Short Communication
Print
Short Communication
New and interesting Orthoptera from the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra
expand article infoBruno Massa‡
‡ University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

Corresponding author: Bruno Massa ( bruno.massa@unipa.it )

Academic editor: Fernando Montealegre-Z
© 2017 Bruno Massa.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Massa B (2017) A new Sphodromerus (Orthoptera) and other interesting records from Arabian peninsula. ZooKeys 679: 37-46. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.679.11967
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7546E099-8D7F-491A-A892-6C1E4052350A
Open Access

Abstract

This paper reports on some interesting taxa recently found in the Arabian Peninsula and the island of Socotra. Among them is a new species of brachypterous grasshopper Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n. (Acrididae: Calliptaminae), described from an isolated area in Dhofar (Oman). A female Heteracris hemiptera (Uvarov, 1935) (Acrididae: Eyprepocnemidinae) is reported, with morphological characters which do not fully comply with those of any known subspecies. Two species, hitherto rarely documented, are also reported, Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957 (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from Socotra and Cataloipus thomasi Uvarov, 1933 (Acrididae: Eyprepocnemidinae) from Oman. Pycnodictya dentata Krauss, 1902 (Acrididae: Oedipodinae) is reported from Saudi Arabia, constituting a new record for the country.

Keywords

new records, new species, Oman, Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n., taxonomy

Introduction

The Arabian Peninsula is located between the two wide continents of Africa and Asia, its fauna containing species of Asian and African origin. The Orthoptera fauna of the Arabian Peninsula is quite well known; the list of Ensifera and Caelifera is very long and no less than 190 taxa have been reported (Cigliano et al. 2016). Many contributions have been published in recent years (see Popov 1980, 1981a, 1981b, 1984, 1985, 1997, Ingrisch 1999, Massa et al. 2010, and Buzzetti et al. 2014). In spite of this, there are some isolated regions (like Dhofar in Oman), which are poorly explored. A number of entomological expeditions were carried out by the Museum of Cardiff, and Orthoptera material was also collected by Attilio Carapezza (as part of the Cardiff expeditions), who kindly made it available for study. Among the material identified, a few, but interesting, taxa were found. In this paper these taxa are presented along with some other interesting records from other Arabian localities and the island of Socotra.

Material and methods

Taxonomical arrangement follows that of Cigliano et al. (2016). Specimens were photographed with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital camera, mounted on a Wild M5 Stereomicroscope, and photographs were integrated using the freeware CombineZP (Hadley 2008). Mounted specimens were measured with a digital calliper (precision 0.01 mm). The following measurements were taken (all in mm); body length: dorsal length from the head to the apex of the abdomen (ovipositor excluded in females), pronotum length: length of the pronotum along dorsal median line, pronotum height: maximum height of the pronotum, hind femur: length of hind femur, tegmina: length of tegmina.

Abbreviations

BMPC Collection Bruno Massa, University of Palermo (Italy);

MSNG Museo Civico di Storia Naturale ‘G. Doria’, Genoa (Italy).

Results and discussion

Tettigoniidae

Phaneropterinae

Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957

Figs 1–3

Material examined

Yemen, Socotra, Wadi Ayhaft 23.I.2014, 12°23'35"N, 53°59'18"E, A. Carapezza (2♂) (BMPC).

Remarks

Only one species, endemic to Socotra, is known from this genus. A previous record from this taxon is that of a male holotype, collected on 15 March 1953 along the northern slopes of the Hagghier, at Hijama (Hadiboh Plain) (Uvarov and Popov 1957, Popov 1981a), ca. 15 km away from Wadi Ayhaft. It appears to be a very rare species, where the female still remains unknown. Phaneroptila insularis is characterized by the 2nd pair of wings as long as the tegmina (Fig. 1). The stridulatory file, previously undescribed, is 0.6 mm long and consists of approximately 80 evenly spaced teeth (Fig. 2); the subgenital plate of the male is narrow and long, and apically concave. Cerci are robust and incurved (Fig. 3).

Figures 1–3. 

Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957 1 habitus of male 2 stridulatory file below the left tegmen 3 subgenital plate and cerci of male.

Acrididae

Eyprepocnemidinae

Cataloipus thomasi Uvarov, 1933

Fig. 4

Material examined

Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Ayun (680 m) 18.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♂); Oman, Dhofar, Jebel Qamar (650 m) 14.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♂) (BMPC).

Remarks

This species is considered to be an endemic taxon to the southern Arabian Peninsula, known only from Dhofar region. According to Popov (1980) it is related to C. oberthuri (Bolívar, 1890) from central-east Africa.

Figures 4–6. 

Cataloipus thomasi Uvarov, 1933: 4 habitus of male 5 Heteracris hemiptera (Uvarov, 1935) ssp.: habitus of female 6 detail of the hind femur of the same.

Eyprepocnemidinae

Heteracris hemiptera (Uvarov, 1935)

Figs 5–6

Material examined

Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Mugshail (light trap) 18.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♀) (BMPC).

Remarks

Popov (1981b) proposed considering the genus Cyclopternacris Ramme, 1928 as a subgenus of Heteracris Walker, 1870, but Grunshaw (1991), on the basis of male genitalia, decided to synonymize the former. Heteracris hemiptera aja was described by Popov (1981b) from a male collected from north-central Saudi Arabia (Shammar). It is different from the typical subspecies, described from Yemen, due to its smaller size, shorter antennae (scarcely longer than head and pronotum together), more rounded hind margin of pronotum, more slender hind femur, shorter and broader supra-anal plate and a more attenuate cercus. In addition, the dark transverse fasciae on the hind femora are well expressed on the upper and inner median areas, while the coloration of the lower sulcus is slate-blue instead of red (Figs 5–6). The female of this taxon was previously unknown. Measurements of the specimen collected from Dhofar lie within the range of females reported by Popov (1981b) for the subspecies hemiptera, the antennae are longer than the head and pronotum combined, the hind femur is not as slender as recorded by Popov (1981b) for the subspecies aja, and fasciae on hind femora are inappreciable. However, the typical subspecies has the base of the hind femur red, while in the specimen from Dhofar here discussed the color is blue, tibiae are red and hind tarsus is brown (not purple as in aja or red as in hemiptera). Taking into consideration the geographical position of Yemen, Shammar region, and Dhofar, it seems possible that the female from Dhofar belongs to an unknown taxon, but due to the lack of a male specimens, it is not being described as yet.

Measurements (in mm). Female. Body length: 30.3; length of pronotum: 7.0; height of pronotum: 6.0; length of tegmina: 16.2; length of hind femur: 18.9; height of hind femur: 4.6.

Oedipodinae

Pycnodictya dentata Krauss, 1902

Material examined

Oman, Dhofar, Jebel Qara, Jabal Darabab (1100 m) 16.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♀); Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Ayun (680 m) 18.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♀); Saudi Arabia, Wadi Jizan 11.VIII.1978, Filipponi (1♂) (BMPC).

Remarks

Pycnodictya dentata can be separated from P. galinieri (Reiche & Fairmaire, 1849) by its blue hind tibiae (purplish in P. galinieri) and sinuated posterior lower angle of the pronotal lobes (not sinuated in P. galinieri); the color of the hind wings may vary and is not diagnostic (Popov 1980, Ingrisch 1999, Haggag 2016). Specimens here listed as having reddish hind wings. The presence of this species in central-west Saudi Arabia is being recorded for the first time; it was previously reported from Oman and Yemen.

Calliptaminae

Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/05EA1E6D-7E89-475A-BEFF-B8FA0AD9DF28
Figs 7–12, 13–17

Material examined

Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Ayun (680 m) 17°14'53.37"N, 53°53'16.29"E, 18.XI.2016, A. Carapezza (1♂ holotype, 1♀ paratype) (BMPC); (1♀ paratype) (MSNG).

Diagnosis

Sphodromerus carapezzanus is very peculiar for its color, brown with tegmina venation being dark and cream spotted. Hind femora with a white base and red outer carinulae, lower genicular lobe white, with the upper part brown, inner face of femora black-reddish, inner tibiae red, outer face of tibiae whitish, spines are black tipped. Carinae of pronotum are distinct in prozona, well visible in metazona.

Description

Male (Figs 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17). Integument finely rugose. Head hypognathous, frontal ridge flat, punctate with margins diverging gradually. Fastigium of vertex depressed longitudinally, narrow, concave, without median carina, margins evident. Frons vertical, slightly convex. Frontal ridge narrow, flat, with a small depression under ocellus. Eyes oval, longer than subocular groove. Antennae filiform, 24 segmented, barely longer than the head and pronotum together (Fig. 7). Pronotum robust, slightly tectiform, lateral carinae distinct, less in metazona, median carina distinct along its entire length, slightly raised, intersected by anterior and posterior sulci (Figs 7, 9, 11). The posterior margin of pronotum obtuse, anterior rounded (Fig. 11), lateral lobes of pronotum with large dots. Prosternal process subconical, with obtuse apex. Hind femora 2.8 times longer than wide, its maximum width behind the middle (Figs 7, 13). Tegmina abbreviated, as long as 2/3 of the abdomen, but shorter than the hind knee (Figs 7, 13). Mesosternal space is 2 times longer than high. Epiproct elongate, with converging lateral margins, margins basally enlarged (Fig. 16), dorsal surface with three longitudinal furrows. Cerci incurved and stout, which is typical of the genus, they are flat with parallel margins, slightly curved and apically divided into two lobes (Figs 13, 14). Subgenital plate conical. Epiphallus broad, ventro-lateral angles projecting, anchorae short, but evident, lophi absent (Fig. 17), ectophallus with a large sclerite, aedeagus with a slender tip (Fig. 17). Hairs sparse in the body, mainly on the legs.

Female (Figs 8, 10, 12, 15). Characters are similar to those of the male, but it is of larger size (see Measurements below), cerci conical, valves of ovipositor short, robust, black-tipped with curved apices (Figs 8, 15).

Affinities

The species is assigned to the Calliptaminae genus Sphodromerus Stål, 1873, based on modified male cerci with a single apical tooth and robust femora. The majority of species are described on the basis of their coloration, which seems to be unreliable in similar genera (e.g. Calliptamus Serville, 1831) (Uvarov 1922). Three Sphodromerus species from the Arabian Peninsula are known to date: (1) S. pantherinus Krauss, 1902 from Saudi Arabia, (2) S. serapis (Serville, 1838) = S. scriptipennis (Walker, 1870) from Arabian Peninsula, and (3) S. rathjensi Uvarov, 1936 from Yemen, represented by two subspecies, the nominotypical and S. r. montanus Uvarov, 1943. S. pantherinus is similar to S. serapis from Sinai (Egypt), with tegmina reaching abdominal apex, head and pronotum with blackish spots, inner face of hind femora red, inner hind tibiae red, with inner spines red, outer whitish. S. scriptipennis (= S. serapis) has tegmina as long as abdomen, hind tibiae yellowish, inner face reddish, with red spines black tipped. S. r. rathjensi has hind tibiae and inner face of hind femora blackish-purple, while S. r. montanus has these parts pale yellow (see also Ingrisch 1999).

Measurements

(in mm). Male. Body length: 23.6; length of pronotum: 4.8; height of pronotum: 5.3; length of tegmina: 11.4; length of hind femur: 12.8; height of hind femur: 4.5. Female. Body length: 28.7–31.9; length of pronotum: 8.3–8.6; height of pronotum: 7.7–8.3; length of tegmina: 16.8–17.9; length of hind femur: 18.6–18.8; height of hind femur: 6.4–6.7.

Etymology

Named for Attilio Carapezza, distinguished Italian heteropterologist, who collected most of the Orthoptera here reported in Oman.

Habitat

Wadi Ayun (Arab = Valley of sources) is a very isolated narrow strip of green in an otherwise parched region; at the bottom there are deep pools of flowing blue-green water around sedges and grasses. A rocky desert surrounds it for dozens of kilometers (Fig. 18). Specimens of Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n. were collected on the ground ca. 200–300 m away from the water.

Figures 7–12. 

Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n.: 7 habitus of male 8 habitus of female 9 lateral view of head and pronotum of male 10 lateral view of head and pronotum of female 11 dorsal view of head and pronotum of male 12 dorsal view of head and pronotum of female.

Figures 13–17. 

Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n.: 13 particular of hind femur and last abdominal segments of male 14 left cercus 15 detail of hind femur and last abdominal segments of female 16 dorsal view of last tergites and epiproct of male 17 dorsal view of phallic complex.

Figure 18. 

The habitat at Wadi Ayun (Dhofar, Oman) where Sphodromerus carapezzanus sp. n. was collected (photo by A. Carapezza).

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to Attilio Carapezza, who provided the specimens collected from Oman and Socotra. I also thank Josip Skejo and one anonymous referee for their useful comments and suggestions on a first manuscript. I am also very grateful to John J. Borg for the English revision.

References

  • Buzzetti FM, Fontana P, Massa B (2014) Order Orthoptera – Additions to the Orthoptera fauna of the UAE. In: Van Harten A (Ed.) Arthopod Fauna of the UAE.Dar Ummah, Abu Dhabi, Vol. 5, 22–27.
  • Grunshaw JP (1991) A revision of the grasshopper genus Heteracris (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Eyprepocnemidinae). Natural Resources Institute Bulletin 38: 1–106.
  • Ingrisch S (1999) Orthopteroid Insects of Yemen. Esperiana 7: 349–376.
  • Massa B, Buzzetti FM, Fontana P (2010) Order Orthoptera. In: Van Harten A (Ed.) Arthropod Fauna of the UAE.Dar Ummah, Abu Dhabi, Vol. 3, 70–112.
  • Popov GB (1980) Acridoidea of Eastern Arabia. Journal of Oman Studies, Special Report 2: 113–148.
  • Popov GB (1981a) Insects of Saudi Arabia. Orthoptera: Fam. Tettigoniidae (Bush Crickets). In: Wittmer W, Büttiker W (Eds) Fauna of Saudi Arabia 3: 114–148.
  • Popov GB (1981b) Insects of Saudi Arabia. Orthoptera: Superfam. Acridoidea. In: Wittmer W, Büttiker W (Eds) Fauna of Saudi Arabia.Vol. 3, 149–200.
  • Popov GB (1984) Insects of Saudi Arabia. Orthoptera: Fam. Stenopelmatidae and Gryllacrididae. In: Büttiker W, Krupp F (Eds) Fauna of Saudi Arabia.Vol. 6, 175–202.
  • Popov GB (1985) New grasshoppers from Oman and its neighbours. Journal of Oman Studies 8(1): 65–74.
  • Popov GB (1997) Arabian grasshoppers (Orthoptera): Families Pamphagidae (Eumastacoidea) and Pyrgomorphidae (Acridoidea). In: Krupp F, Mahnert V (Eds) Fauna of Saudi Arabia.Vol. 16, 111–168.
login to comment