Melanoplus corniculatus, Hill, 2023

Hill, JoVonn G., 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, pp. 101-136 : 101

Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov.

Figs 2D , 3C , 4C , 10A-J , 14 , 20

Type material.

Holotype: 1♂, USA, TEXAS, Kerr Co., Kerrville, 30.0677223, -99.139329, 25 July 2018, J.G. Hill, Collected in oak juniper savanna. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Other specimens examined.

Texas: Bandera Co., 4.5 mi N. Medina , 29.8502, -99.3030, 28 July 2020, J.G. Hill (2♂) . Kerr Co., Kerrville , 30.0677223, -99.139329, 25 July 2018, J.G. Hill (1♂, 3F) ; 0.2 mi N Hunt , 30.0736, -99.3350, 27 July 2020, M.J. Thorn (6♂, 3♀) ; Same data, except B. S Dunaway (2♂) ; 3.7 mi E Hunt , 30.0576, -99.3965, 26 July 2020, M. J. Thorn (2♂, 1♀) ; Same data, except A. G. Hendon (1♂) ; 4.3 mi SW Hunt , 30.0310, -99.3945, 26 July 2020, M. J. Thorn (1♂) ; Same data, except A.G. Hendon (1♂) .

Diagnosis.

Male cerci falcate with a steeply curving ventral edge (Figs 2D , 10A, B ), internal male genitalia with the valves of the aedeagus projected caudally with dorsal valves that are trifid with the medial branch darker and longer than the distal two. (Figs 3C , 4C ). Most similar to M. walkeri , but M. corniculatus is easily separated from that species by having a less steeply curving male cerci (Fig. 2D, E ), aedeagal valves that are produced caudally instead of dorsally (Figs 10C-F , 11C-F ), and the shape of the dorsal valves (Figs 10C-G , 11C-F ).

Measurements.

Male measurements. (mm): (n = 14) Body length 19.0-22.3 (mean = 20.2); pronotum length 4.0-5.0 (mean = 4.4); tegmen length 4.8-6.0 (mean = 5.3); hind femur length 9.9-11.6 (mean = 11.0); cerci length 0.9-1.3 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.6-0.9 (mean = 0.8); mid-cercal width 0.4-0.6 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.3-0.4 (mean = 0.3).

Female measurements. (mm): (n = 7) Body length 19.2-24.5 (mean = 22.1); pronotum length 4.5-5.3 (mean = 5.0); tegmen length 5.5-7.5 (mean = 6.2); hind femur length 11.1-13.3 (mean = 12.3); dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.3-1.7 (mean = 1.5); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.5-1.7 (mean = 1.5).

Habitat.

Ashe Juniper savanna (Fig. 20A ).

Distribution.

Endemic to the Edwards Plateau of Texas in the vicinity of Kerr and Bandera Counties (Fig. 14 ).

Etymology.

From the Latin meaning horned (antlered) or horn shaped. In reference to the dorsal valves being shaped like antlers.

Suggested common name.

Antlered pouncer.

Figures

Figure 2. Lateral outlines of the male cerci of species in the Melanoplus discolor species group A M. nelsoni B M. discolor C M. corniculatus D M. Melanoplus walkeri E M. walkeri F M. susdentatus G M. kendalli H M. tonkawa I M. comanche.

Figure 3. Lateral views of the male aedeagus of species in the Melanoplus discolor group. DV: dorsal valve, S: sheath, VV: ventral valve. A M. nelsoni B M. discolor C M. corniculatus D M. comanche E M. kendalli F M. susdentatus G M. walkeri H M. tonkawa I M. balcones.

Figure 4. Dorsal views of the male aedeagus of species in the Melanoplus discolor group. DV: dorsal valve, S: sheath, VV: ventral valve. A M. nelsoni B M. discolor C M. corniculatus D M. comanche E M. kendalli F M. susdentatus G M. walkeri H. M. tonkawa I M. balcones.

Figure 10. Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.

Figure 11. Melanoplus walkeri sp. nov. A dorsal view of male terminalia B lateral view of male terminalia C dorsal view of phallic complex D lateral view of phallic complex E dorsal view of aedeagus F lateral view of aedeagus G caudal view of the aedeagus H dorsal view of epiphallus I caudal view of epiphallus J habitus.

Figure 14. Distribution of species in the Melanoplus discolor group A broad view of the group, showing the wide distribution of M. discolor B distribution of Melanoplus discolor group species occurring in central Texas with the Balcones Escarpment indicated.

Figure 20. Habitat and live images of Melanoplus corniculatus sp. nov. A Ashe juniper savanna, Kerr Co., Texas B male C female D male.