Taxonomic revision of Teleogryllus mitratus (Burmeister, 1838) and T. occipitalis (Serville, 1838) in India, with the description of Teleogryllus rohinae Jaiswara amp; Jain sp. nov. and a key for Teleogryllus species from India (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

The genus Teleogryllus is known from 52 species distributed worldwide, of which India is home to 11 species. We update Teleogryllus diversity by describing a new species, T. rohinae Jaiswara Jain sp. nov., from Kerala, India. In addition, we revise the description of the two widespread Teleogryllus species, i.e., T. mitratus (Burmeister, 1838) and T. occipitalis (Serville, 1838) and describe their female genital structures for the first time. Finally, we provide updated identification keys for all Indian Teleogryllus species.

The Phalangopsidae crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) of the Seychelles Archipelago: Taxonomy of an ecological radiation.

The Phalangopsidae crickets (Grylloidea) of the Seychelles are examined following extensive field sampling on several main islands of the archipelago (Mah, Silhouette, Praslin, La Digue). Despite the small area of these islands, six genera (12 species) are documented, including one new genus and five new species. The type species of the genus Seychellesia Bolivar, 1912 is transferred to the genus Paragryllodes Karny, 1909 as Paragryllodes nitidula (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. The other species described in Seychellesia are transferred to the genus Seselia Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., as Seselia longicercata (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. and Seselia patellifera (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. Two new species are also described in the genus Seselia Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., Seselia coccofessei Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., n. sp. (type species of the genus) and Seselia matyoti Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., n. sp. The genera Phaeogryllus Bolivar, 1912 and Phalangacris Bolivar, 1895 are redescribed, including Phalangacris ferlegro Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. and Phalangacris sotsote Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. that are new to science. The genus Gryllapterus Bolivar, 1912 is redescribed and transferred from the Landrevinae (Gryllidae) to the Cachoplistinae (Phalangopsidae). New tribes are defined for the genus Paragryllodes (Paragryllodini Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe) on the one hand, and for Seselia Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., Phalangacris, Phaeogryllus and Gryllapterus (Seselini Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe) on the other, using morphological characters and the results of molecular phylogenetic studies (Warren et al. 2019). Phaloria (Papuloria) insularis (Bolivar, 1912) (Phaloriinae) is redescribed and restricted to Mah, and its calling song is documented for the first time, while Phaloria (Papuloria) bolivari Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. is newly described from Silhouette. Identification keys are proposed for the genera of Seselini Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe, and for the species of Seselia Hugel Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen. and Phalangacris. The confusion between the Mogoplistidae Ornebius succineus Bolivar, 1912 and the Phalangopsidae Heterotrypus succineus Bolivar, 1910 is discussed, and the name Subtiloria succineus (Bolivar, 1912) considered a nomen nudum.

Sound vs. light: wing-based communication in Carboniferous insects.

Acoustic communication is well-known in insects since the Mesozoic, but earlier evidence of this behavior is rare. Titanoptera, an 'orthopteroid' Permian-Triassic order, is one of the few candidates for Paleozoic intersex calling interactions: some specimens had highly specialized broadened zones on the forewings, which are currently considered-despite inconclusive evidence-as 'resonators' of a stridulatory apparatus. Here we argue that the stridulatory apparatus hypothesis is unlikely because the Titanoptera lack a stridulatory file on their bodies, legs or wings. Instead, comparing these broadened zones with similar structures in extant locusts, flies, and fossil damselflies, we find evidence that the Titanoptera used their wings to produce flashes of light and/or crepitated sounds. Moreover, we describe the first Carboniferous (~310 Mya) Titanoptera, which exhibits such specialized zones, thus corresponding to the oldest record of wing communication in insects. Whether these communication systems were used to attract sexual partners and/or escape predators remain to be demonstrated.

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.

The genus Arachnomimus/ Saussure, 1897 (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) in India, with description of a new subgenus and species from a cave in Chhattisgarh, India.

The genus Arachnomimus Saussure, 1897 is one of the 13 genera of Phalangopsidae present in India. A total of 11 species belongs to this genus, of which, 9 are grouped in the subgenus Arachnomimus Saussure, 1897 with their distribution on the Indian subcontinent. One species occurs in Brazil and another in Euarachnomimus Gorochov, 1996 known from Southeast Asia. India hosts two species, Arachnomimus (Arachnomimus) lepidus Chopard, 1969 and Arachnomimus (Arachnomimus) maindroni (Chopard, 1969). In the present paper, we describe a new subgenus, Indimimus Desutter-Grandcolas Jaiswara and a new species Indimimus jayanti Jaiswara under genus Arachnomimus. Identification keys for all the three subgenera and three species from India are proposed.

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.

A new genus and species of cricket from eastern Cuba: the first Antillean true Eneopterinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae).

The occurrence of true Eneopterinae in the Antilles is recorded herein for the first time, with the description of a new genus and species herein described from eastern Cuba (Greater Antilles): Antillobinthus inexpectatus Yong Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen. n. sp. It is described and illustrated in detail, including color photographs of habitus, morphologically diagnostic characters and habitat. The present finding revives a biogeographical debate, as no Eneopterinae was up-to-now known from the Antilles.

First Record of Dericorys albidula Serville, 1838 (Orthoptera: Dericorythidae) in Tunisia and Libya.

The humpbacked grasshopper Dericorys albidula (Serville, 1838) (Orthoptera: Dericorythidae: Dericorythinae) is reported here for the first time from Southern Tunisia (Tozeur province) and northwestern Libya. Details on the ecological occurrence of D. albidula are given and compared to available data from Central Asia. A lectotype is designated for D. albidula and its type locality identified as the Sinaï desert in Egypt.

A new genus and five new species of Anostostomatidae from the Lesser Antilles (Orthoptera: Ensifera).

Most high volcanic islands of Lesser Antilles harbor one single genus of Anostostomatidae: Rhumosa n. gen: Rhumosa bolognei n. gen. n. sp. in Guadeloupe, Rhumosa macoucheriei n. gen. n. sp. in Dominica, Rhumosa depazei n. gen. n. sp. in Martinique, Rhumosa admiralrodneyei n. gen. n. sp. in Saint Lucia, Rhumosa captainblighei n. gen. n. sp., in Saint Vincent. These species are restricted to well preserved rainforests; species from northern islands apparently occurring at higher elevation than species of southern islands. The distribution and generic position of Rhumosa n. gen. species is discussed, as well as the generic position of Lutosa cubaensis (Haan, 1843).

Titanogryllus n. gen., the largest Gryllinae cricket from the Neotropical Region with three new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae).

Titanogryllus, a new genus and three new species T. salgado n. gen. n. sp., T. oxossi n. gen. n. sp., and T. oxente n. gen. n. sp. from subfamily Gryllinae (Grylloidea, Gryllidae) are described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This genus is characterized by its very large size, and establishes a new record for the largest known cricket from Neotropical Region. The new taxa are characterized by their external morphology and male and female genitalia.

New insights on basivenal sclerites using 3D tools and homology of wing veins in Odonatoptera (Insecta).

Being implied in flight, mimetism, communication, and protection, the insect wings were crucial organs for the mega diversification of this clade. Despite several attempts, the problem of wing evolution remains unresolved because the basal parts of the veins essential for vein identification are hidden in the basivenal sclerites. The homologies between wing characters thus cannot be accurately verified, while they are of primary importance to solve long-standing problems, such as the monophyly of the Palaeoptera, viz. Odonatoptera, Panephemeroptera, and Palaeozoic Palaeodictyopterida mainly known by their wings. Hitherto the tools to homologize venation were suffering several cases of exceptions, rendering them unreliable. Here we reconstruct the odonatopteran venation using fossils and a new 3D imaging tool, resulting congruent with the concept of Riek and Kukalová-Peck, with important novelties, viz. median anterior vein fused to radius and radius posterior nearly as convex as radius anterior (putative synapomorphies of Odonatoptera); subcostal anterior (ScA) fused to costal vein and most basal primary antenodal crossvein being a modified posterior branch of ScA (putative synapomorphies of Palaeoptera). These findings may reveal critical for future analyses of the relationships between fossil and extant Palaeoptera, helping to solve the evolutionary history of the insects as a whole.

Description of two smallest field crickets from South America, Laureopsis nauta Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. and Perugryllus estiron Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae, Gryllinae).

Gryllinae are one of the most diverse and widely distributed cricket groups. However, in South America they are known only from 10 genera. We update this list by describing two new genera and species of field crickets i.e. Laureopsis nauta Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. and Perugryllus estiron Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. from Peru.

3-D imaging reveals four extraordinary cases of convergent evolution of acoustic communication in crickets and allies (Insecta).

When the same complex trait is exhibited by closely related species, a single evolutionary origin is frequently invoked. The complex stridulatory apparatus present in the forewings of extant crickets, mole crickets, katydids, and prophalangopsids, is currently interpreted as sharing a single common origin due to their similarity and unique function. An alternative hypothesis of convergent evolution in these ensiferan groups has challenged this common view, but remained controversial because of competing interpretations of wing venation. Here we propose another hypothesis for the widely and long debated homology of ensiferan stridulatory apparatus, performing the first 3D reconstruction of hidden structures at the wing bases. This approach allowed defining the homology of each vein from its very origin rather than after its more distal characteristics, which may be subjected to environmental pressure of selection. The stridulatory apparatus involves different veins in these four singing clades. In light of the most recent phylogenetic evidence, this apparatus developed four times in Ensifera, illustrating extraordinary convergent evolutions between closely related clades, by far exceeding the number of evolutionary steps ever proposed for calling ability in this group.

Insect mimicry of plants dates back to the Permian.

In response to predation pressure, some insects have developed spectacular plant mimicry strategies (homomorphy), involving important changes in their morphology. The fossil record of plant mimicry provides clues to the importance of predation pressure in the deep past. Surprisingly, to date, the oldest confirmed records of insect leaf mimicry are Mesozoic. Here we document a crucial step in the story of adaptive responses to predation by describing a leaf-mimicking katydid from the Middle Permian. Our morphometric analysis demonstrates that leaf-mimicking wings of katydids can be morphologically characterized in a non-arbitrary manner and shows that the new genus and species Permotettigonia gallica developed a mimicking pattern of forewings very similar to those of the modern leaf-like katydids. Our finding suggests that predation pressure was already high enough during the Permian to favour investment in leaf mimicry.

First occurrence of Nemobiinae crickets in the Lesser Antilles (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae), with the descriptions of three new species.

The occurrence of Nemobiinae crickets (Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae) in the Lesser Antilles is attested here for the first time, by the descriptions of three new species of Absonemobius Desutter-Grandcolas, 1993 from Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and St. Vincent: Absonemobius septentrion n. sp., Absonemobius lucensis n. sp. and Absonemobius vincenti n. sp., and the discovery of Hygronemobius Hebard, 1913 in Guadeloupe. The generic attribution of several nemobiine species described from the Caribbean and from Southern Central America are also reviewed: Nemobius elegans Otte, 2006 from Costa Rica and Pteronemobius sanaco Otte & Perez-Gelabert, 2009 described from Belize are transferred to Hygronemobius; Hygronemobius darienicus Hebard, 1913 described from Panama is transferred to Absonemobius Desutter-Grandcolas, 1993; Hygronemobius epia Otte & Perez-Gelabert, 2009 does not belong to Hygronemobius, but is temporarily kept in this genus as incertae sedis.

Crickets (Insecta, Orthoptera, Grylloidea) from Southern New Caledonia, with descriptions of new taxa.

Intensive sampling of cricket communities has been undertaken in southern New Caledonia in selected plots of vegetation, i.e. rain forest, preforest and maquis shrubland. This leads to the discovery of many new taxa, which are described in the present paper, together with closely related species from nearby areas. Descriptions are based on general morphology and characters of genitalia. Calling songs are described for all acoustic taxa but two, and observations about species habitats are given. In total, 35 species belonging to 13 genera are studied, including 21 new species and two new genera. The pattern of assemblages of cricket species in New Caledonia is discussed.

Old Lineage on an Old Island: Pixibinthus, a New Cricket Genus Endemic to New Caledonia Shed Light on Gryllid Diversification in a Hotspot of Biodiversity.

Few studies have focused on the early colonization of New Caledonia by insects, after the re-emergence of the main island, 37 Myr ago. Here we investigate the mode and tempo of evolution of a new endemic cricket genus, Pixibinthus, recently discovered in southern New Caledonia. First we formally describe this new monotypic genus found exclusively in the open shrubby vegetation on metalliferous soils, named 'maquis minier', unique to New Caledonia. We then reconstruct a dated molecular phylogeny based on five mitochondrial and four nuclear loci in order to establish relationships of Pixibinthus within Eneopterinae crickets. Pixibinthus is recovered as the sister clade of the endemic genus Agnotecous, mostly rainforest-dwellers. Dating results show that the island colonization by their common ancestor occurred around 34.7 Myr, shortly after New Caledonia re-emergence. Pixibinthus and Agnotecous are then one of the oldest insect lineages documented so far for New Caledonia. This discovery highlights for the first time two clear-cut ecological specializations between sister clades, as Agnotecous is mainly found in rainforests with 19 species, whereas Pixibinthus is found in open habitats with a single documented species. The preference of Pixibinthus for open habitats and of Agnotecous for forest habitats nicely fits an acoustic specialization, either explained by differences in body size or in acoustic properties of their respective habitats. We hypothesize that landscape dynamics, linked to major past climatic events and recent change in fire regimes are possible causes for both present-day low diversity and rarity in genus Pixibinthus. The unique evolutionary history of this old New Caledonian lineage stresses the importance to increase our knowledge on the faunal biodiversity of 'maquis minier', in order to better understand the origin and past dynamics of New Caledonian biota.

Laying the foundations of evolutionary and systematic studies in crickets (Insecta, Orthoptera): a multilocus phylogenetic analysis.

Orthoptera have been used for decades for numerous evolutionary questions but several of its constituent groups, notably crickets, still suffer from a lack of a robust phylogenetic hypothesis. We propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the evolution of crickets sensu lato, based on analysis of 205 species, representing 88% of the subfamilies and 71% tribes currently listed in the database Orthoptera Species File (OSF). We reconstructed parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies using fragments of 18S, 28SA, 28SD, H3, 12S, 16S, and cytb (~3600 bp). Our results support the monophyly of the cricket clade, and its subdivision into two clades: mole crickets and ant-loving crickets on the one hand, and all the other crickets on the other (i.e. crickets sensu stricto). Crickets sensu stricto form seven monophyletic clades, which support part of the OSF families, "subfamily groups", or subfamilies: the mole crickets (OSF Gryllotalpidae), the scaly crickets (OSF Mogoplistidae), and the true crickets (OSF Gryllidae) are recovered as monophyletic. Among the 22 sampled subfamilies, only six are monophyletic: Gryllotalpinae, Trigonidiinae, Pteroplistinae, Euscyrtinae, Oecanthinae, and Phaloriinae. Most of the 37 tribes sampled are para- or polyphyletic. We propose the best-supported clades as backbones for future definitions of familial groups, validating some taxonomic hypotheses proposed in the past. These clades fit variously with the morphological characters used today to identify crickets. Our study emphasizes the utility of a classificatory system that accommodates diagnostic characters and monophyletic units of evolution. Moreover, the phylogenetic hypotheses proposed by the present study open new perspectives for further evolutionary research, especially on acoustic communication and biogeography.

Pizacris: a new genus and two new species of Luzarinae cricket close to Guabamima de Mello, 1992 and Mellopsis Mews & Sperber, 2010 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Luzarinae).

Here we describe a new genus and two new species of Luzarinae crickets (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro States (Brazil). We describe Pizacris Souza-Dias & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., transfer the species Mellopsis zefai Mews & Sperber, 2010 to P. zefai (Mews & Sperber, 2010) n. comb., redescribe this species based in topotypes and, since the type series is lost, designate a neotype. We also describe the second species of this genus, P. carioca Desutter-Grandcolas & Souza-Dias n. gen., n. sp. The new genus is characterized by the dark brown uniform coloration with strikingly white joints 4 and 5 of maxillary palpi, reduced FWs, without stridulatory file and, mainly, the absence of the pseudepiphallic arms in male phallic complex. We provide a brief discussion about the morphology of male genitalia in Pizacris Souza-Dias & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen. and related genera, Guabamima de Mello, 1992 and Mellopsis Mews & Sperber, 2010. We also provide an identification key for these genera and notes about the reproductive behavior of P. zefai (Mews & Sperber, 2010) n. comb.

Phalangopsidae crickets from Tropical Africa (Orthoptera, Grylloidea), with descriptions of new taxa and an identification key for African genera.

New Phalangopsidae crickets are described from tropical Africa, including three new genera and ten new species: Afrophaloria Desutter-Grandcolas, n.gen., Afrophaloria amani Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., type species, Afrophaloria apiariensis Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Afrophaloria hempae Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Kameruloria gabonensis Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Kameruloria nigricornis Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Kameruloria trimaculata Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Paragryllodes amani Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., Phasmagryllus Desutter-Grandcolas, n.gen., Phasmagryllus elegans Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., type species, Upupagryllus Desutter-Grandcolas, n.gen., Upupagryllus subalatus Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., type species, and Upupagryllus alatus Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. All these taxa, except Paragryllodes amani Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp., belong to the subfamily Phaloriinae. The subfamily is redefined, to take into account their morphological (apterous taxa) and ecological (straminicolous taxa) diversity. A key for phalangopsid African genera is proposed, and the status of Larandeicus Chopard, 1937 briefly discussed.