Problematode sakakibarai Gaiani, 2017

Gaiani, Marco A., 2017, Problematode: an enigmatic new genus of Membracidae (Hemiptera) with two new species from Venezuela, Zootaxa 4281 (1) : -

Problematode sakakibarai Gaiani sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–2, 5–9 , 11–12, 18–21 )

Diagnosis. Both sexes display a flat “keel-like” process on the posterior half of the pronotum (reminiscent of a shark’s dorsal fin in lateral view), sexually dimorphic in shape ( Figs. 6–7 ). Pygofer with ventral margin strongly sinuate ( Fig. 21 ).

Description. Adult s. Dimensions (mm): Total length ♂ 8.3, ♀ 9.3; width of head including eyes ♂ 2.6, ♀ 2.8; width between humeral angles ♂ 2.7, ♀ 2.9; pronotal length ♂ 1.9, ♀ 1.9; wing length ♂ 6.6, ♀ 7.9. Coloration. Body with long pale pubescence; overall integument color light brown; dorsal projections of head, posterior pronotal keel, base of pronotal area and scutellum, and claval area of forewings dark brown; apex of all femora, apex and base of all tibia, mid-section of hind tibia, and all tarsi brown; meso-basisternites black; abdominal sternites I–VI dark brown medially. Yellow markings on basal anterior margin of pronotal ridge, apical third of scutellum, and lateral posterior pronotal margin. Structure: Head. Broad, wider than long, with long pubescence, dorsal projections small and triangular; ocelli raised above surface. Thorax: Pronotum. Densely punctate, covered with pale decumbent setae; middorsal ridge slightly produced, extending over full length of pronotum, with sexually dimorphic posterior dorsal crest, decumbent caudally in males, erect and perpendicular to pronotal surface in females ( Figs. 1, 6–7 ). Anterior margin with submarginal scars in two fields separated by a pilose area ( Fig. 9 ). Scutellum. Basal 1/3rd raised, apical third with a slight median depression. Legs. Prothoracic and mesothoracic femora with raised tubercle on hind margin; metathoracic tibiae with three enlarged setal rows, each bearing cucullate setae (row I with 23–30 cucullate setae, row II with 6–7, and row III with 15–17). Forewing ( Fig. 11 ). Basal half slightly thickened, punctate; with one or two m-cu crossveins, apical half with a plexus of veins (specimens examined differ in the number of crossveins on left and right forewings); A2 bent anteriorly, joining A1 on apical fourth of clavus. Genitalia. Lateral plates fused to pygofer (line of fusion not evident), ventral margin situate in lateral view ( Fig. 21 ); styles ( Fig. 20 ) elongate, slender, hooked apically; aedeagus ( Figs. 1 8–19 ) strongly U-shaped, widened at middle and tapering apically, posterior face of apex denticulate. Female as in generic description.

Nymphs. Unknown.

Etymology: I am pleased to name this remarkable species after Dr. Albino Sakakibara, in honor of his immense contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical Membracoidea.

Distribution. VENEZUELA: Aragua State.

Material examined. 1♂ (Holotype), VENEZUELA, Aragua, Rancho Grande, Portachuelo , 1100 m, 23-V- 1975, “al vuelo”, J. Salcedo & J.A. Clavijo cols. MIZA 0098872 ; 1♀ (Paratype), VENEZUELA, Aragua, Rancho Grande , 1100 m, 20/4/1968, J. & B. Bechyné cols, MIZA 0098885 (all specimens at MIZA) .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. Problematode sakakibarai sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 1, lateral view; 2, dorsal view; 5, head, frontal view; 6, head and thorax lateral view (male); 7, head and thorax lateral view (female paratype); 8, head and thorax ventral view (male); 9, head and prothorax dorsal view (male, dorsal keel omitted). Problematode inerme sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 3, lateral view; 4, dorsal view; 10, head and thorax (female paratype).

FIGURES 11 – 25. Problematode sakakibarai sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 11, forewing; 12, hind wing; 18, aedeagus lateral view; 19, aedeagus caudal view; 20, styles dorsal view; 21, pygofer lateral view. Problematode inerme sp. nov. (male holotype, MIZA): 13, forewing; 14, hind wing; 15, 16, 17 pro-, meso-, and meta-thoracic legs respectively; 22, aedeagus lateral view; 23, aedeagus caudal view; 24, styles dorsal view; 25, pygofer lateral view.