Tenucephalus nielsoni, Zahniser, 2021

Zahniser, James N., 2021, Revision of the New World leafhopper tribe Faltalini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) and the evolution of brachyptery, Zootaxa 4954 (1), pp. 1-160 : 118-121

Tenucephalus nielsoni n. sp.

( Figs. 75 , 85 )

Diagnosis. T. nielsoni can be distinguished from other species in the genus by the typical color pattern, long male pygofer, style median arm produced anteriorly and extending well anterad of lateral basal lobe, style apophysis ventrally with many fine setae, basal process of connective-aedeagus nearly straight and tapered to apex, and aedeagus long and extremely slender.

Body. Male, 5.2–5.5 mm.

Color. With the typical color pattern.

Male. Pygofer long, length about 3x height at midlength; dorsal margin excavated on posterior 2/3; ventral margin incised near base; posterior half somewhat boat-shaped, apex rounded ventrally to squared dorsoapical corner; with pair of robust falcate dorsal processes, curving ventrad and nearly reaching ventral margin; posterior half with ~30 long macrosetae; with many short fine setae dorsad of membranous cleft and ventrally. Valve width less than 2x median length; slightly produced anteriorly. Subgenital plates long, triangular; with single row of ~10–11 macrosetae laterally; with many long fine setae laterally. Style median arm produced anteriorly; preapical lobe short, obtusely angled; apophysis thick, gently curving laterad. Connective-aedeagus with symmetrical pair of processes fused near aedeagal base, processes long and straight. Aedeagus long and extremely slender; in lateral view, straight through most of its length; bent near base and strongly directed laterally. Phragma bulbous lobes with many distinct short setae throughout. Segment X membranous.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: 1♂, BRAZIL, Jussaral, Angra-E. do Rio, X-934 [sic] / L. Trav. et Lopes [ USNM] . PARATYPES: 1♂, same data except without date, L. Travasso [ USNM] .

Etymology. This species is named in memory of Dr. Mervin W. Nielson, an iconic worker in leafhopper taxonomy.

Distribution. The species is known only from the type locality in Rio de Janeiro Prov., Brazil (same locality as Bonamus jussaral n. sp., see locality notes under that species).

Remarks. T. nielsoni appears to be closely related to T. parana based on the extremely long and thin aedeagus and similar shapes of the male pygofer, pygofer processes, and basal processes of the connective-aedeagus.

Figures

FIGUIRE 75. Tenucephalus nielsoni n. sp. (A–B, D–H) standard views; A & B, male.

FIGUIRE 85. Distribution of Tenucephalus spp. in eastern South America.