Platytettix gibbosulus ( Walker, 1871 ), 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 : 37-48

Platytettix gibbosulus ( Walker, 1871) , nom. resurr., comb. nov.

( Figs. 19–23 , Maps 1 and 2)

Amorphopus gibbosulus Walker, 1871: 842 . Holotype; female. Brazil, Rio Negro. Depository : NHMUK. Collection code: NHMUKNHMUK 010924483.

Material examined. 1 female. BRAZIL, Pará , Melgaço, FLONA Caxiuanã [Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã, i.e. Caxiuanã National Forest]—ECFPn [Estação Científica Ferreira Pena, i.e. Ferreira Pena Scientific Station]; ESECAFLOR; 1°43’35”S, 51°26’36”W. [45 m]; X.2011; Pitfall; D.A. Cunha leg. ( MPEG) .

Redescription. Female. Small size (8.2 mm.). Body robust, granular, and rugose ( Fig. 19 ). Coloration. Dark brown, with few ocher spots, mainly on the legs and diffusely on the pronotum ( Figs. 19 , 20 , 21 ). Antenna with the segments 3 to 10 brown, scape, pedicellus, and segments 11 to 14 ocher ( Figs. 22B, C ). Pronotum with a conspicuous yellow stripe “like a necklace” running along the anterior margin of the pronotal disc and the lateral lobes ( Figs. 19 , 20A , 21 ); pronotal median carina outlined in ocher, alternated with black spots visible laterally and dorsally, only on the hump section ( Fig. 19 , 21A , 22B ). Fore and mid tibiae brown with ocher stripes ( Figs. 22D, E ); hind tibia yellowish-brown; tarsomeres ocher with distal third of last segment brown ( Fig. 21A ). Head taller than wide, eyes occupying a quarter of the cephalic capsule; medial carina moderately protruding in the middle of the eyes in lateral view; scutellum slightly wide; fascial carinae almost straight and parallel, protruding and rounded in lateral view; lateral ocelli located near the fork of the frontal costa ( Figs. 20B , 22A ). Antennae with 14 segments ( Figs. 22B, C ). Thorax. Anterior margin of the pronotum almost straight, with only the medial section produced ( Figs. 22B, C ); prozonal carinae developed and moderately elevated ( Figs. 21A , 22B ), pronotal apex pointed in dorsal view ( Fig. 21B ), but “truncated” and slightly rising in lateral view ( Fig. 21A ). Pronotal hump rounded in lateral view, progressively rising, and later truncating; dorsal margin of the hump produced by the almost straight median carina ( Fig. 22B ). Lower margins of lateral lobes triangular shaped and pointed; posterior margin of lateral lobe rounded and with a small pointed prolongation ( Fig. 22C ). Legs. Fore femur moderately dilated, basally constricted and then expanding, rectangular in shape, dorsally undulated, ventrally with a subtriangular prolongation ( Fig. 22D ); mid femur rectangular, longer than wide, and as dilated as the fore femur, dorsal margin with four undulations similar in size, ventral margin with three undulations as the dorsal ones ( Fig. 22E ). Hind femur with antegenicular and genicular teeth well-developed; hind tibia armed with three to five small spines on each dorsal margin ( Fig. 21A ). Abdomen unmodified. Tenth tergite divided by a pentagonal plate that extends and connects with the epiproct. Epiproct triangular, with pointed apex, divided into three plates: two lateral rectangular plates on each side and a distal subtriangular plate with pointed apex ( Fig. 21F ). Cerci conical tapering towards the distal section ( Figs. 21F, G ). Ovipositor valves with normal development and covered with bristles ( Fig. 21G ). Subgenital plate quadrangular, nearly as long as wide, posterior margin rounded with a triangular extension in the middle ( Fig. 22H ).

Male. Unknown.

Measurements (in mm). CFP: 8.2. PL: 7.2. PLB: 5.2. FF: 2.1. FL: 1.8. MFL: 2.3. MTL: 1.5. HL: 4.4. HW: 2. HTL: 4.

Remarks. As previously mentioned, this species is separated from P. reticulatus comb. resurr. P. gibbosulus comb. nov. remained long unknown to entomological literature, as it was only known from its original description as Amorphopus gibbosulus Walker, 1871 ( Walker 1871), and without data in subsequent revisions by other entomologists, only until the contribution of Cadena-Castañeda et al. (2019), where P. reticulatus comb. resurr. was included as a synonym of Amorphopus gibbosulus .

The original description of this species was based on a male specimen from "Río Negro", Brazil ( Figs. 19 , 20 ). However, the type specimen is a female, which matches the brief description ( Walker 1871). Herein, a female from Pará state, Brazil, is recorded (Maps, 1 and 2); morphologically, it matches the holotype, so the species is redescribed here ( Figs. 21 , 22 ). P. gibbosulus comb. nov. is similar to P. arcuatus comb. ressur., differing by the characters mentioned in the key for the identification of Platytettix species, in addition to the female terminalia, as described here.

The specimen studied here differs from the holotype in the apex of the lower margin of the pronotum, which is not entirely pointed ( Fig. 22C ). The coloration of the holotype has a similar pattern to the specimen studied here but in darker shades, being blackish-brown. Additionally, the pronotum does not extend beyond the apex of the abdomen, but this may be due to possible dehydration of the female holotype ( Fig. 19 ). Apart from these characteristics, the specimen studied here is similar to the holotype. In the original species description, the body measurement is given as "four lines" (± 8.5 mm), but the measurements of the holotype are similar to those of the female specimen studied here.

This species was originally recorded in Brazil, but additional specimens have been recorded on iNaturalist from French Guiana. One of these is a reddish male with the " necklace" outlined on the anterior edge of the pronotum and noticeably yellow last antennal segments (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/121890818) ( Fig. 23A ). Another specimen, apparently female, is recorded on the border between French Guiana and Suriname (https:// www.inaturalist.org/observations/198313574), with black coloration and a cream-colored " necklace," resembling the coloration and morphology of the female holotype ( Fig. 23B ) .

Genus Cota Bolívar, 1887

Cota Bolívar, 1887: 183.

Type species: Cota saxosa Bolívar, 1887, by subsequent designation ( Kirby, 1910).

Redescription. Body surface granulated with spine-like tubercles over the tegument ( Figs. 25A , 26A, 26D , 27A , 28 ). Head little exserted. In frontal view: vertex as wide as 1.5–2.5 times the width of an eye; medial carinae 1.5 to 2 times longer than the lateral ones; transverse carina of vertex, between the eyes, with a cusp shape surpassing dorsal margin of the eyes, forming small horns; frontal costa bifurcation located at the middle of the eyes; scutellum wide or moderately widened; fascial carinae prominent, ramification of fascial carinae angled; antennal groove situated much below the lower margin of compound eyes; lateral ocelli placed between the inferior part of the eyes, near the base from where each branch of the fascial carinae diverges; medial ocellus located close on the lower margin of the scutellum; antennae short compared to other close genera, with 14 segments; palpi with the segments depressed ( Figs. 25C , 26C , 27C , 29A ). In lateral view: face oblique, carinae of the vertex prominent, protruding conspicuously between the eyes as a horn-like structure; fastigio-fascial angle convex in front, deeply in its upper margin, where the carinae unite to connect with the medial carina; fascial carinae emerging between the antennae and almost straight, above and below slightly sinuate; eyes subglobose, with rounded dorsal surface and nearly straight ventral margin, not elevated higher than vertex ( Figs. 26B , 29B ). Thorax. Pronotum not surpassing the tip of hind femora; granulated with spine-like tubercles, anteriorly truncated or rounded ( Figs. 25B , 27B , 28B ), median carina conspicuous, continuous with two strongly elevated protuberances, like cusps or humps ( Figs. 25A , 26A , 27A , 28A ), lateral lobes directed sidewards. Lateral carinae sinuate in dorsal and lateral views; humeral angles concave; angles of the lateral lobes outwardly acute or not; infrascapular area wide, ending at the apex of abdomen; lateral area poorly developed ( Figs. 25A , 26A , 27A , 28A ). Wings absent. Legs stout and a little elongated. Fore and mid femora with lappets and saxose (i.e., with various lumps and teeth on the femora, giving a stone-like appearance) protuberances ( Figs. 29D, E ); hind femur with lappets and genicular teeth conspicuous; the first and third articles of posterior tarsi with subequal length. Abdomen. Last segments moderately constricted; cerci conical and reduced ( Fig. 29F ); penultimate sternite long, two times longer than the subgenital plate, almost straight ( Figs. 29G, H ); subgenital plate short, cupuliform, upcurved, apex rounded, and slightly divided ( Fig. 29G ).

Female. Similar to males, differing in the somewhat larger size, slightly more robust body, and slightly wider vertex; pronotal disc a little more rugose and somewhat more elevated ( Fig. 26D ); ovipositor valves with conspicuous serrations, and subgenital plate short, partially covering the lower valve’s first basal quarter.

Remarks. This genus was originally described in the section Cladonotae (=subfamily Cladonotinae ), including three species ( Bolívar, 1887). Kirby (1910) subsequently selected C. saxosa as the type species. More than 100 years later, Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona-Granda (2015) described the fourth species of the genus, but it was initially included in Metrodora . Recently, Silva et al. (2019a) redescribed the genus, move M. undulata Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona-Granda, 2015 into Cota , provided an updated key to the species, and proposed C. bispina (Saussure, 1861) as a nomen dubium.

Hollier (2013) mentioned a male specimen deposited in MHNG, identified as “ C. bispina ?”. But this specimen is labeled “ PEROU CENT. 115” and “bispina ? Sauss, Perou”. So, it is not part of the type series. That specimen is actually a male of Lophotettix sp. , thus clarifying the identity of that specimen ( Fig. 24 ) .

Cota differs from the other genera of Metrodorina stat. nov. for the following characteristics: body granulated with spine-like tubercles over the tegument; medial carina produced forward; pronotum bicuspid, with rounded undulations, generally with one on the anterior section and another smaller one on the posterior section of the pronotal disc; legs with lappets and saxose protuberances.

Species included. Cota saxosa Bolívar, 1887, C. strumosa Bolívar, 1887, C. undulata (Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona, 2015) , and C. caxiuana Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares , sp. nov.

Distribution. Amazon between Colombia, Peru , and Brazil (Maps 1 and 2).

Key to species of Cota

1. First hump of pronotum subquadrate ( Figs. 25A , 26A ) and lateral lobes of pronotum rounded at apex ( Fig. 25B ).......... 2

- First hump of pronotum rounded ( Figs. 27A , 28A ) and lateral lobes of pronotum with other shapes ( Figs. 27B , 28B )...... 3

2. Horn of the vertex extending upwards and moderately tapering towards the apex ( Figs. 25A, B ). Vertex as wide as 1.5 times the width of an eye ( Fig. 25C ). Lateral lobes of the pronotum curving backward in dorsal view ( Fig. 25B ). First hump of the pronotum higher than the second one............................................................. C. strumosa

- Horn of the vertex slightly curving downward, not tapering towards the apex ( Figs. 26A, B ). Vertex as wide as 2.5 times the width of an eye ( Fig. 26C ). Lateral lobes of the pronotum expanding sideways, not curving backward. Pronotal humps with the same height ( Figs. 26A, D )..................................................................... C. undulata

3. Lateral lobe of pronotum tricuspid ( Fig. 27B ). Lappets and tubercles more conspicuous than the following species, mostly triangular or acute ( Figs. 27B, C ). First pronotal hump higher than the second one ( Fig. 27A ). Ante- and genicular teeth well developed ( Figs. 27A, B )........................................................................ C. saxosa

- Lateral lobe of pronotum monocuspid ( Figs. 28B , 29C ). Lappets and tubercles rounded, not acute ( Fig. 28A ). Both pronotal humps with of similar height. Ante- and genicular teeth moderately developed ( Fig. 28A )............ C. caxiuana sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 19. Platytettix gibbosulus (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. Female holotype. A–B. Habitus in lateral views. Photos: J. Tumbrinck.

FIGURE 20. Platytettix gibbosulus (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. Female holotype. A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Frons. C. Labels. Photos: J. Tumbrinck.

FIGURE 21. Platytettix gibbosulus (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. Female habitus A. Lateral and B. Dorsal views.

FIGURE 22. Platytettix gibbosulus (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. Female. A. Frons. B–C. Head and thorax in lateral and dorsal views. D. Fore femur. E. Mid femur. F–H. Terminalia in dorsal, lateral and ventral views respectively.

FIGURE 23. Platytettix gibbosulus (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. A. Redish male from Kourou, French Guiana. Photo: Elendil Cocchi. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/121890818. B. Black specimen from Apatou, French Guiana. Photo: nonomay (Bonne jurnée). https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/198313574. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED.

FIGURE 24. Misidentification specimen as Cota bispina from Peru (Perou Cent 115). Correct identification: Lophotettix sp. A–B. Habitus in lateral and dorsal views. C. Frons. D. Labels.

FIGURE 25. Cota strumosa Bolívar, 1887. Male lectotype. A. Habitus in lateral, B. and dorsal views. C. Frons. D. Labels. Photos: M. París (MNCN).

FIGURE 26. Cota undulata (Cadena-Castañeda & Cardona, 2015) A–C. Male holotype. A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Head and thorax in lateral view. C. Frons. D. Female paratype in lateral view.

FIGURE 27. Cota saxosa Bolívar, 1887. Female holotype. A. Habitus in lateral B. Dorsal views. C. Frons. D. Labels. Photos: J. Tumbrinck.

FIGURE 28. Cota caxiuana Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares sp. nov. Male habitus A. Lateral and B. Dorsal views.

FIGURE 29. Cota caxiuana Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares sp. nov. Male. A. Frons. B–C. Head and thorax in lateral and dorsal views respectively. D. Fore femur. E. Mid femur. F–H. Terminalia in lateral, axial and ventral views respectively.