 |
| Phelene reinschmidti Kasalo, Husemann & Skejo, A. Regions where Phelene species have been found, red shapes represent type localities, star–P. reinschmidti, circle–P. turgida, triangle–P. maroon in Kasalo, Husemann, van de Kamp et Skejo, 2024. |
Abstract
Lophotettiginae Hancock, 1909, endemic to the Neotropics, is one of the most ill-known subfamilies of Tetrigidae. Until now, there have not been any hypothesis on its relationship with other subfamilies. Lophotettiginae comprise only two genera, Lophotettix Hancock, 1909 and Phelene Bolívar, 1906, both with an arduous taxonomic history. Here, we describe a new species, Phelene reinschmidti from Ecuador, and compare it with its congeners: P. turgida from Peru and P. maroon from French Guiana. We found the subfamily Lophotettiginae to most closely resemble the Neotropical subfamily Metrodorinae, meaning that the two are likely related. We also provide a 3D scan of the holotype, a first for Tetrigidae. The 3D model contains all the important taxonomic characters and much more data could be extracted in the future using artificial intelligence-assisted approaches.
Key Words: 3D scan, Neotropics, taxonomy, pygmy hoppers, grouse hopper
 |
| Phelene reinschmidti sp. nov. A. Regions where Phelene species have been found, red shapes represent type localities, star–P. reinschmidti, circle–P. turgida, triangle–P. maroon; B. Frontal view; C. Dorsal view; D. Ventral view; E. Abdominal apex in ventral view; F. Lateral view; G. Image of the 3D model we generated. |
Phelene reinschmidti Kasalo, Husemann & Skejo, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Easily separated from the congeners by the following set of characters: (i) median carina forming a low elongated crest which extends from between the prozonal carinae to the base of hind legs; (ii) vertex a little less than two eyes wide; (iii) brown body without distinct patterns; (iv) rounded pulvilli of hind tarsi; (v) female subgenital plate oval with moderately protruding triangular apex; (vi) alae dark brown with venation of the same color. Differs from P. maroon by characters iii, iv, v, and vi.
Etymology: The new species is named after Prof. Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt, the current director of the Karlsruhe Zoo for his dedication and investments in nature protection in Ecuador and around the world.
Niko Kasalo, Martin Husemann, Thomas van de Kamp and Josip Skejo. 2024. Description of Phelene reinschmidti from Ecuador with Notes on the Subfamily Lophotettiginae (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae). Evolutionary Systematics. 8(1): 119-125. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.124285
