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.