Eyprepocprifas insularis Donskoff 1982
Creators: name: Felix, Rob
name: Jacobs, Annelies
name: Lecoq, Michel
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Orthoptera
Acrididae
Eyprepocprifas
Eyprepocprifas insularis

description: Eyprepocprifas insularis Donskoff, 1982
Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Donskoff (1982): 345–349, figs 1–11; Duranton et al. (1983): 201, 203–206, 212–213; Duranton et al. (1984): 41, 42; Launois et al. (1988): 157; Mestre (1988): 325; Lecoq (1996): 88; Mestre and Chiffaud (1997): 117; Baéz and Oromí (2005): 69; Buzzetti et al. (2005): 315; Mestre and Chiffaud (2006): 13, 19, 141; Mestre and Chiffaud (2023): 6, 14, 284.
Material examined. —
Type material. Holotype. CAPE VERDE • 1 ♂; São Nicolau; [670 m. a. s. l.]; [16.6182°N, 24.3324°W]; Oct. 1980; PRIFAS exp. leg.; MNHN - EO-CAELIF 10890.
Additional material. CAPE VERDE • 1 ♂; São Nicolau, Cachaço, Monte Cintinha; 670 m. a. s. l.; 16.6246°N, 24.3290°W; 23 Jan. 2023; R. Felix leg.; RFPC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀ nymph; São Nicolau, Cachaço, Monte Cintinha; 700 m. a. s. l.; 16.6243°N, 24.3297°W; 23 Jan. 2023; R. Felix leg.; RFPC • 1 ♂; same data as for previous; RFPC RMNH. INS 1622466 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; São Nicolau, Cachaço, Monte Cintinha; 670 m. a. s. l.; 16.6246°N, 24.3290°W; 24 Jan. 2023; R. Felix leg.; RFPC • 1 ♀; São Nicolau, Cachaço, Monte Cintinha; 710 m. a. s. l.; 16.6236°N, 24.3307°W; 24 Jan. 2023; R. Felix leg.; RFPC RMNH. INS 1622467 • 1 ♂; São Nicolau, Road Tarrafal – Cachaço, Near pass; 800 m. a. s. l.; 16.6182°N, 24.3324°W; 26 Jan. 2023; R. Felix leg.; RFPC.
Diagnostical notes. —
Eyprepocprifas insularis is relatively robust and rough and has a pronotum with a distinctly raised median carina; otherwise, it is a typical member of the Eyprepocnemidinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893. Members of this subfamily are characterized by a subconical head with a triangular profile, the absence of the external (pre-) apical spine of the hind tibiae, and the specific morphology of the male internal genitalia. Most eyprepocnemidine genera have bilaterally compressed male cerci with a downwardly curved apex (Dirsh 1965).
To some extent, female Eyprepocprifas resemble the nymphs of Heteracris littoralis (Rambur, 1838), a species common in Cape Verde at lower altitudes. Female Eyprepocprifas have longer antennae, a longer ovipositor, a less globose head, and a median carina of the pronotum that is much more raised. The characters mentioned earlier in this paper easily distinguish it from any other Cape Verdean acridid congener.
Remark. —
Donskoff (1982) described the genus and species based on a single male specimen collected near Cachaçao, São Nicolau, Cape Verde (Figs 2, 9). Here, we provide a translation from French of the extensive genus and species description by Donskoff (1982). Observations on our specimens are added. In the case of contradictions with Donskoff (1982), only our observations are shown since they are based on a much larger number of examined and observed specimens (19). The female is described here for the first time. Morphometrics are given in Table 1.
Redescription. —
Integument granular, except for smooth ventral surface. Head subconical and triangular in profile, inclined at a 60 ° angle to the horizontal. Face narrow (2 mm) and elongated (3.5 mm). Fastigium triangular, slightly broader than long, rounded at front, and flat. Frontal ridge highly prominent, measuring 1 mm at fastigium, its base narrow (0.8 mm), and tapering upward, with minimal constriction at the median ocellus. Temporal foveae absent. Lateral ocelli small, positioned beneath the fastigium margin, invisible from above. Interocular space equals width of antennal scape (0.7 mm). Antennae filiform, composed of 22 segments, reaching halfway the tegmina. Eyes oval (2.4 mm / 1.3 mm), positioned 1 mm above the genal suture.
Pronotum tectiform, with a raised and horizontal median carina. Lateral carinae well-marked, diverging posteriorly. Three deep transverse sulci cut the median keel. Prozona (2.6 mm) longer than metazona (1.9 mm). Hind margin of the pronotum angular, rounded at the apex, barely notched. Lateral lobes trapezoidal, as high as ventral width (2.8 mm). Prosternal tubercle large, conical, narrow at the base, rounded at the apex. Mesosternal space subquadrate; mesosternal lobes rounded.
Tegmina short but variable in length, extending beyond the hind margin of the second or third abdominal tergite; narrow, 2 mm in width; nearly in contact along dorsal edges, tapering anteriorly and posteriorly from the midpoint, apex angularly rounded. Hind wings present, reaching the first abdominal tergite’s hind margin.
Hind femora elongated, 4.5 times longer than wide, exceeding the abdominal extremity. Upper basal lobe larger and longer than lower one. Lower genicular lobes acute; Brunner’s organ well developed. Fore and mid tibiae ventrally with one external apical spine in addition to the six spines on the external margin and five and seven spines on the internal margin, respectively.
Hind tibiae with nine spines on the inner and 9–10 spines on the outer dorsal margins. Internal spines and spurs twice the length of the external ones. Tibiae shorter than the femora; arolium of all tarsi large, slightly longer than half the length of the claws. Last segment of fore and mid tarsi as long as the other two combined; last segment of the hind tarsi as long as first segment alone.
Abdominal tympanum large and well-exposed. Abdominal tergites 1–7 with a raised median ridge. Tergite X incurved with a shallow furcula. Epiproct triangular, slightly elongated, rounded at the apex, fairly flat, with two short, low, flat longitudinal ridges near the base on either side of the midline; twice as long as wide. Paraproct with a short anterior projection (Grunshaw 1990) (Fig. 3). Cerci laterally compressed, with apical half curved downward, widened, and spoon-shaped, not extending beyond abdominal tip. Subgenital plate short and rounded.
Male: Very variable in color and design: Pronotal disc varies from nearly plain beige with some dark markings (Fig. 2) to bicolorous with a dark longitudinal band, varying from a thin line (Fig. 5 A) to a broad dark band (Fig. 5 B). Dorsal part of the head primarily plain beige; in some cases, the dark longitudinal band on the pronotum continues on the vertex and the fastigium (Fig. 5 B). Posterior halves of the tegmina (from the first anal vein to the hind margin) light beige. Face, sternites, median dorsal abdominal band, ventral outer surface of the hind femora, fore, and mid femora, and base of the hind tibiae ochre. Apical half of the hind tibiae (mostly ventrally, but variably) and the first two segments of the hind tarsi (dorsally) reddish. Antennae, cheeks, some dorsal pronotal spots, lateral thorax, abdomen, frontal halves of the tegmina (from the front margin to the first anal vein), internal areas of the hind femora, and a narrow basal ring of the hind tibiae dark brown. Outer surface of the hind femora variable, more or less light or dark brown, but nearly always marked by 2 or 3 white oblique stripes on a dark brown background. These stripes less evident if background color of the femur is fairly light.
Epiphallus consists of two small sub-square lateral plates connected by a short, slightly arched bridge. Ancorae large, articulated on the lateral plates, sharp, and prominently projecting. Lophi large and bilobed, with hind lobe broad, horizontal, slightly bilobed, and vaulted. Internal lobe of lophi globular and spiculated. Oval sclerites small and triangularly rounded; lateral sclerites long, narrow, and triangular, tips pointing downward (Fig. 4 D, E). Morphometrics are given in Table 1.
Female: Same characters as male, with the following differences: Total length 28.8–33.4 mm; 1.5–2.0 times larger than male (Table 1). Tegmina 9.1–9.8 mm, reaching the hind margin of the second abdominal tergite. Hindwings reach the hind margin of the first abdominal tergite. Antennae reach beyond the hind margin of the pronotum. Tergite X without projections. Epiproct triangular, longer than wide, arched roof-like over the two longitudinal ridges on either side of the midline. Ovipositor: Dorsal valves long and slender in dorsal view; ventral margin straight in lateral view; ventral valves with a triangular tooth halfway along the ventral margin (Fig. 4 B, C). Coloration: brown, grey, or grey-brown, plain or marbled, less contrastingly colored than male (Fig. 6). Tegmina unicolorous or with a light longitudinal line (Figs 4, 6). Distal half of the hind tibiae’s outer side and the hind tarsi’s first two segments reddish, as in males. Inner sides of the hind tibiae mainly black, except for a whitish ring in the proximal quarter after the knee joint.
Distribution and occurrence. —
Eyprepocprifas insularis is endemic to the island of São Nicolau, Cape Verde. After its discovery in 1982, it was considered extinct by Lecoq (1996) and Baéz and Oromí (2005) following a lack of subsequent records.
In January 2023, it was found at several localities in Monte Gordo Natural Park (Fig. 9, Table 2). The species is considered to be restricted to the northern half of Monte Gordo Natural Park and its direct vicinities (Fig. 11). Despite its wide distribution within the park, densities seem to be low. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other sightings of this species; as of the writing of this article, there are no records on online platforms such as iNaturalist and Observation. org.
Habitat and biology. —
Eyprepocprifas insularis is a montane species restricted to the higher parts of the island of São Nicolao. All records are from elevations between 650–1100 m. a. s. l. Table 3 briefly describes the sites and habitats of the January 2023 sightings of E. insularis.
Donskoff (1982) described the type locality as follows: “ among loose, broken rocks along a graveled road at an altitude of 670 m. a. s. l. The female should be sought by beating the nearby bushes. ” Duranton et al. (1983) added, “ Along the road to Tarrafal, at a pass located at the base of Monte Gordo. This Acridid was observed on a low wall bordering the road [see Fig. 8 A]. The surrounding area was rocky, with steep slopes and a humid atmosphere, as this part of the island is frequently enveloped in clouds. The general environment of the capture site is highly heterogeneous, consisting of a mosaic of bare soil, grassy and shrubby vegetation, notably Furcraea gigantea [an introduced species from the Caribbean], and rocky outcrops. ”
Most records are from northeastern, southeastern, and north-facing slopes in the open to more densely vegetated habitats, varying from relatively dry to moist soils. All records are from sites where the native Euphorbia tuckeyana is present; however, several sites are dominated by introduced taxa such as Pinus, Eucalyptus, Cupressus, and Arundo donax (Fig. 8).
All sightings of adults were done on the ground; when flushed, they sometimes landed in the vegetation. The species at least appears to be active at night, but probably also during daytime. The first specimens were found at night, sitting on the ground and rocks, at a site visited before during the day without any sightings of the species. Later, specimens were also found during the day, but maybe these were disturbed before their discovery. Small nymphs were found on Asteriscus smithii (Figs 8 D, 10 B). With their very long hind legs, E. insularis can jump exceptionally far.
The holotype was found in October. In January 2023, adults and larger and smaller nymphs were found (Fig. 7). Nymphs present at the end of January undoubtedly resulted from egg-laying during the rainy season (August – October) or in winter when northeastern trade winds bring fog to the mountains above 600 m. a. s. l. (Brochmann et al. 1997): Surely, several ovipositions give rise to several cohorts of nymphs (hence the youngest and oldest observed at the end of January), but considering the low erratic rainfall, there is probably only one annual generation, but more observations must confirm this.
Accompanying species in the same habitat were Diabolocatantops axillaris (Thunberg, 1815), Cycloptiloides canariensis (Bolívar, 1914), two species of Oecanthus, Phaneroptera sparsa Stål, 1857, Ruspolia fuscopuncata (Karny, 1907), Acanthogryllus sp. and Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773.
description: Published as part of Felix, Rob, Jacobs, Annelies & Lecoq, Michel, 2025, Rediscovery of the Monte Gordo Grasshopper Eyprepocprifas insularis: An ancient brachypterous species endemic to São Nicolau, Cape Verde (Orthoptera, Eyprepocnemidinae), pp. 159-168 in Journal of Orthoptera Research 34 (2) on pages 159-168, DOI: 10.3897/jor.34.144016