Bioacoustics of Poecilimon tauricola

Remarks: P. tauricola was redescribed by Karabağ (1964) . This species may be easily distinguished from P. z. zonatus , P. z. datca , P. varicornis , P. variicercis and P. salmani sp. n. on the basis of the shape of pronotum, cerci and subgenital plate for both sexes. Additionally, the species differs from the species mentioned above in morphology of stridulatory organ and song pattern of male. This species is most closely related with P. azizsancar sp. n. within the species group, and their morphological and bioacoustical differences are discussed in the part of the new species. This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List (2017–3). The distribution of the P. tauricola is restricted and its habitats are strongly under the threat of the anthropogenic effects suchs as mining, use of pesticides in agriculture and overgrazing. The species should be considered as a Critically Endangered (B1ab (i, iii)) status on the basis of the extent of occurrence criteries of IUCN.

Male: Fastigium as wide as or slightly wider than half of scapus, slightly convergent to distalwards in some specimens, faintly sulcate dorsally ( Fig. 29A–B ). Pronotum almost parallel from prozona to backwards, narrowed at mesozona ( Figs. 5C, F ; 6C–D). Disk of pronotum slightly raised on at metazona with straight or slightly concave caudal margin ( Fig. 6C ). Tegmina not reaching the hind margin of first tergum, shorter than half length of pronotum ( Fig. 5C, F ). Hind margin of abdominal tergites not straight, slightly bending with or without faint carina at middle ( Fig. 7A–C ). Cerci long, protruding beyond the caudal margin of subgenital plate, widely curved, not tapering behind the tip, cercal tip with 3 black denticles (Figs. 8A–B). Subgenital plate clearly narrowed distally with deep incision at its caudal margin ( Fig. 10A ). FIGURE 8. Stridulatory file: The file is slightly “S” shaped and curved. The teeth are narrow and swollen to the sides in the middle ( Fig. 15C ). P. tauricola has the highest number of teeth and the smallest teeth compared to the sound organs of members of the group (see for details Fig. 16A ; Table 3 ). Bioacoustics: The quiet male calling song consists of isolated, short crescending syllables repeated at variable intervals, some a little louder than others ( Fig. 33 , 34 ). Each syllable consists of 21–42 impulses and has a mean duration of about 28 ms ( Table 4 ). Female: Fastigium protruding to forward with parallel sides and a distinct dorsal groove, as wide as half of the scapus, sometimes slightly wider ( Fig. 29B ). Pronotal disc generally similar as in male; paranota short, ventral edge anteriorly straight, then laterally bent upward at a wide angle. Tegmina usually covered by pronotum, but in some individuals protruding slightly beyond caudal margin of pronotum ( Fig. 38C ). Epiproct ellipsoidal to backward ( Fig. 11A ). Cerci longer than epiproct, gently curved inward distally ( Fig. 11A ). Subgenital plate triangular, distinctly projecting on caudal margin ( Fig. 12H ). Ovipositor short, but distinctly longer than pronotum ( Fig. 11C ). Gonangulum and lamella as in Figs. 11C and 12H . Coloration : See the photos ( Fig. 39 ).