Brazitettix Silva, 2024

Pereira, Daniela Santos Martins Silva Marcelo Ribeiro, 2024, A new genus of horn-like tetrigids (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Tetrigidae) from South America, Insecta Mundi 2024 (72), pp. 1-15 : 3

Brazitettix Silva, 2024 , new genus

( Fig. 1–4 )

Type species. Brazitettix roraimae Silva , new species.

Species included. Brazitettix roraimae Silva , new species and Brazitettix paulista Silva , new species.

Etymology. The genus-group name is a combination of Brazi – (in honor to the Brazil, country, where the genus was collected) and – tettix (Greek, meaning “grasshopper”). Gender masculine.

Genus diagnosis. Brazitettix new genus can be distinguished from other genera by the set of characteristics as follows: (i) overall body surface rugose brownish pits/protuberances; (ii) filiform antennae, distinguishable flattened apical segments; (iii) antennal grooves situated below at level of the lower margin of eyes; (iv) elongated dorsally flat horn - like projection in the head, with the lateral margins strongly notched (absent in Dravidacris ), with middle protuberance almost rounded or pointed at tip (dorsal view); (v) fastigium of vertex and frontal costa forming the horn directed forwards, producing a “cross” (tricuspidate form in frontal view); (vi) short medial carina of the vertex well marked dorsally in the anterior part of the elongated head projection (horn - like shape) (in Rostella is present from the fastigium to vertex apex); (vii) medial ocellus situated distinctly below the lower margin of eyes and antennal grooves; (viii) truncated anterior margin of pronotum; (ix) fully developed tegmina, wings surpassing the apex of the abdomen; (x) shield - like fore femur, arc - shaped smooth upper face or with lappets, and lower margin with lappets; (xi) upper face of middle femur slight carinate, and lower margin with lappets; (xii) hind femur slightly slender and elongated in males and robust in females; (xiii) thin and elongated infrascapular area; (xiv) integument finely granulose; (xv) dorsal external area of hind femur with black pits/ protuberances.

Genus description. Body thin, elongated, and slightly flattened dorsoventrally. Head. Fastigium of vertex and frontal costa forming the horn directed forwards; horn - like projection in the head with the lateral margins strongly notched, the middle one rounded or tapered at tip (dorsal view); short transverse carina, medial carina and frontal costa forming a “cross” (frontal view); extension of the fastigium above the frontal costa bifurcation; vertex wider than one eye; median carina of vertex presents dorsally in the anterior part of the elongated horn - like projection; scutellum width equal to antennal groove; frontal costa bifurcation at the top third of an eye height; medial ocellus situated distinctly below the lower margin of eyes and antennal grooves; antennal grooves situated below at level of the lower margin of eyes; antennae filiform; head and compound eye insert exerted bellow the pronotal disc. Pronotum. Macropronotal, surpassing abdominal apex; anterior margin of pronotum truncated; prozonal carinae parallel; lateral pronotal lobes directed downwards, truncated at tip; ventral sinus and tegminal sinus present; thin and elongated infrascapular area; tegmina fully developed; pronotum granulated. Legs. Fore femur almost shield - like, upper face arc - shaped smooth or with lappets, lower margin always with lappets; middle femur upper face carinate and lower margin with lappets; hind femur slightly slender and elongated at male, and robust at female; first segment longer than third in hind tarsal segments. Abdomen. Subgenital plate in lateral view with apex slightly directed upwards; cerci short, their basal part swollen. Coloration: visible parts of dorsal sternites dark brown, similar to pronotum color; upper lateral parts of the sternites.

Figures

Figure 1. Brazitettix roraimae new species. A–B) Holotype male, lateral view. C) Dorsal view. D) Head details, frontal view. E) Head details, dorsal view. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Figure 2. Brazitettix roraimae new species. A–B) Allotype female, lateral view. C) Dorsal view. D) Head details, frontal view. E) Head details, dorsal view. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Figure 3. Brazitettix roraimae new species paratypes lateral view. A) Female. B) Male. C–D) Females. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Figure 4. Brazitettix paulista new species. A–B) Holotype female, lateral view. C) Dorsal view. D) Head details, frontal view. E) Head details, dorsal view. Scale bar = 5 mm.