DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e164719

Authors: Feng-E Li, Lin Yang, Jian-Kun Long, Zhi-Min Chang, Xiang-Sheng Chen

Abstract: Abstract The treehopper genus Tricentrus is a widespread group of insects, characterized by typical spines and, in some species, sexually dimorphic suprahumeral horns. With 238 described species worldwide, Tricentrus represents the most species-rich genus in the subfamily Centrotinae. Currently, 72 species are documented in China, yet the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this genus remain unknown. Here, we use an integrative approach to characterize and describe these treehoppers based on materials collected from China. We name three new species: Tricentrus allochrous Li & Chen sp. nov. and Tricentrus pianmaensis Li & Chen sp. nov. from Yunnan, Tricentrus dexingensis Li & Chen sp. nov. from Xizang, with the revision of one synonym. Combined analysis morphological comparisons, species delimitation and phylogeny reliably separate these new species from known species, and sexual dimorphism with suprahumeral horns in three species is reported for the first time. Divergence time estimation indicates that the Tricentrus differentiated during the Early Cretaceous (110.41 Mya). Ancestral state reconstruction reveals that the most recent common ancestor possessed suprahumeral horns in both sexes and exhibited a short tubular pygofer apex. Our analyses demonstrate four evolutionary transformations in pygofer apex morphology and seven distinct transitions in suprahumeral horn development. These morphological diversifications likely resulted from multiple mechanisms, including sexual selection, life history strategies with associated behavioral adaptations, and incomplete lineage sorting.

HTML

XML

PDF

DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e143754

Authors: Luísa Alasmar, Alexandre Cruz Domahovski, Rodney Ramiro Cavichioli

Abstract: In a morphological-based analysis using implied weighting for 23 taxa and 50 characters, we provided a phylogenetic study for Ciminius. The genus was recovered as monophyletic with a high support. We also provided a taxonomic revision, with description of three new species, increasing the diversity of Ciminius from seven to ten species: the Neotropical C. albolineatus, C. callosa, C. platensis, C. yana, C. autumnalis sp. nov., C. dissidens sp. nov., C. sesamum sp. nov., and the Nearctic C. hartii, C. sidanus, and C. taosus. A new monotypic genus, Arcanus gen. nov., recovered as sister to Ciminius is described. Tylozygus Fieber, the new genus, and Ciminius were recovered forming a clade here nominated as Articulate Stem Clade, due to its unique connective morphology amongst all Cicadellini. The immature stages of Ciminius sp. are described and a key to males, an occurrence map, and notes of parasitism and submacroptery are provided. We discussed the Ciminius relationships according to our analysis, the genus distribution, and the taxonomic problems about C. callosa.

HTML

XML

PDF

DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e102848

Authors: Nathalia H. Pecly, Daniela M. Takiya, Rodney R. Cavichioli, Gabriel Mejdalani

Abstract: The genus Dasmeusa is distributed in Northern and Northeastern Brazil and the Guianas. Until the present study, six species were recognized within Dasmeusa. The species of this genus are very similar in terms of color and external morphology, being distinguished mainly by the male terminalia. Here, we review and redescribe Dasmeusa and its species, describe four new species, and present the first phylogenetic analysis of the genus, including 40 morphological characters and 15 terminal taxa. Dasmeusa flavescens Metcalf and Erythrogonia bicolor Metcalf are considered junior synonyms of the type-species, Dasmeusa pauperata (Fabricius). Scanning electron microscopy was employed for a detailed study of the integument of the type-species, including sensilla, surface sculpturing, brochosomes, organ of Evans, and other structures. The phylogenetic analysis with equal weights resulted in nine most parsimonious trees. The implied weighting method resulted in two trees, both with the same ingroup topology as observed in one of the nine equal-weights trees. This preferred topology is as follows: ((D. basseti (D. mendica (D. rafaeli sp. nov., D. falcifera sp. nov.))) (D. isabellina (D. oriximina sp. nov. (D. pauperata (D. imperialis, D. dinizi sp. nov.))))). Dasmeusa was recovered as monophyletic in all trees, being supported by five apomorphic characters.

HTML

XML

PDF

DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e81961

Authors: Alexandre Cruz Domahovski, Rodney Ramiro Cavichioli

Abstract: Based on a phylogenetic analysis using implied weighting for 59 taxa and 155 morphological characters, we provided a taxonomic revision for Acuera. The genus was recovered as polyphyletic; herein we described three new genera and 16 new species, and proposed 23 new combinations, a new status and four new synonyms for Gyponini. Coarctana gen. nov. is described to include 15 species: C. rana (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov. (type species) transferred from Acuera; five species transferred from Curtara, C. apena (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., C. pedica (DeLong) comb. nov., C. punctata (Spångberg) comb. nov., C. secara (DeLong & Triplehorn) comb. nov., and C. serpenta (DeLong) comb. nov.; and nine new species, C. asymmetrica sp. nov., C. glabra sp. nov., C. nigromedia sp. nov., C. occultata sp. nov., C. oricula sp. nov., C. parvula sp. nov., C. striata sp. nov., C. taurina sp. nov., and C. vilavelha sp. nov. Effossana gen. nov. includes eight species: two species transferred from Acuera, E. gloma (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov. (type species) and E. fructa (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov.; two species transferred from Curtara, E. gatuna (DeLong & Wolda) comb. nov. and E. scapa (DeLong) comb. nov.; and four new species, E. assimulata sp. nov., E. circumnota sp. nov., E. intrinseca sp. nov., and E. tenuemarginata sp. nov. A new monotypic genus, Propincurtara gen. nov., is described to include P. longilinea sp. nov. The subgenus Parcana is raised to genus rank, comprising nine species: P. atitlana (Fowler) comb. nov., P. concilia (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., P. extara (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., P. mimica (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., P. spreta (Fowler) comb. nov., and P. ultima (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov. (type species); also three species transferred from Curtara, P. albororata (Fowler) comb. nov., P. animosa (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., and P. ventusa (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov. Curtara lineatana DeLong & Freytag is a junior synonym of P. concilia (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., Acuera inlustra DeLong & Freytag is a junior synonym of Hamana manifesta DeLong, and A. culmena DeLong & Freytag and A. prodiga DeLong & Freytag are synonyms of A. menaca DeLong & Freytag. Four species of Acuera are transferred to Curtara: C. facera (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., C. labella (Osborn) comb. nov., C. nama (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov., and C. patula (DeLong & Freytag) comb. nov. Two new species, A. extenuata sp. nov. and A. umbra sp. nov. are described and placed in the subgenus Acuera. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa, redescription of the type species of the genera Acuera, Coarctana gen. nov., Effossana gen. nov., and Parcana stat. nov., 40 new country and Brazilian states records, and key to males of each genus.

HTML

XML

PDF

DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e85755

Authors: Tatiana Petersen Ruschel, Filipe Michels Bianchi, Luiz Alexandre Campos, Gervásio Silva Carvalho

Abstract: The Linnean, Wallacean, and Darwinian shortfalls are knowledge gaps about species taxonomy, distribution, and evolution, respectively. Fidicinini is a tribe of cicadas that suffers from these gaps. We assessed specimens of the tribe sharing similar male genital shape (uncus), but fitting the somatic morphology of either Dorisiana Metcalf, 1952 and Guyalna Boulard & Martinelli, 1996. We build a phylogenetic hypothesis by total evidence analysis and perform a character optimization of the uncus and timbal cover shapes, the last used as diagnostic for both genera. Dorisiana and Guyalna were recovered non-monophyletic. A new genus, Acanthoventris gen. nov., and ten new species are proposed: A. charrua Ruschel sp. nov., A. claudiae Ruschel sp. nov., A. faustopsaltrius Ruschel sp. nov., A. iara Ruschel sp. nov., A. igneus Ruschel sp. nov., A. olivarius Ruschel sp. nov., A. phoenix Ruschel sp. nov., A. rubemi Ruschel sp. nov., A. tumidus Ruschel sp. nov., and A. viridinotatus Ruschel sp. nov.; and three new combinations A. densusus (Boulard & Martinelli, 2011) comb. nov., A. drewseni (Stål, 1854) comb. nov., and A. jauffreti (Boulard & Martinelli, 2001) comb. nov. We provide illustrated identification keys, occurrence maps, and discuss the distribution of the species in the new genus.

HTML

XML

PDF