Agroecotettix moorei, 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 moorei sp. nov.

Figs 2 M , 4 I , 5 I , 15 A – J , 25 , 26 A , 32 A – D

Diagnosis.

Differentiated from other species in the genus by the combination of male cerci with ventral branch equal or subequal in length to dorsal branch (Figs 2 L , 15 A, B ); sheath of aedeagus thin and lightly sclerotized (Fig. 5 I ); valves of the aedeagus are lobate and in lateral view, are shallowly incised with a broad distal lobe that is truncated apically, and the basal lobe is shorter (Figs 5 I , 15 D, F ); in caudal view the valves of the aedeagus are concave as in Fig. 4 I . Most like A. crypsidomus but differs in shape of the dorsal valves of the male aedeagus which with the broad distal lobe being distinctive for A. moorei . Furthermore, when viewed from above the inner margins of the valves of A. moorei form a right angle as opposed to being broadly rounded in A. crypsidomus .

Male measurements (mm).

(n = 8) Body length 18.5–24.0 (mean = 20.2); pronotum length 4.3–5.0 (mean = 4.6); tegmen length 2.6–3.5 (mean = 3.0); hind femur length 10.0–12.1 (mean = 10.8); cerci length 1.2–1.3 (mean = 1.3); basal width of cercus 0.5 (mean = 0.5); mid-cercal width 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci dorsal fork length 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci dorsal fork apex width 0.2–0.3 (mean = 0.6) cerci ventral fork length 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci ventral fork apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.1).

Phallus measurements (mm).

(n = 5) Length 0.9–1.0 (mean = 0.9); apex width 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.5); middle width 0.4–0.5 (mean = 0.5); Basal width 0.7 (mean = 0.7); lateral apex width 0.4–0.6 (mean = 0.5); lateral medial width 0.5–0.8 (mean = 0.6); lateral basal width 0.6–0.7 (mean = 0.6).

Female measurements (mm).

(n = 4) Body length 16.2–27.0 (mean = 22.1); pronotum length 4.8–6.5 (mean = 5.6) tegmen length 3.0–4.3 (mean = 3.6); hind femur length 10.8–14.2 (mean = 12.5); Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.4 (mean = 1.3); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.4 (mean = 1.3).

Holotype.

• 1 ♂, USA, Texas, Terrel Co., Sanderson , 30.1485, -102.3977, 30 Jul 2021, J. G. Hill, Collected in Chihuahuan desert. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Specimens examined.

USA, Texas: • Terrell Co. Sanderson , 25 August 1912, Rehn and Hebard, 2750–3180 ’ (4 ♂, 4 ♀) • Sanderson , 30.1458, -102.3977, 30 July 2021, Z. D. Brown, (1 ♂, 1 ♀) .

Habitat.

Chihuahuan desert scrub (Fig. 32 D ).

Distribution.

Apparently, a narrow range endemic species that is restricted to the area around Sanderson, Texas in the Chihuahuan Desert (Figs 25 , 26 A ).

Etymology.

The species name moorei is a patronym honoring Clayton Moore, the American actor who most famously starred as a fictional Texas Ranger in “ The Lone Ranger ” television series from 1949–1957. Moore’s portrayal of the character embodied qualities of justice, bravery, and a deep connection to the American West. This naming honors Moore’s cultural impact and the desert landscapes that inspired Moore’s legendary character.

Suggested common name.

Moore’s 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 15. Agroecotettix moorei 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.

Figure 32. Agroecotettix moorei Terrel Co., Texas A male B male C male D habitat view near Sanderson, TX.