Geelus dundraad, Stiller, 2020

Stiller, Michael, 2020, A new leafhopper genus Geelus and 12 new species (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae Deltocephalinae) from Southern Africa, Zootaxa 4786 (3), pp. 301-344 : 308-314

Geelus dundraad sp.n.

Figs 1 A–H, 2A–H, 3A–O, 4A–O

Diagnosis. Aedeagal shaft smooth, elongate, tubular, right-angled to elongate dorsal apodeme. Pygofer lobe short, triangular; process at apex, orientation mediad or dorsad. Female sternite 7 wide or narrow notch.

Etymology. Named in Afrikaans for the thin, plain, wire-like aedeagus, adjective and noun in apposition, dun, thin and draad, wire. Gender masculine.

Male. Abdominal apodemes. Posterior view as in Fig. 3I .

Measurements. n=109. Length from apex of crown to apex of tegmina 3.47–3.97 mm. Crown median length 0.32–0.37 mm. Crown length next to eye 0.29–0.34 mm. Pronotum length 0.50–0.55 mm. Head width across eyes 1.37–1.51 mm. Pronotum width 1.27–1.39 mm. Ocellus diameter 38.1–50.7 µm; interocular distance 69.4–88.7 µm. Apical angle of crown 128.4°±2.5°.

Pygofer lobe. Orientation, medial ( Figs 3K, 3L, 3O ) or mediodorsal ( Figs 4E, 4F, 4G ); process denticulation, 1–2 small, triangular teeth near base ( Figs 3L , 4G ); process position, apical ( Figs 3O , 4E ); process curvature, curvate, medially or mediodorsally, anterior apodeme, elongate ( Fig. 3O ) or short ( Fig. 4E ). Apex of pygofer lobe relative to apex of subgenital plate variable; in Boskloof, Leipoldville, Citrusdal, Puts farm specimens pygofer lobe apex extended beyond apex of subgenital plate; in other specimens apices are equidistant.

Anal tube. Bell-shaped ( Fig. 3K ) or conical.

Subgenital plate. Number of macrosetae, 5–8 ( Figs 3L , 4I ); medioposterior angle, acute ( Figs 3L , 4I ) or rightangled in some specimens from Wiedouw; length: width, 1.1–1.3; position of macrosetae, distal half; apex relative to pygofer lobe apex, plate shorter than pygofer lobe ( Fig. 3O ) or pygofer lobe apex and plate apex of similar length in Koelenhof and Muldersvlei specimens ( Fig. 4E ).

Valve. Shape, lenticular ( Fig. 3L ) or obtusely triangular in Koelenhof and Muldersvlei specimens ( Fig. 4I ).

Style. Three distinct positions of ventral teeth of the apophysis:

1. Apical, latero- and medio-ventrally, apex wider than subapex, connected by ventral ridge in specimens from Clanwilliam, Katbakkies, Piketberg, Puts, Uitsig, Wiedouw ( Fig. 3N );

2. Apical and subapical, ventral in specimens from Boskloof, Citrusdal, Leipoldtville ( Figs 3H, 3M );

3. Apical and subapical, lateral in Koelenhof and Muldersvlei specimens ( Fig. 4D ).

Apophysis apex or subapex symmetrical, narrow or wide, relative to width across preapical lobe, wide (more than half as wide as width across preapical lobe) in Clanwilliam, Gifberg, Katbakkies, Koelenhof, Muldersvlei, Piketberg, Puts, Uitsig, Wiedouw ( Figs 3N ); narrow (less than one third of width across preapical lobe) in Boskloof, Citrusdal and Leipoldtville specimens ( Figs 3H, 3L, 3M ). Apex asymmetrical, apex narrow, rounded, toothed ventrad, lateral tooth on medial margin, one third from apex (Koelenhof, Muldersvlei) ( Figs 4D, 4I ). Ratio length to width of apophysis, 2.4–3.2.

Connective. Stem length relative to arm length, one-third length of arms. Stem width relative to width across arms, half as wide as greatest width across arms ( Figs 3J , 4C ).

Aedeagus. Shaft thin, apex square. Denticulation of shaft, smooth. Curvature of shaft, curvate. Dorsal apodeme, in lateral view, elongate, in posterior view, rectangular to triangular ( Figs 3F, 3G , 4A, 4B ).

Female. Measurements. n=58. Length from apex of crown to apex of tegmina 3.72–4.11 mm. Crown median length 0.35–0.39 mm. Crown length next to eye 0.32–0.35 mm. Pronotum length 0.54–0.58 mm. Head width across eyes 1.48–1.58 mm. Pronotum width 1.36–1.47 mm. Ocellus diameter 39.3–51.0 μm; interocular distance 73.7–97.9 µm. Apical angle of crown 128°±3°.

Sternite 7. Shape posterior margin, shallow V-shaped notch (specimens from Groenkol, Koelenhof, Fig. 4K , Muldersvlei, Fig. 4L ); deep V-shaped notch with rounded lateral margins (specimens from Boskloof, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, Gifberg, Katbakkies, Leipoldtville, Piketberg, Puts, Uitsig, Wiedouw specimen on Diosma and Wiborgia , Fig. 4J , Wiedouw specimen on Diosma , Fig. 4O ); deep V-shaped notch, truncated at base and raised in lateral profile; wider, shallow notch with ventral, gutter-like structure (specimens from Piketberg, Fig. 4M , Wiedouw, on Passerina, Jamaka , on Aspalathus , Fig. 4N ).

Valvifer 1. Ventral margin, symmetrical, rounded; anterior and posterior margins acute ( Fig. 4H ).

Material examined. Holotype male. South Africa, Western Cape Province. CCDL 18849, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Passerina truncata subsp. truncata , Thymelaeaceae ( SANC). Paratypes. 161♂, 77♀, 114 nymphs. Northern Cape Province. 1♂, 1♀, CCDL 26658, Brakwater Oorlogskloof, -31.4656, 19.0799, 17.xii.2016, M. Stiller, sweeping, Oedera sedifolia , Asteraceae ; 1♀, CCDL 26661, Swarkliphuis vicinity Oorlogskloof, -31.5128, 19.1137, 18.xii.2016, M. Stiller, sweeping, Phylica oleifolia , Rhamnaceae . Western Cape Province. 1♂, 2♀, CCDL 08589, road between Leipoldtville and Elands Bay, -32.2662, 18.4225, 15.xi.1948, Museum expedition; 5♂, 1♀, CCDL 08597, Leipoldtville, -32.2167, 18.5, 15.xi.1956, South African Museum expedition; 9♂, CCDL 08599, road between Koelenhof and Klapmuts, -33.8833, 18.8, 15.xi.1974, J.G. Theron; 3♂, 2♀, CCDL 08595, Klipheuwel, -33.5667, 18.7, 24.xi.1974, J.G. Theron; 64♂, 27♀, CCDL 08610, Muldersvlei, -33.8167, 18.8167, 26.xi.1974, J.G. Theron; 1♀, CCDL 08596, Citrusdal District, -32.6, 19.05, xi.1948, South African Museum expedition; 7♂, 1♀, CCDL 08602, Citrusdal, -32.6, 19.05, 1.xii.1976, H. Geertsema; 1♂, CCDL 08600, Clanwilliam Dam, -30.2167, 18.9, 26.xii.1976, J.G. Theron; 1♂, CCDL 08601, Katbakkies Pass, -32.8969, 19.5586, 2.xii.1981, J.G. Theron; 2♂, 1♀, CCDL 08603, Versveld Pass, -32.85, 18.75, 17.xii.1981, G. Höppner; 2♀, CCDL 08608, Groenkol Farm, -32.1, 18.7, 1.viii.1996, O.C. Neser, R.G. Oberpri- eler, sweeping, Aspalathus linearis , Fabaceae ; 5♂, 1♀, CCDL 08604, Boskloof, -32.2167, 18.9833, 25.xi.1996, O.C. Neser, R.G. Oberprieler, sweeping, young rooibos tea growing wild in mountain fynbos; 4♂, CCDL 08609, Kriedouw Farm, -32.3167, 18.9667, 27.xi.1996, O.C. Neser, R.G. Oberprieler, beating, “swart tee” form of rooibos tea growing wild in mountain fynbos, Aspalathus linearis , Fabaceae ; 1♂, CCDL 08607, Seekoevlei Farm, - 32.15, 18.75, 27.xi.1996, O.C. Neser, M. Stiller, DVac, 5 year old plantation., Aspalathus linearis , Fabaceae ; 18♂, 1♀, CCDL 08605, Uitsig Farm, -31.9667, 19.1167, 28.xi.1996, O.C. Neser, R.G. Oberprieler, DVac, 2 year old plantation, Aspalathus linearis , Fabaceae ; 3♂, 2 nymphs, CCDL 08606, Puts Farm, -31.7833, 18.6833, 29.xi.1996, O.C. Neser, R.G. Oberprieler, 1 year old plantation, Aspalathus linearis , Fabaceae ; 6♂, 2♀, CCDL 26938, Wie- douw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, low vegetation (grass and forbs) in area cleared by burning or cutting; 2♂, 1♀, CCDL 26937, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Calobota angustifolia , Fabaceae ; 2♂, 4♀, 10 nymphs, CCDL 26939, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, unidentifiable sterile sample resembles Phylica ; 2♂, 2♀, 10 nymphs, CCDL 18846, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, sterile unidentified plant (near Phylica , Rhamnaceae ); 1♂, 17 nymphs, CCDL 18852, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Phylica oleifolia , Rhamnaceae ; 1♂, CCDL 18851, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Nylandtia scoparia , Polygalaceae ; 2♂, 1♀, 12 nymphs, CCDL 18850, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Diosma hirsuta , Rutaceae ; 6♂, 2♀, 21 nymphs, ibid. holotype; 2♂, 2♀, 20 nymphs, CCDL 18848, Wiedouw Farm base of Gifberg Pass, -31.7334, 18.7666, 3–10.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Wiborgia mucronata , Fabaceae ; 3♂, 9 nymphs, CCDL 26923, Gifberg Pass Sum- mit Vanrhynsdorp, -31.75, 18.7, 9.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Phylica oleifolia , Rhamnaceae ; 4♂, 13 nymphs, CCDL 26924, Gifberg Pass Summit Vanrhynsdorp, -31.75, 18.7, 9.x.2002, M. Stiller, sweeping, Wiborgia mucronata , Fabaceae ; 1♀, CCDL 26925, Gifberg Pass Summit Vanrhynsdorp, -31.75, 18.7, 9.x.2002, M. Stiller, dominant plant in grass and forb low vegetation, grazed meadow, Gorteria personata , Asteraceae ; 4♂, 19♀, CCDL 26659, Jamaka farm site #7, -32.3369, 19.0107, 12.xii.2016, M. Stiller, sweeping, Aspalathus spinescens , Fabaceae ; 2♀, CCDL 26660, Jamaka farm site #8, -32.3329, 19.0208, 13.xii.2016, M. Stiller, sweeping, Lobostemon laevigatus Boraginaceae and Pelargonium seabrum Geraniaceae ( BMNH, INHS, SANC).

Remarks. This species is distinctly variable in the shape of the apophysis of the style, less so in the shape and dimensions of the pygofer and pygofer lobe, but constant in the shape of the aedeagus. The aedeagus has a thin shaft, dorsal apodeme right-angled to shaft, and apex immaculate. Variation in the pygofer concerns the relative length which in most specimens is about as long as wide, and rarely elongate. The apex of the pygofer lobe process is variable in its curvature and orientation. The latter is possibly a condition in teneral specimens. The apophysis of the style is most distinctly variable, essentially club-shaped, narrowly rectangular and symmetrical in two overlapping northern populations (Clanwilliam, Gifberg, Katbakkies, Piketberg, Puts, Uitsig, Wiedouw, and Boskloof, Citrusdal, Leipoldtville) and asymmetrical in the southern population (Koelenhof, Muldersvlei). In the female the sternite 7 generally is notched, more or less deeply and V-shaped or rounded, and possibly due to an association with the oviposition plant. Females of G. driehoekdraad cannot be distinguished from those of G. dundraad , except the larger length from apex of crown to apex of abdomen in the former, and discussed below.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Geelus dundraad gen.n. & sp.n., habitus, dorsally. A. Male, Uitsig, Rooibos Tea; B. Female, Groenkol, Rooibos Tea; C. Male, Jamaka, on Aspalathus; D. Female, Jamaka, Aspalathus; E. Male, Koelenhof specimen; F. Female, Klipheuwel; G. Male, Wiedouw specimen, on Diosma; H. Male, Citrusdal.

FIGURE 3. Geelus dundraad gen.n. & sp.n., male head, wings and genitalia, line drawings. A. Head, dorsally. B. Face; C. Head, laterally; D. Tegmina; E. Hind wing; F. Aedeagus, ventrally; G. Aedeagus, laterally; H. Connective; I. Abdominal apodemes; J. Style; K. Subgenital plate; L. Genital capsule, dorsally; M. Style, apophysis, laterally; N. Style, apophysis, dorsally; O. Genital capsule, laterally.

FIGURE 4. Geelus dundraad gen.n. & sp.n., male and female genitalia, line drawings. A. Aedeagus, ventrally; B. Aedeagus, laterally; C. Connective; D. Style; E. Genital capsule, laterally; F. Pygofer process, caudally, dorsal orientation; G. Pygofer process, caudally, mediodorsal orientation; H. Subgenital plate; I. Valvifer 1, laterally; J. Sternite 7, Wiedouw specimen, on Diosma, Wiborgia and other plants, Boskloof; K. Sternite 7, Groenkol, on Rooibos Tea; L. Sternite 7, Koelenhof specimen; M. Sternite 7, Muldersvlei specimen; N. Sternite 7, Piketberg specimen; O. Sternite 7, Wiedouw specimen, on Passerina and Aspalathus, Uitsig.