Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Iguacu National Park, Brazil

Katydids were surveyed in the Iguacu National Park (ParNa Iguacu), the largest preserve of the Interior Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Sampling was carried out in three different areas of the ParNa Iguacu, including its two predominant phytophysiognomies (Seasonal Semidecidual Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest), and consisted of diurnal and nocturnal active searching for katydids and also using light traps. After collected, specimens were reared until adulthood in order to record their calling songs. Almost a thousand katydids were collected, belonging to 89 species and five subfamilies. Phaneropterinae appeared as the most speciose subfamily (57 species), followed by Conocephalinae (22), Meconematinae and Pseudophyllinae, each one with four species. and Pterochrozinae (two species). Several species were recorded for the first time for the Parana State, for the South Region of Brazil, and also for the country. Calling songs of 34 species were recorded, 29 of them unknown to science. The description of the sound produced by species of some supraspecific taxa (e.g., Aniarae, Cosmophylla and Scaphurae) is here presented for the first time. Data reinforce the relevance of ParNa Iguacu for the maintenance of thousands of species from different taxonomic groups and also highlight the catastrophic effects that continuous pressures and threats on the preserve, despite the successive attempts to downgrade this conservation unit. may have on the outstanding biodiversity that is harboured by ParNa Iguacu.

Automated summary

Katydids were surveyed in the largest preserve of the Interior Atlantic Forest in Brazil, and a total of almost a thousand katydids belonging to 89 species and five subfamilies were collected. Several species were recorded for the first time in the area and their calling songs were described for the first time. The data highlights the importance of the preserve for maintaining biodiversity and the potential negative effects of continuous pressures and threats on the outstanding biodiversity in the area.