A revision of the group Mesopsis (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

The genus Mesopsis I. Bolivar is usually referred to the subfamily Catantopinae, because of the presence of a prosternal tubercle. This, however, is not an absolute character, since the tubercle is absent in some members of Catantopinae, and present in some genera of other subfamilies. On the other hand, the specialised elytral venation in the male of Mesopsis and the presence of the stridulatory pegs on the inner side of its hind femur are definite characters not of the Catantopinae, but of the Acridinae. In fact, Mesopsis is clearly related to Brachycrotaphus Krauss, which has been originally described as a member of Catantopinae. but is an unquestionable Acridine. The Acridine affinities of Mesopsis have been recently confirmed by Slifer on anatomical grounds (Journ. Morph., vol. 65, 1939, pp. 444, 447).Peer reviewe