An acoustic, genetic and morphological review of the genus Bullacris (Orthoptera; Pneumoridae)
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Date
2017
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Bladder grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Pneumoridae) are nocturnal African herbivores that are
endemic to the coastal regions of southern Africa. They rely heavily on sound communication
for mate location and have a unique body structure, with an inflated abdomen seen only in males
that aids in sound production. They have a continuous distribution that extends along the coast of
South Africa from Namibia, into the eastern regions of Mozambique and beyond, as far as
Uganda. Bullacris is the largest genus within the Pneumoridae family. Members of this genus are
mostly found within South Africa and inhabit different vegetation biomes, namely the Succulent-
Karoo, Fynbos and Savannah biomes. There are currently seven described species within the
genus, based solely on morphological differences. However, these morphological differences are
not well defined for all species pairs, leading to some degree of uncertainty in species
delineation.
Description
Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv & Cons Biol)