Horned and spiky: Tegotettix derijei sp. n. (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) is a peculiar new pygmy grasshopper species from Mindanao

Zootaxa. 2021 Feb 19;4933(2):zootaxa.4933.2.2. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4933.2.2.

Abstract

A new peculiar, spiky, and yellowish species of the genus Tegotettix Hancock, 1913 is described from the Davao region of the island of Mindanao (the Philippines)-T. derijei sp. n. (Mindanao horned pygmy devil). The species is visually similar to T. cristiferus (Günther, 1935) from Borneo and T. armatus Hancock, 1913 from Borneo, which is the type species of the genus, and of which a new record from Sabah is also presented in the study. The new species is also similar to an undescribed species from Bukidnon, which we presented by photographs in its natural habitat. To date, T. armatus was known only from old descriptions and drawings and has not been reported for more than 100 years. A brief overview of the species of the genus Tegotettix, with its division into three species groups, is presented.

Keywords: Orthoptera, taxonomy, endemism, groundhopper, convergence, Xistra, Scelimeninae, island, the Philippines.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Grasshoppers*
  • Orthoptera*
  • Philippines