Gurawa minorcephala Pruthi

Zahniser, James N., 2008, Seven new species and new distributions of Old World Chiasmini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), with a redescription, key to genera, and species checklist for the tribe, Zootaxa 1808, pp. 1-32 : 22

Gurawa minorcephala Pruthi

( Figs. 77–85 )

Material examined. One male and one female: INDIA: Karnataka / Nandi Hills 1467m / SV101 17.VII.1979 / S. Viraktamath Coll. The female genitalia are figured here for the first time.

Discussion. Baileyus and Gurawa are related genera from India and were included in Aphrodini by Oman et al. (1990). Based upon examination of specimens of G. m i n o rc e p h a l a Pruthi and figures provided by Pruthi (1930), they are included here in Chiasmini. Hamilton (1975b) included Baileyus and Gurawa in his interpretation of Eupelicini, which also included Chiasmus . He considered the shape of the head, position of ocelli, raised wing veins, and some chaetotaxic characters to be diagnostic for the group ( Hamilton, 1975a). However characters supporting a relationship between Baileyus , Gurawa , and/or Chiasmus and other Chiasmini (as circumscribed here) and not with Eupelix Germar include: hinged aedeagus in Chiasmus ; anterior arms of connective closely appressed in all three genera (shared with all Chiasmini except Leofa , Nephotettix , Omaranus , Picchusteles , and Exitianus ); diagnostic characters of the female genitalia as described for the tribe above. Eupelix has the first valvula with reticulate sculpturing and second valvula with irregularly shaped teeth. Although there are similarities in the external characters of the head and of the chaetotaxy between Gurawa , Baileyus , Chiasmus , and Eupelix , the combination of characters outlined here for Chiasmini more strongly suggest that the former three genera belong in the same tribe, not including Eupelix . Gurawa and Baileyus do not have the characteristic hinged aedeagus of other Chiasmini, but share characters of the first and second valvulae with other Chiasmini. Additionally, DNA sequence data (unpublished) gathered for at least on member of most genera of Chiasmini ( Gurawa , Baileyus , Omaranus , and Picchusteles not sampled) and numerous outgroup taxa, including Eupelix , suggest that Eupelix is not closely related to any sampled chiasmine, including Chiasmus .

Figures

FIGURES 77 – 85. Gurawa minorcephala. 77: dorsal habitus, female; 78: lateral habitus, female; 79: connective and styles, ventrally; 80: aedeagus, laterally; 81: aedeagus, caudally; 82: first valvula; 83: detail of first valvula dorsal sculpturing; 84: second valvula; 85: detail of second valvula teeth.