The Pyrgomorphidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea): Their Systematics, Tribal Divisions and Distribution

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Abstract
The Pyrgomorphidae represent a distinctive family of acridoid Orthoptera comprising 127 genera and over 400 species. The systematic history of the group is outlined and its name is discussed. On the basis of external morphology and phallic structures it has been found possible to divide the family into tribes. Most of these have been recognized previously, but several new ones have been erected to accommodate anomalous genera or parts of former tribes that have proved to be heterogeneous. The genera fall into no fewer than 29 tribes and 8 subtribes, which reflect the antiquity of the group; phylogenetic relationships remain rather obscure. An extensive key to the tribes and subtribes (incorporating both external and phallic characters) is given and the genera belonging to each are listed. Diagnoses of three new genera and a new subgenus are appended. Geographical distribution is discussed. The great majority of Pyrgomorphidae are found in the Old World tropics and subtropics, but some are American and a few reach temperate latitudes both north and south. A very high degree of endemism amongst genera is shown by all regions in which the group occurs, except the Palaearctic. The African and Malagasy faunas are the richest, but the group probably originated further east. Madagascar, Australia, the Papuan subregion and C. and S. America all have their own very distinctive tribes and genera. No genera are common to Old and New Worlds. The latter was probably invaded from Asia at least twice. Pyrgomorphidae appear to be comparatively recently incursive into the Palaearctic region. A new Palaearctic fossil genus is proposed.