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| Skejotettix kasalo Subedi, 2023 DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.97276 |
Abstract
This paper describes a new species of Skejotetix Subedi, 2022, S. kasalo sp. nov., from the temperate forests of Bajung, Parbat, Nepal. The genus was known only from the subtropical regions of Nepal. The new species and its different life stages were observed in the natural habitat. It was found to have many colors that match perfectly with the surroundings. The genus Skejotettix was considered brachypronotal until now, but a macropronotal form was also found alongside the typical brachypronotal form in S. kasalo sp. nov. The macropronotal form is an important piece of the puzzle in determining the relationship between Skejotettix and Ergatetttix Kirby, 1914.
Keywords: Gandaki Province, habitat, Parbat District, pygmy grasshoppers, sloping grassland, taxonomy, temperate forests, Tetriginae
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| The type specimens of Skejotettix kasalo sp. nov. in their natural habitat. A–C. Holotype (♀); D–E. Paratype 1 (♂); F–H. Paratype 2 (♀); I. Paratype 3 (♂); J–L. Paratype 4 (♀). |
Skejotettix kasalo sp. nov.
Diagnosis.— Skejotettix kasalo differs from the type species of Ergatettix Kirby, 1914, E. dorsiferus (Walker, 1871) in having a wider vertex with parallel lateral borders instead of a narrow vertex with lateral borders usually converging towards the front, with convex vertex (in frontal view) without horns instead of being concave with the presence of horns, and with the middle femora being robust instead of being slender. However, the species also share similarities: (i) presence of a notch on the scapus of the antenna; (ii) wings extending beyond the pronotum (valid in macropronotal form of S. kasalo); (iii) antennal grooves distinctly below the ventral margins of compound eyes; and (iv) median carina (in lateral view) undulated.
Etymology.— The species is named after Niko Kasalo, an emerging tetrigidologist from Croatia and a good friend of mine. The specific epitheton is a Latinized noun in apposition referring to the surname of Niko Kasalo (patronymic).
Common name.— Bajung’s cliffhopper.
Common name etymology.— The first part of the name is after the village of Bajung where the species was discovered. The second part of the name denotes the habitat type of the species.
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| Different nymphal instars of Skejotettix kasalo sp. nov. in natural habitat. (Note: the images are not on the same scale.) |
Madan Subedi. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Skejotettix (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) from Nepal. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 32(1): 81-92. DOI: 10.3897/jor.32.97276
