Kurtguentheria Gorochov, 1996

Gorochov, Andrej V. & Mostovski, Mike B., 2008, Apterous crickets of the tribe Gryllini from South Africa and Namibia (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), African Invertebrates 49 (1), pp. 109-109 : 112

Genus Kurtguentheria Gorochov, 1996

Type species: K. laciniosa Gorochov, 1996 ( Namibia: Kamaggas ) .

Remarks:This genus (as well as all other completely apterous representatives of Gryllini ) lacks tympanal organs and acoustic signalisation, which are very characteristic of the majority of Gryllini . Kurtguentheria seems to be most closely related to Cophogryllus , as the both genera have a possible synapomorphy in the structure of the ectoparameres of the male genitalia: each of the ectoparameres are divided into two sclerotised parts articulated with each other ( Figs 2 , 7, 11 , 16, 19, 21 , 24, 27 ). Such ectoparamere may originate from the solid trilobate ectoparamere, typical of the majority of Gryllini : the distal part of the latter ectoparamere is divided into two processes; the medial of these processes together with the ectoparameral mesal lobe ( Fig. 2 : m) and a sclerotised ribbon between them are separated from the rest of the ectoparamere by a narrow membranous interspace (the sclerotised parts form a medial sclerite named here as second ectoparamere); the rest of the ectoparamere forms a lateral sclerite (first ectoparamere) which preserves the articulation of its proximal part with the endoparamere as in hypothetical general ancestor of Gryllini . Kurtguentheria and Cophogryllus are clearly distinguished from each other by some other characteristics of male genitalia: the additional loops of the spermatophore sac in the first genus, and the presence of a large proximal apodeme of endopameres in the second genus. The body size in different representatives of Kurtguentheria is diverse; the length of the ovipositor may be widely variable; the coloration varying from very light to contrastingly spotted (a coloration possibly connected with life on sandy and/or salty soils).

Species included: Type species ( Figs 10–13 ); K. simonsi ( Otte, 1987) (Western Cape, Simon’s Town) ( Fig. 5 ); K. macroxipha sp. n. ( Figs 1–4 ); K. brachyxipha sp. n. ( Figs 6– 9 ); possibly K. fasciatus (Walker, 1869) (“Natal”) ( Fig. 14 ). The latter species is insufficiently studied. Otte (1987) examined the type specimen (male), but he did not redescribe it, except for a drawing of the distal part of the genitalia in profile. This drawing does not show the structure of the endoparameres and spermatophore sac. The inclusion of the latter species in Kurtguentheria is thus questionable (Gorochov 1996).

Figures

Figs 1–5. Kurtguentheria: (1–4) K. macroxipha sp. n., male genitalia dorsally (1), their distal half ventrally (2) and laterally (3), distal half of ovipositor laterally (4); (5) K. simonsi (after Otte 1987), distal half of male genitalia laterally.Abbreviations: (e) epiphallus, (1ec) first ectoparamere, (2ec) second ectoparamere, (en) endoparamere, (la) lateral apodeme of endoparamere, (m) mesal lobe of ectoparamere, (r) ramus, (s) spermatophore sac, (v) virga.

Figs 6–14. Kurtguentheria: (6–9) K. brachyxipha sp. n., male genitalia of holotype dorsally (6), their distal half ventrally (7) and laterally (8), ovipositor laterally (9); (10–13) K. laciniosa (after Gorochov 1996), male genitalia dorsally (10), ventrally (11) and laterally (12), ovipositor laterally (13); (14) K.? fasciata (after Otte 1987), distal half of male genitalia laterally.Abbreviations as in Figs 1–5.

Figs 15–22. Cophogryllus, _: (15–17) C. maculatus (17, after Otte 1987), genitalia dorsally (15), their distal half ventrally (16) and laterally (17); (18–20) C. brevicauda (after Gorochov 1996), genitalia dorsally (18), ventrally (19) and laterally (20); (21, 22) C. delalandi (21, after Chopard 1955; 22, after Randell 1964), distal half of genitalia dorsally (21), genitalia laterally (22). Abbreviations: (a) apodeme of spermatophore sac, (p) additional articulated process of first ectoparamere, (pa) proximal apodeme of endoparameres; others as in Figs 1–5.

Figs 23–31. Cophogryllus and Acophogryllus, _: (23–25) C. pietersburgi sp. n., genitalia dorsally (23), ventrally (24) and laterally (25); (26–28) C.? zoutpansbergi (after Otte 1987), distal part of genitalia dorsally (26) and ventrally (27), genitalia laterally (28); (29–31) A. schultzei (after Gorochov 1996), genitalia dorsally (29), ventrally (30) and laterally (31).Abbreviations: (ec) ectoparamere; others as in Figs 1–5 and 15–22.