Plexijassus caliginosus, Dietrich & Magalhães & Takiya, 2020

Dietrich, Christopher H., Magalhães, Raysa Brito de & Takiya, Daniela M., 2020, Revision of the endemic Malagasy leafhopper tribe Platyjassini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 695, pp. 1-89 : 58-59

Plexijassus caliginosus gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:17FEDD09-707C-45B1-87D6-65F6F9BCD2A3

Figs 3C, 12 G–I, 17M –O

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Latin ʻ caligino ʼ (ʻdarkʼ) and refers to the dark overall coloration.

Material examined

Holotype

MADAGASCAR • Ƌ; “ MADAGASCAR: Province Fianarantsoa, Parc National Ranomafana, radio tower, at forest edge, elev 1130 m, 15–27 April 2003, 21°15.05′ S, 47°24.43′ E, coll: M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala, California Acad of Sciences , malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-58”; CAS.

Paratypes

MADAGASCAR – Fianarantsoa • 1 Ƌ; Parc National Ranomafana , radio tower, at forest edge; 21°15.05′ S, 47°24.43′ E; alt. 1130 m; 15–27 Apr. 2003; M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala leg.; Malaise trap; mixed tropical forest; MA-02-09B-58; CAS • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 9–26 Feb. 2002; MA-02-09B-17; CAS. – Antisiranana • 1 Ƌ; Sakalava Beach , dwarf litoral forest; 12°15′46″ S, 49°23′31″ E; alt. 10m; 13–16 May 2001; M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala leg.; Malaise trap across sandy trail; MA01-048[?]-09; SMK DNA voucher: MIAS2; INHS .

Description

Length of male 7.4 mm, female 8.4 mm. Coloration and structure as described for genus. Style apophysis slightly broadened near midlength in lateral view, slightly sinuate, apex attenuate, gradually curved mesad distally. Connective with slight median anterior convexity, stem shorter than arms. Aedeagus with shaft U-shaped, tubular, tapered from base to bluntly pointed apex in lateral view. Female as described for genus.

Remarks

This species corresponds to the OTU labeled “ Platyjassus sp. n. 1” in the phylogeny of Krishnankutty et al. (2016).