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| Melanoplus nelsoni, M. susdentatus, M. balcones, Melanoplus corniculatus, M. walkeri Hill, 2023, Melanoplus discolor (Scudder, 1878) |
Abstract
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.
Key words: Balcones Escarpment, biodiversity hotspot, Edwards Plateau, Texas Hill Country
Melanoplus discolor group species checklist (with figure numbers presented in this work)
1. Melanoplus discolor (Scudder, 1878)
2. Melanoplus nelsoni sp. nov.
3. Melanoplus kendalli Otte, 2012
4. Melanoplus susdentatus sp. nov.
5. Melanoplus balcones sp. nov.
6. Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov.
7. Melanoplus walkeri sp. nov.
8. Melanoplus comanche sp. nov.
9. Melanoplus tonkawa sp. nov.
JoVonn G. Hill. 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. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1165.104047
blog.pensoft.net/2023/06/05/new-grasshopper-species-from-central-texas-honor-willie-nelson-and-jerry-jeff-walker
