Edison Zefa

Stridulatory file and calling song of two populations of the tropical bush cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Eneopterinae)

This study characterizes the calling song and ultramorphology of the stridulatory file of two geographically isolated populations of the tropical bush cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) from city of Foz do Iguacu, state of Parana, and town of Rio Claro, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, distant 1,000 Km from each other. The teeth are shell-shaped, the larger ones are distributed in the medium region of the file, decreasing gradually in size towards the edges. Specimens from Foz do Iguacu have a file with 82 ± 9.8 teeth, length=1.89 mm ± 0.15 with 43.76 ± 5.94 teeth per mm (n=15). Specimens from Rio Claro present a file with 87 ± 9.81, length=1.96 ± 0.19 mm with 44.52 ± 4.61 teeth per mm (n=15). Statistical differences found between the two populations are not significant. The calling song is an uninterrupted trill that alternates two sets of notes distinct for its temporal features.

Comparison of calling songs in three allopatric populations of Endecous itatibensis (Orthoptera, Phalangopsinae)

Foram analisadas tres populacoes alopatricas do grilo Endecous itatibensis Rehn, 1918 com o objetivo de testar a hipotese de que houve divergencia na estridulacao de chamado e discutir as implicacoes no processo de especiacao. Os registros sonoros foram obtidos de especimes observados nos municipios de Corumbatai, Piracicaba e Itatiba, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Nas tres populacoes analisadas, os sons de chamado sao compostos por pares de notas. Foram observadas variacoes no ritmo de emissao dos pares de notas: E. itatibensis de Corumbatai emitem frases com 3 a 18 pares de notas e E. itatibensis de Piracicaba e Itatiba, frases com 1 a 3 pares de notas. Verificaram-se variacao inter- e intra-populacional na frequencia dos sinais acusticos. Durante as gravacoes dos sons produzidos no processo de estridulacao de chamado, foram registrados simultaneamente os sinais acusticos de outros insetos, possivelmente Orthoptera e Hemiptera. Ao analisar as frequencias destes sons em laboratorio, constatou-se que estas nunca se sobrepoem, estabelecendo uma faixa particular de frequencia para cada especie, evitando uma possivel competicao acustica interespecifica.

Expanding the geographic cytogenetic studies in the bush crickets Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Eneopterinae) from Brazilian Atlantic and Amazon Forest.

The tropical bush cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) shows a peculiar karyotype with 2n = 9 for males, and 2n = 10 for females, with X 1 X 2 Y♂ sex mechanism systems whose origin remains unclear, probably arisen by a two-step chromosome rearrangements, including an X acrocentric and two pair of autosomal acrocentric chromosomes (Mesa & Bran 1964; Ferreira & Cella 2006). This sex system contrasts with the less derived X0♂ found in the majority of the Orthoptera species (White 1973; Hewitt 1979).

Contribution to the taxonomy of Gryllus Linnaeus, 1758 in South America : Part I : Redescription of Gryllus argentinus Saussure, 1874 (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae)

The genus Gryllus includes 82 described species that occur in America from Canada to Argentina as well as in several areas of Africa, Europe and Asia. There are 12 species in South America, which were described in the nineteenth century based on a small number of samples and inconsistent characters such as body coloration and external morphology. The aim of this article is to redescribe Gryllus argentinus Saussure, 1874 collected in the urban areas of Pelotas, Capão do Leão and Rio Grande, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites, calling song and body morphometry. We designate the lectotype male, provide a combination of diagnostic characteristics and discuss the taxonomic situation of South American Gryllus species.

Two new species of crickets Adelosgryllus Mesa & Zefa, 2004 (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from the Araripe-Apodi National Forest, State of Ceará, Brazil

In this paper we describe two new sympatric species of phalangopsid crickets Adelosgryllus from the Araripe-Apodi National Forest, State of Ceará, Brazil, highlighting morphological characters, mainly from male genitalia, tegmina and copulatory papilla. We also present a geographical map for the valid species of the genus, as well as photographs of holotypes and paratypes. The type-material is deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP).

Restauro, conservação e atualização do acervo entomológico expográfico do Museu de Ciências Naturais Carlos Ritter: processos e metodologias empregados

The Carlos Ritter Natural Science Museum at the Federal University of Pelotas UFPel, has a considerable entomological collection (insects) in “longterm exposure” in its exhibition spaces. This intervention is justified by the historical value of the collection (such as the collections referring to Professor Dr. Ceslau Maria Biezanko and the mosaics made by Mr. Carlos Ritter). This article aims to report the processes and methodologies used in the restoration of this collection. The procedures and processes used in this collection were based on the same ones used in entomological collections of scientific status. Through preliminary visual survey procedures, the level of the entomological elements (specimens) degradation was established. Based on this, a series of mechanical and chemical interventions were used to systematically update specimens (taxonomic revision), the collection of specimen shingly degraded by biological agents such as fungi, small beetles, moths, cockroaches, etc. Employment of chemical preservatives and even replacement of new specimens of the same species (in the case of materials that cannot be restored). In addition, special attention was paid to the data referenced in the collection and identification labels that might have been deteriorated by the action of time. All entomological rusty pins were replaced by new pins. The set of procedures resulted in a collection up dated zoologically and in a position to serve the academic and lay public.

New species of Poecilocloeus Bruner, 1910 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Proctolabinae) from Paraná State, Brazil

In this study, we describe a new species of the genus Poecilocloeus from Renascença municipality, Paraná State, Brazil. Poecilocloeus renascensis n. sp. inhabits the Atlantic Semideciduous Forest edges of Renascença and adjacent areas, and our study is the first record of this genus from southern Brazil. The species belongs to the group bullatus (Rehn, 1908), and the descriptions are based on morphological characters, mainly from male genitalia. Morphological descriptions are provided together with illustrations emphasizing the most significant diagnostic features of external morphology and male genitalia. Information is given about type specimens, examined material and geographic distribution.

New species of Endecous (Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae, Luzarinae) from the Iguaçu National Park (Brazil), including bioacoustics, cytogenetic and distribution data

In this study we describe two new species of cavicolous-straminicolous crickets for southern Brazil. Endecous chape n. sp. and E. naipi n. sp. are sympatric crickets that inhabit the Atlantic Semideciduous Forest of the Iguaçu National Park and adjacent areas. The descriptions were based on morphological characters, mainly from male genitalia and tegmina of adult males. Furthermore, we describe the chromosomes and the calling song of one of the new species, E. chape n. sp., presenting a discussion about the morphology of the phallic complex of Endecous and a distribution map for the species of the genus. The type-material is deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP), and in the Coleção de Insetos do Departamento de Zoologia (Zoology Department Insect Collection), Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP-Botucatu campus.

Revision of the South American genus Xiphiola Bolívar, 1896 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Ommatolampidinae: Abracrini)

The Neotropical genus Xiphiola Bolívar, 1896 is revised. It includes two valid species: Xiphiola borellii Giglio-Tos, 1900 and Xiphiola cyanoptera (Gerstaecker, 1889). The genus and the species are redescribed and diagnostic characters are provided along with illustrations of each species. A lectotype and paralectoype for X. cyanoptera are here designated. We also include new morphological characters from male and female genitalia, and external characters that have not been employed until now. We present the distribution map based on material examined, as well as a key to species.

New species of tree cricket Oecanthus Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Oecanthinae) from Reserva Natural Vale, Espírito Santo, Brazil, with chromosome complement.

A new species of the genus Oecanthus Serville, 1831 from Reserva Natural Vale, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil is described. The new species differs from other of this genus in characteristics of the pseudepiphallus main lobe, endophallic sclerites, posterior median lobe of the metanotal gland and black spots on the femora and tibiae. The chromosome number is 2n=16+XY♂=18 and 2n=16+XX♀=18, and this complement present one pair of autosomes less than the other five cytological studied species.