Tergoceracris cerropunta, Perez-Gelabert, Daniel E. & Otte, Daniel, 2003

Perez-Gelabert, Daniel E. & Otte, Daniel, 2003, Tergoceracris, a new genus and six new species of montane grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Ommatolampinae) from Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Zootaxa 155, pp. 1-31 : 7-8

Tergoceracris cerropunta n. sp.

Figs. 1, 3 , 5 D, 6F, 9, 16, 17

Diagnosis.— This species may be separated from T. guajataca as follows: endophallic plate relatively longer (1.4­1.5X as long as ventral valve) ( Figs. 16 D); off­center mounds of epiproct very short ( Fig. 6 F). It differs from T. cayay as follows: Furculae with narrow waist ( Fig. 5 D); epiproct lateral ridges unilobed and off­center mounds very short; ventral valve of aedeagus thick ( Fig. 17 F).

Description.— Male. General coloration bright green with some yellow. Pronotum dorsally marked by black ring that is centrally yellow, itself surrounded by yellow bands. Pronotal lateral lobe with wide green band followed below by yellow and then green area on the lower margin. Wings: Reddish pink and rounded, non­overlapping and about the same length as pronotum. Legs: Anterior and middle legs all green, with darker green tibiae and tarsi. Hind legs with bright green femora and black knees. Hind tibiae with 6 external and 7 internal spines. Abdomen: Abdominal segments marked by wide and interrupted black streak on dorsum. Furculae vertically elevated, more homogeneously cylindrical (not markedly flaring on top) than those of the other species. Internal genitalia as in Figs. 16 , 17 .

Etymology.— Name in aposition, in reference to its type locality.

Type material.— Holotype: Male, PUERTO RICO, Cerro de Punta, 17.x.2001, D. E. Perez­Gelabert ( NMNH). Paratypes: Eleven males and 10 females, samedata as type ( NMNH, DEPG, and ANSP). Five males, 5 females, PUERTO RICO, Cerro de Punta, 24.x.2001, D. E. Perez­Gelabert ( NMNH), feeding on Casearia guianensis (Flacourtiaceae) . Two males and 2 females, PUERTO RICO, Cerro de Punta, Jayuya, x.2000, O. H. Garrido, J. A.Genaro ( MNHNC).

Habitat.— Cerro de Punta is the highest elevation in the island of Puerto Rico, and is of relatively easy access by a winding road to the communication facilities built at the top. The vegetation there corresponds to wet montane forest. The specimens collected by the senior author were predominantly found on Casearia guianensis (Flacourtiaceae) . After dark, adult and juvenile individuals were actively feeding on this plant, even on occasion sharing the same leaves with individuals of Schistocerca nitens .

Figures

FIGURE 3. Habitus photographs of males of Tergoceracris species. A, T. ocampensis; B, T. ebanoverde; C, T. guajataca; D, T. cerropunta; E, T. cayey; F, T. luquillensis.

FIGURE 5. Posterior views of the exaggerated male furculae. A. T. ocampensis, B. T. ebanoverde; C, T. guajataca; D, T. cerropunta; E, T. cayey; F, T. luquillensis.

FIGURE 6. Male epiproct of Tergoceracris species. A, T. guajataca; B, T. cayey; C, T. luquillensis; D, T. ocampensis; E, T. ebanoverde; F, T. cerropunta.

FIGURE 16. Genitalia complex of T. cerropunta. A, B, entire complex (with epiphallus removed) showing lateral and dorsal views. C, D, epiphallus showing dorsal and posterior views.

FIGURE 17. Genitalia complex of T. cerropunta. A, B, C, genitalia with epiphallus and basal phallic fold removed (lateral, dorsal, and ventral views). D, E, F, genitalia with cingulum removed.