Significance of genitalic structures in the classification of pyrgomorphidae (orthoptera : acridoidea)‎ in Fezzan region of Libya

Abstract EN

-The present study is based on two genera of the family Pyrgomorphidae.

Keys to subfamilies, genera and species belonging to this family in Fezzan region are provided based on conventional as well as genitalic characters.

The significance of genitalic structures in the classification is also shown.

Developed or indistinct condition of fastigial areolae; presence or absence of external apical spine of hind tibia; elongate or quadrate condition of mesosternal lobes; wide or narrow, long or short condition of lateral plates of epiphallus; presence, absence or indistinct condition of Jannone's organs on female subgenital plate; elongate or short condition of apical diverticulum of spermatheca are used for separating subfamilies.

Sulcated or flattened condition of frontal ridge; filiform or ensiform condition of antennae; distinct or indistinct condition of fastigial foveolae; ratio of length of metazona and prozona of pronotum; presence or absence of median or lateral carinae, number of transverse sulci crossing dorsum of pronotum; length of inner hind tibial spurs in relation to external spurs and basal-tarsal segment; broad or narrow condition of bridge of epiphallus; shape of posterior margin of female subgenital plate; toothed, tuberculate or smooth condition of ovipositor valves; length of lateral apodeme in relation to the dorsal valves are suggested as useful generic characters.

The specific characters body colour, sculpture, presence or absence and number of tubercles on pronotum, shape of egg-guide of female subgenital plate, shape of ovipositor valves and their apical tips, shape of male supra-anal plate and cerci, size of anterior and posterior lobes of lophi, shape of apical valves of aedeagus were used.