction of phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial COI fragment. The results supported the validation of the new genus. The type specimens are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Chuanicosmetura gen. nov. of the tribe Meconematini (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from southwest China and Chuanicosmetura emarginata (Liu, 2000) comb. nov.

Chuanicosmetura gen. nov. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) is established based on Chuanicosmetura emarginata (Liu, 2000) comb. nov. In this paper, this species was redescribed, and the male is firstly reported. Illustrations of important morphological characters are provided.

A new species of Heminicsara (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Agraeciini) from West Papua (New Guinea).

Heminicsara Karny, 1912 is a katydid genus of Agraeciini from the Axylus genus group. It currently comprises 62 species from mainly New Guinea and surrounding archipelagos. Based on recent fieldwork in Lobo in West Papua, Indonesia, a new species of Heminicsara is described here: Heminicsara incrassata sp. nov. It is most readily characterised from congeners and other species of the Axylus genus group by the male tenth abdominal tergite forming a large shield-shaped plate. This represents the first species of Heminicsara described and known from the south-west of New Guinea.

Songs in the genus Uromenus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Ephippigerini): A review with new information about some species.

With nearly 60 described forms Uromenus is the most species-rich genus of the tribe Ephippigerini, a west Palearctic group of flightless bush-crickets (katydids). As it is typical for bush-crickets, Uromenus males produce species-specific calling songs to attract females prepared to mate. These insects are relatively large and their songs have always components audible to humans. Nevertheless, acoustical information are available only for few species. Also the phylogenetic relationships of species and species groups are poorly known. In this paper we present new data on the song and morphology of several species (U. dyrrhachiacus, U. elegans, U. finoti, U. galvagnii, U. robustus, U. tobboganensis and U. innocentii) and give a review of all published acoustical data. Judging from the still few data, as in other Ephippigerini the song patterns often seem to contain species-group characteristics making them candidates to be used in phylogenetic studies. Additionally, we have studied the female stridulatory organs which are unique in structure in Ephippigerini and completely different from those of the males. Despite in Uromenus used only for defensive stridulation, possibly species-specific similarities in structure between males and females exist.