Bajatettix cabopulmoensis, Hill, 2025

Hill, JoVonn G., 2025, Two new genera of grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) from Baja California, Mexico, with a regional key to the genera of Melanoplinae, ZooKeys 1238, pp. 75-97 : 75-97

Bajatettix cabopulmoensis sp. nov.

Figs 2 B , 3 G , 6 A , 8 A–J , 9 A , 10 A–F , 11

Diagnosis.

Bajatettix cabopulmoensis is a medium-sized, wingless, gray grasshopper with broad dark-brown stripes on the head, thorax, and hind femurs that is endemic to the Baja peninsula (Figs 2 B , 8 J ). The wingless state separates it from other melanoplines on the peninsula with the exception of members of Psilotettix , which it can be distinguished from by having a combination of a smooth body surface and the dark-brown markings on the head, thorax, and hind femur. While the genus is monotypic, the characters of the male terminalia and genitalia typically used for species-level identification in the Melanoplinae are detailed in the generic description above and illustrated in Fig. 8 A – I .

Male measurements

(mm). (n = 7). Body length 17.2–19.3 (mean = 18.1); pronotum length 3.4–3.9 (mean = 3.6); hind femur length 9.2–10.0 (mean = 9.4); cerci length 0.5–0.7 (mean = 0.6); basal width of cercus 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.2); mid width of cercus 0.2–0.3 (0.2); cerci apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.1).

Phallus measurements

(mm). (n = 1). Length 0.5; dorsal valve apex width 0.1; dorsal valve middle width 0.7; dorsal valve basal width 0.5, ventral valve apex width 0.2, ventral valve middle width 0.2, ventral valve basal width 0.2.

Female measurements

(mm). (n = 2). Body length 20.5–22.3 (mean = 21.4); pronotum length 4.5–5.1 (mean = 4.8); hind femur length 11.0–11.7 (mean = 11.4); dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.0–1.3 (mean = 1.2); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.0–1.3 (mean = 1.2).

Type materials.

Holotype. Mexico • 1 ♂ Baja Calif Sur; Spring; 15.7 MI S La RIV [B] ERA at KM 41.7 , 3; NOV 1985; COLL 7; R. E. LOVE. Deposited in the MEM.

Paratypes. Mexico • 4 ♂, 2 ♀; same data as for holotype .

iNaturalist observation numbers.

197445998, 107386512, 62495147, 50030285, 36764494, 39120245.

Habitat.

Most likely sarcocaulescent shrubland.

Distribution.

Bajatettix cabopulmoensis is known only from the Capo Pulmo region of the eastern Cape Region of southern Baja California (Fig. 10 ).

Etymology.

Specific epithet derived from the Cabo Pulmo region where the species is apparently endemic to and the suffix “ - ensis ” (Latin) meaning “ originating from ” or “ inhabiting ”. This name reflects the localized nature of the species and hopefully draws attention to the importance of conservation in this region.

Suggested common name.

Capo Pulmo Saltadorito.

Note.

I emailed Robert Love to confirm the locality of the type series and he responded, “ In answer to your question, ‘ La Ribera’ is (I guess) the right spelling for the collection site you asked about as it is the local spelling. In a 1972 trip, I found a sign at the junction from route MX 1 that directed to the town of ‘ La Rivera’ while local signs said ‘ La Ribera’. As ‘ v’ and ‘ b’ are pronounced nearly identically and the letters sometimes confounded in local Spanish, I originally listed the town as ‘ Rivera’, but changed it on most later trips. I don’t know why I reverted to the ‘ v’ form on 1985 labels, as this one is La Ribera in my collections database. I made two collections there, 1985 and 1989. ” (R. E. Love pers. com.)

Figures

Figure 2. Habitus of melanopline genera of Baja California A Psilotettix B Bajatettix C Ozmacris showing brachypterous bicolored tegmina D Oedomerus E Barytettix F Hesperotettix G Aeoloplides showing macropterous tegmina H Oedaleonotus.

Figure 3. Anatomy of select melanoplines of Baja, California A tegmen of Ozmacris peninsulae B tegmen of Barytettix C pronotum dorsum of Barytettix D pronotum dorsum of Oedomerus E pronotum dorsum of Hesperotettix F pronotum dorsum of Aeoloplides G cerci of Bajatettix H cerci of Ozmacris I cerci of Oedaleonotus J cerci of Barytettix K cerci of Aeoloplides.

Figure 6. Males A Bajatettix cabopulmoensis B Ozmacris peninsulae. Produced by Joe MacGown.

Figure 8. Bajatettix cabopulmoensis 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. Female habitus of showing ovipositor valves A Bajatettix cabopulmoensis B Ozmacris peninsulae.

Figure 10. Bajatettix images from iNaturalist A male is lateral view B male in dorsal view C male in semi-anterior view D male in dorsal view E male feeding on cactus fruit F pair in copula Photo credit: James Baily (A – C), Jim Roberts (D, E), Michael Schmidt (F).

Figure 11. Distribution of Bajatettix cabopulmoensis.