Agroecotettix idic, Hill, 2024

Hill, JoVonn G., 2024, Desert diversification: revision of Agroecotettix Bruner, 1908 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) with descriptions of sixteen new species from the United States and Mexico, ZooKeys 1218, pp. 177-230 : 177-230

Agroecotettix idic sp. nov.

Figs 2 S , 4 Q , 5 Q , 23 A – J , 25 , 26 B

Diagnosis.

Differentiated from other species in the genus by the combination of male cerci that curve medially (Fig. 2 Q ) and with dorsal and ventral branches that are short but equal or subequal in length and widely separated as in Fig. 2 R ; in lateral view, the sheath of the aedeagus is thin and shorter than the valves; the aedeagus valves are the most diminutive of the genus and are rectangular in shape, the distal edge is edge truncate in lateral (Fig. 4 Q ) and in caudal view (Fig. 5 Q ).

Male measurements (mm).

(n = 1) Body length 18.5; pronotum length 4.4; tegmen length 3.0; hind femur length 10.0; cerci length 1.5; basal width of cercus 0.6; mid-cercal width 0.5; cerci dorsal fork length 0.3; cerci dorsal fork apex width 0.3; cerci ventral fork length 0.5; cerci ventral fork apex width 0.1.

Phallus measurements (mm).

(n = 1) Length 1.5; apex width 0.2; middle width 0.5; basal width 0.4; lateral apex width 0.2; lateral medial width 0.3; lateral basal width 0.4.

Female measurements (mm).

(n = 1) Body length 24.2; pronotum length 5.7; tegmen length 3.5; hind femur length 12.5; dorsal ovipositor valve length 2.0; ventral ovipositor valve length 2.0.

Holotype.

• 1 ♂, Mexico, Higueros, Coah., Mex. Bet. Monterrey and Saltillo , 4000 ’, IX 14 1936, H. R. Roberts. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Habitat.

Unknown, but likely desert scrub as other species of the genus.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 25 A, C ).

Etymology.

The species epithet idic references the IDIC principle from the Star Trek television series. IDIC stands for “ Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, ” a Vulcan philosophy celebrating the richness and complexity of the universe. This name pays homage to the Star Trek principle of embracing diversity and complexity and highlights the rich biodiversity found in Mexico, the native land of this grasshopper. It is hoped that this name encourages appreciation and protection of the diverse forms of life that coexist on our planet.

Suggested common name.

Idic aridland scrub jumper.

Figures

Figure 2. Agroecotettix cerci in lateral view unless noted otherwise A A. aristus B A. silverheelsi C A. xiphophorus D A. xiphophorus ventral view E A. texmex F A. cumbres G A. crypsidomus H A. chisosensis I A. dorni J A. burtoni K A. turneri L A. quitmanensis M A. moorei N A. chiantiensis O A. vaquero P A. forcipatus Q A. kahloae R A kahloae ventral view S A. idic lateral view T A. idic dorsal.

Figure 4. Caudal view of the aedeagus of Agroecotettix A. A. silverheelsi B A. aristus C A. xiphophorus D A. glochinos E A. texmex F A. cumbres G A. crypsidomus H A. burtoni I A. moorei J A. chiantiensis K A. forcipatus L A. quitmanensis M A. dorni N A. chisosensis O A. turneri P A. vaquero Q A. idic R A. kahloae. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Figure 5. Lateral view of the aedeagus of Agroecotettix A A. silverheelsi B A. aristus C A. xiphophorus D A. glochinos E A. texmex F A. cumbres G A. crypsidomus H A. burtoni I A. moorei J A. chiantiensis K A. forcipatus L A. quitmanensis M A. dorni N A. chisosensis O A. turneri P A. vaquero Q A. idic R A. kahloae.

Figure 23. Agroecotettix idic 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 25. Distribution of Agroecotettix species.

Figure 26. Distribution of Agroecotettix species A Big Bend region of Texas B zoom in on the area around Monterrey, Mexico at the convergence of the Chihuahuan Desert, Sierra Madre Oriental, and South Texas Plains ecoregions.