Abstract
Acoustic investigations of Cicadetta montana s. 1. have revealed the presence of morphologically cryptic species in the last few years. This work describes the new cicada Cicadetta anapaistica sp. n. which was detected in the Madonie and Nebrodi Mountains (Italy, Sicily). The characteristic and sophisticated song is composed of three phrases, modulated on four typical power levels and three frequency ranges. The song pattem is compared with those of the closely related Cicadetta cerdaniensis and Cicadetta cantilatrix. Quantitative and even qualitative intraspecific differences of the song stmcture among individuals exist which appear to allow individual-specific recognition in many cases. As in other species of the complex, reliable morphological differences between the new species and others in the complex have not been found. The species is currently only known to be endemic to forest and ecotone habitats in a small mountain range. Because of this limited distribution the species is likely to bevulnerable to habitat and climate changes.
NSTL