A new monotypic genus Trusmaditetrix gen. nov. (type species: Trusmaditetrix complanata sp. nov.) is described from Malaysia. New tribe Trusmaditetrigini trib. nov. is established for six genera of Cladonotinae (Trusmaditetrix gen. nov., Devriesetettix Tumbrinck, Eurymorphopus Hancock, Ichikawatettix Tumbrinck, Planotettix Tumbrinck, and Tepperotettix Rehn). A key to genera and an annotated list of the genera and species of the new tribe are also provided. The species Eurymorphopus dubius Günther, 1974 from Mauritius is placed in the genus Morphopoides Rehn, 1930 and a new combination is proposed: M. dubius (Günther, 1974), comb. nov.
A new peculiar, spiky, and yellowish species of the genus Tegotettix Hancock, 1913 is described from the Davao region of the island of Mindanao (the Philippines)-T. derijei sp. n. (Mindanao horned pygmy devil). The species is visually similar to T. cristiferus (Günther, 1935) from Borneo and T. armatus Hancock, 1913 from Borneo, which is the type species of the genus, and of which a new record from Sabah is also presented in the study. The new species is also similar to an undescribed species from Bukidnon, which we presented by photographs in its natural habitat. To date, T. armatus was known only from old descriptions and drawings and has not been reported for more than 100 years. A brief overview of the species of the genus Tegotettix, with its division into three species groups, is presented.
The species composition of the genus Epitettix (Tetrigidae: Cladonotinae) is discussed. The differential diagnosis of the genus is given. New synonymies are proposed: Epitettix Hancock, 1907 = Vaotettix Podgornaja, 1986, syn. nov., = Pseudepitettix Zheng, 1995, syn. nov. Two new taxa are described, namely Epitettix mikhailovi sp. nov. from Vietnam (Gia Lai Province) and Epitettix punctatus montanus subsp. nov. from Malaysia (Sabah, North Borneo). Seven new combinations are established: Epitettix guibeiensis (Zheng et Jiang, 1995), comb. nov., E. hainanensis (Deng, 2020), comb. nov., E. linaoshanensis (Liang et Jiang, 2004), comb. nov., E. nigritibis (Zheng et Jiang, 2000), comb. nov., E. pimkarnae (Storozhenko et Dawwrueng, 2014), comb. nov., E. strictivertex (Deng, 2020), comb. nov., and E. parallelus (Podgornaja, 1986), comb. nov. The unknown male of the latter species is also described and illustrated.
Spiky pygmy devils (Tetrigidae: Discotettiginae) are, because of the spiky pronotal projections and widened subapical antennal segments, among the most unique pygmy grasshoppers in Southeast (SE) Asia. The taxonomy of the group was unclear in the past, so this study brings a taxonomic and biographical review of the genus Discotettix Costa, 1864. New terminology of the pronotal projections is proposed for Scelimeninae. All valid species hitherto included in the genus are redescribed; a new genus is established for Discotettix shelfordi Hancock, 1907, Disconius Skejo, Pushkar et Tumbrinck gen. n., so a new combination is established for the species (Disconius shelfordi comb. n.). New synonymy is established: Discotettix selysi Bolívar, 1887 = Discotettix selangori Mahmood, Idris et Salmah, 2007 syn. n. Three new species are described and a key to Discotettix species is provided. The genus now includes seven species (1) Discotettix aruanus Skejo, Pushkar et Tumbrinck sp. n. from Aru; (2) D. belzebuth (Serville, 1838) from Borneo; (3) D. doriae Bolívar, 1898 stat. resurr. from the Mentawai islands; (4) D. kirscheyi Skejo, Pushkar, Tumbrinck et Tan sp. n. from Northeast (NE) Borneo; (5) D. scabridus (Stål, 1877) endemic to Mindanao and Samar; (6) D. selysi Bolívar, 1887 from Sumatra and peninsular Malaysia; (7) D. sumatrensis Skejo, Pushkar et Tumbrinck sp. n. endemic to southern Sumatra. Moreover, Discotettix is again subdivided into two subgenera: Mnesarchus Stål, 1877 stat. resurr. (D. scabridus) and nominotypical one (other species). Widened antennal segments are the only character common to all Discotettiginae genera, but this trait does not have great taxonomic importance, as it is homoplastic, meaning that it appeared in distant Tetrigidae groups independently. Discotettix is herewith transferred to the subfamily Scelimeninae and accordingly, the subfamily Discotettiginae Hancock, 1907 syn. n. becomes a junior synonym of the subfamily Scelimeninae Bolívar, 1887. The tribe Discotettigini stat. resurr., on the other hand, gathers corticolous genera of the Scelimeninae (Austrohancockia Günther, 1938, Bidentatettix Zheng, 1992, Disconius gen. n. Discotettix, Eufalconius Günther, 1938, Gibbotettix Zheng, 1992, Paragavialidium Zheng, 1994, Gavialidium Saussure, 1862, and Tegotettix Hancock, 1913), while the tribe Scelimenini becomes restricted to amphibious taxa. All taxa are described and amply depicted with both museum specimens and in situ photographs. An identification key is provided. The morphology and function of widened antennae in Discotettigini are discussed.
Recent collection in Panti Forest Reserve in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia offered us the opportunity to better understand the species in southern Malay Peninsula. Two new species and one new genus of Meconematini are described here: Cercoteratura reflexa sp. n. and Platycercotura caricauda gen. et sp. n. We present new locality records for Peracca macritchiensis Tan & Ingrisch, 2014, Viriacca viridis Ingrisch, 1998; Lipotactes (Dialipotactes) maculatus Hebard, 1922; Asiophlugis rete Gorochov, 1998; and Arnobia pilipes tropica Gorochov, 1998, all of which were previously recorded in Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore, suggest that the distribution of these species is continuous between Pahang and Singapore. New locality record for Asiophlugis temasek temasek Gorochov & Tan, 2011, previously known only from Singapore, indicates that this subspecies is no longer endemic to Singapore.
Based on recent field sampling in the highlands of western Sabah, a new species of Depressacca Ingrisch, 1998 (Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) is described from Tenompok, Depressacca macrolima sp. nov., that can be easily distinguish from two other known congeners by the presence of numerous large and falcate spines on the legs numerous large and falcate spines on its legs. Based on the new material, we also document here the live images and/or new locality records for other katydids of the tribes Agraeciini and Meconematini: Bispinolakis longicauda Ingrisch, 1998, Palaeoagraecia philippina (Karny, 1926) and Salomona borneensis Willemse, 1959; Alloteratura (Meconemopsis) longa Gorochov, 2008, Borneratura kinabaluana (Bey-Bienko, 1971) and Rhinoteratura pulchra Gorochov, 2008.
The genus Molpa Walker was previously considered to be disjunctly distributed in broad-leaf rain forests in India and Malaysia. Here we report one new species Molpa dulongensis sp. nov. from subtropic broad-leaf rain forests in southwestern Yunnan Province in China. This is a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot area. So we can infer that Molpa is continuously distributed in broad-leaf rain forests found in Oriental Region. Redescription of the genus Molpa and description of the new species Molpa dulongensis sp. nov. are provided. The types are deposited in Insect Collection of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China (IZCAS).
Pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) are a speciose group of complicated taxonomy, with many species requiring clarification on their species boundaries, and more still awaiting discovery. Two new species of Scelimena Serville, 1838 are described: (1) from S. discalis species group S. gombakensis sp. nov. and (2) from S. hexodon species group Scelimena marta sp. nov. Catalogue of Scelimenini genera (15) and species (100) is presented and taxonomy and biogeography of the tribe are discussed. New and resurrected combinations are: Falconius becvari (Buzzetti Devriese, 2008) comb. nov. (of Gavialidium becvari), Gavialidium carli Hebard, 1930 comb. resurr. (of Bidentatettix carli), Indoscelimena india (Hancock, 1907) comb. nov. (of Scelimena india), Paragavialidium nodiferum (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. (of Platygavialidium nodiferum), Platygavialidium productum (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. (of Gavialidium productum), Scelimena hexodon (Haan, 1843) comb. resurr. (of Hexocera hexodon), Scelimena rosacea (Hancock, 1915) comb. resurr. (of Amphibotettix rosaceus), Tegotettix bufocrocodil (Storozhenko Dawwrueng, 2015) comb. nov. (of Gavialidium bufocrocodil). New synonyms are: Gavialidium phangensum Mahmood, Idris Salmah, 2007 syn. nov. (of Eufalconius pendleburyi), Gavialidium philippinum Bolívar, 1887 syn. nov. (of Platygavialidium productum comb. nov.), Hexocera Hancock, 1915 syn. nov. (of Scelimena), Paracriotettix Liang, 2002 syn. nov. (of Scelimena), Paracriotettix zhengi Liang, 2002 syn. nov. (of Scelimena melli), Scelimena mellioides Deng, 2016 syn. nov. (of Scelimena melli), Scelimena wuyishanensis Deng, 2016 syn. nov. (of Platygavialidium sinicum). The genus Scelimena is divided into six species groups. Eucriotettix neesoon Tan Storozhenko nom. nov. is new name for homonym Eucriotettix guentheri Tan Storozhenko, 2017. Finally, a tabular key to 15 Scelimenini genera, based on 16 morphological characters, is presented.
There are numerous pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) that exhibit leaf-like appearance. Leaf-mimic species can be found mainly in the subfamily Cladonotinae (tribes Cladonotini, Xerophyllini). Two leaf-mimic pygmy grasshopper species found in India, Pakistan (Oxyphyllum pennatum Hancock, 1909) and Borneo (Paraphyllum antennatum Hancock, 1913) are the only macropterous leaf-like species of Asia and were traditionally assigned to subfamily Cladonotinae. Our study present new records of these species, as well as updated descriptions. Oxyphyllum pennatum is recorded for the first time from Chhattisgarh (Central India), and furthermore, records from Pakistan were reviewed and confirmed. Paraphyllum antennatum is reported from a few localities in the mountains of Borneo (East Malaysia). New records found in online social media (Flickr, iNaturalist) were implemented. Brachypronotal specimens of P. antennatum are reported. After comparison with Cladonotini and Xerophyllini members, we conclude that Oxyphyllum and Paraphyllum should not be regarded Cladonotinae members. Traditional assignment was based on superficial resemblance to leaf-like Cladonotinae genera (e.g. Phyllotettix, Hymenotes, Holoarcus, Xerophyllum). However, comparison of morphological characters reveals that Oxyphyllum shares morphology with Tetriginae genera, while Paraphyllum shares morphology with Asian Metrodorinae. Here, we assign the genus Oxyphyllum to Tetriginae and the genus Paraphyllum to Metrodorinae.
Pseudopsyra is a genus of Phaneropterinae katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), currently comprising of four species - two species each from southern China and Peninsular Malaysia (Hebard, 1922; Liu & Kang, 2006; Tan & Kamaruddin, 2013, 2014). The revision of Pseudopsyra by Liu & Kang (2006) provided a redescription of the genus, a new diagnosis and a key to known species. Subsequently, more surveys were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia and yield another species, representing the lowest latitudinal limits of this genus thus far (Tan & Kamaruddin, 2013). Continued surveys between the upper and lower latitudinal limits of the genus yield a new species: Pseudopsyra taksini sp. nov. from the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand. The orthopteran diversity at Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve remains understudied with numerous new species described recently, including other genus of Phaneropterinae (Tan & Artchawakom, 2014; Tan et al., 2015). With emphasis of using sexual parts for evidence of reproductive isolation in species delimitation, the discovery of a new species of Pseudopsyra also represents the first record of the genus from Thailand. It is not surprising that more undescribed species of Pseudopsyra can be found across the Indo-China region.
A new species of Meconematini is described from Tabin Wildlife Reserve in eastern Sabah: Cercoteratura repens sp. nov. This is the first report of the genus Cercoteratura in Sabah. Two species of Phisidini, Carliphisis acutipennis (Carl, 1908) and Neophisis (Indophisis) longipennis Jin, 1992, are reported in eastern Sabah for the first time. The calling song of Neophisis (Indophisis) longipennis with a near-complete ultrasonic spectrum is also described.
A species of scaly cricket is described here: Ornebius lupus sp. nov. from the mangrove forests in Singapore. Ornebius pullus Ingrisch, 2006 is recorded in eastern Sabah for the first time. The calling songs of Cycloptiloides bimaculatus Tan et al., 2021 and Ornebius pullus from Sabah are described. We also revise the diagnosis of Ectatoderus nigrofasciatus Tan et al., 2021 from Brunei Darussalam.
The taxonomy of poorly known crickets from the genus Pendleburyella Chopard, 1969 (Gryllidae, Pentacentrinae) is reviewed. The type specimens of described species were re-located and re-examined. Based on more recent collections, we describe two new species: Pendleburyella eirmosa sp. nov. and Pendleburyella pimela sp. nov., from Brunei Darussalam and Singapore respectively. The new material also allowed us to examine the male genitalia and describe the male calling song of the genus for the first time.
A new species of Itara (Phormincter) is described from Mindanao in the Philippines: Itara (Phormincter) mindanao Tan, Grumo, Gono & Bahoy, sp. nov. This represents the first record of this subgenus in the Philippines, having previously known only from Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; as well as only the second species of Itara known from the Philippines and the first from Mindanao Island. The male calling song of the holotype was also recorded and is described here. Additionally, the male calling song of another congener, Itara (Singitara) singularis Gorochov, 1997 from Sabah, is described here. A new species of Itara (Bornitara) is also described from Sabah in Borneo: Itara (Bornitara) tenompok Tan, Japir & Chung, sp. nov.
The importance of pollination and pollinators is easy to underestimate and impossible to overstate, since its importance goes far beyond the crop production and even the maintenance of plant populations. Most terrestrial ecosystems ultimately depend on the plant-pollinator interactions formed by million years coevolution. This is essential for both the daily functioning of the ecosystems and the long-term development of biodiversity. At the same time, the loss of biodiversity caused by climate change and human activities will soon lead to an ecological crisis, a catastrophe, which could endanger our life: For example, through the decline and loss of various ecosystem services. Such may be the pollination crisis, resulted from a significant loss of pollinating insects' diversity and abundance. The discovery of a pollinator Orthoptera species has encouraged researchers in the densely populated region of Indo-Malaysia to explore the potential role of orthopterans as pollinators. Although the flower visitation of some species has been already known, the role of orthopterans in pollination is scarcely revealed. Here, we collected and reviewed the available data in order to point out some factors of their importance and set priorities that may serve as a basis for further investigations regarding ecological, evolutionary and practical points of view.
The taxonomy of three genera of little-known Phaneropterinae from Malay Peninsula (Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia) is reviewed: Cesasundana Koçak & Kemal, 2009, Elbenia Stål, 1876 and Macedna Karsch, 1891. One new species each from the genera Cesasundana and Elbenia are described from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia respectively: Cesasundana lorniensis sp. n. and Elbenia fraser sp. n. Keys to species of Cesasundana and Elbenia are also included. The taxonomic position of monotypic genus Macedna is validated, male is redescribed and the female is described for the first time.
Material based on a taxonomic collection in Bukit Fraser, Pahang of Malay Peninsula enables the review of two genera of bush katydid (Phaneropterinae). The female of Elimaea (Rhaebelimaea) pseudochloris Ingrisch, 1998 is described and recorded for the first time outside its type locality, Thailand. One new species of Pseudopsyra from Bukit Fraser is described: Pseudopsyra bispina sp. n.
Four new species from three genera of Agraeciini from Malay Peninsula are described: Paragraecia temasek sp. n., Peracca mirzai sp. n., Peracca macritchiensis sp. n. from Singapore, and Lichnofugia malaya sp. n. from Peninsular Malaysia. The first records and descriptions of the female of Liara alata Ingrisch, 1998 and the male of Paragraecia gracilis Ingrisch, 1998 are given.
Rhaphidophora megasperma Engl., a species hitherto regarded as endemic to Sarawak, East Malaysia, is published as a new record for Peninsular Malaysia. It is the first species in the Rhaphidophora Spathacea group recorded for western Sunda. The species is illustrated and a key to the perforate-laminated Rhaphidophora in Peninsular Malaysia is presented.
The taxonomy of the little-known cricket genus Changiola from the subfamily Pteroplistinae is reviewed here. This genus consisted of three species, two from Malay Peninsula and one from Indochina. Here, we describe a new species from Borneo, the first from the island: Changiola sarawakensis n. sp. We also provide a key to the species, although it is likely that more species will be added to this genus with more sampling in the region.