Phylogeny and Integrative Taxonomy of the Genera Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae)

Simple Summary The genera Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines are morphologically homogeneous and species could not be classified according to the given generic diagnosis. Here, we reconstruct the phylogeny, and the results show that both Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines are paraphyletic. Therefore, we revise their taxonomy based on morphological characters and molecular data. A new genus is erected, and six new combinations and 15 new species are proposed. Moreover, we find that the shape of the male genitalia is important character for identifying these genera. The genera Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines are endemic to China and are morphologically homogeneous. The few available diagnostic characters make species identification particularly challenging. Species cannot be classified according to the given generic diagnosis, and phylogenetic analyses have not been reported. Here, we reconstruct the phylogeny using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood and employ four approaches to delimit species. The results suggest that both Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines are paraphyletic. Therefore, we revise their taxonomy based on the combination of morphological characters and molecular data. A new genus Homotachycines Zhu & Shi gen. nov. is erected, and six new combinations are proposed. Species delimitation identifies 15 new species and one new subspecies: Gymnaetoides huangshanensis, G. petalus, G. yangmingensis, G. lushanensis, Pseudotachycines procerus, P. procerus guizhouensis, P. zhengi, P. nephrus, P. sagittus, P. fengyangshanensis, Homotachycines triangulus, H. quadratus, H. baokangensis, H. fusus, H. concavus, and H. qinlingensis sp. nov. Moreover, we find that the shapes of the dorsal lateral lobes and the dorsal median lobe of the male genitalia are also important characters for identifying these genera and that the shapes of the dorsal and lateral sclerites of the male genitalia are suitable for the classifications of species.

Automated summary

In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Gymnaetoides and Pseudotachycines and found that both genera are paraphyletic. Therefore, we revised their taxonomy and proposed a new genus, six new combinations, and 15 new species. We also discovered that the shape of the male genitalia is an important character for identifying these genera.