Schizodactylus Brulle , 1835

Heads, Sam W. & Leuzinger, Lea, 2011, On the placement of the Cretaceous orthopteran Brauckmannia groeningae from Brazil, with notes on the relationships of Schizodactylidae (Orthoptera, Ensifera), ZooKeys 77, pp. 17-30 : 18-19

Genus Schizodactylus Brulle, 1835

Schizodactylus Brullé 1835: 161. Type species: Gryllus monstrosus Drury, 1773.

Schizocephalus Brunner von Wattenwyl 1888: 313, lapsus calami.

Dactylocomicus Karny 1931: 102. Type species: Comicus inexpectatus Werner, 1901.

Brauckmannia Martins-Neto 2007: 4. Type species: Brauckmannia groeningae Martins-Neto, 2007, syn. n.

Diagnosis.

The genus Schizodactylus as presently defined comprises all large and robust schizodactylids with wings developed and, with the exception of Schizodactylus inexpectatus in which the wings are reduced, extending beyond the apex of the abdomen where they terminate in a conspicuous coil. Schizodactylus species are further characterised by greatly enlarged mouthparts, a broad diamond-shaped labrum, and strong laterally compressed pro- and mesothoracic legs. The genus is readily separated from Comicus , the only other genus in the family, which is characterised by a markedly smaller and more gracile body (usually less than 25 mm in length), long, slender legs, and complete reduction of the wings.

Comments.

Given the presence of distinctively coiled wings and well-developed lateral processes on the tarsi, there can be no doubt as to the placement of Brauckmannia groeningae in Schizodactylidae . In addition, there are no characters preserved in either the holotype (so far as can be seen from Martins-Neto’s illustrations) or the new material described below to exclude the species from the genus Schizodactylus . Both fossil specimens match closely the general habitus, tarsal morphology and metatibial armature of extant Schizodactylus species, and there are no convincing apomorphies to support separate generic placement.