The taxonomic status of the Bermuda beach cricket (Orthopteroida: Gryllidae)

Abstract

Abstract. Gryllus bermudensis Caudell from the Bermudas is compared with its closest relative G.firmus Scudder from the southeastern seaboard of the U.S.A. The two are very similar: a few minor morphological differences, mainly in the male copulatory structures, have been detected; bermudensis differs from most, but not all, mainland populations of firmus in that it lacks a diapause; the calling songs and stridulatory apparatus are virtually indistinguishable. They interbreed freely, and apparently indefinitely in captivity, but there is an initial fall‐off in fertility when ♀bermudensis are mated with ♂firmus from North Carolina, although not in the reciprocal cross. The reduction is not sustained at so low a level in the hybrids. G.bermudensis is therefore regarded as a subspecies of G.firmus. The most closely related species is probably G.ovisopis T. J. Walker.