Piotr Naskrecki

A new genus and species of cave cockroach (Blaberidae: Oxyhaloinae) from Guinea, West Africa

Abstract A new genus and species of ovoviviparous blaberid cockroach, Simandoa conserfariam is described that lives in bat guano in a cave in Guinea, West Africa. The males subgenital plate, styles, and genitalia clearly place it in the Blaberidae: Oxyhaloinae: Nauphoetini. It is close to Henschoutedenia and Nauphoeta, but lacks stridulating structures on the pronotum and tegmina which are present in some species of the other 2 genera. The taxon belongs in the “Guanobies” group of cockroaches and lives in bat guano that accumulates not far from the entrance of the cave where light is present: Simandoa shows none of the characteristics of a troglobite (obligate cave-dweller) which, compared to surface dwellers, has reduced eyes and wings.

Trophobiosis between a blattellid cockroach (Macrophyllodromia spp.) and fulgorids (Enchophora and Copidocephala spp.) in Costa Rica

Abstract Three instances were observed in Costa Rica, of an adult cockroach feeding on or palpating the waxy material secreted on the tegmina of a fulgorid; in one instance, the cockroach was a female Macrophyllodromia sp. and the homopteran a fulgorid, Enchophora sanguinea. In another, the cockroach was Macrophyllodromia maximiliani and the fulgorid was Copidocephala guttata. These are the first observations of trophobiosis in a cockroach. Brief descriptions of known species of Macrophyllodromia, and the male genitalia of 2 species are given.

The South American Genus Loboscelis Redtenbacher, 1891 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Copiphorinae sensu lato)

The genus Loboscelis Redtenbacher is reviewed, and a new species from Peru is described. The phylogenetic affinities of this unusual genus with other copiphorines is currently under investigation and information derived from the descriptions herein will be helpful in

Testing the efficacy of global biodiversity hotspots for insect conservation : the case of South African katydids

The use of endemism and vascular plants only for biodiversity hotspot delineation has long been contested. Few studies have focused on the efficacy of global biodiversity hotspots for the conservation of insects, an important, abundant, and often ignored component of biodiversity. We aimed to test five alternative diversity measures for hotspot delineation and examine the efficacy of biodiversity hotspots for conserving a non-typical target organism, South African katydids. Using a 1° fishnet grid, we delineated katydid hotspots in two ways: (1) count-based: grid cells in the top 10% of total, endemic, threatened and/or sensitive species richness; vs. (2) score-based: grid cells with a mean value in the top 10% on a scoring system which scored each species on the basis of its IUCN Red List threat status, distribution, mobility and trophic level. We then compared katydid hotspots with each other and with recognized biodiversity hotspots. Grid cells within biodiversity hotspots had significantly higher count-based and score-based diversity than non-hotspot grid cells. There was a significant association between the three types of hotspots. Of the count-based measures, endemic species richness was the best surrogate for the others. However, the score-based measure out-performed all count-based diversity measures. Species richness was the least successful surrogate of all. The strong performance of the score-based method for hotspot prediction emphasizes the importance of including species’ natural history information for conservation decision-making, and is easily adaptable to other organisms. Furthermore, these results add empirical support for the efficacy of biodiversity hotspots in conserving non-target organisms.

A New Genus and Species of South African Tettigoniinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Description .-(male, female unknown) Size small, male micropterous, tegmen wholly concealed by pronotum. Head.Fastigium of vertex broader than antennal scape, with a faint trace of median sulcus, fastigium of vertex and frontal fastigium touching. Thorax.Pronotum moderately narrow, extending for a considerable distance apically; surface smooth and shining, median carina faintly present in metazona only, lateral folds or carinae absent. Prosternum with a pair of widely spaced, elongate spikes, mesoand metasterna each with a prominent pair of more robust processes. Tegmen roughly quadrate in outline, completely hidden under pronotum. Pre-coxal process absent, fore coxa with an elongated spine. Fore femur armed with minute tooth on the anterior

Endangered Terrestrial Invertebrates

Terrestrial invertebrates constitute the majority of life on Earth. Taxonomic impediment affects our ability to identify invertebrates, and their polymorphism compounds the problem. The principal threats to their survival are habitat loss and fragmentation; isolated habitats are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impact; climate change has synergistic effect with the habitat fragmentation. Invasive species have caused declines of invertebrates, especially in insular habitats.

A Taxonomic Revision of the Neotropical Genus Aegimia Stål, 1874 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae)

Abstract Aegimia Stål, 1874, a Neotropical katydid genus of the Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), is revised based on the examination of 106 specimens from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. The genus is recognized by a long sword-shaped fastigium, mid- and hindtibiae strongly flattened, and leaf-shaped tegmina. The following species are redescribed: A. catharinensis Piza, 1950, A. cultrifera Stål, 1874 and A. elongata Rehn, 1903. Two new species are described: Aegimia maculifolia sp. nov. (from Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia) and Aegimia venarecta sp. nov. (from Costa Rica). Geographic distribution of A. cultrifera is expanded to Costa Rica. The female of A. catharinensis remains unknown. A pictorial key to all species is presented and details of the male genitalic characters described and illustrated.