Significance of epiphallus in some Indian species of Acrididae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

Abstract :

A comparative study of epiphallus is made in sixty Indian species of grasshoppers, representing forty one genera belonging to the family Acrididae. Its significance in the classification of Acrididae is shown. The study revealed that there are certain characters i.e. presence or absence of dorso-lateral appendages; broad or narrow condition of bridge; presence or absence of ancorae; single, bi or trilobite condition of lophi and shape of ancorae and lophi have significant value in separating various families, genera and species of Acridoidea. Absence of dorso-lateral appendages in the family Acrididae is taken as familial character which is present in all genera of the family Pyrgomorphidae. Presence or absence of ancorae and single, bi- or trilobite condition of lophi are considered as generic characters. Bridge without ancorae, lophi large lobiform in Anacridium, Cyrtacanthacris and Schistocerca; bridge with ancorae, lophi large lobiform in Heteracris and Navasia; bridge with ancorae, lophi small in Oxyrrhepes and Tristria; bridge with ancorae, lophi finger shaped in Tristria and Xenocatantops; bridge with ancorae, lophi bilobate in Dnopherula, Acrotylus, Neohelithera, Locusta and Truxalis; bridge with ancorae, lophi lobiform in Aiolopus, bridge with ancorae, lophi trilobite in Ochrilidia. Broad or narrow condition of bridge, Shape of ancorae and lophi is suggested as specific character in separating various species within the genera Anacridium, Catantops, Heteracris, Oxya, Dnopherula, Hieroglyphus, Eucoptacra, Truxalis, Trilopidia, Oedaleus, Acrotylus, Aiolopus, Catantops and Xenocatantops


Keyword :

Significance, epiphallus,Indian species, Acrididae


Author(s) : Usmani, S.
Downloads : 783
Published Issue : 2017 Vol. 12 Number 2


2017 Vol. 12 Number 2