Paraphysifer Sinaiko & Dietrich, 2020

Gnezdilov, Vladimir M. & Sinaiko, Guy, 2023, Revisionary notes on the genus Paraphysifer Sinaiko & Dietrich, 2020 (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), Zootaxa 5254 (2), pp. 295-300 : 296

Genus Paraphysifer Sinaiko & Dietrich, 2020

Type species: Paraphysifer wilsoni Sinaiko & Dietrich, 2020 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. Sinaiko & Dietrich (2020) provided the detailed description and diagnosis of Paraphysifer . Here we broaden the scope of the genus to include species which bear symmetrical paraphysis-like structures that are articulated to the connective but fused with the aedeagus.

Key to species

The terms “paraphysis ventral extension” and “aedeagus dorsal \ ventral lobe” are as shown in Figure 1 . Full habitus photos are shown in Figure 2 , genital structures are shown in Figure 3.

1. General color of specimen cream with extensive, symmetrical fuscous marks ( Figs. 2C, 2D ); anterior tip of vertex in dorsal view less produced; aedeagus articulated to a paraphysis that has a ventral extension ( Figs. 1 , 3 : C1, C3)....... Group A (2)

- General color of specimen uniform green, unmarked ( Figs. 2A, 2B ); anterior tip of vertex in dorsal view well produced; aedeagus fused to a paraphysis-like ventral process that lacks a ventral extension ( Fig. 3 : A1, A3, B1, B3)...... Group B (3)

2. Dorsal lobe of sac-like aedeagus in lateral view as broad as its ventral lobe; ventral extension of paraphysis strongly produced and elongated posteriorly, ending in a sharp tip; subgenital plates short, rounded apically. P. pictipennis ( Kirschbaum, 1868)

- Dorsal lobe of sac-like aedeagus in lateral view about half as broad as its ventral lobe; ventral extension of paraphysis slightly produced and elongated ventrally, ending in a blunt tip ( Fig. 3 : C1, C3); subgenital plates long, sharp apically ( Fig. 3 : C2)............................................................................. P. perpictus ( Logvinenko, 1978)

3. Dorsal edge of sac-like aedeagus in lateral view oriented postero-dorsally, parallel to paraphysis-like structure ( Fig. 3 : B1, B3). Margins of dorsal lobe of sac-like aedeagus not spread ( Fig. 3 : B3, B4). Subgenital plates long ( Fig. 3 : B2)...................................................................................... P. salsuginosus ( Logvinenko, 1961)

- Dorsal edge of sac-like aedeagus in lateral view oriented dorsally, not parallel to paraphysis-like structure ( Fig. 3 : A1, A3). Margins of dorsal lobe of sac-like aedeagus well spread ( Fig.3 : A3, A4). Subgenital plates short ( Fig. 3 : A2)......................................................................................... P. narsikulovi ( Dlabola, 1960)

Figures

FIGURE 1. Terms used in key for parts of the male paraphysis (in grey) and aedeagus (in brown). A: paraphysis ventral extension; B aedeagus dorsal lobe; C: aedeagus ventral lobe. After Sinaiko & Dietrich (2020).

FIGURE 2. Paraphysifer spp., male, dorsal view. A: P. narsikulovi (Dlabola, 1960), Kazakhstan (Karaganda Province, Kzyldzhar railway station); B: P. salsuginosus (Logvinenko, 1961), Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Golubitskaya village); C: P. perpictus (Logvinenko, 1978), dissected, Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Shabel’skoe village). D: P. pictipennis (Kirschbaum, 1868), Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Shabel’skoe village).

FIGURE 3. Genital structures of Paraphysifer spp. A: P. narsikulovi (Dlabola, 1960), Kazakhstan (Karaganda Province, Kzyldzhar railway station); B: P. salsuginosus (Logvinenko, 1961), Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Golubitskaya village); C: P. perpictus (Logvinenko, 1978), Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Shabel’skoe village). 1: genital capsule, lateral view; 2: subgenital plate and partial stylus; 3: aedeagus, lateral view; 4: aedeagus, ventral view. Scale bar—1 mm for full genital capsules (A1, B1, C1) and 0.5 mm for all other structures.