Gymnoscirtetes pageae, Hill, 2022

Hill, JoVonn G., 2022, Revision of Gymnoscirtetes (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae): a genus endemic to the grasslands of the southeastern North American Coastal Plain, ZooKeys 1134, pp. 101-127 : 101

Gymnoscirtetes pageae sp. nov.

Figs 5D , 9A-J , 12 , 14D, G

Diagnosis.

Differing from other species in the group based on the shape of the internal male genitalia (Fig. 9C-I ). In dorsal view, the dorsal valves form two slightly translucent lobes that are equal to or are slightly longer than the ventral valves and are truncated apically. The ventral valves are opaque short cylindrical protrusions that are rounded at their apices. In lateral view, the dorsal valves are much broader than the ventral valves (~ 1.5 ×) and extend laterally up to or just short of the apex of the ventral valves. In caudal view, the dorsal valves form a girdle that almost completely encompasses the ventral valves like a hood (Fig. 9G ). This species is perhaps the most distinct in the group and can readily be identified based on its unique genitalia and distinct geographic distribution (Fig. 12 ).

Male measurements.

(mm): (n = 14) Body length 13.5-16.9 (mean = 14.6); pronotum length 2.1-2.5 (mean = 2.3); hind femur length 6.7-8.3 (mean = 7.4); cerci length 0.8-1.1 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.3-0.4 (mean = 0.4); mid-cercal width 0.2 (mean = 0.2); cerci apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.1) tubercule length 0.1-0.2 (mean = 0.2); tubercule width 0.1-0.2 (mean = 0.2).

Female measurements.

(mm): (n = 6) Body length 19.5-20.6 (mean = 20.0); pronotum length 2.5-3.0 (mean = 2.8); hind femur 8.5-9.6 (mean = 9.2).

Holotype.

6 mi S Old Town, 29.5156769, -83.0002496, 28 Sept. 2017, J.G. Hill, Collected from roadside sandhill and ditch (1♂). Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Paratypes.

Same data as type (2♂, 2♀).

Other specimens examined.

Florida: Dixie Co., 4 mi N Shamrock , 14 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 6 mi S. Steinhatchee R[iver], 5 August 1925, T.H. Hubbell (4♂) ; Cross City , 21 November 1925, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) . Jefferson Co., 0.4 mi N Lamont , 16 August, 1947, T.H. Hubbell (5♂) ; 0.4 mi NE Fanlew , 16 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 0.7 mi N Jct. US 90 and Fla 257, 17 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 0.9 mi E Thomas City , 16 August, 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 4.4 mi NE Fanlew , 16 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 4.6 mi E Monticello , 17 August 1947 (1♂) ; near Covington, 31 Oct , 1942, T.H. Hubbell (5♂) ; Lloyd , 20 August 1938 (2♂, 4♀) . Lafayette Co., 2 mi W Taylor County Line , 9 June 1941, Friauf and Hubbell (1♂) ; 12 mi W Mayo , 9 November 1941, Friauf & Hubbell (1♂) . Leon Co., Chaires , 4 August1925, T.H. Hubbell (4♂) . Taylor Co., 4.7 mi N Salem , 7 October 1945, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; Boyd , 15 October 1942, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; Perry , 5 August 1925, T.H. Hubbell (2♂) ; Hampton Springs , 31 October 1947, T.H. Hubbell (2♂) . Madison Co. 2 mi E Aucilla River on US 90, 17 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) ; 1.7 mi N Shady Creek , 16 Sept. 1942, T.H. Hubbell (1♂) . Wakulla Co., 1.5 mi NW St. Marks , 15 August 1947, T.H. Hubbell (2♂) .

Distribution.

"Big Bend" region of Florida from Leon and Wakulla counties, south through the flatwoods to the western banks of the Suwannee River in Dixie County (Fig. 12 ).

Habitat.

Flatwoods and grassy sandhills (Fig. 13D ).

Etymology.

Named in honor of Bettie Mae Page, an iconic American photo model and former resident of Florida, who rose from a background of poverty and abuse to become a symbol of self-expression and body positivity.

Figures

Figure 5. Caudal view of Gymnoscirtetes male aedeagi A G. morsei B G. rex C G. pusillus D G. pageae E G. wadeorum F G. georgiaensis. Scale bars 0.2 mm.

Figure 9. Gymnoscirtetes pageae: 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 12. Distribution of Gymnoscirtetes species. Green dots = G. morsei, yellow dots = G. rex, dark blue dots = G. pageae, orange dots = G. wadeorum, Light blue dots = G. georgiaensis, red dots = G. pusillus.

Figure 13. Plant communities at the collection localities of Gymnoscirtetes A pitcher plant bog (Splinter Hill Bog, Baldwin Co., Alabama) B Sandhill (Ecofina Creek Wildlife Management Area, Bay County, Florida) C long leaf pine savanna (Wade Tract, Thomas County, Georgia) D Mesic sandhill (6 mi S Old Town, Dixie County, Florida) E Cutthroat grass seep (Royce, Highlands County, Florida) F Florida dry prairie (Avon Park Air Force Range, Highlands County, Florida).

Figure 14. A Seasonal wetland (Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Florida) B seasonal wetland (Disney Wilderness Preserve, Osceola County, Florida) C Gymnoscirtetes morsei, male D Gymnoscirtetes pageae, male E Gymnoscirtetes rex, pair in copula F Gymnoscirtetes pusillus, female G Gymnoscirtetes pageae, male H Gymnoscirtetes pusillus, male.