Melanoplus susdentatus, 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 susdentatus sp. nov.

Figs 2F , 3F , 4F , 9A-J , 14 , 18

Type material.

Holotype: 1♂, USA, TX, Comal Co. 3.8 mi NW FIsher, 30.0051, -98.3190, 16 July 2020, J.G. Hill; Ashe juniper savanna. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Other specimens examined.

Texas: Comal Co., 6.6 mi E Bulverde , 29.8283, -98.3127, 26 August 2022, J.G. Hill (3♂, 1♀) ; 3.8 mi Fisher , 30.0051, -98.3190, 16 July 2020, J.G. Hill (2♂) . Hayes Co., 6.7 mi NE Dripping Springs, 30.269, -98.1506, 28 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (3♂, 1♀) ; 3.96 mi SW Pioneer Town , 29.9591, -98.1662, 2 August 2021, J.G. Hill (1♂) ; 2.4 mi N Woodcreek , 30.0635, -98.1063, 23 July 2021, J.G. Hill (1♂) ; 2 mi S Wimberly , 5 August 1953, N.W. Wasseman (1♂) ; 4.5 mi N Wimberly , 30.0635, -98.1061, J.G. Hill (5♂, 2♀) . Travis Co., 4.12 mi W Bee Cave, 30.2945, -98.0182, 29 August 2022, J.G. Hill, J.R. Fisher (4♂, 1♀) .

Diagnosis.

Male cerci that are broadly falcate (Figs 2F , 9A, B ), and the internal male genitalia with the aedeagal sheath that does not project to the distal edge dorsal valves. Dorsal valves are thin plates that are arched along the caudal margin and are produced laterally to the ventral valves, giving the aedeagus a narrow or thin appearance in caudal or dorsal views (Figs 3F , 4F ). The ventral valves are slightly shorter than the dorsal valves (Fig. 9F ). Most similar to M. kendalli and M. balcones . Melanoplus susdentatus is easily separated from M. kendalli by having an aedeagal sheath that does not reach the distal margin of the dorsal valves and the curved nature of the dorsal valves (Figs 8C-G , 9C-G ), and from M. balcones by the shorter, rounded valves found in that species (Fig. 9D, F ).

Measurements.

Male measurements. (mm): (n = 10) Body length 17.5-21.5 (mean = 19.6); pronotum length 3.5-4.7 (mean = 4.1); tegmen length 4.1-5.1 (mean = 4.5); hind femur length 9.6-11.5 (mean = 10.6); cerci length 0.8-1.0 (mean = 1.0); basal width of cercus 0.5-0.6 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.4-0.5 (mean = 0.5); cerci apex width 0.2-0.3 (mean = 0.3).

Female measurements. (mm): (n = 4) Body length 18.5-21.1 (mean = 19.9); pronotum length 4.2-4.7 (mean = 4.5); tegmen length 4.1-5.9 (mean = 5.0); hind femur length 10.7-12.3 (mean = 11.7) Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.2-1.3 (mean = 1.3); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0 (mean = 1.0).

Habitat.

Ashe Juniper savanna (Fig. 18A ).

Etymology.

From the Latin sus for hog and dentatus for toothed. In reference to the dorsal valves being shaped like the distal ends of the incisors and tusk of Sus scrofa L., a notorious invasive species in Texas.

Suggested common name.

Hog-toothed 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 8. Melanoplus susdentatus 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 9. Melanoplus balcones 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 18. Habitat and live images of Melanoplus susdentatus sp. nov. A oak savanna, Hayes Co., Texas B oak savanna, Travis Co, Texas C oak savanna, Comal Co., Texas D male E male F male G female H female.