The first representative of the archaeorthopteran family Eoblattidae in the Konservat Lagerstätte of Avion, France (Insecta: Polyneoptera)

The Carboniferous was a period of high diversification of the polyneopteran insects of the superorder Archaeorthoptera (so-called ‘orthopteroid’ insects) (see Fossilworks site at http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?a=home). Some of the Late Carboniferous outcrops are very rich (Mazon Creek in North America, Commentry in France). The Konservat-Lagerstätte of Avion (Northern France) is especially rich for a Moscovian outcrop, with no less than six described genera and species: Aviogramma gracilis Prokop et al., 2014, Aviocladus pectinatus Prokop et al., 2014, Aviohapaloptera bethouxi Prokop et al., 2014, Aviologus duquesnei Coty et al., 2014, Cacurgus avionensis Schubnel et al., 2020, and cf. Tococladus sp. (Coty et al., 2014; Prokop et al., 2014; Schubnel et al., 2020). Here we describe a new genus and species, the first representative of the Carboniferous family Eoblattidae Handlirsch, 1906 from this outcrop, on the basis of a forewing.

Orthopteroid insects (Mantodea, Blattodea, Dermaptera, Phasmoptera, Orthoptera) of agrocenosis of rice fields in Kyzylorda oblast, South Kazakhstan

An annotated list of Orthopteroidea of rise paddy fields in Kyzylorda oblast in South Kazakhstan is given. A total of 60 species of orthopteroid insects were identified, belonging to 58 genera from 17 families and 5 orders. Mantids are represented by 3 families, 6 genera and 6 species; cockroaches – by 2 families, 2 genera and 2 species; earwigs – by 3 families, 3 genera and 3 species; sticks insects – by 1 family, 1 genus and 1 species. Orthopterans are most numerous (8 families, 46 genera and 48 species). Of these, three species, Bolivaria brachyptera, Hierodula tenuidentata and Ceraeocercus fuscipennis, are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Celes variabilis and Chrysochraon dispar indicated for the first time for a given location. The fauna of orthopteroid insects in the studied areas of Kyzylorda is compared with other regions of Kazakhstan.

Assemblages of orthopteroid insects along environmental gradients in central and southern Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the world hotspots for endemics, and its rapidly changing habitats accelerate the need for their study and conservation. Orthopterans, mantids, phasmids, and cockroaches were sampled in five main habitats (savanna and shrubland, semiarid spiny forest, rainforest, mountain grass- and shrubland, and cultivated habitats) in central and southern Madagascar (41 sites, 0–2250 m a.s.l.) with the aim of getting the first data on their diversity and distribution along environmental gradients shortly after the rainy period. Samples were collected primarily by sweeping herb and shrub vegetation along transects 100 m long and 1–2 m wide (5–8 transects/site) and supplemented using other techniques. Altogether 117 species of orthopteroid insects were found (94 Orthoptera, 7 Mantodea, 4 Phasmida, and 12 Blattodea), among them two katydid species which had been recently described as new to science (Mimoscudderia longicaudata Heller & Krištín, 2019, Parapyrrhicia leuca Hemp & Heller, 2019). High species diversity was documented: altogether 63 species (53.8%) were present at only one site, 14 (12%) at two sites, and 5 species (4.2%) at three sites. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis on species composition did not clearly separate the assemblages of the sampled sites. Species assemblages from four habitats overlapped due to their similarity. Only assemblages from the rainforest sites were partially separated from the other sites. Cultivated habitats were characterized by the most frequent (F > 50%) and abundant grasshopper species, such as Acorypha decisa, Aiolopus thalassinus rodericensis, Oedaleus virgula, Gelastorrhinus edax, Gymnobothrus spp,. and Acrotylus spp. We found a significant association between habitat management and species rareness, where the number of rare species was higher in natural/unmanaged habitats. However, we found no association between habitat management and the number of endemic species. For several species we provide the first detailed data on their localities and habitat.

Evolution and taxonomic significance of the copulatory apparatus in Ensifera (Orthoptera). Part 1: General concepts and origin

The importance of using copulatory characters in generic and higher taxonomy (not only in species taxonomy) is discussed in the light of the recent “genital clock” concept which should partly replace the old “lock-and-key” theory. This concept assumes that evolutional changes in the copulatory apparatus (if it is sufficiently complicated) follow after genetic drift, and that these processes occur at a more uniform rate than changes in the characters of external morphology, ecological properties and many other biological traits, since structure of this apparatus is less dependent upon the situation in the ecosystem. Evolution of the copulatory apparatus in the suborder Ensifera and in its ancestors may be divided into three hypothetical stages reflected in some morphological features: 1) a highly hypothetical stage without copulation and without a copulatory apparatus in the most ancient (extinct) orthopteroid insects; 2) the appearance of different organs in early Orthoptera serving for fixation of partners during copulation and for insertion of the spermatophore in the female genital chamber; 3) the development of complicated organ with consolidation of these functions.

Active touch in orthopteroid insects: behaviours, multisensory substrates and evolution

Orthopteroid insects (cockroaches, crickets, locusts and related species) allow examination of active sensory processing in a comparative framework. Some orthopteroids possess long, mobile antennae endowed with many chemo- and mechanoreceptors. When the antennae are touched, an animal's response depends upon the identity of the stimulus. For example, contact with a predator may lead to escape, but contact with a conspecific may usually not. Active touch of an approaching object influences the likelihood that a discrimination of identity will be made. Using cockroaches, we have identified specific descending mechanosensory interneurons that trigger antennal-mediated escape. Crucial sensory input to these cells comes from chordotonal organs within the antennal base. However, information from other receptors on the base or the long antennal flagellum allows active touch to modulate escape probability based on stimulus identity. This is conveyed, at least to some extent, by textural information. Guidance of the antennae in active exploration depends on visual information. Some of the visual interneurons and the motor neurons necessary for visuomotor control have been identified. Comparisons across Orthoptera suggest an evolutionary model where subtle changes in the architecture of interneurons, and of sensorimotor control loops, may explain differing levels of vision–touch interaction in the active guidance of behaviour.