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Rediscovery of Celes akitanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from semi‐natural grasslands in Japan
Author(s) -
Uchida Kei,
Shinohara Tadashi,
Takahashi Sogo,
Nakahama Naoyuki,
Takami Yasuoki,
Ushimaru Atushi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
entomological science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1479-8298
pISSN - 1343-8786
DOI - 10.1111/ens.12175
Subject(s) - endangered species , acrididae , biology , holotype , orthoptera , habitat , ecology , grassland , population , zoology , iucn red list , taxonomy (biology) , demography , sociology
Celes akitanus was rediscovered in semi‐natural grasslands in Japan. This species is one of the most endangered insects in Japan; most local populations were thought to be extinct. Reliable records of this rare species had been obtained only from Yamagata, Niigata, Tokyo and Nagano Prefectures. We compared the morphology of the holotype of Oedipoda akitana (= C. akitanus ) and newly collected specimens and found that they matched with each other. The species was redescribed based on the holotype and new specimens. A molecular phylogenetic analysis involving other acridid species indicated that our samples were practically identical to C. akitanus from China. We conclude that the specimens we collected are C. akitanus , which has been rediscovered in Japan after about 30 years. Because the discovered populations were restricted to narrow and scattered areas, conservation of these populations should be a high priority. Population monitoring and habitat assessment are required. Because C. akitanus and many other endangered species are found in the grassland areas, these habitats should be protected and maintained.