University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Eocene Baltic amber

Thomas, M. Jared

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127267

Description

Title
A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Eocene Baltic amber
Author(s)
Thomas, M. Jared
Issue Date
2024-12-06
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Heads, Sam W
Committee Member(s)
  • Suarez, Andrew
  • Elrick, Scott
Department of Study
Entomology
Discipline
Entomology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Caelifera
  • Tetrigoidea
  • pygmy locusts
  • grouse locusts
  • groundhoppers
  • Cenozoic
  • Paleogene
  • Baltic amber
  • fossil insects
Abstract
A new genus and species of pygmy grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) is described from Eocene Baltic amber. Danatettix hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. is assigned to the subfamily Batrachideinae based on antennae with more than 19 antennomeres, sulcate mesofemora, and rectangular paranota. This species is readily distinguished from other batrachideines by a markedly produced vertex, pronotum with divergent internal and external lateral carinae, and highly setiferous female lateral basivalvular sclerite with scabrose integument. The morphology of Danatettix suggests placement within the here defined Tettigidea genus group (comprising Eutettigidea Hancock, 1914, Paurotarsus Hancock, 1900, and Tettigidea Scudder, 1862) and suggests that the latter had diverged from the new Scaria genus group (comprising Eotetrix Gorochov, 2012, Rehnidium Grant, 1956 and Scaria Bolívar, 1887) by the Early Eocene.
Graduation Semester
2024-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127267
Copyright and License Information
Previously published under the following: Accepted by R. Mariño-Pérez: 18 Sept. 2019; published: 16 Oct. 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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