Anaxipha hyalicetra sp. n. (Gryllidae: Trigonidiinae), a new sword-tailed cricket species from Arizona

Jeffrey A Cole,David H Funk

doi:10.3897/jor.28.30143

Abstract

A new Anaxipha species is described from a locality in southeastern Arizona adjacent to the border with Mexico. The species is unique among the North American fauna by virtue of the broad tegmina, distinctive male genitalia, and calling song phrased in an irregular chirp with a variable pulse train rate. The possibility that the behavioral repertoire of this species includes aggressive song as well as calling song is discussed.

Highlights

Anaxipha is a speciose genus of small crickets with a worldwide distribution (Walker and Funk 2014, Cigliano et al 2018)
The species is unique among the North American fauna by virtue of the broad tegmina, distinctive male genitalia, and calling song phrased in an irregular chirp with a variable pulse train rate
A trickle of new species discoveries shows that there is still much to learn about the orthopteran fauna of Arizona, despite much historical systematic attention (Rehn 1908, Hebard 1935a, b, Ball 1942) and the popularity of the state as a destination for insect collectors and hobbyists

Summary

Introduction

Anaxipha is a speciose genus of small crickets with a worldwide distribution (Walker and Funk 2014, Cigliano et al 2018). The systematics of Anaxipha, and of the Trigonidiinae in general, are in a primitive state (Otte and Perez-Gelabert 2009). Regional systematic studies have revealed entire faunas of these crickets in recent years (Otte 2006, Otte and Perez-Gelabert 2009, Walker and Funk 2014), and numerous new species await description (e.g. Tan 2012, DHF unpublished data). A revision of the North American Anaxipha described two-thirds of the fauna as new to science (8 of 13 species; Walker and Funk 2014). Apart from the highly disjunct locality, which is adjacent to the border of the United States with Sonora, Mexico, this Anaxipha immediately stood out as new to the North American fauna by virtue of the broad tegmina of males and the variable pulse train rate in the male calling song.

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