Taxonomic status of the taxon turanica Zeuner, 1930 within the genus Platycleis Fieber, 1853 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae): evidence from morphometry and bioacoustics

Based on a comparative morphological and bioacoustic study of Platycleis sp. specimens collected in Kazakhstan, as well as an analysis of bioacoustic data from the Xeno-canto database, the taxonomic status of the form previously known as Platycleis intermedia turanica Zeuner, 1930 or P. turanica Zeuner, 1930 is revised. This form is proposed to be treated as a subspecies within P. albopunctata (Goeze, 1778), some populations of which are characterized by wing-length dimorphism, expressed in the co-occurrence of macropterous and mesopterous forms. In accordance with the provisions of the current International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the name Platycleis albopunctata turanica Zeuner, 1930, stat. nov., is established for this subspecies. The name P. albopunctata transiens Zeuner, 1941, previously used to denote the macropterous form of this subspecies, is regarded as a junior (invalid) synonym of P. a. turanica. The taxon Decticus krinickii Fischer von Waldheim, 1846, traditionally considered a junior synonym of P. intermedia (Serville, 1838), is most likely a senior synonym of P. a. turanica; however, due to the brevity of the original description, the schematic nature of the illustrations, and the loss of the type material, it is preferable to treat this name as a nomen dubium.