A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF MICROSPINES IN THE ALIMENTARY CANAL OF 5 FAMILIES OF ORTHOPTERA (SALTATORIA)

Microspines in the alimentary tract in five families of grasshoppers a nd crickets (Orthoptera: Saltatoria) were studied to determine their s tructures and correlate them with patterns of distribution for potenti al use in taxonomy and future physiological studies. Short microspines were found in all sections of the foregut of each family, with the ca eliferan Acrididae being the most unique, and the ensiferan families f orming another group with similarities. Among the Ensifera, the Grylla crididae and Gryllidae were the most distinctive, especially Stenopelm atus. The hindgut demonstrated another set of relationships, although less distinctive, with the Acrididae, Tettigoniidae, and Gryllacridida e appearing to be one grouping, whereas the Gryllidae and Gryllotalpid ae formed another group with similarities. Copyright (C) 1996 Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ltd.