Dorsthippus and Aethiopiacris: synonymic genera of Dwarf Grasshoppers of the Ethiopian highlands (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract

Summary The grasshopper species of the genera Dorsthippus Donskoff, 1977 (D. baleensis) and Aethiopiacris La Greca, 1994 (A. parva) of the Ethiopian highlands are very poorly known. Little information is available on their taxonomy and distribution. After comparing newly collected material with the type specimens and illustrations of both species, we propose that Aethiopiacris represents a junior synonym of Dorsthippus. Consequently, Dorsthippus parvus (La Greca, 1994) n. comb. becomes a new combination of Aethiopiacris parva. In this study, we summarize all the information on the genus Dorsthippus, which now includes two species. Morphology, type localities of the two species, distribution and habitat are discussed. Furthermore, a new record of D. baleensis in Bale Mountains National Park is presented.