Research Article |
Corresponding author: Amira Aqilah Muhammad ( miamedulla@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Ming Kai Tan
© 2023 Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Maks Deranja, Karmela Adžić, Nurul Ashikin Abdullah.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Muhammad AA, Deranja M, Adžić K, Abdullah NA (2023) Towards a better understanding of the genus Scelimena (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae, Scelimeninae): New insights and notes on the taxonomy, ecology, and physiology of the genus in Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Orthoptera Research 32(1): 55-62. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.32.91153
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One of the two Scelimena Serville, 1838 species described from Peninsular Malaysia, Scelimena gombakensis Muhammad, Tan & Skejo, 2018 occupies a wide distributional range across the country, contrary to the range described in the original description of the species. Extended research has shown that the species occurs in many localities in Peninsular Malaysia, which is interesting given that such findings are uncommon in the study of Tetrigidae. This paper provides new distribution localities, some ecological and physiological notes, and photographs of living specimens of Scelimena gombakensis. Other species synonymized here include Scelimena razalii Mahmood, Idris, & Salmah, 2007 syn. nov. of species Falconius dubius Günther, 1938.
citizen science, distribution, iNaturalist, pygmy grasshoppers, Scelimenini, Southeast Asia, synonymy
Malaysian Tetrigidae still remains an understudied group of animals since papers on them mostly highlight taxonomy, i.e., species description and occurrence. Examples of such papers from Peninsular Malaysia are
So far, only two Scelimena Serville, 1838 species have been found in Peninsular Malaysia (
In this study, we synonymized Scelimena razalii Mahmood, Idris & Salmah, 2007 syn. nov. with Falconius dubius Günther, 1938 after close examination of the type specimens of S. razalii. We also looked into the distribution of S. gombakensis by reporting on all known specimen observation localities and linking this updated distribution of the species with its ecological (i.e., habitat) and physiological (i.e., swimming ability) characteristics. Photos of both living and pinned specimens of S. gombakensis and F. dubius, detailed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photos of morphological characters of hind leg tarsi and tibiae of S. gombakensis, and a distribution map of S. gombakensis are provided.
Institutional abbreviations.—
MZUM (UM) Museum of Zoology, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
ZRC Zoological Reference Collection, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore.
Both physical records (specimen) and virtual records (online database) were assessed. Falconius dubius specimens were examined at MZUM (UM) and CIS (UKM), whereas Scelimena gombakensis specimens were examined at MZUM (UM), ZRC, and
Observations of Scelimena gombakensis Muhammad, Tan & Skejo, 2018 specimens in Peninsular Malaysia found on iNaturalist platform (www.inaturalist.org) (the last column refers to iNaturalist observation ID).
Observer | Date | Locality | Coordinates | Observation ID |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fabio Cianferoni | Jul. 4, 2008 | Hulu Perak, Perak, Malaysia | 5°30'10"N, 101°26'11"E | 45968367 |
CheongWeei Gan | Dec. 5, 2009 | Hulu Yam, Selangor, Malaysia | 3°24'11"N, 101°41'4"E | 127199050 |
CheongWeei Gan | Dec. 5, 2009 | Hulu Yam, Selangor, Malaysia | 3°19'55"N, 101°42'6"E | 127199054 |
Phil Benstead | Aug. 26, 2013 | Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia | 3°7'48"N, 101°53'17"E | 71201238 |
Erland Refling Nielsen | Aug. 30, 2013 | Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia | 3°19'27"N, 101°44'54"E | 63194111 |
Kees van Reenen | Jan. 29, 2019 | Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia | 2°47'55"N, 101°48'3"E | 35679667 |
Yiquan Chin | Feb. 23, 2019 | Timur Laut, Penang, Malaysia | 5°26'2"N, 100°17'46"E | 20687721 |
Alexius L.Z.L | Dec. 19, 2019 | Timur Laut, Penang, Malaysia | 5°25'54"N, 100°17'55"E | 36773269 |
Vatcharavee Sriprasertsil | June 2021 | Waeng, Narathiwat, Thailand | 5°47'43"N, 101°49'42"E | 84546541 |
Chloe Alison | Dec. 14, 2021 | Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia | 3°24'40"N, 101°47'40"E | 103086028 |
Alexius L.Z.L | Dec. 11, 2021 | Mukim 17, Penang, Malaysia | 5°21'35"N, 100°29'32"E | 102908617 |
Puteri Nuraida Syuhada Binti Abdullah | Dec. 11, 2021 | Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia | 3°12'37"N, 101°50'33"E | 102847175 |
Albert Kang | Mar. 1, 2022 | Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia | 5°27'54"N, 100°16'55"E | 107814195 |
Aiman Azmi | May 13, 2022 | Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, Malaysia | 5°45'49"N, 102°24'32"E | 116921973 |
Field observation was done at the type locality—Ulu Gombak Field Study Center, Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia—where the authors focused on several aspects of tetrigid behavior during the daytime, including food preference and locomotion (utilization of legs and hindwings). Several individuals were collected and preserved in 95% ethanol to observe the leg structure under Hitachi’s Table Top Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) TM3030. The specimens' legs were mounted on a conductive double-sided tape on a specimen stub that was then set on a holder before the height level was adjusted by controlling the height gauge. The stage was then carefully placed in the chamber before closing, and the imaging process followed the instructions given by the user’s manual. Scanned images were edited using TM3030 software installed on a desktop computer connected to the SEM machine.
Family Tetrigidae Rambur, 1838
Subfamily Scelimeninae Bolívar, 1887
Tribe Scelimenini Bolívar, 1887
Falconius dubius Günther, 1938: 399, 404, 419.
Scelimena razalii
Mahmood, Idris & Salmah, 2007, syn. nov. – Mahmood, Idris and Salmah 2007: 1279;
MALAYSIA, Selangor • 2 ♂; holotype and paratype of Scelimena razalii; 24 July 2004; Rezwana Rezali leg.; CIS (UKM) • 2 ♂; Ulu Langat; 16 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002323, 002324 • 1 ♂; Ulu Langat; 7 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002353 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak Bt 16; 7 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002370 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MZUM IOt 002377 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 15 July 2019; Adzic, K. leg.; MZUM • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 15 July 2019; Deranja, M. leg.; MZUM • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak, 24 July 2019; Muhammad, A. A. leg.; MZUM • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 29 July 2019; Adzic, K. leg.; MZUM. • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding. Negeri Sembilan • 1 ♀; Negeri Sembilan, Pasoh; 26 June 1997; Rina Silviana leg.; MZUM IOt 002383. Pahang • 1 ♂; Eko Rimba Lentang; 22 July 2019; Adzic, K. leg.; MZUM • 1 ♀; Eko Rimba Lentang; 22 July 2019; Deranja, M. leg.; MZUM.
After examination of the Scelimena razalii Mahmood, Idris & Salmah, 2007 type material, we consider it to be a synonym of Falconius dubius Günther, 1938. We found many Falconius Bolívar, 1898 specimens in the UKM collection, but none were identified as belonging to the genus Falconius as described in
Specimens of Falconius dubius Günther, 1938 from Peninsular Malaysia. A–C. Holotype of Scelimena razalii Mahmood, Idris & Salmah, 2007 syn. nov.; D. A female specimen from Universiti Malaya collection; E. The morphology of living specimens in their natural habitat in Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, both male and female.
This paper is the first official record for the species from Peninsular Malaysia (following data from
Scelimena producta
(Serville, 1838) -
Scelimena gombakensis Muhammad, Tan & Skejo, 2018: 6, 46.
Holotype: PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, Selangor • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre; 24 Sept. 2017; Muhammad, A. A., Muhammad Hafiz Mohd Amin & Afyza Maisarah Azizan leg.; ZRC. Paratypes: PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, Selangor • 1 ♀; Ulu Gombak Field Study Centre; 9 Mar. 2018; Muhammad, A. A. & Abdullah, N. A. leg.; ZRC • 1 ♂; same data as of preceding;
Other material: PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, Selangor • 8 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 7 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002350, 002351, 002355, 002361, 002362, 002366, 002367, 002369 • 3 ♀; same data as of preceding; MZUM IOt 002357, 002363, 002379 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak 16ms. [miles]; 27 May 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002347 • 2 ♂; Ulu Gombak, 16ms. [miles]; 15 Apr. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002371, 002373 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak, 12ms; 15 Apr. 1964, AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002372 • 3 ♂; Ulu Gombak, Bt [Batu] 16; 7 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002348, 002349, 002356 • 4 ♀; same data as of preceding; MZUM IOt 002358 to 002360, 002365 • 7 ♂; Ulu Langat; 16 Mar. 1964; AAM leg.; MZUM IOt 002333, 002334, 002340, 002342 to 002345 • 2 ♀; same data as of preceding; MZUM IOt 002339, 002341 • 1 ♀; Ulu Gombak; 15 Jul. 1969; JAB leg.; MZUM IOt 002428 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 15 Sept. 1974; Chua Eng Lok leg.; MZUM IOt 002407 • 1 ♂; same data as of preceding; L. Teo leg.; MZUM IOt 002408 • 1 ♂; same data as of preceding; B. H.Voon leg.; MZUM IOt 002415 • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; Aru leg.; MZUM IOt 002413 • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; K. C. Tung leg.; MZUM IOt 002414 • 1 ♀; Ulu Langat; 27 Oct. 1974; Wong Yow Sin leg.; MZUM IOt 002411, • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; P. F. K. leg.; MZUM IOt 002412 • 1 ♀; Pansoon; 27 Oct. 1974; Heng. L. P. leg.; MZUM IOt 002409 • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; Hoo Ah Teng leg.; MZUM IOt 002416 • 1 ♂; Sg. [Sungai] Tua; 27 July 1979; C. L. leg.; MZUM IOt 002406 • 1 ♀; Ulu Gombak; 1 Dec. 1982, Zuraidah Mian leg.; MZUM IOt 002388 • 1 ♀; Ulu Gombak; 21 Oct. 1984; Daiqah leg.; MZUM IOt 002410 • 1 ♀; Ulu Gombak; 18 Sept. 1995; Hasleyza leg.; MZUM IOt 002386 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; 7 July 1997; Rosliza leg.; MZUM IOt 002430 • 1 ♂; Ulu Gombak; MZUM IOt 002391. Negeri Sembilan • 1 ♂; Ulu Bendul; 12 Aug. 1989; ZZ leg.; MZUM IOt 002427. Pahang • 1 ♂; Ketari; 7 June 1961; MZUM IOt 002385 • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; MZUM IOt 002387 • 1 ♂; Nenasi; 17 Nov. 1974; W. C. Kang leg.; MZUM IOt 002404 • 1 ♀; Lentang; 2 Dec. 1995; Rohaya leg.; MZUM IOt 002426. Perak • 1 ♀; Grik; 17 Feb. 1991, McGyver leg.; MZUM IOt 002418 • 1 ♂; Perlok; 20 May 1997, Khaironizam Md. Zain leg.; MZUM IOt 002399. Johor • 1 ♂; B[atu] Pahat; 20 Nov. 1974; M. Ali-S leg.; MZUM IOt 002403 • 1 ♂; Duhsun; 17 Nov. 1974; Salleh leg.; MZUM IOt 002417. Terengganu • 1 ♂; Jerangau; 2 Mar. 1974; Baki leg.; MZUM IOt 002405. Kelantan • 1 ♂; Kg Senyul; 15 June 1962; KJK leg.; MZUM IOt 002375 • 1 ♀; same data as of preceding; MZUM IOt 002374 • 1 ♀; F[ort] Brooke; 15 Apr.1962; JAB leg.; MZUM IOt 002381.
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, Perak • Hulu Perak; 5°30'10"N, 101°26'11"E; 4 July 2008; Fabio Cianferoni leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45968367. Selangor • Hulu Yam; 3°24'1"N, 101°41'4"E; 5 Dec. 2009; CheongWeei Gan leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127199050 • Hulu Yam; 3°19'55"N, 101°42'6"E; 5 Dec. 2009; CheongWeei Gan leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127199054 • Hulu Langat; 3°7'48"N, 101°53'17"E; 26 Aug. 2013; Phil Benstead leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71201238 • Gombak; 3°19'27"N, 101°44'54"E; 30 Aug. 2013; Erland Refling Nielsen leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63194111 • Hulu Langat; 3°12'37"N, 101°50'33"E; 11 Dec. 2021; Puteri Nuraida Syuhada Binti Abdullah leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102847175. Negeri Sembilan • Seremban; 2°47'55"N, 101°48'3"E; 29 Jan. 2019; Kees van Reenen leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35679667. Penang • Timur Laut; 5°26'2"N, 100°17'46"E; 23 Feb. 2019; Yiquan Chin leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20687721 • Timur Laut; 5°25'54"N, 100°17'55"E; 19 Dec. 2019; Alexius L.Z.L leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36773269 • Mukim 17; 5°21'35"N, 100°29'32"E; 11 Dec. 2021; Alexius L.Z.L leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102908617 • Tanjung Bungah; 5°27'54"N, 100°16'55"E; 1 Mar. 2022; Albert Kang leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107814195. Pahang • Genting Highlands; 3°24'40"N, 101°47'40"E; 14 Dec. 2021; Chloe Alison leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103086028. Kelantan • Pasir Puteh; 5°45'49"N, 102°24'32"E; 13 May 2022; Aiman Azmi leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116921973. THAILAND, Narathiwat • Waeng; 5°47'43"N, 101°49'42"E; June 2021; Vatcharavee Sriprasertsil leg.; iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84546541.
Examination of the specimens deposited at
Thanks to the large number of specimens that we were able to examine, we found S. gombakensis to be a rather variable species, especially in terms of body size (♂: 18.0–24.0 mm; ♀: 24.0–31.0 mm). Nymphs do not differ much from adults, having similar coloration and general appearance, although they do have significantly shorter pronotum, making them easily distinguished from other Tetrigidae in Peninsular Malaysia. During the fieldwork, we observed one specimen belonging to S. gombakensis with unique coloration—the specimen’s general body coloration was brown (opposed to the common dark green coloration) with orange markings (opposed to yellow markings; Fig.
Change of coloration in pinned specimens of Scelimena gombakensis Muhammad, Tan & Skejo, 2018 compared to the living specimen. A–C. Pinned S. gombakensis specimens; D. Living S. gombakensis specimens. E. Coloration variability and camouflage of three living S. gombakensis specimens; F. Natural habitat of S. gombakensis at the type locality Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia.
A change of coloration was also observed in pinned specimens (Fig.
At first, it was hypothesized that this species would have general ecological traits similar to those of other Tetrigidae, including the fact that Tetrigidae are, in general, highly confined to water bodies, as they are often found in close proximity to fast-flowing rocky rivers (
With recently described species such as S. gombakensis, additional knowledge on species distribution, behavior, and other aspects of the species’ ecology are frequently understudied and incomplete. Revisiting old specimens deposited in museums or private collections is thus an important next step in understanding a species, as these repositories might hold historical specimens belonging to the species.
S. gombakensis is an example of a species that is easily recognized through photographs and highly unlikely to be misidentified in Peninsular Malaysia, making identification using iNaturalist very reliable. Additionally, thanks to iNaturalist, we were able to discover an observation of S. gombakensis in the Waeng district of Narathiwat, Thailand, very close to the border of Peninsular Malaysia; this represents the first official record of the species outside of Peninsular Malaysia, making this the first record for the country (Fig.
Closer observation of the characteristics of the hind legs of S. gombakensis elucidates their swimming ability (Fig.
Our observations suggest that S. gombakensis utilizes both its hind legs and hindwings for navigation and survival, unlike Scelimena songkrana Zha & Wen, 2017 from Thailand, which seldom flies but often jumps, as described by
Scelimeninae of Peninsular Malaysia is poorly known because few specimens have been collected in the region, and comprehensive taxonomic research of pygmy grasshoppers in the region is lacking. The short discussion on Scelimena razalii given in this paper has resulted in its synonymisation with Falconius dubius. The authors recognize only one valid species of the genus Scelimena as inhabiting the region, although further research is likely to result in the discovery of new species. Likewise, Scelimena gombakensis was found to have a wider distribution range than originally considered, and it is expected that new localities will be discovered with further research. In this paper, we summarized a wide array of information concerning the ecology and physiology of S. gombakensis and provided comments and hypotheses that should serve as inspiration and motivation for further research of this genus in Peninsular Malaysia.
The authors are grateful to all the museums and institutes for their cooperation with the examination of additional materials from their collections, especially Muzium Zoologi (MZUM), Universiti Malaya and Centre for Insect Systematics (CIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Further thanks are given to Dr. Noorhidayah Mamat for assisting with the SEM handling and micrography and to Dr. Josip Skejo and Niko Kasalo for proofreading the paper and giving valuable suggestions. We are also grateful to all those who uploaded their observations to the iNaturalist platform, thus improving this paper by giving the authors valuable information on species distribution and refining the knowledge of tetrigidology in Peninsular Malaysia. Last but not least, we would like to thank The Orthopterists’ Society for providing free publication of this paper and the journal’s reviewers for improving the paper with their comments and suggestions.