Description and bioacoustics of three new Eurycorypha (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea) species from Tanzania and Ghana, with notes on their biology

By

Hemp, Claudia
Massa, Bruno
Heller, Klaus-Gerhard

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-6-23

Original Publication

Journal of orthoptera research : JOR

Volume

34

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

187--200

Subjects

Africa , Biology , duets , Habitat , songs , Speciation

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Philadelphia, Penn Orthopterists' Society 1992-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.34.137613

 

Abstract

Three new species of Eurycorypha Stål, 1873 are described, originating from Tanzania and Ghana. E. willschi from Ghana is widespread throughout central and west Africa, while the two species from Tanzania, E. spicula and E. paraspicula, are restricted to specific mountain ranges within the Eastern Arc Mountains. Two of the species were reared from nymphs, providing valuable data on their nymphal development and diet. The male songs represent amplitude patterns previously unknown in the bioacoustically hyperdiverse genus Eurycorypha. In the two species with known duets, the females were found to respond shortly after the male songs, while in E. willschi, they responded only after one of the two elements of the male song. How habitat drives speciation even in fully alate species is discussed, reflecting the extent and isolation of certain habitats. The wing shape of Eurycorypha species also appears influential; rounder, less flight-active species tend to be more restricted than elongate species in expansive habitats.