REVISION OF THE GENUS LARANDA WALKER (ORTHOPTERA, GRYLLOIDEA, PHALANGOPSIDAE) WITH NOTES ON ITS DISTRIBUTION AND BIOLOGY

Five species of crickets were up to now included in the Neotropical ge nus Laranda Walker, 1869. Three of these species (L. aptera Chopard, L . marmorata Redtenbacher and L. annulata Bolivar) are removed from the genus. The two remaining species are solely known from the female hol otypes. Laranda is redefined on the basis of both sexes, its monophyly is established and its phylogenetic relationships discussed. Four new species (L. major, L. meridionalis, L. castanea and L. singularis) ar e described. The distribution of the species suggests that Laranda is an endemic element of the Atlantic forest zone of Brazil. Field observ ations indicate that species of Laranda are nocturnal and cavicolous; they could be more specifically attracted to dead trees or branches.