Diet and foraging habitats of non-breeding white storks (Ciconia ciconia) in Bulgaria

The diet of non-breeding White Storks was studied by pellet analysis and included mainly insects (99.9%, n=28947) with a predominance of grasshoppers (Orthoptera, 76.1%), and beetles (Coleoptera, 26.1%). The bush crickets Decticus albifrons/verrucivorus were the most numerous prey (29.9% by items), occurring in almost all pellets (98% occurrence in pellets, n=147) and predominating in half of them (49.7%). The grasshopper associations in the pellets specify foraging mainly in mesophytic grasslands that usually replace abandoned fields and overgrown pastures with a low level of grazing. The xerophytic grass-shrubby habitats, not rare on stony terrains, were of less importance, providing around 20% by prey. The typical aquatic inhabitants and the use of carrion around villages were exceptions in the study diet. The number of innutritious materials in the pellets rose when the White Storks hunted on nippy and agile grasshoppers and decreased when the main pray was slower beetles taken from the ground. The roosting of non-breeding White Storks disappeared when their preferred feeding habitats were ploughed up in the following years

Re-visiting phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships in the genus Saga (Insecta: Orthoptera).

Twelve of the 13 bushcricket species of the Saga genus are bisexuals and diploids, except the parthenogenetic and tetraploid bush cricket, Saga pedo. Despite a continuous research effort stretching through the 1900s, the taxonomic relationships of the Saga species are still disputed. In this study, our primary aim was to reveal natural relationships of the European Saga species and three of their Asian relatives, with special attention to the problematic taxonomy of two subspecies: S. campbelli campbelli and S. c. gracilis. Following a phylogenetic analysis of eight species, a comprehensive study was carried out on the above three taxa by using acoustic and morphometric approaches in parallel. Our phylogenetic data showed that European Saga species evolved from a monophyletic lineage. The geographical transitional species S. cappadocica was positioned between European and Asian lineages supporting the idea that the European Saga lineage originated phylogeographically from the Asian clade. The above results showed better agreement with the morphological data than with earlier ones based either on karyology or acoustic information only. After reviewing our data, we concluded that Saga pedo has most likely evolved from S. c. gracilis and not from S. rammei or S. ephippigera, as proposed by earlier studies. S. c. gracilis shares the same ITS2 haplotype with S. pedo, indicating that the latter could have evolved from populations of the former, probably through whole genome duplication. Based on acoustic and morphometric differences, we propose to elevate the two subspecies, S. campbelli campbelli and S. c. gracilis, to species level status, as Saga gracilis Kis 1962, and Saga campbelli Uvarov 1921. The present work sets the stage for future genetic and experimental investigations of Saginae and highlights the need for additional comprehensive analysis involving more Asian Saga species

Liste rouge des Orthoptères de la République de Macédoine

This paper is aimed to draw up a Red List of Orthoptera of the Republic of Macedonia, adapted to the context of the country. The selection is based on IUCN criteria applied for the country, mainly focused on the observation or estimation of population status and trends, and also population in very restricted area of occupancy. The IUCN Regional Guidelines to the regional population have been applied to determine the final classification of each species within the country. The resulting Red List is composed of 17 taxa (roughly 10 % of the fauna of the country), including one Critically Endangered (Bradyporus macrogaster macrogaster (Lefebvre 1831)) and four Endangered (Saga pedo (Pallas 1771), Bradyporus oniscus (Burmeister 1838), Paracinema tricolor (Thunberg 1815) and Stethophyma grossum (Linnaeus 1758))Cet article a pour but de définir une Liste Rouge des Orthoptères de la République de Macédoine, adaptée au contexte du pays. La sélection s'effectue par l'application des critères UICN à l'échelle du pays, principalement axée sur la mesure ou l'estimation de l'état des populations et leur évolution, mais aussi sur des considérations de populations particulièrement restreintes. Les directives UICN pour l'établissement des listes régionales et nationales ont été suivies pour définir le statut de chaque espèce au niveau du pays. Il en résulte une Liste Rouge composée de 17 taxa (soit 10 % environ de la faune du pays), dont un en danger critique d'extinction (Bradyporus macrogaster macrogaster (Lefebvre 1831)) et quatre en danger (Saga pedo (Pallas 1771), Bradyporus oniscus (Burmeister 1838), Paracinema tricolor (Thunberg 1815) et Stethophyma grossum (Linnacus 1758))

Eunapiodes undetermined

Eunapiodes sp. Material examined. Tagalm pass, 32.62964°N, 4.53213°W (1700 m), 31.V.2013 (1♂).Published as part of Chobanov, Dragan & Massa, Bruno, 2022, On some Moroccan Pamphagidae, with the description of a new species of Euryparyphes (Orthoptera: Caelifera), pp. 409-425 in Zootaxa 5104 (3) on page 415, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5104.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/633202

Paraeumigus tricoloripes Werner 1932

Paraeumigus tricoloripes Werner, 1932 (Fig. 4A) Type locality: Morocco, Obere Reraya von Arround bis Taschdirt. Material examined. Oukaimeden, 31.20061°N, 7.86576°W (2800 m), 21.V.2013 (2♀♀). Distribution. P. tricoloripes is distributed in the Moroccan High Atlas.Published as part of Chobanov, Dragan & Massa, Bruno, 2022, On some Moroccan Pamphagidae, with the description of a new species of Euryparyphes (Orthoptera: Caelifera), pp. 409-425 in Zootaxa 5104 (3) on page 416, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5104.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/633202

Amigus nigroadspersus

Amigus nigroadspersus (Bolívar, 1907) (Fig. 2L) Type locality: Morocco, Marrakesh. Material examined. N of Marrakesh, 31.88001°N, 7.94920°W (568 m), 21.V.2013 (1♀); N of Marrakesh, 31.91039°N, 7.91625°W (550 m), 31.III.2019 (1♂, 1♀). Distribution. A. nigroadspersus is distributed in central west Morocco.Published as part of Chobanov, Dragan & Massa, Bruno, 2022, On some Moroccan Pamphagidae, with the description of a new species of Euryparyphes (Orthoptera: Caelifera), pp. 409-425 in Zootaxa 5104 (3) on page 414, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5104.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/633202

Pseudoglauia terrea

Pseudoglauia terrea (Bolívar, 1912) (Figs. 2G, H) Type locality: Morocco, El Glaui [=Glaoua?]. Material examined. near Amassine, 30.84998°N, 7.55683°W (1850–2000 m), 26.V.2013 (2♂♂, 2♀♀); N of Achahoud, 31.28659°N, 7.18926°W (2000 m), 27.V.2013 (1♀).Published as part of Chobanov, Dragan & Massa, Bruno, 2022, On some Moroccan Pamphagidae, with the description of a new species of Euryparyphes (Orthoptera: Caelifera), pp. 409-425 in Zootaxa 5104 (3) on page 414, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5104.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/633202

Euryparyphes

Key to species of Euryparyphes (after Massa 2013, updated) 1. Pronotum laterally compressed, with median keel more or less raised and convex.................................. 2. – Pronotum a little dorsally depressed, more or less flat, median keel low, straight or just convex...................... 12. 2. Median keel of pronotum not interrupted by transverse sulcus, very compressed and raised. Antennal segments longer than wide, hind tibiae inside reddish with bluish base. Mean ratio length/height of hind femora 3.2 in males, 3.4 in females. Large size (Table 1).............................................. Euryparyphes bolivari (Stål, 1876). Morocco, Spain? – Median keel of pronotum interrupted by transverse sulcus, compressed or not, more or less raised, hind margins of pronotum festooned. Antennal segments as long as wide (with the exception of central ones). Mean ratio length/height of hind femora 2.6–3.0 in males, 2.7–3.2 in females. Size variable (Table 1)................................................... 3. 3. Ratio length/ height of tegmen 2.0, lateral keels of pronotum more callused..................................... 6. 4. Pronotum significantly widened in the metazona. Hind femora blackish or cream, spines black with ochreous pre-apical ring. Species of medium size (Table 1)....................... Euryparyphes defauti La Greca, 1993. Morocco, Middle Atlas. – Pronotum not particularly widened in the metazona. Spines of hind tibiae ochreous black or brown tipped. Species of large size (Table 1)............................................................................................ 5. 5. Vertex, in lateral view just protruding, not sloping (mainly in females). Base of inner side of hind femora reddish or red, bluish at the apex, sometimes red or blue, hind tibiae black..................................................................................................... Euryparyphes gharbensis Defaut, 1987. Morocco, Rif and coastal areas. – Vertex, in lateral view, sloping forwards (mainly in females). Hind femora ochreous or reddish, hind tibiae black-reddish or black........................................... Euryparyphes tazzekensis La Greca, 1993. Morocco, Middle Atlas. 6. Median keel of pronotum just raised or nearly straight in males, just raised in females, hind margin of pronotum protruding with subacute angle. Species of small size (Table 1)............................................................. 7. – Median keel of pronotum raised in both sexes.............................................................. 8. 7. Smaller sized (body length: male 23.4, female 27.5, ratio length/height hind femora: male 3.0, female 2.6), aedeagus valves in frontal view without widened apex, epiphallus with more or less rectangular pseudolophi........................................................................................... Euryparyphes minor n. sp. Morocco, High Atlas. – Larger sized (body length: males 24.0–24.7, females 29.7–33.5, ratio length/height hind femora: male 2.8–3.0, female 3.0–3.1), apex of aedeagus valves in frontal view enlarged, the columnar keels short and particularly wide, epiphallus with long and arched pseudolophi, not enlarged at the base... Euryparyphes mamorensis Defaut, 1987. Morocco, area of Mamora (Tiflet). 8. Pronotum significantly widened posteriorly. Inner spines of hind tibiae black or black with pre-apical yellow or red ring... 9 – Pronotum not significantly widened posteriorly. Inner spines of hind tibiae yellow with pre-apical black ring or yellow black tipped.............................................................................................. 10 9. Apical valves of aedeagus in frontal view wider than long, with longer columnar crests. Hind femora inside brown-reddish, tibiae blackish, inner spines black or with pre-apical yellow ring, outer spines yellow black tipped... Euryparyphes flexuosus Uvarov, 1927. Morocco, coastal, piedmont and montane areas. – Apical valves of aedeagus in frontal view longer than wide, with shorter columnar crests........................... 11 10. Upper border of tegmina in most specimens brownish. Hind femora inside light, inner and upper sides of hind tibiae reddish or ochreous, spines yellowish black tipped..................................................................................................... Euryparyphes maroccanus (Saussure, 1887). Morocco, coastal and piedmont areas. – Upper border of tegmina cream. Inner spines of hind tibiae black with pre-apical yellow ring................................................................................. Euryparyphes terrulentus (Serville, 1838). South Spain. 11. Columnar crests of aedeagus valves in frontal view very short. Hind femora inside black or orange, tibiae black, spines black with yellow pre-apical ring......................... Euryparyphes paraflexuosus La Greca, 1993. Morocco, High Atlas. – Columnar crests of aedeagus valves in frontal view longer. Hind femora inside brown-black, with red base, tibiae black-violaceous, outer spines yellow black tipped, inner spines black. Euryparyphes laetus (Bolívar, 1907).................................................................................... Morocco, coastal, piedmont and montane areas. 12. Species of smaller size (Table 1), pronotum flat, lateral keels not evident......................................... 13 – Species of larger size (Table 1), median and lateral keels much evident........................................ 15. 13. Brown stripe in the light dorsal area of tegmina absent, fore margin of pronotum straight, hind margin cut. Spines of hind tibiae ochreous black tipped................................................................................. 14. – Brown stripe in the light dorsal area of tegmina present, fore margin of pronotum a little protruding. Hind femora inside brownblackish, tibiae light brown-reddish, spines ochreous black tipped.............................................................................................. Euryparyphes breviphallus La Greca, 1993. Morocco, High Atlas. 14. Pronotum not tuberculated or wrinkled. Hind femora inside yellow-ochreous, tibiae ochreous or pinkish................................................................... Euryparyphes atlasicus La Greca, 1993. Morocco, High Atlas. – Pronotum with some black tubercles, also present in the metanotum and the first tergite. Hind femora inside brown-blackish, tibiae blackish with ochreous-reddish tip.................. Euryparyphes nigripes La Greca, 1993. Morocco, High Atlas. 15. Inner margin of hind femora with 4–5 evident spines. Species of larger size (Table 1). Hind tibiae inside yellowish or reddish. Pronotum with evident pronotal crest, median keel compressed and three incomplete keels on paranota.................................................... Euryparyphes sitifensis (Brisout de Barneville, 1854). Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. – Inner margin of hind femora with very small spines. Species of smaller size (Table 1). Pronotal keels less evident than in the previous species..................................................................................... 16. 16. Ratio length/height of tegmen> 2.0 in males. Pronotum straight and enlarged in the metazona, median keel stout. Hind femora inside brown with reddish base, hind tibiae red-blackish, outer spines yellow, inner spines red black tipped or also with black base............... Euryparyphes pictipes Uvarov, 1927. Morocco, coastal, piedmont and montane areas (Middle Atlas). – Ratio length/height of tegmen <2.0 in males. Pronotum just enlarged in metazona, median keel not distinctly furrowed longitudinally. Brown stripe in the light dorsal area of tegmina absent. Hind femora and hind tibiae inside yellow or ochreous, spines yellow black tipped...................................... Euryparyphes cinerascens La Greca, 1993. Morocco, Rif.Published as part of Chobanov, Dragan & Massa, Bruno, 2022, On some Moroccan Pamphagidae, with the description of a new species of Euryparyphes (Orthoptera: Caelifera), pp. 409-425 in Zootaxa 5104 (3) on pages 423-424, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5104.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/633202