On the placement of the Cretaceous orthopteran Brauckmannia groeningae from Brazil, with notes on the relationships of Schizodactylidae (Orthoptera, Ensifera)
Author
Heads, Sam W.
Author
Leuzinger, Lea
text
ZooKeys
2011
77
17
30
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.77.769
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.77.769
1313-2970-77-17
Genus
Schizodactylus
Brulle
, 1835
Schizodactylus
Brulle
1835
: 161. Type species:
Gryllus monstrosus
Drury, 1773.
Schizocephalus
Brunner von Wattenwyl 1888
: 313, lapsus calami.
Dactylocomicus
Karny 1931
: 102. Type species:
Comicus inexpectatus
Werner, 1901.
Brauckmannia
Martins-Neto 2007
: 4. Type species:
Brauckmannia groeningae
Martins-Neto, 2007, syn. n.
Diagnosis.
The genus
Schizodactylus
as presently defined comprises all large and robust schizodactylids with wings developed and, with the exception of
Schizodactylus inexpectatus
in which the wings are reduced, extending beyond the apex of the abdomen where they terminate in a conspicuous coil.
Schizodactylus
species are further characterised by greatly enlarged mouthparts, a broad diamond-shaped labrum, and strong laterally compressed pro- and mesothoracic legs. The genus is readily separated from
Comicus
, the only other genus in the family, which is characterised by a markedly smaller and more gracile body (usually less than 25 mm in length), long, slender legs, and complete reduction of the wings.
Comments
.
Given the presence of distinctively coiled wings and well-developed lateral processes on the tarsi, there can be no doubt as to the placement of
Brauckmannia groeningae
in
Schizodactylidae
. In addition, there are no characters preserved in either the holotype (so far as can be seen from
Martins-Neto's
illustrations) or the new material described below to exclude the species from the genus
Schizodactylus
. Both fossil specimens match closely the general habitus, tarsal morphology and metatibial armature of extant
Schizodactylus
species, and there are no convincing apomorphies to support separate generic placement.