Agroecotettix moorei Hill, 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Hill, JoVonn G.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Orthoptera
Acrididae
Agroecotettix
Agroecotettix moorei

description: Agroecotettix moorei sp. nov.
Figs 2 M, 4 I, 5 I, 15 A – J, 25, 26 A, 32 A – D
Diagnosis.
Differentiated from other species in the genus by the combination of male cerci with ventral branch equal or subequal in length to dorsal branch (Figs 2 L, 15 A, B); sheath of aedeagus thin and lightly sclerotized (Fig. 5 I); valves of the aedeagus are lobate and in lateral view, are shallowly incised with a broad distal lobe that is truncated apically, and the basal lobe is shorter (Figs 5 I, 15 D, F); in caudal view the valves of the aedeagus are concave as in Fig. 4 I. Most like A. crypsidomus but differs in shape of the dorsal valves of the male aedeagus which with the broad distal lobe being distinctive for A. moorei. Furthermore, when viewed from above the inner margins of the valves of A. moorei form a right angle as opposed to being broadly rounded in A. crypsidomus.
Male measurements (mm).
(n = 8) Body length 18.5–24.0 (mean = 20.2); pronotum length 4.3–5.0 (mean = 4.6); tegmen length 2.6–3.5 (mean = 3.0); hind femur length 10.0–12.1 (mean = 10.8); cerci length 1.2–1.3 (mean = 1.3); basal width of cercus 0.5 (mean = 0.5); mid-cercal width 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci dorsal fork length 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci dorsal fork apex width 0.2–0.3 (mean = 0.6) cerci ventral fork length 0.3–0.5 (mean = 0.4); cerci ventral fork apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.1).
Phallus measurements (mm).
(n = 5) Length 0.9–1.0 (mean = 0.9); apex width 0.5–0.6 (mean = 0.5); middle width 0.4–0.5 (mean = 0.5); Basal width 0.7 (mean = 0.7); lateral apex width 0.4–0.6 (mean = 0.5); lateral medial width 0.5–0.8 (mean = 0.6); lateral basal width 0.6–0.7 (mean = 0.6).
Female measurements (mm).
(n = 4) Body length 16.2–27.0 (mean = 22.1); pronotum length 4.8–6.5 (mean = 5.6) tegmen length 3.0–4.3 (mean = 3.6); hind femur length 10.8–14.2 (mean = 12.5); Dorsal ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.4 (mean = 1.3); ventral ovipositor valve length 1.2–1.4 (mean = 1.3).
Holotype.
• 1 ♂, USA, Texas, Terrel Co., Sanderson, 30.1485, -102.3977, 30 Jul 2021, J. G. Hill, Collected in Chihuahuan desert. Deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum.
Specimens examined.
USA, Texas: • Terrell Co. Sanderson, 25 August 1912, Rehn and Hebard, 2750–3180 ’ (4 ♂, 4 ♀) • Sanderson, 30.1458, -102.3977, 30 July 2021, Z. D. Brown, (1 ♂, 1 ♀).
Habitat.
Chihuahuan desert scrub (Fig. 32 D).
Distribution.
Apparently, a narrow range endemic species that is restricted to the area around Sanderson, Texas in the Chihuahuan Desert (Figs 25, 26 A).
Etymology.
The species name moorei is a patronym honoring Clayton Moore, the American actor who most famously starred as a fictional Texas Ranger in “ The Lone Ranger ” television series from 1949–1957. Moore’s portrayal of the character embodied qualities of justice, bravery, and a deep connection to the American West. This naming honors Moore’s cultural impact and the desert landscapes that inspired Moore’s legendary character.
Suggested common name.
Moore’s aridland scrub jumper.
description: Published as part of Hill, JoVonn G., 2024, Desert diversification: revision of Agroecotettix Bruner, 1908 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) with descriptions of sixteen new species from the United States and Mexico, pp. 177-230 in ZooKeys 1218 on pages 177-230, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1218.133703