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Issue: Vol. 5071 No. 1: 22 Nov. 2021
Type: Article
Published: 2021-11-22
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5071.1.6
Page range: 118-130
Abstract views: 424
PDF downloaded: 37

Taxonomic notes on the Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae)

Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. Vicerrectorý´a de Investigacin, Pontificia Universidad Catnlica de Valparaso, Valparaso, Chile.
Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. USDA APHIS, Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Management Team Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, WA 6106, Australia. Centre for Evolutionary Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Orthoptera grasshopper taxonomy Australian alpine conservation

Abstract

The Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt consists of brachypterous species that inhabit the Australian alpine and subalpine region. The genus used to include 5 species and 1 subspecies, but according to a recent phylogenomic study, there could be as many as 14 species in the genus, that are genetically and geographically isolated from each other. This study represents the first step in describing and documenting the diversity of this interesting genus. In this study, we redefine the type species K. tristis, and elevate its subspecies K. tristis restrictus as a valid species on the basis of distinct morphological traits, geographical isolation, and phylogenomic evidence.

 

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