Research Article |
Corresponding author: JoVonn G. Hill ( jgh4@msstate.edu ) Academic editor: Zhu-Qing He
© 2023 JoVonn G. Hill.
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:
Hill JG (2023) Diversification deep in the heart of Texas: seven new grasshopper species and establishment of the Melanoplus discolor species group (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae). ZooKeys 1165: 101-136. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1165.104047
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Melanoplus discolor and Melanoplus kendalli were previously placed in the texanus species group. Here seven new species are described from central Texas and the combined nine species placed into the discolor group based on emergence time and shape of the male terminalia and genital structures. Six of these new species are from the Edwards Plateau, a known area of high endemism. Species of the discolor group are inhabitants of shortgrass or mixed-grass prairies, Ashe juniper or oak savannas.
Balcones Escarpment, biodiversity hotspot, Edwards Plateau, Texas Hill Country
From 2018 to 2022, I had the good fortune to conduct surveys for grasshoppers and other insects in central Texas with my colleagues, students, and family. We explored a large portion of the Edwards Plateau, an extensive tableland in central and west central Texas that covers approximately 7,907,105 hectares and represents the southernmost portion of the Great Plains physiographic province of North America (
The Edwards Plateau is a well-known hotspot of North American biodiversity with more than 100 of the 400 Texas endemics being found there (
The great genus Melanoplus Stål (Orthoptera: Acrididae), with more than 356 species and 31 established species groups, is the largest genus of North American grasshoppers (
While identifying specimens from the first year of sampling, I discovered variation in the male genitalia of Melanoplus discolor (Scudder, 1878) and Melanoplus kendalli (Otte, 2012), that suggested several undescribed species were represented. Characters of the male genitalia have long been used for species delineations of Melanoplinae and have been further supported by molecular evidence. (
Most specimens examined in this study were collected by personnel of the Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM) during the summer months of 2018–2022. Specimens were obtained by capturing them with a standard insect net. The captured individuals were placed into a jar containing potassium cyanide, for pinning, or 100% ethanol for future molecular work. Specimens have been given unique identifying numbers and entered in the Symbiota Collection of Arthropods Network (SCAN) database.
Other specimens examined were obtained on loan from the United States National Museum (USNM) or the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (
The internal male genitalia, which are typically concealed within the terminalia, were either exposed upon pinning fresh specimens, or the specimen was relaxed by soaking in warm water and then the genital mass was either extruded or dissected and examined in a manner similar to (
Male specimens of M. discolor and M. kendalli collected during the 2018–2022 field seasons showed variation in the male genitalia suggesting that several undescribed species were represented. Of these species, seven species, M. kendalli + six undescribed species, appear to be narrow-range endemics on the Edwards Plateau. A seventh undescribed species was found on the adjacent major physiographic region, the North American Coastal Plain. These new species along with M. discolor and M. kendalli are placed in the newly formed Melanoplus discolor species group (Fig.
1. Melanoplus discolor (Scudder, 1878) — Figs
2. Melanoplus nelsoni sp. nov. — Figs
3. Melanoplus kendalli Otte, 2012 — Figs
4. Melanoplus susdentatus sp. nov. — Figs
5. Melanoplus balcones sp. nov. — Figs
6. Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov. — Figs
7. Melanoplus walkeri sp. nov. — Figs
8. Melanoplus comanche sp. nov. — Figs
9. Melanoplus tonkawa sp. nov. — Figs
1. Hind tibia red (rarely blue);
2. Metathorax with a white stripe;
3. Pronotum below post-ocular stripe creamy yellow;
4. Tegmina lanceolate;
5. Cerci falcate with their bases much wider than their apices;
6. Dorsal valves of the aedeagus produced as variously shaped plates that occur either laterally or apical to the ventral valves;
7. Maturing late June–July and persisting until frost.
1. Hind tibia red;
2. Metathorax with a white stripe;
3. Pronotum below post-ocular stripe creamy white;
4. Tegmina lanceolate;
5. Cerci variously shaped, often pyriform or subquadrate, but their bases equal to or wider than the apices;
6. Dorsal valves of the aedeagus produced to form a tubular sheath for ventral valves;
7. Maturing in April-May and persisting until July.
1. Hind tibia red;
2. Metathorax without a white stripe;
3. Pronotum below post-ocular stripe cinereous brown;
4. Cerci falcate with their bases much wider than their apices;
5. Tegmina ovate;
6. Dorsal valves of the aedeagus cylindrical and taper to a point distally;
7. Maturing in July and persisting until frost or until February in warm years.
1 | Male cerci subquadrate to weakly falcate being about as long as wide throughout (Fig. |
2 |
– | Male cerci falcate and often longer than wide, narrowing and curving medially to a rounded apex (Fig. |
3 |
2 | Male cerci subquadrate; aedeagus with the dorsal valves lightly sclerotized, deeply forked and the apices of the medial fork produced as a filament that is almost 2× as long as the lateral branch and curves anteriorly (Figs |
nelsoni sp. nov. |
– | Male cerci weakly falcate (Fig. |
discolor |
3 | Sheath of aedeagus projected above or equal to the dorsal height of the valves (Fig. |
4 |
– | Sheath of aedeagus not projected past the height of the dorsal valves (Fig. |
6 |
4 | Valves of the aedeagus projected caudally; the dorsal valves are trifid with the medial branch darker and longer than the distal two (Figs |
corniculatus sp. nov. |
– | Valves of the aedeagus projected dorsally; dorsal valves and sheath of the aedeagus variously produced; male cerci with a more broadly curving ventral edge as in Fig. |
5 |
5 | Aedeagus broader in dorsal or caudal view (Fig. |
comanche sp. nov. |
– | Aedeagus narrower in dorsal or caudal view (Fig. |
kendalli |
6 | Dorsal valves produced laterally to the ventral valves as heavily sclerotized plates that are angular or arching apically on their distal margin as in Figs |
6 |
– | Dorsal valves trifid, thinly sclerotized and projected dorsally as in Figs |
walkeri sp. nov. |
7 | Caudal margin of the dorsal valves arching or swept back apically as in Fig. |
7 |
– | Caudal margin of the dorsal valves not arching apically but doing so along their distal margins as in Fig. |
balcones sp. nov. |
8 | Caudal margin of the dorsal valve longer, and broadly arching apically as in Figs |
susdentatus sp. nov. |
– | Caudal margin of the dorsal valve shorter and less sclerotized, less broadly arching apically (Figs |
tonkawa sp. nov. |
External morphology. Species of medium to small size (♂ 15.5–24.5 mm, ♀ 18.5–24.5 mm). Head slightly wider than prozona; fastigum shallow and steeply declivent. Eyes somewhat prominent, especially in males. Antennae filiform, usually with 24 flagellomeres, but occasionally 25; nearly cylindrical; equal in width throughout, except two basal articles. Thorax with prosternal spine short, sub-cylindrical, broadly rounded. Pronotum broadly convex, anterior margin sub-truncate, often somewhat emarginate, the caudal margin broadly angulate. Prozona mostly smooth, with light punctation on the lobes ventrally and quadrate (more so in females) with parallel lateral margins and about 25% longer than the metazona. Metazona densely punctate, with lateral margins diverging posteriorly. Median carina distinct and equal in height throughout; anterior and median sulci present laterally, indistinct near the median carina; posterior sulci dissecting the median carina. Lateral carinae obsolete, but margins forming shoulders that range from broadly rounded on the prozona to more angular on the metazona. Lateral lobes of the pronotum quadrate with the caudal margin diverging posteriorly. Tegmina lanceolate, apices varyingly rounded; dorsal margins overlapping; dorsal and lateral fields separated by an angle; length variable but, typically extending to the anterior edge of the second abdominal tergite, some individuals with tegmina reaching the anterior edge of the third tergite. Hind femur enlarged. Metathoracic tibia with 11 or 12 pairs of spines, but typically 11. Tympanum present and obvious, appearing an opaque whitish disk. Terminalia of the male with furcula (Fig.
Phallic structures. The dorsal valves of the aedeagus are quite variable between species, but often produced as broad plates either laterally or apical to the ventral valves. The ventral valves are cylindrical or linear processes with their distal portions curving apically (Figs
Melanoplus discolor A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus. Abbreviations: A: ancora, B: bridge, L: lophus, LP: lateral plate,
Females: Females are similar to the males, but differ in being larger, more robust, with broader tegmina, and in the shape of the terminalia (Figs
Coloration. Overall a yellowish or cinereous brown dorsally, a paler brownish yellow below. Antennae varying from pale red, infuscated apically to ferruginous. A lateral, well-defined, piceous, post-ocular stripe extends from the caudal margin of the eye to the second abdominal tergite, but often enfeebled or lacking on the metazona; lateral area of head, thorax, and abdomen below post-ocular stripe varying from yellowish brown to a light creamy yellow. The ridge of the metathoracic episterna marked with a light creamy white dash that is margined on either side by the black post-ocular stripe. Tegmina cinereous brown with slightly lighter venation and black infuscations, but in some individuals the dorsal fields are pale brownish yellow. Hind femur bimaculate or often feebly trimaculate dorsally, and with the lateral field infuscated with a cinereous brown band dorsally with yellowish brown below. Hind tibia red (rarely blue) with black-tipped spines (Figs
Pezotettix discolor Scudder, S.H. 1878. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 20: 81.
Pezotettix discolor Scudder, S. H. 1897. Proc. U.S. Nation. Mus 20 (1124): 146.
Melanoplus discolor Hebard. 1917. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 69: 268.
Melanoplus discolor Otte, D. 2012. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 138: 160.
Colorado, El Paso Co., 27 August 1938 (1♂). Kansas, Glasscock Co., Garden City, 23 August 1913, F.W. Milliken (1♂). Nebraska, Dawes Co, 1.7 mi SSE Whitney, off Hwy 20, 42.7001, -103.2496, 27 August 2022, M.L. Brust (4♂, 2♀), Sioux Co., ca 2.0 mi SSE Whitney of HWY 20, 42.6667, -103.5152, 26 July 2022, M.L. Brust (2♂). New Mexico, Curry Co., 1 September 1938 (1♂). South Dakota, Fall River Co., 16.5 mi N of Ardmore, Indian Canyon Rd of Hwy 71, 43.2350, -103.61975, 8 August 2020, M.L. Brust (2♂). Texas: Dallas Co., Dallas, C.V. Riley (1♀). Ellis Co., 3 mi SW Cedar Hill, 32.5514, -96.9911, 24 July 2019, J.G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (1♀). Hood Co., Cresson, 11 August 1955, Williams (1♂). Lampasas Co., 15 mi W Lampasas, 31.0417, -98.4347, 21 July 2019, J.G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (1♀). Shackelford Co., Albany, 20 August 1935, I.J. Cantrall (2♂). Tarrant Co., 19 July 1927 (1♂, 1♀).
Male cerci that are weakly falcate (Figs
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 10) Body length 16.0–22.3 (mean = 18.8); pronotum length 3.7–5.0 (mean = 4.3); hind femur length 5.5–9.0 (mean = 7.0); cerci length 0.9–1.0 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.5–0.8 (mean = 0.7); mid-cercal width 0.5–0.8 (mean = 0.7); cerci apex width 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 8) Body length 18.5–25.2 (mean = 21.3); pronotum length 4.3–6.3 (mean = 5.1); tegmen length 6.5–9.9 (mean = 8.0); hind femur length 10.5–15.8 (mean = 12.6) Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.3–1.6 (mean = 1.5); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0 (mean = 1.0).
Shortgrass or mixed grass prairie and Ashe juniper savannas (Fig.
North Texas through the Great Plains to South Dakota west to New Mexico and Colorado (Fig.
Discolor, Latin, of different colors or variegated.
Variegated pouncer.
Specimens north of Texas tend to have a deeper red hind tibia (Fig.
Holotype. 1♂, USA, TX, Bell Co., 1.7 mi N Ding Dong, 30.9969, -97.7861, 4 October 2019, J.G. Hill, MJT, BSD; Collected in open Ashe juniper woodland; MEM 281,626. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas: Bell Co., 1.7 mi N Ding Dong, 30.9969, -97.7861, 4 October 2019, J.G. Hill and M.J. Thorn (3♂, 5♀), 3 mi W Killeen, Hood Village, 26 August 1955, T.J. Cohn (2♂). Burnet Co., 6 mi E Burnet, 9 July 1959, T.J. Cohn (3♂); 2 mi W Joppa, 30.8298, -98.0608, 13 July 2020, J.G. Hill (8♂, 2♀).
Easily differentiated from the other species in the group based on the male cerci which are subquadrate (Figs
Melanoplus nelsoni sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 12) Body length 15.5–22.5 (mean = 20.1); pronotum length 3.3–5.1 (mean = 4.3); tegmen length 4.6–7.1 (mean = 5.7); hind femur length 9.0–12.3 (mean = 11.0); cerci length 0.7–1.0 (mean = 0.9); basal width of cercus 0.5–1.0 (mean = 0.8); mid-cercal width 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.6); cerci apex width 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0.4).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 9) Body length 19.5–24.0 (mean = 21.6); pronotum length 4.2–5.7 (mean = 5.0); tegmen length 5.5–7.5 (mean = 6.5); hind femur length 10.5–14.0 (mean = 12.4) Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.0–1.5 (mean = 1.3); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0–1.5 (mean = 1.3).
Ashe juniper savannas with short vegetation, exposed rocks, and bare ground (Fig.
The northeastern Edwards Plateau in Bell and Burnet Counties, Texas (Fig.
Named in honor of Willie Nelson, an iconic American musician entertainer from central Texas whose music lifted our spirits while traveling between field sites during this study. After these last few summers, just like Mr. Nelson, we too have a little Texas in our souls.
Nelson’s pouncer.
Melanoplus kendalli Otte, D. 2012. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 138:160.
Texas: Bexar Co., 2 mi W Bracken, 29.6235, -98.3774, 26 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (3♂, 3♀); Eisenhower Park, 29.6220, -98.5735, 25 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (4♂, 2♀); 2 mi N Leon Springs, 29.6636, -98.6761, 16 July 2019, J.G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (5♂, 4♀). Kendall Co., 2 mi NW Boerne, 20 July 1959, T.J. Cohn (4♂, 1♀). Medina Co., 3 mi NE Mico, 29.5613, -98.8792, 21 July 2020, A.G. Hendon (1♂), same data except, M.J. Thorn (2♂, 1♀).
Male cerci broadly falcate (Figs
Melanoplus kendalli A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 15) Body length 19.1–23.5 (mean = 20.7); pronotum length 4.1–5.2 (mean = 4.5); tegmen length 4.2–5.5 (mean = 4.9); hind femur length 10.1–12.5 (mean = 11.5); cerci length 0.8–1.1 (mean = 0.9); basal width of cercus 0.5–0.7 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0.4); cerci apex width 0.2–0.4 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 10) Body length 20.1–24.5 (mean = 22.7); pronotum length 4.2–5.6 (mean = 5.0); tegmen length 4.5–6.0 (mean = 5.5); hind femur length 11.1–14.0 (mean = 12.6) Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.6 (mean = 1.4); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0–1.6 (mean = 1.2).
Ashe juniper savanna with short grasses (Fig.
Southeastern Edwards Plateau/Balcones Escarpment in the vicinity of Bexar, Kendall, and Medina Counties (Fig.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TX, Comal Co. 3.8 mi NW FIsher, 30.0051, -98.3190, 16 July 2020, J.G. Hill; Ashe juniper savanna. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas: Comal Co., 6.6 mi E Bulverde, 29.8283, -98.3127, 26 August 2022, J.G. Hill (3♂, 1♀); 3.8 mi Fisher, 30.0051, -98.3190, 16 July 2020, J.G. Hill (2♂). Hayes Co., 6.7 mi NE Dripping Springs, 30.269, -98.1506, 28 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (3♂, 1♀); 3.96 mi SW Pioneer Town, 29.9591, -98.1662, 2 August 2021, J.G. Hill (1♂); 2.4 mi N Woodcreek, 30.0635, -98.1063, 23 July 2021, J.G. Hill (1♂); 2 mi S Wimberly, 5 August 1953, N.W. Wasseman (1♂); 4.5 mi N Wimberly, 30.0635, -98.1061, J.G. Hill (5♂, 2♀). Travis Co., 4.12 mi W Bee Cave, 30.2945, -98.0182, 29 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (4♂, 1♀).
Male cerci that are broadly falcate (Figs
Melanoplus susdentatus sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Melanoplus balcones sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 10) Body length 17.5–21.5 (mean = 19.6); pronotum length 3.5–4.7 (mean = 4.1); tegmen length 4.1–5.1 (mean = 4.5); hind femur length 9.6–11.5 (mean = 10.6); cerci length 0.8–1.0 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.4–0.5 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.2–0.3 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 4) Body length 18.5–21.1 (mean = 19.9); pronotum length 4.2–4.7 (mean = 4.5); tegmen length 4.1–5.9 (mean = 5.0); hind femur length 10.7–12.3 (mean = 11.7) Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.3 (mean = 1.3); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0 (mean = 1.0).
Ashe Juniper savanna (Fig.
From the Latin sus for hog and dentatus for toothed. In reference to the dorsal valves being shaped like the distal ends of the incisors and tusk of Sus scrofa L., a notorious invasive species in Texas.
Hog-toothed pouncer.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TEXAS, Travis Co., 5.7 mi NW Lago Vista, 30.5041, -98.0678, 23 July 2021, J.G. Hill; Collected in live oak savanna and diverse grassland. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas: Travis Co., 5.7 mi NW Lago Vista, 30.5041, -98.0678, 23 July 2021, J.G. Hill (2♂).
Male cerci that are broadly falcate (Figs
(mm): (n = 3) Body length 19.4–20.6 (mean = 20); pronotum length 4.0–4.6 (mean = 4.3); tegmen length 4.0–4.6 (mean = 4.3); hind femur length 10.6–11.2 (mean = 10.9); cerci length 0.8–0.9 (mean = 0.9); basal width of cercus 0.6–0.7 (mean = 0.7); mid-cercal width 0.4–0.6 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.3 (mean = 0.3).
Live oak savanna or juniper oak savanna (Fig.
East central Balcones Escarpment in the vicinity of Travis County (Fig.
Named after the Balcones Canyonlands and Escarpment where this species is endemic.
Balcones pouncer.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TEXAS, Kerr Co., Kerrville, 30.0677223, -99.139329, 25 July 2018, J.G. Hill, Collected in oak juniper savanna. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas: Bandera Co., 4.5 mi N. Medina, 29.8502, -99.3030, 28 July 2020, J.G. Hill (2♂). Kerr Co., Kerrville, 30.0677223, -99.139329, 25 July 2018, J.G. Hill (1♂, 3F); 0.2 mi N Hunt, 30.0736, -99.3350, 27 July 2020, M.J. Thorn (6♂, 3♀); Same data, except B. S Dunaway (2♂); 3.7 mi E Hunt, 30.0576, -99.3965, 26 July 2020, M. J. Thorn (2♂, 1♀); Same data, except A. G. Hendon (1♂); 4.3 mi SW Hunt, 30.0310,-99.3945, 26 July 2020, M. J. Thorn (1♂); Same data, except A.G. Hendon (1♂).
Male cerci falcate with a steeply curving ventral edge (Figs
Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Melanoplus walkeri sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 14) Body length 19.0–22.3 (mean = 20.2); pronotum length 4.0–5.0 (mean = 4.4); tegmen length 4.8–6.0 (mean = 5.3); hind femur length 9.9–11.6 (mean = 11.0); cerci length 0.9–1.3 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.6–0.9 (mean = 0.8); mid-cercal width 0.4–0.6 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 7) Body length 19.2–24.5 (mean = 22.1); pronotum length 4.5–5.3 (mean = 5.0); tegmen length 5.5–7.5 (mean = 6.2); hind femur length 11.1–13.3 (mean = 12.3); dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.3–1.7 (mean = 1.5); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.5–1.7 (mean = 1.5).
Ashe Juniper savanna (Fig.
Endemic to the Edwards Plateau of Texas in the vicinity of Kerr and Bandera Counties (Fig.
From the Latin meaning horned (antlered) or horn shaped. In reference to the dorsal valves being shaped like antlers.
Antlered pouncer.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TX, Kendall Co., 7 mi NE Sisterdale, 30.0073, -98.5515, 22 July 2019, J. G. Hill, MJT, BSD; Collected on Ashe juniper hill; 281,486. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas: Kendall Co., 7 mi NE Sisterdale, 30.0073, -98.5515, 22 July 2019, J. G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (3♂, 3♀).
Male cerci that are falcate with a very steeply curving ventral edge (Figs
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 4) Body length 21.4–22.1 (mean = 21.7); pronotum length 4.2–5.0 (mean = 4.7); tegmen length 4.5–5.7 (mean = 5.1); hind femur length 11.2–11.9 (mean = 11.6); cerci length 0.9 (mean = 0.9); basal width of cercus 0.8–0.9 (mean = 0.9); mid-cercal width 0.5 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.3 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 3) Body length 22–24.2 (mean = 22.8); pronotum length 5.5–5.7 (mean = 5.6); tegmen length 6.0 (mean = 6.0); hind femur length 13.3–13.5 (mean = 13.4); Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.4–1.6 (mean = 1.5); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.3–1.5 (mean = 1.4).
Ashe juniper/live oak savanna.
Found in the central eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau along the Balcones Escarpment (Fig.
Named in honor of Jerry Jeff Walker an iconic Texas musician whose most influential album was recorded near the type locality of this species in the Luckenbach. Walker’s songs such as Hill Country Rain, Leavin’ Texas, and Sangria Wine brought me and my field team joy while traveling between field sites and added to the amazing ambiance of the Edwards Plateau.
Walker’s pouncer.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TEXAS, Bandera Co., 4.5. mi NE Bandera, 29.7646, -99.0346, 25 August 2022, J.G. Hill; Collected in Ashe juniper savanna, MEM 501,225. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Texas, Bandera Co., 4.5 mi NE Bandera, 29.7646, -99.0346. 26 August 2022, J.G. Hill (4♂); 7 mi NE Bandera, 29.7312, -98.8711, 17 July 2019, J.G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (4♂, 4♀). Medina Co., 9 mi N Rio Medina, 29.5626, -98.8823, 17 July 2019, J.G. Hill, M.J. Thorn, B.S. Dunaway (4♂, 3♀).
Male cerci broadly falcate (Figs
Melanoplus comanche sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
Male measurements. (mm): (n = 6) Body length 18.2–21.2 (mean = 19.5); pronotum length 4.1–4.9 (mean = 4.5); hind femur length 9.6–12.0 (mean = 10.8); cerci length 0.8–0.9 (mean = 0.9); basal width of cercus 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.4 (mean = 0.4); cerci apex width 0.2–0.3 (mean = 0.3).
Female measurements. (mm): (n = 3) Body length 21.5–24.3 (mean = 22.9); pronotum length 4.5–5.7 (mean = 5.1) tegmen length 4.7–6.5 (mean = 5.7); hind femur length 11.5–13.7 (mean = 12.9); Dorsal ovipositor valve length1.4–1.5 (mean = 1.5); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.3–1.4 (mean = 1.4).
Oak savanna, Ashe juniper savanna and along a dry creek bed in an Ashe juniper savanna.
Southern Edwards plateau in the vicinity of Bandera and Medina Counties (Fig.
Named in honor of the Comanche tribe of Native Americans who previously inhabited the area where this species occurs.
Comanche pouncer.
Holotype : 1♂, USA, TX, 1.5 mi NNW Ellinger, 29.8511, -96.7173, 14 July 2020, J.G. Hill; collected in post oak savanna. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Paratypes: Texas: Fayette Co., 1.5 mi NNW Ellinger, 29.8511, -96.7173, 14 July 2020, J.G. Hill (2♂).
Male cerci broadly falcate (Figs
Melanoplus tonkawa sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.
(mm): (n = 2) Body length 20–21 (mean = 20.5); pronotum length 4.2–4.5 (mean = 4.4); hind femur length 11.2–11.4 (mean = 11.3); cerci length 1.0–1.2 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.6 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.4 (mean = 0.4); cerci apex width 0.3 (mean = 0.3).
Post oak/live oak savanna.
In the vicinity of Fayette County Texas on the western edge of the North American Coastal Plain (Fig.
Named in honor of the Tonkawa tribe of Native Americans who previously inhabited the area where this species occurs.
Habitat and live images of Melanoplus discolor A prairie remnant, Ellis County, Texas B male, Ellis County Texas C female, Ellis County Texas (Note: late afternoon sun altered the body coloration slightly) D male, Sioux Co., Nebraska E female eating false boneset, Sioux Co., Nebraska. E, D courtesy of Matthew Brust.
Tonkawa pouncer.
The new species described here all come from known biodiversity hotspots, The Edwards Plateau and the North American Coastal Plain. The biological richness of the North American Coastal Plain has been well documented (
The apparent center of diversity of the M. discolor group is on the Edwards Plateau and more specifically along the Balcones Escarpment, where five of the seven species occur, further demonstrating the high level of endemism on the Edwards Plateau. A phylogeny for the discolor group is not available at present. As such, the origins of the group remain uncertain. Many other brachypterous groups of North American melanoplines appear to have speciated due to glaciation and climatic changes during the Pleistocene that affected river flow, mountain ecosystems, or isolation of islands/sand ridges (Knowles 2001;
No clear biogeographic patterns are evident for the discolor group on the Balcones Escarpment, with some species being found on either sides of large rivers and other potential barriers. However, species in the discolor group are inhabitants of short grass communities, and I hypothesize that the drying conditions during earlier Pleistocene interglacial periods allowed the ancestral forms to disperse northward. The populations would have then been isolated during following glacial periods by the dissected landscape along the Balcones Escarpment and in some cases large river systems. The resulting plant community changes from the drying conditions during the late Pleistocene and Holocene would have allowed for the spread of the already differentiated populations, which may explain why some populations arose so close to each other without any apparent geographical barriers.
A complete phylogeny of the North American Melanoplinae is under way but is still several years away from completion. Population genetic data from each discolor group species are being included in that study. Hopefully, the results of that phylogenetic analysis will shed more insight into this interesting diversification event.
Despite being relatively secure in terms of conservation at present, discolor group species are facing increasing threats. King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) is an invasive grass that is rapidly replacing native grasses in both disturbed and undisturbed shortgrass communities on the Edwards Plateau. In general, grasshopper abundance and diversity are low where this grass is abundant (pers. obs.). The historical abundance levels of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) have been contested for some time, but what is evident is that it does seem to be increasing in abundance in recent years, likely due to fire suppression (
I am grateful for the assistance and camaraderie of Zach Brown, Brady Dunaway, Ray Fisher, Mallory Grady, Alexandra Hendon, Jennifer Seltzer, Jacqueline Seltzer-Hill, Rowan Seltzer-Hill, and Matthew Thorn. The four summers spent exploring central Texas with all of you have left me with tales of adventure, exciting discoveries, warm memories, and thousands of grasshopper specimens. This publication is a contribution of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station and was partially supported by funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Science Foundation OPUS (2043909), and Texas Ecolab. I also thank the numerous private landowners who allowed me and my team to collect grasshoppers on their property.
No conflict of interest was declared.
No ethical statement was reported.
No funding was reported.
Conceptualization: JGGH. Data curation: JGGH. Formal analysis: JGGH. Funding acquisition: JGGH. Investigation: JGGH. Methodology: JGGH. Writing – original draft: JGGH.
JoVonn G. Hill https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1892-7117
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.