Allotettix incomptum (Hebard, 1924), 2025

Cadena-Castañeda, Oscar J., Quintana-Arias, Ronald Fernando, Infante, Ivette Coque, Silva, Daniela Santos Martins & Tavares, Gustavo Costa, 2025, Studies on pygmy grasshoppers: On the current Metrodorinae sensu lato classification (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with emphasis on American and Malagasy taxa, Zootaxa 5597 (1), pp. 1-265 : 164-174

Allotettix incomptum (Hebard, 1924) , comb. nov.

Otumba incompta Hebard, 1924: 153 . Holotype. Female. ECUADOR: Manabi: Río Pescado. Depository : ANSP.

Remarks. Otumba incompta Hebard, 1924 is transferred to the genus Allotettix Hancock, 1899 . The morphological characteristics fit better in Allotettix than in Otumba , highlighting the shape of the lateral lobes of the pronotum, which are closer to the body, the first and second segments of the tarsi of the hind leg, suggesting more affinity with Tetriginae than with the other Neotropical Metrodorinae . Therefore, the taxon must be treated under the new combination Allotettix incomptum (Hebard, 1924) , comb. nov. An additional study should be carried out to corroborate the validity or synonymy of this species with that of the other members of Allotettix .

Genus Plesiotettix Hancock, 1907

Plesiotettix Hancock, 1907: 34 .

Type species: Plesiotettix uncinatus Hancock, 1907 , by original designation.

Redescription. Body slender, elongated, and moderately granulate ( Figs. 116A , 117A , 118A ). Head compresso-elevated. Vertex narrower than an eye, anteriorly rounded, slightly lower than the eyes; medial carina short and not elevated, lateral carinae protruding slightly upward from the eyes; frontal costa bifurcation at the middle of the eyes; scutellum narrow; fascial carinae moderately elevated, branches of fascial carinae little divergent; antennal groves close of the ventral margin of eyes level, in the middle length of each branch of the fascial carinae ( Figs. 116B , 117C , 118C ), antennae with 14–15 segments; lateral ocelli between the middle of the eyes, near the base from where each branch of the fascial carinae diverges; medial ocellus close to the lower margin of the scutellum; palpi with last three segments yellowish or grayish, and flattened, with first two segments short and nearly cylindrical ( Figs. 116B , 117C , 118C ). In lateral view, face oblique; carinae of the vertex not produced between the eyes; fastigio-fascial angle rounded; fascial carinae slightly emerging between the antennae, not surpassing the pedicelus length, and rounded, above and below slightly sinuated; eyes rounded, with rounded dorsal surface, slightly straight ventral margin and little elevated than vertex ( Fig. 116A , 117A , 118A ). Thorax. Pronotum elongated, well surpassing the tip of abdomen and hind femora (in P. katerinae , the pronotum does not project as much ( Figs. 116A, C )); pronotal disc straight anteriorly and acute apically, flat, granulated, and without post humeral spots ( Figs. 117B , 118B ). Lateral carinae slightly undulated in dorsal and lateral views; humeral angles obtuse; lower edge of lateral lobes flattened and projected to the sides, triangularly acute produced as spine ( Fig. 116C ), subspiniform ( Fig. 118B ) or distinctly uncinate, curved-forward ( Fig. 117B ); posterior margin of lateral lobe with a mid-undulation; infra-scapular area short and narrow, ending at the level of the first or second abdominal segments; lateral area extending to the apex of the pronotum and wider than infrascapular area in lateral view ( Figs. 116A , 117A , 118A ). Wings. Tegmina oblong, black, generally with yellowish venation. Hind wings reaching the apex of the pronotum ( Figs. 116A , 117A , 118A ). Legs slender. Fore and mid femora dorsally and ventrally slightly undulated, almost straight; fore and mid tibiae carinated above. Hind femur with antegenicular and genicular teeth moderately developed. The first and third segments of the hind tarsi nearly equal in length, or the third slightly longer than the first. Abdomen. Last segments constricted, mainly the ninth and tenth tergites; cerci conical; penultimate sternite mid-sized, almost as long as subgenital plate, a little rounded in lateral view; subgenital plate triangular-shaped in ventral view, slightly upcurved, nearly straight, and apically angulated.

Female. Unknown.

Species included. Plesiotettix uncinatus Hancock, 1907 , P. spinosus Hancock, 1907 , and P. katerinae Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona, 2015 .

Distribution. Andes and inter-Andean valleys between Peru and Colombia (Map 7).

Remarks. This genus resembles Otumba but is distinguished by its noticeably slender shape, conspicuous eyes, and modification of the lower margin of the lateral lobes of the pronotum. To date, only the holotype specimens of each species are known, represented by males, so the females are unknown. The presence of the genus in Ecuador must be reevaluated since the morphospecies mentioned by Günther (1939) actually belong to O. quadrata , as discussed in Otumba ’s comments.

Key to species of Plesiotettix

1. Blackish coloration, with the ventral surface of the body whitish yellow ( Fig. 116A ), lower third of lateral lobes of the pronotum whitish yellow, and the rest of the pronotum black ( Fig. 116C ). Tegmina black, without contrast venation in different colors ( Fig. 116A ). Pronotum surpassing the apex of the abdomen and hind femur but not as pronounced as in the previous case............................................................................................... P. katerinae

- Grayish brown coloration throughout the body, especially in the lateral lobes of the pronotum ( Figs. 117A , 118A ). Tegminae with yellowish venation. Pronotum considerably surpassing the apex of the abdomen and the hind femur ( Figs. 117B , 118B ).................................................................................................... 2

2. Lateral lobes of pronotum sidewards, with uncinate spine ( Fig. 117B ) and infrascapular area longer than fore tibiae ( Fig. 117A )..................................................................................... P. uncinatus

- Lateral lobes of pronotum sidewards, with subspiniform spine ( Fig. 118B ) and infrascapular area shorter than fore tibiae ( Fig. 118A )...................................................................................... P. spinosus

Genus Brunneritettix Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares , gen. nov.

Type species: Allotettix fuscipennis Bruner, 1910 , here designated.

Description. Body slender, elongated, and moderately granulated ( Figs. 119A, B, C ). Head moderately compresso-elevated. In frontal view, vertex wider than an eye, anteriorly rounded, little lower than the eyes; medial carina short and slightly elevated, lateral carinae protruding slightly upward from the eyes; frontal costa bifurcation at the middle of the eyes; scutellum moderately expanded; fascial carinae moderately elevated, ramification of fascial carinae divergent; antennae groves lower than the ventral margin of eyes, in the middle length of the frons and middle length of each branch of the fascial carinae, antennae with 14 segments; lateral ocelli between the middle of the eyes, near the base from where each branch of the fascial carinae diverges; medial ocellus close to the lower margin of the scutellum; maxillary palpi white with segments strongly dilated, especially the last four ones ( Fig. 119D ). In lateral view, face oblique; carinae of the vertex not produced between the eyes; fastigio-fascial angle rounded; fascial carinae slightly emerging between the antennae, not surpassing the pedicelus length, and rounded, above and below slightly sinuated; eyes prominent, rounded, with rounded dorsal surface, ventral margin straight and more elevated than vertex ( Fig. 119B ). Thorax. Pronotum elongated, well surpassing the tip of abdomen and hind femora ( Fig. 119A ); pronotal disc straight anteriorly and truncated apically; pronotal disc flat, granulated, and without post-humeral spots ( Fig. 119C ). Median carina slightly elevated and undulated in the anterior section of the pronotal disc, at the level between the anterior margin and the middle length of the tegmina. Lateral carinae slightly undulated in dorsal and lateral views; humeral angles obtuse; lower margin of lateral lobes flattened and projected to the sides, triangularly rounded produced, curved-forward; posterior margin of lateral lobe with a mid-undulation; infra-scapular area short and narrow ending at the level of the first or second abdominal segments; lateral area extending to the apex of the pronotum and wider than the infrascapular area in lateral view ( Fig. 119B ). Wings. Tegmina oblong, medium size, and brown ( Fig. 119B ). Hind wings moderately exceeding the apex of the pronotum ( Fig. 119A ). Legs slender. Fore and mid-femora dorsally and ventrally almost straight; fore and mid-tibiae carinated above. Hind ante-genicular and genicular teeth poorly developed; first and third segments of the hind tarsi equal in length. Abdomen. Last segments constricted, mainly the ninth and tenth tergite; cerci conical; penultimate sternite mid-sized, almost as long than subgenital plate, little rounded in lateral view; subgenital plate triangular-shaped in ventral view, little upcurved, nearly straight, and apex angulated.

Female. Unknown.

Species included. Brunneritettix fuscipennis ( Bruner, 1910) , comb. nov. only.

Distribution. Eastern Amazon, Brazil, Pará, Benevides (Map 7).

Comparison. Brunneritettix gen. nov. differs from Platythorus in its slender appearance, developed wings, and the pronotum extending well beyond the abdomen. The new genus differs from Otumba and Plesiotettix for its eyes wider than tall in lateral view, maxillary palpi segments strongly dilated, and lower margins of the lateral lobes of the pronotum moderately thickening and curving upwards, forming a concave edge. In contrast, Otumba and Plesiotettix with rounded eyes, maxillary palpi segments moderately or poorly dilated, and the lower margin of the lateral lobes of the pronotum projecting perpendicularly sideways, occasionally projected into a spine.

Remarks. The type species was originally described in Allotettix . It is differentiated by the structure of the maxillary palps, conspicuous eyes ( Fig. 119D ), and lower margin of the lateral lobes of the pronotum expanded to the sides ( Figs. 119A, B ). Due to the characteristics described here, this new genus fits the characteristics of the new tribe Otumbini trib. nov.

Etymology. Dedicated to the memory of Lawrence Bruner, in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of Orthoptera . The suffix “- tettix,” common in pygmy grasshopper genera, is added. The gender of the name is being established as femenine.

Figures

FIGURE 116. Plesiotettix katerinae Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona, 2015. Male holotype. A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Frons. C. Habitus in dorsal view.

FIGURE 117. Plesiotettix uncinatus Hancock, 1907. Male holotype. A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Habitus in dorsal view. C. Frons. D. Labels.

FIGURE 118. Plesiotettix spinosus Hancock, 1907. Male holotype. A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Habitus in dorsal view. C. Frons. D. Labels.

FIGURE 119. Brunneritettix fuscipennis (Bruner, 1910) comb. nov. Male lectotype. A–B. Habitus in lateral view. C. Habitus in dorsal view. D. Frons. E. Labels.