A re-examination of the taxonomy of the Chorthippus albomarginatus group in Europe on the basis of song and morphology (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract

study of European sibling species of the Chorthippus albomarginatus group shows that the males could be well distinguished on the basis of the number and density of the stridulatory pegs. We recorded and analysed the calling and courtship songs of the males, as well as the stridulatory movements of the hind legs. Analysis of the stridulatory leg movements allowed us to reveal more differences between both the courtship songs and the calling songs of the European species of this group. On the basis of the morphology, calling and courtship song analysis, we describe a new species, Ch. ferdinandi sp. n., from Greece (Peloponnesus) and a new subspecies, Ch. oschei pusztaensis ssp. n., from the Balkans, Hungary, Moldova and Ukraine. Ch. bruttius Fontana & La Greca, 1999 is classified as a subspecies of Ch. karelini. We describe the phylogenetic relations between the European species of the Ch. albomarginatus group based on the courtship song complexity and courtship visual display.