First record of Occidentosphena ruandensis (Rehn, 1914) in Cameroon, and re-description of Occidentosphena uvarovi (Rehn, 1942) (Orthoptera, Pyrgomorphidae) from the Cameroon Volcanic Line

Occidentosphena Kevan, 1956 is an Afrotropical grasshopper genus that currently comprises two described species, namely Occidentosphena ruandensis (Rehn, 1914) and Occidentosphena uvarovi (Rehn, 1942). This study reports the first occurrence of O. ruandensis in Cameroon based on specimens collected on Mt. Manengouba. The species was previously known only from the Eastern Afromontane region and Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new finding significantly expands the known distribution of the genus Occidentosphena into West and Central Africa. We also provide re-descriptions of both species based on material collected in the Cameroon Volcanic Line, and present detailed descriptions of the male genitalia of both taxa for the first time. Additionally, we clarify the diagnostic traits for the two species based on external morphological characters and male genital structures. Overall, our results improve the biogeographical knowledge and taxonomic resolution of this poorly known genus.

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Publication Details

Journal
KITopen
Published
2026-07-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5445/ir/1000195565
Primary Topic
Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
Type
article
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article

First record of Occidentosphena ruandensis (Rehn, 1914) in Cameroon, and re-description of Occidentosphena uvarovi (Rehn, 1942) (Orthoptera, Pyrgomorphidae) from the Cameroon Volcanic Line

Alain Christel Wandji, Cédric William Kemtchouan, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang Nkwala, Sévilor Kekeunou et al.
KITopen
Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
article

First record of Occidentosphena ruandensis (Rehn, 1914) in Cameroon, and re-description of Occidentosphena uvarovi (Rehn, 1942) (Orthoptera, Pyrgomorphidae) from the Cameroon Volcanic Line

Alain Christel Wandji, Cédric William Kemtchouan, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang Nkwala, Sévilor Kekeunou, Marcelle Mbadjoun Nziké, Jeanne Agrippine Yetchom Fondjo, Martin Husemann
article en

Abstract

Occidentosphena Kevan, 1956 is an Afrotropical grasshopper genus that currently comprises two described species, namely Occidentosphena ruandensis (Rehn, 1914) and Occidentosphena uvarovi (Rehn, 1942). This study reports the first occurrence of O. ruandensis in Cameroon based on specimens collected on Mt. Manengouba. The species was previously known only from the Eastern Afromontane region and Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new finding significantly expands the known distribution of the genus Occidentosphena into West and Central Africa. We also provide re-descriptions of both species based on material collected in the Cameroon Volcanic Line, and present detailed descriptions of the male genitalia of both taxa for the first time. Additionally, we clarify the diagnostic traits for the two species based on external morphological characters and male genital structures. Overall, our results improve the biogeographical knowledge and taxonomic resolution of this poorly known genus.

KITopen
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
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