Contributions to Odontogryllini (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae) with the description of a new subgenus and two new species of Odontogryllus Saussure, 1877 from South America

Abstract Odontogryllus Saussure, 1877 is a ground-dwelling Neotropical group of crickets whose diversity remains underestimated. It is the type genus of Odontogryllini and is currently divided into four subgenera: Odontogryllus ( Sergeigryllus ), Odontogryllus ( Nimiogryllus ), Odontogryllus ( Vladogryllus ), and Odontogryllus ( Odontogryllus ) s.s. The subgenera are mainly differentiated by the position of the tegminal gland opening and the shape of the male internal genitalia. Here, we propose a new subgenus, Odontogryllus ( Mellodontus ) subgen. n., and describe two new species: Odontogryllus ( Mellodontus ) megaladenus sp. n. and Odontogryllus ( Mellodontus ) cryptadenus sp. n. from South America. The new subgenus is distinguished by having elongated dorsolateral pseudepiphallic lobes curved upward, a pseudepiphallic sclerite reduced and with a conspicuous dorsoproximal notch, and an elongated second pair of pseudepiphallic parameres. These results expand the knowledge of the diversity of Odontogryllus and contribute to the systematics of Odontogryllini.