Two new genera of grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) from Baja California, Mexico, with a regional key to the genera of Melanoplinae

By

Hill, Jovonn

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-5-13

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1238

Pages

75--97

Subjects

Bajatettix , Cape Region , identification key , Ozmacris

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1238.147762

 

Abstract

<br> Baja California, a 1,300 km long peninsula, exhibits considerable ecological diversity, encompassing coastal chaparral, coniferous forests, low desert scrub, and tropical deciduous forests. The region’s ecological complexity reflects its biogeographic history, marked by separation from mainland Mexico 5.5 million years ago. Survey efforts have documented an impressive 4,000 plants, and insect efforts have targeted bees, weevils, ants, and blow flies. Grasshoppers, in contrast, remain underexplored. The present study expands on expeditions from the 1970s to 2010s that focused on the peninsula’s Orthoptera. Two new genera are established—Bajatettix and Ozmacris—and a key to the genera of the Melanoplinae of the peninsula is provided. This study highlights the importance of understanding Baja California’s grasshopper diversity to support conservation initiatives and future ecological studies.