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Issue: Vol. 5723 No. 3: 26 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-26
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.5
Page range: 401-412
Abstract views: 68
PDF downloaded: 31

Rhacocleis parnassica sp.nov. a new cryptic bush-cricket (katydid) species from Greece (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Naturalis; P.O.Box 9517; 2300 RA Leiden; the Netherlands
Riethorsterweg 12; 6586 AC Plasmolen; the Netherlands
Biodiversity Conservation Lab; Department of Biological Applications and Technology; Metavatiko Building; 1rst floor; University of Ioannina 45110; Ioannina; Greece
Orthoptera Katydid new species bioacoustics systematics

Abstract

A new species of Rhacocleis, R. parnassica sp.nov. is described. We discovered the species on scree slopes at 1450 m on Mt. Parnassos, central Greece. This bush-cricket is morphologically distinct from all congeners, particularly in male cercal and titillator structures, and differs bioacoustically from closely related taxa. Although superficially resembling the scree-dwelling R. crypta and R. lithoscirtetes, it shows greater morphological affinity with R. distinguenda and R. werneri, and acoustic similarity with R. germanica and R. annulata. The species is currently known only from its type locality within the Natura 2000 site GR2450005. Its restricted range and potential exposure to wildfire and human disturbance highlight the need for further ecological research and conservation assessments. This discovery increases the number of Rhacocleis species in Greece to 17, underscoring the country’s exceptional Orthoptera diversity and the potential for additional undescribed taxa in poorly explored environments.

 

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How to Cite

Willemse, L., Odé, B. & Stefanidis, A. (2025) Rhacocleis parnassica sp.nov. a new cryptic bush-cricket (katydid) species from Greece (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae). Zootaxa, 5723 (3), 401–412. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.5