Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Orthoptera

Orthoptera, comprising grasshoppers, crickets and katydids, is one of the most species-rich insect orders, with major subdivisions into Caelifera and Ensifera. Taxonomic frameworks have been progressively refined through integration of morphological characters (such as wing venation, genitalia and acoustic signals) with molecular markers, cytogenetic profiles and genomic data. Modern phylogenetic studies employ mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences alongside chromosomal mapping and bioacoustic traits to resolve both deep divergences and recent radiations. This multidisciplinary approach has clarified relationships among tribes and subfamilies, highlighted cases of chromosomal speciation and convergent loss of flight, and provided a robust basis for biogeographic inference, ecological assessment and targeted pest management.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Comparative karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridisation of Aerotegmina bush-crickets in East African mountains have revealed that repeated dispersal, vicariance and chromosomal rearrangements underpin the monophyly of the genus and ongoing speciation processes. Parallel DNA barcoding and cytogenetic analyses of the genus Gonatoxia have confirmed its genetic cohesion, documented extreme variation in diploid numbers among species and populations, and linked karyotype evolution to morphological differentiation and geographic isolation.

Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Orthoptera publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phylogenetic analysis and taxonomy of orthoptera across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Monophyly: A group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Vicariance: The geographical separation of populations by barriers leading to speciation.

Karyotype: The complete set of an organism’s chromosomes, including number and structure.

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH): A technique using fluorescent probes to localise specific DNA sequences on chromosomes.

DNA barcoding: Identification of species using a standardized short genetic sequence, often from the mitochondrial COI gene.

Ecological niche modelling: Computational prediction of a species’ potential distribution based on environmental parameters and occurrence records.

References

1. Diversification of the Balloon bushcrickets (Orthoptera, Hexacentrinae, Aerotegmina) in the East African mountains. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. Highly divergent karyotypes and barcoding of the East African genus Gonatoxia Karsch (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae). Scientific Reports (2021).
3. Multiple origin of flightlessness in Phaneropterinae bushcrickets and redefinition of the tribus Odonturini (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea: Phaneropteridae). Organisms Diversity & Evolution (2018).
4. Phylogeography of the Poecilimon ampliatus species group (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in the context of the Pleistocene glacial cycles and the origin of the only thelytokous parthenogenetic phaneropterine bush-cricket. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny (2021).