Agroecotettix kahloae, 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 kahloae sp. nov.

Figs 2 Q , 4 R , 5 R , 24 A – J , 25 , 26 B

Diagnosis.

Differentiated from other species in the genus by the combination of male cerci that strongly curve medially as in Fig. 2 Q, R ; and with dorsal and ventral branches that are short but equal or subequal in length and widely separated (Fig. 2 R ); sheath of aedeagus thin and lightly sclerotized, as in Fig. 5 R ; in lateral view the valves of the aedeagus are broad and arching with the distal apices rounded as in Fig. 5 R ; in caudal view the valves are acuminate.

Male measurements (mm).

(n = 1) Body length 18.5; pronotum length 4.2; tegmen length 2.7; hind femur length 9.9; cerci length 1.3; basal width of cercus 0.4; mid-cercal width 0.5; cerci dorsal fork length 0.4; cerci dorsal fork apex width 0.2; cerci ventral fork length 0.5; cerci ventral fork apex width 0.1.

Phallus measurements (mm).

(n = 1) Length 1.2; apex width 0.2; middle width 0.5; basal width 0.8; lateral apex width 0.3; lateral medial width 0.4; lateral basal width 0.6.

Holotype.

• 1 ♂, Mexico, Coahuila, 29 rd, mi SE Arteaga , 10 August 1959, 6150 ft., T. J. Cohn, # 164. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.

Habitat.

None recorded.

Distribution.

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

Etymology.

The species name kahloae patronym honoring Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), the iconic Mexican painter known for her vivid deeply personal and symbolic artwork. Her enduring connection to Mexican culture makes her an apt figure to be commemorated through this species, which is endemic to Mexico. In naming a species in her honor I celebrate her artistic legacy and underscore the importance of preserving the biodiversity of her homeland.

Suggested common name.

Kahlo’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 24. Agroecotettix kahloae 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.