On the specific status of Scelimenaspicupennis and a new record of S.discalis from China with mitochondrial genome characterization (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae).

The genus Scelimena Serville (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from China is reviewed. One species, Scelimenaspicupennis Zheng & Ou, 2003 (China: Yunnan) is redescribed, and a new record of Scelimenadiscalis (Hancock, 1915) from China is given. An annotated identification key for Chinese species of the genus Scelimena is provided. Mitochondrial genes of S.spicupennis and S.discalis were sequenced and annotated. The sizes of the two sequenced mitogenomes are 17,552 bp (S.discalis), and 16,069 bp (S.spicupennis), respectively. All of the PCGs started with the typical ATN (ATT, ATC or ATG) or TTG codon and most ended with complete TAA or TAG codon, with the exception of the ND5 gene, which terminated with an incomplete T. The mitochondrial genomes for these two recorded species are provided, and the constructed phylogenetic tree supports their morphological taxonomic classification. The topology of the phylogenetic tree showed that three species of Scelimena were clustered into one branch and formed a monophyletic and a holophyletic group.

Mitogenomic characterization and phylogeny of Scelimena melli Günther (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Scelimeninae).

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Scelimena melli, which belongs to Orthoptera, Tetrigoidea, Tetrigidae, Scelimeninae was determined. The mitogenome has a length of 14,598 bp and consists of 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis using 37 mitochondrial genes with other 22 Tetrigoidea species revealed that S. melli had a closer relationship with Paragavialidium sichuanense, but the monophyly of Scelimeninae was not recovered. The mitogenome data of S. melli would provide useful resources for further evolutionary studies of Scelimeninae and Tetrigoidea species.

New genus and new species of the subfamily Metrodorinae from China (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae).

The genus Concavetettix Deng, gen. nov. (type species: Concavetettix yunnanensis Deng, sp. nov.) is described from Daweishan, Pingbian County, Yunnan Province, China. The genus Macromotettix Günther, 1939 is reviewed. Three new species of the genus, M. microptera Deng, sp. nov., M. zhengi Deng, sp. nov. and M. brachyptera Deng, sp. nov. are described with detailed illustrations of external morphology. One new name is proposed: Macromotettix napoensis Deng, nom. nov.. Additionally, an updated key to species of the genus Macromotettix is given.

Mitochondrial genomes of eight Scelimeninae species (Orthoptera) and their phylogenetic implications within Tetrigoidea.

Scelimeninae is a key member of the pygmy grasshopper community, and an important ecological indicator. No mitochondrial genomes of Scelimeninae have been reported to date, and the monophyly of Scelimeninae and its phylogenetic relationship within Tetrigidae is still unclear. We sequenced and analyzed eight nearly complete mitochondrial genomes representing eight genera of Scelimeninae. These mitogenomes ranged in size from 13,112 to 16,380 bp and the order of tRNA genes between COII and ATP8 was reversed compared with the ancestral order of insects. The protein-coding genes (PCGs) of tetrigid species mainly with the typical ATN codons and most terminated with complete (TAA or TAG) stop codons. Analyses of pairwise genetic distances showed that ATP8 was the least conserved gene within Tetrigidae, while COI was the most conserved. The longest intergenic spacer (IGS) region in the mitogenomes was always found between tRNASer(UCN) and ND1. Additionally, tandem repeat units were identified in the longest IGS of three mitogenomes. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses based on the two datasets supported the monophyly of Tetriginae. Scelimeninae was classified as a non-monophyletic subfamily.

New species and new synonyms of Macromotettixoides (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with an updated key.

The genus Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei Jiang, 2005 is reviewed. Four new species of the genus, M. daiyunshanensis Deng, sp. nov., M. curvicarina Deng, sp. nov., M. convexa Deng, sp. nov. and M. shengtangshanensis Deng, sp. nov. are described with detailed illustrations of external morphology. Two new synonyms are established: M. jinggangshanensis, syn. nov. is synonymized with M. jiuwanshanensis Zheng, Wei Jiang, 2005; M. parvula Zha Wen, 2017, syn. nov. is synonymized with M. undulatifemura Deng, Zheng Yang, 2012. Additionally, an updated key to species of the genus is given.

The story of the Malagasy devils (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae): Holocerus lucifer in the north and H. devriesei sp. nov. in the south?

Madagascar is home to some of the largest and most colorful pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) in the world, known as 'Malagasy Metrodorinae'. Among them, Devil's pygmy grasshoppers (genus Holocerus Bolívar, 1887) are unique in having two long spines on the back, which are modified internal lateral pronotal carinae. The genus Holocerus was composed of two species - H. lucifer (Serville, 1838) and H. taurus Rehn, 1929 syn. nov., but here it is evidenced that the latter represents a junior synonym of the former. Simultaneously, H. devriesei sp. nov. is described as a species new to science. Holocerus lucifer is a northern species of paler coloration and longer spines (distributed from Marojejy and Maroantsetra in the north to Zahamena in the south), whereas H. devriesei sp. nov. represents the southern and darker species (distributed from Vohimana and Andasibe-Mantadia in the south to the Antongil Bay in the north). There are potential overlaps in the distribution of the two species, but without more georeferenced localities, it is impossible to discriminate whether they occur only sympatrically or also syntopically.

Online social media tells a story of Anaselina, Paraselina, and Selivinga (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae), rare Australian pygmy grasshoppers.

Knowledge on the pygmy grasshoppers of Australia is, despite the numerous endemics being described from this unique continent, still scarce. Of interest is the Vingselina genus group, including genera Anaselina Storozhenko, 2019, Paraselina Storozhenko, 2019, Selivinga Storozhenko, 2019 and Vingselina Sjöstedt, 1921. The systematic position of this group, currently assigned to Batrachideinae (Bufonidini), is probably not correct. In this study new records are presented of Anaselina minor (Sjöstedt, 1921), Paraselina brunneri (Bolívar, 1887), P. trituberculata (Sjöstedt, 1932), and Selivinga tribulata Storozhenko, 2019, all except A. minor the first records of the species since their original descriptions. The first photographs of living specimens of A. minor, P. brunneri, P. trituberculata and S. tribulata are provided and their habitats described. All the records were compiled by citizen scientists who use online social media, such as iNaturalist. Lastly, P. multifora (Rehn, 1952) syn. nov. represents a junior synonym of P. brunneri.

Two new species of the genus Formosatettix Tinkham, 1937 (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) from Guizhou and Chongqing, PR China.

Two new pygmy grasshopper species are described from PR China and are assigned to Formosatettix Tinkham, 1937, a large Asian tetrigin genus composed of species with reduced tegmina and hind wings: F. leigongshanensis Zha & Ding, sp. nov. from Guizhou and F. wulongensis Zha & Ding, sp. nov. from Chongqing. We provide descriptions of morphology and habit, supplemented with photographs. Flying organs of the genus Formosatettix are discussed and the genus is compared with other Asian genera with reduced flying organs, such as Formosatettixoides Zheng, 1994 and Alulatettix Liang, 1993 in Tetriginae, Deltonotus Hancock, 1904, Epitettix Hancock, 1907 and Pseudepitettix Zheng, 1995 in Cladonotinae, and Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei & Jiang, 2005 and Pseudomacromotettix Zheng, Li & Lin, 2012 in Metrodorinae.

A taxonomic study of the genus Macromotettixoides (Tetrigidae, Metrodorinae) with descriptions of two new species and two newly discovered males.

Fifteen species of Macromotettixoides are systematically researched in this paper. Two new species (M. tuberculata Mao, Li Han, sp. n. and M. truncata Mao, Li Han, sp. n.) and two newly discovered males (M. curvimarginus (Zheng Xu) and M. longling Deng) are introduced with descriptions and illustrations. An updated identification key to all known species of the genus is given.

The last batrachideine of Europe: A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Eocene Baltic amber.

A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) is described from Eocene Baltic amber. Danatettix hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. is assigned to the subfamily Batrachideinae based on antennae with more than 19 antennomeres, sulcate mesofemora, and rectangular paranota. This species is readily distinguished from other batrachideines by a markedly produced vertex, pronotum with divergent internal and external lateral carinae, and highly setiferous female lateral basivalvular sclerite with scabrose integument. The morphology of Danatettix suggests placement within the here defined Tettigidea genus group (comprising Eutettigidea Hancock, 1914, Paurotarsus Hancock, 1900, and Tettigidea Scudder, 1862) and suggests that the latter had diverged from the new Scaria genus group (comprising Eotetrix Gorochov, 2012, Rehnidium Grant, 1956 and Scaria Bolívar, 1887) by the Early Eocene.

An annotated catalogue of the pygmy grasshoppers of the genus Criotettix Bolívar, 1887 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with two new Criotettix species from China.

The tetrigid genus Criotettix Bolívar, 1887 from China is taxonomically reviewed. The genus now includes 39 species from China, in which two new species are described and illustrated, namely: Criotettix longispinus Deng, sp. nov. and Criotettix undatifemurus Deng, sp. nov..Their distribution and an annotated identification key to Chinese species are provided.

A review of the genus Systolederus Bolivar (Orthoptera: Metrodorinae) from China.

The tetrigid genus Systolederus Bolivar, 1887 from China is taxonomically reviewed. The genus now includes 16 species from China, in which one new species is described and illustrated, namely: Systolederus aspinus Deng, sp. nov.. Their distribution and an annotated identification key to Chinese species are provided.

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

A new species of the genus is described from Zhejiang, China in this paper. The new species Criotettix zhejiangensis sp. nov. is similar to Criotettix strivertexoides Zheng, Wei Li, 2009, but differs in antennae placed the lower margin of eye, head exserted above the pronotal surface, lateral keels in prozona slightly contracted backward, upper margin of pronotum not waved in lateral view, width of tegmen 1.2 times width of mid leg femur and lower side of hind femur not black. The new species is also similar to Criotettix strivertex Zheng, Wei Li, 2009, it differs from latter by head exserted above the pronotal surface, upper margin of pronotum not waved in lateral view, lower side of mid femur straight, width of tegmen 1.2 times width of mid leg femur and length of hind femur 3.1 times its width. The type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China.

Phylogenetic relationships of Scelimeninae genera (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea) based on COI, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequences.

Scelimeninae is an important subfamily of Tetrigoidea; however, the phylogenetic relationships within Scelimeninae are poorly understood, and its generic classification has remained unstable. In this study, the COI, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes from 24 species in 9 genera within Scelimeninae were amplified and sequenced, the base composition and inter-species genetic distance of the combined sequence of COI, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes were analyzed, and the molecular phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The results of sequence analysis showed that the total length of the combined COI, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequence was 3507 bp, including 2345 conservative sites, 1144 variable sites and 901 parsimony-informative sites. The average A+T content was 63.5% and 78.1% in the COI, 16S rRNA sequences, respectively, indicating A+T bias. The average genetic distance between all species was 0.134, and the average genetic distance in the inner group (Scelimeninae) was 0.126. A phylogenetic tree based on the combined sequences of the COI, 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes showed that the phylogenetic relationships among 9 Scelimeninae genera were as follows: Criotettix + (((Zhengitettix + Hebarditettix) + (Falconius + (Scelimena + Paragavialidium))) + ((Eucriotettix + Thoradonta) + Loxilobus)). The molecular phylogenetic results generally support the morphological taxonomy; at the genus level, Criotettix, Scelimena, Paragavialidium, Thoradonta and Eucriotettix are monophyletic groups, Scelimena and Paragavialidium form sister groups, and Thoradonta and Eucriotettix also form sister groups, but the relationship between Hebarditettix and Zhengitettix needs further study. At the species level, synonyms may exist between Thoradonta spiculoba and Thoradonta transpicula and Thoradonta nodulosa and Thoradonta obtusilobata, but more studies are required to confirm this inference.

A new species of genus Thoradonta Hancock, 1908 (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Tetrigidae) from India.

A new species of genus Thoradonta subtruncata sp. nov. is described from Korba, Chhattisgarh, India. A brief comparison with the reference collection Thoradonta spiculoba Hancock, 1912 present in National Zoological Collection identified by Prof. K. K. Günther. The new species Thoradonta subtruncata sp. nov. is similar to Thoradonta spiculoba Hancock, 1912, but differs from latter by median carina of vertex distinct and elevated, facial carinae slightly sinuated between antennae, scutellum moderate near median ocellus, tegmen elongate, more punctuate, narrow in middle, apex subtruncate and pulvilli III distinctly longer than length of I and II pulvilli.

Two new species of the genus Criotettix Bolivar, 1887 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae: Scelimeninae) from India.

Two new species i.e. Criotettix gidhavensis sp. nov. and Criotettix gariyabandicus sp. nov. are described from Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh, India. Distribution map and a key to the Indian species of the genus Criotettix Bolivar, 1887 are also provided.

Two new species of the genus Macromotettix Günther, 1939 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae, Metrodorinae) from China, with a key to the species of the genus.

Taxonomy of a tetrigid genus Macromotettix Günther is reviewed. Two new species, Macromotettix undulatifemura Deng sp. nov. and Macromotettix sichuanensis Deng sp. nov. are described from China. An updated identification key to all known species of the genus are given.

Mitochondrial genomes of three Tetrigoidea species and phylogeny of Tetrigoidea.

The mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Formosatettix qinlingensis, Coptotettix longjiangensis and Thoradonta obtusilobata (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Tetrigoidea) were sequenced in this study, and almost the entire mitogenomes of these species were determined. The mitogenome sequences obtained for the three species were 15,180, 14,495 and 14,538 bp in length, respectively, and each sequence included 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), partial sequences of rRNA genes (rRNAs), tRNA genes (tRNAs) and a A + T-rich region. The order and orientation of the gene arrangement pattern were identical to that of most Tetrigoidea species. Some conserved spacer sequences between trnS(UCN) and nad1 were useful to identify Tetrigoidea and Acridoidea. The Ka/Ks value of atp8 between Trachytettix bufo and other four Tetrigoidea species indicated that some varied sites in this gene might be related with the evolution of T. bufo. The three Tetrigoidea species were compared with other Caelifera. At the superfamily level, conserved sequences were observed in intergenic spacers, which can be used for superfamily level identification between Tetrigoidea and Acridoidea. Furthermore, a phylogenomic analysis was conducted based on the concatenated data sets from mitogenome sequences of 24 species of Orthoptera in the superorders Caelifera and Ensifera. Both maximum likelihood and bayesian inference analyses strongly supported Acridoidea and Tetrigoidea as forming monophyletic groups. The relationships among six Tetrigoidea species were (((((Tetrix japonica, Alulatettix yunnanensis), Formosatettix qinlingensis), Coptotettix longjiangensis), Trachytettix bufo), Thoradonta obtusilobata).

The comparative mitogenomics and phylogenetics of the two grouse-grasshoppers (Insecta, Orthoptera, Tetrigoidea).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal the mitochondrial genomes (mtgenomes) of Tetrix japonica and Alulatettix yunnanensis, and the phylogenetics of Orthoptera species. METHODS: The mtgenomes of A. yunnanensis and T. japonica were firstly sequenced and assembled through partial sequences amplification, and then the genome organization and gene arrangement were analyzed. Based on nucleotide/amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and whole mtgenomes, phylogenetic trees were established on 37 Orthoptera species and 5 outgroups, respectively. RESULTS: Except for a regulation region (A+T rich region), a total of 37 genes were found in mtgenomes of T. japonica and A. yunnanensis, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes, which exhibited similar characters with other Orthoptera species. Phylogenetic tree based on 13 concatenated protein-coding nucleotide sequences were considered to be more suitable for phylogenetic reconstruction of Orthoptera species than amino acid sequences and mtgenomes. The phylogenetic relationships of Caelifera species were Acridoidea and Pamphagoidea > Pyrgomorphoidea > Pneumoroidea > Eumastacoidea > Tetrigoidea > Tridactyloidea. Besides, a sister-group relationship between Tettigonioidea and Rhaphidophoroidea was revealed in Ensifera. CONCLUSION: Concatenated protein-coding nucleotide sequences of 13 genes were suitable for reconstruction of phylogenetic relationship in orthopteroid species. Tridactyloidea was a sister group of Tetrigoidea in Caelifera, and Rhaphidophoroidea was a sister group of Tettigonioidea in Ensifera.

Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Pygmy Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea) and a Comparative Analysis of Caelifera Mitogenomes.

The nearly complete mitogenomes of Bolivaritettix sikkinensis and Bolivaritettix yuanbaoshanensis were determined and compared with the mitogenomes of other 29 caeliferans. These two newly determined mitogenomes displayed the typical gene organization and composition, codon usage and AT skew of most Caelifera mitogenomes. A comparison of 31 orthopteran sequences revealed that the main causes of the differences in total length are an A+T-rich region and the length of IGS, even the rRNAs, and an AT content proportional to the value of AT-skew in the third position of PCGs. In Tetrigoidea, several tRNA were found to possess smaller TΨC or DHC loops and a number of special and conserved regions or motifs were found in tRNA genes and IGS, which may be useful as a molecular synapomorphy for this genus. ML and BI methods used in phylogenetic analysis revealed that Acridoidea species may have a close relationship with Tetrigoidea species.