A revision of the Psednurini (Orthoptera : Pyrogomorphidae)

Abstract

The endemic Australian grasshopper tribe Psednurini is revised, with the assistance of a numerical taxonomic analysis employing 40 characters of the external morphology and male and female genitalia. Three genera and five species are recognized, of which Propsednura peninsularis and the genus Psedna are new; all are described and keyed. In Psednura there is a negative correlation between robustness and mean annual temperature of the source locality; regression lines do not differ significantly as between the two species, or the sexes. Psednura musgravei is regarded as comprising two rather distinct allopatric races, whose status, however, requires further examination.

Information is given on geographical distribution, seasonal cycle, immature stages, and general biology. The possible course of evolution and zoogeographical dispersal of the group is discussed. The two species of Psednura are associated with recognizably distinct habitats where they occur in the same general area, but each has a wider ecological range where it occurs alone.