Venation pattern and revision of Orthoptera sensu nov. and sister groups. Phylogeny of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Orthoptera sensu nov.

Abstract

After the revision of several fossils and observations of recent taxa, we propose a new interpretation of the wing venation pattern for the ‘orthopteroid lineage’. The Orthoptera and several taxa previously assigned to the paraphyletic group ‘Protorthoptera’ are included in a common clade, Archaeorthoptera taxon nov. The Orthoptera and some closest relative groups are included in the Panorthoptera sensu nov. These assignments are based on new autapomorphies based on venation patterns. A cladistic phylogenetic analysis of the Orthoptera is performed for the first time on the fossil record of this group, based on 74 characters (131 informative states). Three taxa assigned to the Archaeorthoptera nec Panorthoptera compose the outgroup. The ingroup is composed of three Panorthoptera nec Orthoptera and 63 Orthoptera, mainly from the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic. Following this initial phylogeny, we propose several nomenclatural changes; the Ensifera are redefined and the relationships between Caelifera and Ensifera sensu nov., and those between the major clades of modern Ensifera sensu nov., are clarified. Relationships within the ‘oedischioid’ stem-group remain unclear. The evolution of the venational structures within the Orthoptera is discussed and in this analysis the Orthoptera were not clearly affected by the Permo-Triassic biodiversity “crisis”. The capacity of the fossil taxa to be used in phylogenetic analyses is discussed, using the example of the ‘orthopteroid’ insects.

Altitudinal size clines, species richness and population density: case studies in Orthoptera

“…The wing venation nomenclature used in this paper is based on conjectures of topological homology proposed by Béthoux and Nel (2002) for Archaeorthoptera, itself based on that proposed for Orthoptera (Béthoux and Nel 2001). These conjectures were challenged by Gorochov (2005) in favor of those followed by Sharov (1968Sharov ( , 1971; and some earlier authors), but these comments were addressed by Béthoux (2007a).…”

Miamia maimai n. sp., a new Pennsylvanian stem-orthopteran insect, and a case study on the application of cladotypic nomenclature

“…The wing venation nomenclature used in this paper is based on conjectures of topological homology proposed by Bthoux & Nel (2002) for Archaeorthoptera, itself based on that elaborated for Orthoptera [Bthoux & Nel (2001); and see Bthoux (2008b) for discussion and references on alternative interpretations; and Rasnitsyn & Aristov (2010)]. Corresponding abbreviations are: ScP, posterior Subcosta; R, Radius; RA, anterior Radius; RP, posterior Radius; M, Media; CuA, anterior Cubitus; CuP, posterior Cubitus; CuPa, anterior branch of CuP; CuPb, posterior branch of CuP; AA, anterior Analis.…”

A new, rare and distinctive species of Panorthoptera (Insecta, Archaeorthoptera) from the Upper Carboniferous of Xiaheyan (Ningxia, China)

“…Taxon Archaeorthoptera Bethoux and Nel, 2002 Taxon Panorthoptera Crampton, 1928 (sensu Béthoux andNel, 2002) Sinogerarus Gu, Béthoux and Ren gen. nov.…”

“…The occurrence of a fork of CuPa basal to the fusion with CuA (itself emerging from M + CuA) indicates that, within Archaeorthoptera, it belongs to the clade Panorthoptera (not formally defined; see diagnosis in Béthoux and Nel, 2002). This clade includes Orthoptera and their closest fossil relatives, such as "geraridaeans" and "oedischioideans", whose reciprocal relationships are not evident (the supposed "hemipteroid" affinities of the former were challenged by Béthoux and Briggs, 2008), and a number of distinctive species, such as H. duyiwuer and Bruaylogus magnificus Coty, Háva, Prokop, Roques and Nel, 2014.…”