An Annotated Checklist of The Endemic And Sub-endemic Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Caelifera) of Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Species endemism is used by conservationists to set priorities for establishing protected areas. Furthermore, species checklists of endemic species have potential to highlight focal regions for further investigation and for conservation prioritization. Most of Egypt's biodiversity is clustered around the Nile River and its Delta, while Egypt generally is a part of the Great Desert Belt. A total of 5 endemic grasshopper species and 2 subspecies belonging to 6 genera, 4 subfamilies and two families are listed from the Egyptian fauna: Crinita nigripes, Duroniella cooperi, Hyalorrhipis hyalinus, Pamphagulus bodenheimeri bodenheimeri, Sphingonotus balteatus latifasciatus, Sphingonotus niloticus and Sphodromerus atakanus. Another 10 sub-endemic species and subspecies in 3 families are listed. These were described from and are found only in Egypt and its neighboring countries. The endemic species and subspecies represent 6.5% while the sub-endemic species and subspecies are 9% of Egypt's total grasshopper fauna (N = 108 species). Most of Egypt's endemic and sub-endemic grasshoppers (90%) occur in the Sinai Peninsula and the Eastern Desert near the Gulf of Suez, while none occur in the Upper Nile Valley. Therefore, Sinai Peninsula is indicated as an important zone within Egypt where conservation efforts should be focused. Distribution, activity periods, type specimen data and available photos of each species are also provided. This is the first grasshopper checklist of conservation relevance for Egypt, and can be used to assist in conservation planning and decision-making in Egypt.

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