Edentatettix Deng, 2025

Li, Yuemei, Leng, Shixiong, He, Jiasong, Deng, Weian & Guan, Delong, 2025, Mitochondrial phylogenomics of pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae, Metrodorinae): descriptions of a new genus, two new species, and new synonyms from China, ZooKeys 1236, pp. 249-281 : 249-281

Genus Edentatettix Deng gen. nov.

Type species.

Edentatettix leyeensis Deng , sp. nov., here designated.

Diagnosis.

The new genus can be easily distinguished from other genera of Metrodorinae by the saw-like teeth of the female ovipositor absent (Fig. 8 G ). Edentatettix is allied to Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei & Jiang, 2005 , but differs as follows: head and eyes slightly exserted above pronotal surface (not exserted in Macromotettixoides ), dorsal surface of pronotum low and flat and tectiform is not obvious (distinctly tectiform in Macromotettixoides ), saw-like teeth of female ovipositor absent (present in Macromotettixoides ). Edentatettix is also similar to Concavetettix Deng, 2021 but differs from the latter by the obtuse projection under each lateral carina of the prozona absent (present in Concavetettix ), dorsum of pronotum flat and slightly depressed in the middle part between the shoulders (dorsum of pronotum with irregular concavities in Concavetettix ), saw-like teeth of female ovipositor absent (present in Concavetettix ).

Description.

General characters and coloration. Size small, brachypronotal. Coloration uniformly brown, antennae and face dark brown, middle of the dorsal surface of pronotum with a dark spot. Body surface is interspersed with sparse carinae and notches.

Head. Head and eyes slightly exserted above pronotal surface. Fastigium of vertex short; in dorsal view, width of vertex between eyes 1.5–1.6 × width of compound eye. In lateral view, frontal ridge and vertex forming a rounded-angle shape and slightly projected inferior margin of the compound eye, frontal costa distinctly concave between lateral ocelli. In frontal view, frontal costa bifurcated above lateral ocelli, the bifurcation of the frontal costa in the middle of the compound eye height; width of longitudinal furrow of frontal ridge narrower than antennal groove diameter. Antennae short, filiform, antennal grooves inserted below inferior margin of compound eyes. Eyes globose, lateral (paired) ocelli located lowest third of compound eye height.

Thorax. Dorsal surface of pronotum low and flat and tectiform is not obvious; pronotal surface interspersed with sparse carinae and notches between shoulders and behind the middle, slightly depressed in the middle part between the shoulders. Pronotum with truncate anterior margin, median carina entire and nearly straight in profile; lateral carinae of prozona parallel; humeral angle obtuse; with interhumeral carina; hind pronotal process narrow, nearly reaching apex of hind femur and its apex narrowly rounded. Posterior angles of lateral lobes produced outwards, end of posterior angles truncate, posterior margins of lateral lobes of pronotum only with ventral sinus. Tegmina and hind wings invisible.

Legs. Fore and middle femora slightly compressed, margins finely serrated and carinate and ventral margins slightly undulated. Hind femora robust and short, 2.8 × as long as wide; with carinated. Length of first segment of posterior tarsi equal to third.

Abdomen. Female ovipositor narrow and long, dorsal margins of upper valvulae and ventral margins of lower valvulae without saw-like tooth or saw-like teeth indistinct (Fig. 8 G ).

Etymology.

The generic epithet is derived from edent, referring to the absent saw-like teeth of female ovipositor (Fig. 8 G ).

Figures

Figure 8. E. leyeensis Deng, sp. nov., holotype female A head, frontal view B left fore femur, lateral view C left mid femur, lateral view D left hind femur, lateral view E left hind tibia, lateral view F left posterior tarsus, lateral view G ovipositor of female, lateral view H subgenital plate of female, ventral view.