Taxonomic Significance of Male Supra-anal Plate, Cerci and Subgenital Plate in the Classification of Indian Pyrgomorphidae (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphoidea)

Abstract

Male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate are considered as external parts of male genitalia. Taxonomic significance of internal genitalia such as epiphallus and aedeagus was already known for identification and classification of Indian Pyrgomorphidae. In the study, a comparative investigation of male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate was undertaken in twelve species of grasshoppers representing six genera under four tribes belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae. The present study revealed that shape and size of male supra-anal plate, cerci and subgenital plate have the significant importance in separating the various genera and species of family Pyrgomorphidae.