Acoustic characterisation of the different species of the genus Phaneroptera Audinet-Serville, 1831 in Western Europe, and description of a new cryptic species in France and Spain (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae)

The acoustic characteristics of the different species of the genus Phaneroptera Audinet-Serville, 1831 in Western Europe are described in detail on the basis of the analysis of numerous recordings made in France and Spain for several years. This work led to the discovery of a new cryptic species, Phaneroptera laticerca n. sp., identified on the basis of acoustic criteria, and described from France and Spain. The morphological description of this new species is completed by an analysis of the particularly complex male calling song. The specificities of this stridulation are compared with those of the acoustic repertoire of other species of the genus in Western Europe, in particular with that of Phaneroptera sparsa (Stal, 1857) which is also of significant complexity. Morphological and acoustic identification keys are proposed for the four Western European species of the genus Phaneroptera, including the new species. The taxonomic and nomenclatural implications of this work are discussed, as well as the perspectives in terms of understanding the acoustic behavior, distribution and ecology of these different species.

Automated summary

The acoustic characteristics of different species of the genus Phaneroptera in Western Europe were described based on recordings in France and Spain, leading to the discovery of a new cryptic species identified on acoustic criteria. Morphological and acoustic keys were proposed for the Western European species, along with discussions on taxonomic implications and perspectives on understanding the behavior, distribution, and ecology of these species.