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Issue: Vol. 4459 No. 3: 16 Aug. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-08-15
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.3.8
Page range: 551–564
Abstract views: 45
PDF downloaded: 2

Studies in Mexican Grasshoppers: A new species of Pedies Saussure (Acrididae: Melanoplinae) with comments on the unusual blue coloration on the abdomens of females and live specimen images for three other congenerics

Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, Minnie Belle Heep Center, Room 412 Campus MS 2475, College Station, TX 77843-2475, U.S.A.
Fondazione Edmund Mach—Centro Trasferimento Tecnologico Unità Protezione delle piante agroforestali e apicoltura, Via della Val, 2- Loc. Costa di Casalino, I-38057 Pergine Valsugana, Italy.
USDA: APHIS-PPQ-S&T-CPHST Phoenix Lab, 3645 E. Wier Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040-2931, U.S.A.
Orthoptera Acrididae Melanoplinae Pedies blue coloration

Abstract

A new species of Melanoplinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is described from Central Mexico: Pedies andreae sp. nov. Fontana, Mariño-Pérez, & Woller and is added to the 12 existing species. Taxonomic placement of this species is justified based on distinct morphology and comparisons with congeneric species are provided. Additionally, species in this genus are associated with higher elevations (1,700 to 3,700 masl) that possess larger fluctuations in temperatures. We observed that females of P. andreae sp. nov. exhibit blue coloration on their abdomens and we discuss the possible reasons for this peculiar pigmentation. Interestingly, we did not observe this coloration in males. Finally, images are provided for three live previously described species of Pedies.

 

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