Anatolia’s Hidden Orthopteran Lineage: Discovery of Salmanihippus gen. nov. via Integrative Taxonomy

Mol A., Taylan M. S., Kaya S., Atalay S., Şirin D.

ZOOTAXA, cilt.5717, sa.1, ss.18-42, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 5717 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.1.2
  • Dergi Adı: ZOOTAXA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.18-42
  • Hakkari Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Three populations of a new genus and populations of five Anatolian species of Gomphocerus are examined morphologically

using morphometric analysis (Canonical Discriminant Function Analysis, CDF). The phylogenetic relationship between

the new genus and the morphologically similar genera of Gomphocerus, Gomphocerippus, and Aeropedellus are assessed

using the mitochondrial COI and Cyt-b gene sequences. Additionally, the bioacoustics of the three populations of the new

genus are compared with previous bioacoustic descriptions of the related Gomphocerinae genera. The morphometric data

based on the eigenvalue criterion (eigenvalue > 1) 31 morphometric variables are grouped under seven distinct factors.

The morphometric analysis clearly separates the new genus from Gomphocerus acutus and G. hemipterus by Function 2

and from G. eyluldenizi, G. turcicus, and G. transcaucasicus by Function 1. Bioacoustics data demonstrate a unique calling

song pattern of the new genus, which clearly differs from those of its related genera. The morphological, bioacoustic, and

genetic data support the description of a new genus within the subtribe Gomphocerini: Salmanihippus gen. nov. The new

genus is endemic to the northeastern Black Sea region of Anatolia. The previously known species Aeropedellus turcicus

was transferred to a new genus, Salmanihippus turcicus (Karabag, 1959) gen. et comb. nov., and redescribed. A key to

genera of Gomphocerini, necessary illustrations and diagnostic figures are provided. BEAST analysis conducted with 25

sequences (1077 bp) show that the diversification of the genera started in the Miocene (Tortonian) at approximately 9.5

Mya. According to the chronogram, the new genus diverged from its closest relative approximately 1.88 million years ago

(Ma). This periodization places the divergence in the early Pleistocene, suggesting that Quaternary climatic oscillations

could have played a significant role in the isolation and evolution of this lineage.