A revision of the shield-back katydid genus Neduba (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae: Nedubini).

The Nearctic shield-back katydid genus Neduba is revised. Species boundaries were demarcated by molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphology, quantitative analysis of calling songs, and karyotypes. Nine previously described species are redescribed: N. carinata, N. castanea, N. convexa, N. diabolica, N. extincta, N. macneilli, N. propsti, N. sierranus, and N. steindachneri, and twelve new species are described: N. ambagiosa sp. n., N. arborea sp. n., N. cascadia sp. n., N. duplocantans sp. n., N. inversa sp. n., N. longiplutea sp. n., N. lucubrata sp. n., N. oblongata sp. n., N. prorocantans sp. n., N. radicata sp. n., N. radocantans sp. n., and N. sequoia sp. n. We chose a lectotype for N. steindachneri and transferred N. picturata from a junior synonym of N. diabolica to a junior synonym of N. steindachneri. Diversification in this relict group reflects cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact amidst the tumultuous, evolving geography of western North America. The taxonomy and phylogenies presented in this revision lay the groundwork for studies of speciation, biogeography, hybrid zones, and behavioral evolution. Given that one Neduba species is already extinct from human environmental disturbance, we suggest conservation priorities for the genus.

Generic relationships of New World Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea:Stenopelmatinae), including all known species of Stenopelmatus.

The New World Jerusalem crickets currently consist of 4 genera: Stenopelmatus Burmeister, 1838, with 33 named entities; Ammopelmatus Tinkham, 1965, with 2 described species; Viscainopelmatus Tinkham, 1970, with 1 described species, and Stenopelmatopterus Gorochov, 1988, with 3 described species. We redefine the generic boundaries of these 4 genera, synonymize Stenopelmatopterus under Stenopelmatus, and synonymize Viscainopelmatus under Ammopelmatus. We then discuss, and illustrate, all the types of the species of Stenopelmatus, all of which only occur south of the United States' border.                We recognize as valid the following 5 described Mexican and Central American species: S. ater, S. piceiventris, S. sartorianus, S. talpa, and S. typhlops. We declare the following 13 described Mexican and Central American Stenopelmatus taxa as nomen dubium: S. calcaratus, S. erythromelus, S. guatemalae, S. histrio, S. lessonae, S. lycosoides, S. mexicanus, S. minor, S. nieti, S. sallei, S. sumichrasti, S. toltecus, and S. vicinus. We designate a neotype for S. talpa and lectotypes for S. ater, S. guatemalae, S. histrio, S. lessonae, S. mexicanus, S. minor, S. nieti, S. sallei, S. sumichrasti, and S. toltecus. We assign a type locality for S. piceiventris. We concur with the previous synonymy of S. politus under S. sartorianus. We describe 14 new species of Stenopelmatus from Mexico, Honduras and Ecuador, based on a combination of adult morphology, DNA, calling song drumming pattern, distribution, and karyotype: S. chiapas sp. nov., S. cusuco sp. nov., S. diezmilpies sp. nov., S. durango sp. nov., S. ecuadorensis sp. nov., S. faulkneri sp. nov., S. honduras sp. nov., S. hondurasito sp. nov., S. mineraldelmonte sp. nov., S. nuevoleon sp. nov., S. perote sp. nov., S. saltillo sp. nov., S. sanfelipe sp. nov., and S. zimapan sp. nov.                  We transfer the following 16 described United States taxa, plus S. cephalotes from the "west coast of North America", from Stenopelmatus to Ammopelmatus: A. cahuilaensis, A. californicus, A. cephalotes, A. fasciatus, A. fuscus, A. hydrocephalus, A. intermedius, A. irregularis, A. longispinus, A. mescaleroensis, A. monahansensis, A. navajo, A. nigrocapitatus, A. oculatus, A. pictus, and A. terrenus, along with the Mexican taxon A. comanchus: these species will be discussed in a subsequent paper (Weissman et al. in prep).                We believe that all new Jerusalem cricket species descriptions should include, at a minimum, calling drum (most important) and DNA information.

Review of Glaphyrosoma (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea: Anostostomatidae), including new species and biological information.

We describe four new Glaphyrosoma species: G. brevivaginalis n. sp., G. huasteca n. sp., G. paragracile n. sp. and G. unumtympana n. sp. We redescribe and provide new distributional data for G. gracile, G. mexicanum and G. stephanosoltis. The subfamily status to tribe Glaphyrosomatini is proposed and a key to identify the genera is provided. The key to Glaphyrosoma species is updated to include the species here described. Finally, we present karyotype data and drumming information for selected species.

A new unusual Anabropsis species from Mexico, with notes on the identity of A. rehni Griffini from Africa (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae).

Anabropsis homerogomezi n. sp. from the state of Michoacán, Mexico, is described in memory of Homero Gómez, the defender of the monarch butterfly who disappeared in Mexico and whose work "affected the interests" of illegal loggers. Pteranabropsis rehni (Griffini, 1909) n. comb. the only Anabropsis species reported for Africa, is proposed as a new combination, restricting the distribution of Anabropsis to the New World. Finally, the taxonomic debates and organization of the subfamily Anabropsinae and the peculiarities of the new species are discussed in contrast to the other Anabropsis species.

Multilocus phylogeny of Gryllus field crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae) utilizing anchored hybrid enrichment.

We present the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Gryllus field cricket species found in the United States and Canada, select additional named Gryllus species found in Mexico and the Bahamas, plus the European field cricket G. campestris Linnaeus and the Afro-Eurasian cricket G. bimaculatus De Geer. Acheta, Teleogryllus, and Nigrogryllus were used as outgroups. Anchored hybrid enrichment was used to generate 492,531 base pairs of DNA sequence from 563 loci. RAxML analysis of concatenated sequence data and Astral analysis of gene trees gave broadly congruent results, especially for older branches and overall tree structure. The North American Gryllus are monophyletic with respect to the two Old World taxa; certain sub-groups show rapid recent divergence. This is the first Anchored Hybrid Enrichment study of an insect group done for closely related species within a single genus, and the results illustrate the challenges of reconstructing the evolutionary history of young rapidly diverged taxa when both incomplete lineage sorting and probable hybridization are at play. Because Gryllus field crickets have been used extensively as a model system in evolutionary ecology, behavior, neuro-physiology, speciation, and life-history and life-cycle evolution, these results will help inform, interpret, and guide future research in these areas.

The identity of the Bahama endemic field cricket Gryllus bryanti Morse (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; Gryllinae; Gryllini).

The Bahama endemic field cricket, Gryllus bryanti Morse, 1905, previously known from only the lost female holotype, is redescribed, including designation of a neotype. Known only from Andros and Eleuthera Islands in The Bahamas, where it occurs with G. assimilis, it can be separated from the latter by song, tegmen file characteristics, head wider than pronotum, and genetics.

Crickets of the genus Gryllus in the United States (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae).

Gryllus field and wood crickets of the United States, mostly west of the Mississippi River, are reviewed and revised. We validate the following 18 Gryllus cricket names: G. armatus, G. assimilis, G. brevicaudus, G. cayensis, G. cohni, G. firmus, G. fultoni, G. integer, G. lineaticeps, G. multipulsator, G. ovisopis, G. pennsylvanicus, G. personatus, G. rubens, G. texensis, G. veletis, G. vernalis, and G. vocalis. We synonymize G. alogus under G. vocalis. We designate a lectotype for G. armatus. We describe the following 17 new Gryllus species: G. chisosensis, G. leei, G. lightfooti, G. longicercus, G. makhosica, G. montis, G. navajo, G. planeta, G. regularis, G. saxatilis, G. sotol, G. staccato, G. thinos, G. transpecos, G. veintinueve, G. veletisoides, and G. vulcanus. We present biology, distribution, and genetic analysis of all taxa and discuss their nearest relatives.

Functional equivalence of grasping cerci and nuptial food gifts in promoting ejaculate transfer in katydids.

The function of nuptial gifts has generated longstanding debate. Nuptial gifts consumed during ejaculate transfer may allow males to transfer more ejaculate than is optimal for females. However, gifts may simultaneously represent male investment in offspring. Evolutionary loss of nuptial gifts can help elucidate pressures driving their evolution. In most katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), males transfer a spermatophore comprising two parts: the ejaculate-containing ampulla and the spermatophylax-a gelatinous gift that females eat during ejaculate transfer. Many species, however, have reduced or no spermatophylaces and many have prolonged copulation. Across 44 katydid species, we tested whether spermatophylaces and prolonged copulation following spermatophore transfer are alternative adaptations to protect the ejaculate. We also tested whether prolonged copulation was associated with (i) male cercal adaptations, helping prevent female disengagement, and (ii) female resistance behavior. As predicted, prolonged copulation following (but not before) spermatophore transfer was associated with reduced nuptial gifts, differences in the functional morphology of male cerci, and behavioral resistance by females during copulation. Furthermore, longer copulation following spermatophore transfer was associated with larger ejaculates, across species with reduced nuptial gifts. Our results demonstrate that nuptial gifts and the use of grasping cerci to prolong ejaculate transfer are functionally equivalent.

Notes on southern Africa Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Sia).

The Old World Jerusalem cricket (JC) subfamily Siinae contains one genus, Sia, with two subgenera: Sia (Sia) with two fully winged species from southeast Asia, and Sia (Maxentius) with four wingless species from southern Africa. Because there is a dearth of published data about the behavior and biology of these insects, we present new field and laboratory research on southern African Sia (Maxentius), gather museum and literature information, and present guidelines for collecting and rearing specimens. While we make no taxonomic decisions, this review should be useful for future studies, including a needed taxonomic revision. We also compare results from these southern African JCs with recent investigations on related New World taxa, where fascinating biological traits and extensive cryptic biodiversity have been uncovered. DNA analysis reveals that these Old and New World JCs are polyphyletic.

Understanding the genetic effects of recent habitat fragmentation in the context of evolutionary history: phylogeography and landscape genetics of a southern California endemic Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus).

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization are the most pervasive threats to biodiversity in southern California. Loss of habitat and fragmentation can lower migration rates and genetic connectivity among remaining populations of native species, reducing genetic variability and increasing extinction risk. However, it may be difficult to separate the effects of recent anthropogenic fragmentation from the genetic signature of prehistoric fragmentation due to previous natural geological and climatic changes. To address these challenges, we examined the phylogenetic and population genetic structure of a flightless insect endemic to cismontane southern California, Stenopelmatus'mahogani' (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae). Analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequence data suggest that diversification across southern California began during the Pleistocene, with most haplotypes currently restricted to a single population. Patterns of genetic divergence correlate with contemporary urbanization, even after correcting for (geographical information system) GIS-based reconstructions of fragmentation during the Pleistocene. Theoretical simulations confirm that contemporary patterns of genetic structure could be produced by recent urban fragmentation using biologically reasonable assumptions about model parameters. Diversity within populations was positively correlated with current fragment size, but not prehistoric fragment size, suggesting that the effects of increased drift following anthropogenic fragmentation are already being seen. Loss of genetic connectivity and diversity can hinder a population's ability to adapt to ecological perturbations commonly associated with urbanization, such as habitat degradation, climatic changes and introduced species. Consequently, our results underscore the importance of preserving and restoring landscape connectivity for long-term persistence of low vagility native species.