Neotridactylus insularis, Woo, 2025

Neotridactylus insularis sp. nov.

Figs. 18–20 View FIGURE 18 View FIGURE 19 View FIGURE 20 , 23 View FIGURE 23

Etymology. From the Latin insula, meaning island, referring both to the isolated nature of this species relative to the similar-appearing N. archboldi , and to its occurrence on barrier islands of the Florida panhandle Gulf coast.

Proposed Common Name. Florida panhandle Pygmy Mole Cricket.

Holotype repository. TAMUIC

Material examined (n=55). Holotype: USA • ♂; Florida: Okaloosa County: Henderson Beach SP: 30.385, - 86.448; 25 July 2022; B. Woo leg. ( TAMUIC). Allotype: USA • ♀; Florida: Okaloosa County : same information as holotype ( TAMUIC). Paratypes: USA • 4 ♂, 4 ♀, 21 nymphs, Florida: Okaloosa County : same information as holotype ( TAMUIC) • 4 ♀, 2 nymphs, Santa Rosa County : Santa Rosa Island , Eglin Air Force Base, coastal dune scrub, white sand; 09 November 1996; C. Casado, R. Yahr leg. ( ABS) • 5 ♂, 7 ♀, 6 nymphs, Walton County: Topsail Hill Preserve SP: 30.365, -86.298; B. Woo leg. ( TAMUIC) GoogleMaps

Diagnosis. Differs from most other species of Neotridactylus by its flightless condition, lack of swimming plates, and occurrence in xeric habitat. Distinguished from N. archboldi by its overall more dark brown coloration and more matte texture, as well as the shape of the male epiproct and disjunct distribution.

Measurements (mm). Body (head to end of abdomen): ♂, 3.9–5.1; ♀, 4.8–5.7; length of pronotum: ♂, 1.1–1.4; ♀, 1.2–1.6; length of forewing: ♂, 0.9–1.2; ♀, 1.0–1.4; length of hind femur: ♂, 2.1–2.7; ♀, 2.3–3.1.

Description. Male ( holotype) ( Fig. 13 View FIGURE 13 ). Coloration in life ( Fig. 11 View FIGURE 11 ): generally like that of N. archboldi : Head black; antennae mostly light brown, basal segments black; eyes black; maxillary and labial palpi brown. Pronotum black. Forelegs dark brown; middle femora black with paler apices; middle tibiae and tarsi dark brown; hind femora black dorsally and dark brown laterally; apical crescents of hind femora orange; hind tibiae light brown. Tegmina black; abdomen black, apical borders of tergites creamy; basal segment of cercus dark brown, apical segment light brown; paraproct processes dark brown. Note that ethanol-preserved specimens fade to a lighter shade of brown overall than do specimens of N. archboldi .

Antennae 10-segmented. Pronotum densely punctured. Forewings slightly longer than pronotum; hind wings absent. Male stridulatory file ( Fig. 14D View FIGURE 14 ) 0.6 mm in length, with about 58 teeth. Swimming plates of hind tibia absent. Male epiproct ( Fig. 14A View FIGURE 14 ) about as wide as long; deeply indented basally and with large basal lobes; laterally incised with pointed, heavily sclerotized lobes; apex projecting forwards, rounded at tip, with long apical bristle about ¾ its length. Male subgenital plate ( Fig. 13C View FIGURE 13 ) unspecialized, broadly rounded. Female subgenital plate ( Fig. 13D View FIGURE 13 ) wider than long, caudal margin indented in middle.

Habitat. All specimens have been collected in coastal dune scrub habitat (within 100m of the coast) with open sand gaps ( Fig. 11D View FIGURE 11 ). Vegetation at both Henderson Beach and Topsail Hill was very similar and was comprised primarily of: Florida Rosemary ( Ceratiola ericoides ), Sand Pine ( Pinus clausa ), Sand Live Oak ( Quercus geminata ), Myrtle Oak ( Quercus myrtifolia ), Woody Goldenrod ( Chrysoma pauciflosculosa (Michx.)Greene ), False Rosemary ( Conradina canescens A.Gray ), and Squareflower ( Paronychia erecta (Chapm.)Shinners ). The Orthopteran fauna of both sites was also rather similar and included: Spharagemon marmoratum pictum , Melanoplus gurneyi Strohecker , and Odontoxiphidium apterum .

Distribution. Found in appropriate habitats of Walton, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties, Florida.