ABSTRACT Pair-formation, courtship, copulatory, and post-copulatory behaviors of Eidmanacris meridionalis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, were described under laboratory conditions and compared with congeneric species and other Phalangopsidae crickets whose mating behavior has been previously studied. Field observations for the species are also reported. Mating behaviors were observed in E. meridionalis couples: they first remained motionless, and then began walking through the arena screening the substrate. Mating behavior started with antennal contact, followed by males positioning themselves in front of females, that, when receptive, mounted on the males back and started feeding on metanotum secretions of the males. Copulation (female-above-male position) started with the engaging of copulatory structures and stopped with couple detachment. The end-to-end position was observed once, right after couple detachment. Males always remained with the spermatophore, which was eaten after removal or, alternatively, left in the substrate. The main differences in mating behavior of Eidmanacris species regard the mating position and the duration of the reproductive stages, suggesting that other reproductive repertoires can be observed in the genus since 27 species have not yet been studied in regards their reproductive behavior. We can also assume that the morphological, genetic, and chemical diversity found among the species of Phalangopsidae reflects in the behaviors of pair-formation, courtship, copulation, and post-copulation, leading to a diversity of copulation positions, duration of the stages, methods of attracting partners and parental investment. The description of Phalangopsidae mating patterns can provide important information for future evolutionary and phylogenetic studies, apart from useful for distinguishing cryptic species.

Abstract Karyotypes in the worldwide subfamily Oecanthinae show variations in diploid number, chromosome morphology, and sex-chromosome system. This study described the chromosome set and phylogenetic relationships of four Neotropical species, Oecanthus lineolatus, O. valensis, O. pallidus, and O. pictus. We used classical cytogenetics and Bayesian Inference for phylogenetic reconstruction, using the mitochondrial genes COI, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA; and analyzed the phylogenetic patterns of changes in chromosome numbers, using ChromEvol. We observed differences in chromosome number among species and two different sex-chromosome systems. Oecanthus pictus showed 2n = 21, X0♂/22, XX♀; O. lineolatus, 2n = 20, XY♂/XX♀; and O. valensis and O. pallidus, 2n = 18, XY♂/XX♀. The karyotype of Oecanthus was asymmetric, one group with large chromosomes and variation in heterochromatin distribution, and another with small acrocentric chromosomes. The phylogenetic tree recovered two main groups: one with the Palearctic species and another with species from different bioregions, but with low posterior probability. The Neotropical species grouped separately, O. valensis and O. pictus with Nearctic and Ethiopian species, and O. pallidus and O. lineolatus in another, well-supported clade. Together, the phylogenic and chromosome data suggest descending dysploidy events during the evolution of the group.

A tribo Phylloscyrtini ocorre do sul dos Estados Unidos a Argentina e inclui 21 espécies válidas. Trata-se de um grupo de grilos negligenciado e pouca informação a respeito de sua biologia e distribuição está disponível. Neste trabalho registramos Cranistus colliurides Stål, 1861 e Phylloscyrtus amoenus (Burmeister, 1880) no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e fornecemos informações a respeito de seu som de chamado, local de estridulação, veia estridulatória e outros caracteres importantes para o reconhecimento dos táxons.

The Phylloscyrtini occurs from eastern United States to Argentina and includes 21 valid species. It is a highly neglected group of crickets and little is known about its biology and distribution. Cranistus colliurides Stål, 1861 and Phylloscyrtus amoenus (Burmeister, 1880) were recorded for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, and information on calling song, stridulatory file and recognition characters were provided.

Descrevemos o comportamento reprodutivo de Adelosgryllus rubricephalus Mesa & Zefa, 2004. Em observações realizadas em laboratório verificamos a seguinte seqüência no comportamento de acasalamento: (1) reconhecimento sexual por antenação; (2) corte, em que o macho volta seu abdômen em direção à fêmea, vibra as antenas médio-lateralmente, treme o corpo ântero-posteriormente e estridula intermitentemente, enquanto a fêmea receptiva toca a ponta do abdômen, os cercos e os fêmures posteriores do macho, com seus palpos ou tarsos anteriores; o macho então fica imóvel por alguns segundos, expõe o espermatóforo e ambos retomam a seqüência comportamental descrita acima; (3) cópula: o macho coloca-se sob a fêmea, com suas tégminas inclinadas para frente, anexa sua genitália à dela e promove a transferência do esperma; a fêmea desce de cima do macho e ocorre brevemente a posição "end-to-end" durante a separação do casal; (4) pós-cópula: não há comportamento de guarda; o macho retém o espermatóforo e o ingere. Quantificamos o intervalo de tempo das principais etapas do acasalamento e discutimos suas possíveis implicações no comportamento observado.

We describe the mating behavior of Adelosgryllus rubricephalus Mesa & Zefa, 2004. In trials carried out in laboratory we verified the following mating sequence: (1) sexual recognition by antennation; (2) courtship with male turning his abdomen towards the female, performing mediolateral antennae vibration, jerking its body antero-posteriorly and stridulating intermittently, while receptive female drums on the male's abdomen tip, cerci and hind-tibia with her palpi or foretarsi; the male then stops and stays motionless for some seconds, extrudes the spermatophore and both restart the behavioral sequence described above; (3) copulation: male underneath female; with his tegmina inclined forward, and joins his genitalia to the female's to promote sperm transference ; the female steps off the male, occurring a brief end-to-end position; (4) postcopulation: without guarding behavior; male retains the spermatophore and eats it. We quantified elapsed time of each behavioral sequence and discussed its implications in the observed mating behavior.

Este estudo caracteriza a ultramorfologia da nervura estridulatória e o som de chamado de duas populações de Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) de Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná e Rio Claro, São Paulo, distantes cerca de mil quilômetros. Os dentes que compõem a nervura estridulatória têm forma de concha, os maiores presentes na região mediana da fileira, reduzindo gradualmente de tamanho em direção às extremidades. Os espécimes de Foz do Iguaçu têm a nervura estridulatória com 1,89 mm ± 0,15 de comprimento, 82 ±9,8 dentes, sendo 43,76 ± 5,94 (n=15) por milímetro, enquanto os de Rio Claro 1,96 ± 0,19 mm de comprimento, 87 ± 9,81 dentes e 44,52 ± 4,61 dentes por mm (n=15). As diferenças observadas entre as populações não são estatisticamente significantes. O som de chamado é composto por um trill contínuo que alterna dois conjuntos de notas, com padrões temporais distintos.

This study characterizes the calling song and ultramorphology of the stridulatory file of two geographically isolated populations of the tropical bush cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) from city of Foz do Iguaçu, state of Paraná, and town of Rio Claro, state of São Paulo, Brazil, distant 1,000 Km from each other. The teeth are shell-shaped, the larger ones are distributed in the medium region of the file, decreasing gradually in size towards the edges. Specimens from Foz do Iguaçu have a file with 82 ± 9.8 teeth, length=1.89 mm ± 0.15 with 43.76 ± 5.94 teeth per mm (n=15). Specimens from Rio Claro present a file with 87 ± 9.81, length=1.96 ± 0.19 mm with 44.52 ± 4.61 teeth per mm (n=15). Statistical differences found between the two populations are not significant. The calling song is an uninterrupted trill that alternates two sets of notes distinct for its temporal features.

O ciclo de vida e a distribuição sazonal de uma população tropical de Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) foram analisados com o objetivo de verificar se o ciclo dessa espécie tem associação com as estações secas e úmidas. A população analisada encontra-se na Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Aluvial, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil (25º27'54.9'' S; 54º34'27.9'' W), a qual apresenta clima mesótermico brando superúmido sem seca. As observações em campo foram realizadas em intervalos de 20 a 24 dias, sendo que a primeira observação ocorreu no dia 30/04/2002 e a última em 25/04/2003. Verificou-se que a espécie estudada é univoltina e cíclica em relação às estações secas e úmidas, sendo dessa forma heterodinâmica, sobrevivendo à estação seca como adultos.

The life cycle and seasonal distribution of a tropical population of Eneoptera surinamensis (De Geer, 1773) were analyzed aiming to verify whether this species life cycle is associated to the wet and dry seasons. The population studied was found at the Seasonal Alluvial Semi-deciduous Forest, Foz de Iguaçu, PR, Brazil (25º27'54.9'' S; 54º34'27.9'' W), which presents mild mesothermal and super humid climate. Field observations were made at 20- to 24-day intervals, with the first observation occurring on April 30th, 2002 and the last on April 25th, 2003. It was verified that the studied species is univoltine and cyclic with regards to the dry and wet seasons, therefore being heterodynamic and surviving the dry season as adult.

Foram analisadas três populações alopátricas do grilo Endecous itatibensis Rehn, 1918 com o objetivo de testar a hipótese de que houve divergência na estridulação de chamado e discutir as implicações no processo de especiação. Os registros sonoros foram obtidos de espécimes observados nos municípios de Corumbataí, Piracicaba e Itatiba, São Paulo, Brasil. Nas três populações analisadas, os sons de chamado são compostos por pares de notas. Foram observadas variações no ritmo de emissão dos pares de notas: E. itatibensis de Corumbataí emitem frases com 3 a 18 pares de notas e E. itatibensis de Piracicaba e Itatiba, frases com 1 a 3 pares de notas. Verificaram-se variação inter- e intra-populacional na freqüência dos sinais acústicos. Durante as gravações dos sons produzidos no processo de estridulação de chamado, foram registrados simultaneamente os sinais acústicos de outros insetos, possivelmente Orthoptera e Hemiptera. Ao analisar as freqüências destes sons em laboratório, constatou-se que estas nunca se sobrepõem, estabelecendo uma faixa particular de freqüência para cada espécie, evitando uma possível competição acústica interespecífica.

Three isolated populations of the cricket Endecous itatibensis Rehn, 1918 had been analyzed to test the hypothesis of divergence in the calling song estridulation and to discuss its implications in the speciation process. The song registers were obtained from specimens in Corumbataí, Piraciacaba and Itatiba cities, state of São Paulo, Brazil. In the three analyzed populations, calling songs are composed by pairs of notes. Specimens from Corumbataí emit composed phrases with 3 to 18 pairs of notes, while those of Piracicaba and Itatiba have 1 to 3 pairs of notes. Inter- and intrapopulational variability in the frequencies of acoustic signals were detected. While recording the calling songs, other stridulations were registered, possibly from species of Orthoptera or Hemiptera. When the tapes were analyzed in the laboratory, it was verified that there was no overlap among the species' calling songs, in such a way that each species had their particular band of frequencies, avoiding interespecific acoustic competition.

Um novo gênero e espécie de grilo falangopsídeo Adelosgryllus rubricephalus é descrito. Ilustrações de espécimes macho e fêmea e a descrição dos escleritos fálicos, assim como os cromossomos e a distribuição geográfica conhecida são relatados. Uma discussão sobre a posição taxonômica desse grilo dentro da família Phalangopsidae é incluída.

Adelosgryllus rubricephalus, a new genus and species of phalangopsid cricket are described. Illustrations of male and female specimens as well as descriptions of phallic sclerites, chromosomes and geographical known distribution are furnished. A discussion on the species taxonomic status of this cricket within the family is also included.

O gênero Gryllus destaca-se com um grande número de espécies descritas e representa um dos mais complexos gêneros na sistemática dos Orthoptera, caracterizado por um conjunto de espécies cosmopolitas e crípticas. Este trabalho compara os sons emitidos por espécimens de Gryllus coletados no campus da UNESP em Rio Claro (SP), bem como a morfologia e morfometria das pars stridens, com o objetivo de aplicar os resultados no reconhecimento de possíveis espécies crípticas e contribuir na discussão de processos de especiação. Três grupos de grilos foram discriminados por diferenças nas pars stridens e sons de chamado, caracterizados por diferentes ritmos, freqüências e composição das notas, indicando assim, a presença de três espécies no local analisado, morfologicamente pouco distintas. Diante dos resultados, sugere-se a utilização das características da pars stridens e do som de chamado como caracteres diagnósticos imprescindíveis na taxonomia dos Gryllus.

The Gryllus genus represents one the most complex in the Orthoptera systematic, characterized by a set of cosmopolite and cryptic species, many of them already described. This study compared the songs emitted by Gryllus specimens collected on the UNESP campus in Rio Claro (SP) and the pars stridens morphology and morphometry, to use the results to recognize possible cryptic species and contribute to the discussion of speciation processes. Three groups of crickets were discriminated by differences in the pars stridens and calling songs, characterized by different rhythms, frequencies and note composition, that indicated the presence of three species in the location analyzed, that presented few morphological differences. It is suggested from the results that the use of the pars stridens characteristics and the calling song as diagnostic traits is essential in the Gryllus taxonomy.

The proventriculus morphology of the cricket Gryllus assimilis Fabricius, 1775 is described using scanning electron microscopy and the correlation of this structure with the feeding habits briefly considered.

A espécie Gryllus assimilis L. apresenta 2n = 29, X0 (macho) e 2n = 30, XX (fêmea), porém em alguns indivíduos coletados na cidade de Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil, foram encontrados dois cariótipos distintos: o cariótipo básico e outro rearranjado, com 2n = 28, X0 e 2n = 29, XX. O rearranjo foi interpretado como sendo autossômico e heterozigoto, caracterizado pela translocação envolvendo dois pares de homólogos submetacêntricos: o par 10, que possivelmente tem um dos elementos com uma inversão pericêntrica, e o par 6, que possui em seu braço curto duas constrições secundárias, diferenciando satélites em suas extremidades.

Gryllus assimilis L. has a karyotype of 2n = 29 (X0, male) and 30 (XX, female). The above karyotype was encountered along with another in which 2n = 28 (X0, male) and 2n = 29 (XX, female) in a population from the outskirts of Rio Claro city (São Paulo State, Brazil). Of eight specimens studied, five had the heterozygous karyotype involving a translocation and three had the basic karyotype. There were no individuals homozygous for the rearrangement. The heterozygous karyotype was the result of a chromosomal rearrangement between chromosome pairs 6 and 10, both of which were initially submetacentric. The members of the sixth pair normally have two constrictions in the small arm, with a satellite at the chromosome tip. The chromosome of the tenth pair involved in the translocation was generally submetacentric and probably underwent a pericentric inversion which transported the centromere to a subterminal position before being translocated. In this case, the long arm of the inverted chromosome of the tenth pair was translocated with the satellite of a member of the sixth pair.

The karyotypes of the following six species of Brazilian Psocoptera are reported: Caecillius sp. (Caecillidae), Triplocania ? caudata New (Ptiloneuridae), Brachinodiscus cf. lepidus (Banks) (Psocidae), Psococerastis interrupta New (Psocidae), Ptycta nr reticulata New (Psocidae) and Trichadenotecnum sinuatum New (Psocidae). All of them had males with 2n = 17 and an XO sex determining mechanism.