Stenopelmatus diezmilpies Weissman, n. sp.

High Montane Jerusalem Cricket

Figs 32–34, Table 2

Distribution. Only known from the type locality, a large rest stop and concession area along Highway 150D driving toward Mexico City.

Recognition characters. A small, dark, high elevation JC that doesn’t jump. Although we lack DNA information when comparing it to the 4 other taxa in the Stenopelmatus clade (Fig. 10) that also don’t jump, and for which we have DNA, S. diezmilpies has distinguishing rear leg tibial spines of 4 inner and 4 outer while S. durango has 5 inner and 3 outer spines, S. faulkneri has 5 inner and 3 or 4 outer spines, S. hondurasito has 4 inner and 3 outer spines, and S. perote has 4 or 5 inner and 3 outer spines. Calling drums in 2 of these taxa are not distinguishing with single drums at ~2.9 d/s in S. diezmilpies vs 2.2 d/s in S. faulkneri; and the possibility of no drum in S. hondurasito . In contrast, S. perote has single drums delivered at 2.6 – 3.8 d/s, but is also the only Stenopelmatus with a known sex clarification drum. Stenopelmatus durango has a calling drum of trills only.

Holotype. Adult male (Fig. 32), with hooks (in alcohol): Mexico, México, Highway 150D pullout at crest, km post 56.2, 19° 20’ 09.5” -98° 42’ 51”, 11-vi-1999, 10,550’, DBW & VF Lee. S 99-54, R99-16 A. Deposited CAS, CASENT type #20028. Measurements in mm: Body length 16.41, hind femur length 6.52, hind femur width 2.55. Fore leg tibia with 3 ventral spurs; middle leg tibia with 8 calcars, 2 ventral spurs; rear leg tibia (Fig. 33) with 4 outer and 4 inner spines, 2 ventral spurs. Face (Fig. 33) without furrow.

Drum: This male only drummed once (Fig. 34, R 99-16A) in 3 hours of recording. His calling drum consisted of 12 single drums over 4.1s (2.9 d/s) at 21°C.

Derivation of name. Named for the approximate elevation of the type locality.

Habitat: Pine forest with bunch grasses and shrubs. In forest under small rock in daytime. Ground dry under rocks.

Behavior: We could never get this male to hop or jump.

Life cycle and seasonal occurrence. Unknown except for adult holotype.

DNA. Unknown

Karyotype. Unknown

Discussion. We returned to type locality on 22-vi-2006 without success. Area probably too dry for JCs to be under objects although site appeared similar when we collected holotype in 1999.