iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

New paper! www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/16... We combine microbiological isolation with whole-genome analyses such as ANI, AAI, POCP and phylogenomics to uncover previously unrecognized diversity in the genus Legionella.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Xistra balinsasayaoensis, Balinsasayao’s horned pygmy grasshopper, is a new species from the Philippines. It was named after its only known habitat, the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. www.researchgate.net/publication/...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Cyphotettix ellurae, Ellura's Cyphotettix, is a new species from Australia. It was named after Ellura Sanctuary, a private sanctuary in the Murray Mallee, South Australia, near Swan Reach Conservation Park, bought and maintained by Brett and Marie Smith. www.aemnp.eu/acta-entomol...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Lophotettix verhaaghi, Verhaagh’s Lophotettix, is a new species from Peru. The specific epithet is the genitive of the surname Verhaagh. The species is named in dedication to Dr. Manfred Verhaagh (SMNK, Karlsruhe) for his lifelong work on insects. doi.org/10.3897/cont...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Almacris alleochroa, Alma’s colorful hopper, is a new genus and species from the Philippines. The genus was named after Alma Mohagan, a Philippine zoologist who greatly contributed to tetrigidology of the Philippines. The specific epithet means “colorful”. www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Ginixistra novaebritanniae, New Britain’s Ginixistra, is a new genus and species from New Guinea. The genus name refers to New Guinea and the genus Xistra. The species name is the genitive of Latinized “New Britain”, Nova Britannia. www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Ginixistra davorkae, Davorka’s Ginixistra, is a new genus and species from New Guinea. The genus name refers to Guinea and a similar genus, Xistra. The species was named after the late Davorka Kitonić (1947-2020), a Sister of Kokoda and a friend of JS. www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

@cmkosemen.bsky.social has graced us with his rendition of Nophtha proditor, a traitor scarcely larger than a flea! If you ever feel the need to intersect imagination and biology, Kosemen is your man! Name inspired by @michaelcisco.bsky.social's character. sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiqu...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

New paper: barcoding of Ethiopian Tetrigidae! www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

We discovered a new species of Legionella! L. sheltonii is named in honor of Brian G. Shelton, a scientist and epidemiologist who dedicated his career to Legionella prevention, control, and remediation. doi.org/10.1099/ijse...

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Nophtha proditor, Nophtha the traitor, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus is named after Nophtha, the character from @michaelcisco.bsky.social ’s “The Traitor”, since it betrayed our understanding of Tetrigidae taxonomy. The species name means “traitor”. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Poseidontettix neptunus, the god of the sea, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus is named after Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, due to the tridentate pronotal apex. The species is named after Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Spertor solus, the lone hoper, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name means "the one who hopes", while the species name means “alone”. The names reference the fact that only a single specimen of this species is known. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Xerapelpa monteithi, Monteith’s Xerapelpa, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name is an anagram of “Peraxelpa”. The species is named for Dr Geoff Monteith who, while curator of entomology at the Queensland Museum, led numerous collecting expeditions. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Xerapelpa franjevici, Franjević’s Xerapelpa, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name is an anagram of “Peraxelpa”. The species is named for Dr Damjan Franjević, who has continuously provided immense inspiration and support to NK and JS. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Notredamia jadranka, Jadranka’s Notredamia, is a new species from New Caledonia. The species is named for Jadranka Škorput, a Croatian molecular biologist from Split, JS’s girlfriend and NK’s friend and colleague, who helped them in many fieldworks and in data analyses. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Yintettix tumbrincki, Tumbrinck’s Yintettix, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name refers to “yin”, the passive or negative principle from Chinese philosophy. The species is named for Dr Josef Tumbrinck, whose work had a profound effect on tetrigidology. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Yintettix lingshengzhai, Ling-Sheng Zha’s Yintettix, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name refers to “yin”, the passive or negative principle. The species is named for Dr Ling-Sheng Zha, who contributed greatly to the taxonomy of Tetrigidae. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Yangtettix grimbacheri, Grimbacher’s Yangtettix, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name refers to “yang”, the active or positive principle from Chinese philosophy. The species is named for Dr Peter Grimbacher, who assisted on the QM expeditions zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Yangtettix burwelli, Burwell’s Yangtettix, is a new genus and species from New Caledonia. The genus name refers to “yang”, the active or positive principle from Chinese philosophy. The species is named for Dr Chris Burwell, curator of entomology at the QM. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Hyperyboella manautei, Manaute’s Hyperyboella, is a new species from New Caledonia. The species is named for Joseph Manaute, Minister for the Environment in New Caledonia, who gave much help and support to Queensland Museum expeditions. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Hyperyboella adoptata, the adopted Hyperyboella, is a new species from New Caledonia. The specific epithet is the perfect passive participle of the Latin verb adoptō, meaning “chosen” or “adopted”. The name contrasts with the orphan Hyperyboella, H. orphania. zoosystema.com/47/18

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Platythorus inabsolutus, the unfinished Platythorus, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is the Latin adjective “absolutus” (unfinished, incomplete). The name refers to the fact that the species lacks alae and is thus incomplete.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Metrodora ala, the winged Metrodora, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is the Latin word “ala” (wing) in apposition. The name refers to the fact that the lateral lobes of this species are spread out like wings when seen from above.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Metrodora mollilobata, the delicate Metrodora, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is a Latin compound adjective coined from the Latin words “mollis” (soft, delicate) and “lobata” (lobed). The name refers to the species’ rounded lobes.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Otumba ignicula, the burning Otumba, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin noun “igniculus” (little fire). The name refers to the brown-orange coloration that resembles a burning fire.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Otumba auricarinata, the golden Otumba, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is an adjective coined from the Latin words “aurum” (gold) and “carinata” (keeled). The name refers to the carinae which are interspersed with yellow patches.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Otumba tenuis, the slim Otumba, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is the Latin adjective “tenuis” in the nominative case, feminine gender, meaning “thin”. The name refers to the species’ elongated and gracile appearance.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Lophotettix semicristatus, the half-crested Lophotettix, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet refers to the fact that this species has a much lower crest than its congeners.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Scaria bimaculata, the two-spotted Scaria, is a new species from Costa Rica. The specific epithet is the Latin adjective “bimaculata” in the nominative case, meaning “two-spotted”. The name refers to the two white spots on the tegmina. Read more:

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Archaeoarmatus messelensis, Messel’s ancient-armed, is a new extinct genus and species found in Grube Messel. The genus name is coined from “archaeo-“ (“ancient”) and “armatus” (“armed, equipped”). The species is named after the type locality.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

Messeltettix cryptoantennatus, antennae-hiding Messeltettix is a new extinct genus and species found in the Grube Messel. The genus is named after the fossil site. The species is named after the antennae without clearly visible segments.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 31/10/2024

Parahirrius amorosus is a new species from The Philippines. The genus name means ‘near Hirrius’, under which this new genus and species were hidden for more than 145 years, while the species was named after Victor B. Amoroso, a famous Philippine botanist.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Parahirrius parvus is a new genus and species from The Philippines. The genus name means ‘near Hirrius’, the genus under which this new genus and species were hidden for more than 145 years, while the species name means ‘small’.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 27/10/2024

Hirrius ruber is a new species from The Philippines. Its name is derived from Latin ‘ruber, rubra’ meaning ‘red’, referring to bright red abdomen coloration. Read more:

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

New monograph! The genus Hirrius turned out to be incredibly polyphyletic so we had to split it into four different genera belonging to different subfamilies.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

Seraph maestus is a new genus and species from Australia. The genus was named after the six-winged angels described in Abrahamic religions. The species' name is the Latin adjective “maestus”, meaning “mournful”.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 03/09/2024

Quasimodo yeatesi is a new species from Australia. The genus was named after the titular character from the novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”. The species was named for Dr. David Yeates who helped in the North Queensland surveys in the 1980s.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 01/09/2024

Quasimodo janetzkae is a new species from Australia. The genus was named after the titular character from “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”. The species was named for Heather Janetzki, the Collection Manager at the Queensland Museum.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 31/08/2024

Quasimodo kochae is a new species from Australia. The genus was named after the titular character from “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” by Victor Hugo. The species was named for Karin Koch who is an insect collection manager at the Queensland Museum.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

Echopraxia hasenpuschi is a new species from Australia. The genus name refers to the involuntary repetition of observed movements as well as to the excellent novel by Peter Watts. The species is named for Jack Hasenpusch, who collected the type series.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 26/08/2024

Echopraxia cooki is a new species from Australia. The genus name refers to the phenomenon of involuntary repetition of the observed movements as well as to the novel by Peter Watts. The species is named for Doug Cook, who guided many QM collecting groups.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

Peraxelpa oankali is a new species of Peraxelpa from Australia. It was named after the alien species Oankali from the series of novels “Lilith’s Brood” by Octavia E. Butler. @OctaviaEButler

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 24/08/2024

Peraxelpa bogdanovici, Bogdanović's Peraxelpa, is a new species of Peraxelpa from Australia. It was named for Dr. Sandro Bogdanović, who provided the space where this research was conducted.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 23/08/2024

Peraxelpa thompsoni, Thompson's Peraxelpa, is a new species of Peraxelpa from Australia. It was named for Geoff Thompson, who assisted in many early expeditions in North Queensland and is now the Queensland Museum’s imaging expert.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 22/08/2024

Peraxelpa wrightae, Wright's Peraxelpa, is a new species of Peraxelpa from Australia. It was named after Susan Wright who is senior insect collection manager at the Queensland Museum and participated in several of the QM expeditions to New Caledonia.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

Peraxelpa subedi, Subedi's Peraxelpa, is a new species of Peraxelpa from Australia. It was named after Madan Subedi, a young and highly productive Nepali orthopterist, and a good friend.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

New paper: The smallest Australian Tetrigidae (Orthoptera): taxonomic revision of Peraxelpa Sjöstedt, 1932 with the descriptions of three new genera and eleven new species Species spotlights incoming

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 02/06/2024

Phelene reinschmidti is a new species from Ecuador, named after Prof. Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt, the current director of the Karlsruhe Zoo for his dedication and investments in nature protection in Ecuador and around the world. Read more in our new paper

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 11/04/2024

Fijixistra teo, Teo’s Fijixistra, is a new species from Fiji. Named for Teo Benc, a future scientist. Read more:

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