Agroecotettix turneri, 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 turneri sp. nov.

Figs 2 K , 4 K , 5 K , 19 A – J , 25 , 26 A , 36 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 K , 19 A, B ); sheath of aedeagus thin and lightly sclerotized (Fig. 5 M ), and in lateral view, the valves of the aedeagus are entire (not lobate) with apices of point caudally (Figs 5 K , 19 D, F ). In caudal view, lateral margins converge medially, giving a more pointed appearance (Figs 4 N , 18 G ).

Male measurements (mm).

(n = 3) Body length 14.3–19.3 (mean = 17.7); pronotum length 3.2–4.5 (mean = 4.0); tegmen length 2.3–4.5 (mean = 4.0); hind femur length 7.9–10.7 (mean = 9.8); cerci length 0.8–1.2 (mean = 9.8); basal width of cercus 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.6); mid-cercal width 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0.4); cerci dorsal fork length 0.3 (mean = 0.3); cerci dorsal fork apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.1) cerci ventral fork length 0.3–0.4 (mean = 0); cerci ventral fork apex width 0.2 (mean = 0.2).

Phallus measurements (mm).

(n = 3) Length 1.1 (mean = 1.1); apex width 0.3 (mean = 0.3); middle width 0.6 (mean = 0.6); Basal width 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.6); lateral apex width 0.4 (mean = 0.4); lateral medial width 0.4 (mean = 0.4); lateral basal width 0.5 (mean = 0.5).

Female measurements (mm).

(n = 6) Body length 17.1–26.5 (mean = 23.2); pronotum length 4.4–6.5 (mean = 5.6) tegmen length 2.2–4.4 (mean = 3.7); hind femur length 9.7–15.0 (mean = 12.9); Dorsal ovipositor valve length 0.9–2.5 (mean = 1.7); ventral ovipositor valve length 0.9–2.1 (mean = 1.5).

Holotype.

• 1 ♂, USA, Texas, Brewster Co., 22 mi S of Alpine , 30.045026, -103.573517, 15 July 2023, J. G. Hill; Collected in Chihuahuan Desert scrub. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Specimens examined.

USA, Texas: • Brewster Co., Alpine , 21 August 1939, F. B. Isely (1 ♂, 4 ♀) • 22 mi S of Alpine, 30.045026, -103.573517, 15 July 2023, J. G. Hill (1 ♀) • “ Big Bend ” 23 June 1947, R. H. Beamer (1 ♂, 1 ♀) .

Habitat.

Chihuahuan Desert scrub on Vachellia sp. (Fig. 36 D ).

Distribution.

Found in the area between Big Bend National Park and Alpine, Texas (Figs 25 , 26 A ).

Etymology.

The species name turneri is a patronym honoring Robert Edward “ Ted ” Turner III, an American media mogul and philanthropist renowned for his extensive contributions to environmental conservation. Turner, the founder of CNN and a major philanthropist, has been instrumental in numerous initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and biodiversity. His establishment of the Turner Endangered Species Fund and his efforts in large-scale land conservation have provided critical support for the preservation of diverse ecosystems, including those that likely sustain a great diversity of grasshopper species.

Suggested common name.

Turner’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 18. Agroecotettix chisosensis 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 19. Agroecotettix turneri 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 36. Agroecotettix turneri from Brewster Co., Texas A male B female C male D female on Vachellia.