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Niko Kasalo

@kasalo.bsky.social

17 followers 15 following 69 posts

Researching molecular evolution on a grand scale, with some grasshoppers on the side. https://linktr.ee/KasaloNiko

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 4d

@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...

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · 7d

New paper: barcoding of Ethiopian Tetrigidae!

www.mdpi.com/2673-6500/5/...

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jul 23

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...

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

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Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.

Niko Kasalo @kasalo.bsky.social · Jun 30

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.