Studies on Podismopsis insularis (Orthoptera: Acrididae), endemic to the Shantar Islands National Park in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

Abstract

This paper aims to re-describe and illustrate the poorly known grasshopper Podismopsis insularis and to clarify the taxonomic status of its subspecies. This species occurs on all large islands of the Shantar Archipelago (Bolshoi Shantar Island, Feklistova Island, and Maly Shantar Island). The type specimens of both subspecies and additional material are examined. A new synonymy is established: Podismopsis insularis = Podismopsis insularis shantariensis, syn. nov. A thorough description of this species, photographs of male and female habitus and of male genitalia are also provided. The evolutionary radiation of grasshoppers of the genus Podismopsis over the islands of the Sea of Okhotsk basin during the last 8000–10 000 years is briefly discussed. The Shantar Islands National Park is important for conservation of endemic insect species.

Keywords

• chrysochraontini
• fauna
• gomphocerinae
• grasshoppers
• new synonymy
• palaearctic region
• russian far east
• taxonomy