Yanganaka, Löcker, Birgit, 2015

Löcker, Birgit, 2015, Revision of the Australian species of Aka White, 1879 (Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) with the description of a new genus, Zootaxa 3956 (2), pp. 199-223 : 219-220

Genus Yanganaka gen. nov.

Zoobank Registration: http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A82B0EE7-94B3-4E00-B4E4-7C8312128512

Type species: Yanganaka ariecornia sp. nov. Löcker

Etymology. The term “Yangan” means “hair” in Wik-Mungkan, an Aboriginal language spoken in Queensland ( Thieberger & McGregor 1994). Named after the setae on the first tarsomere combined with the genus Aka which is closely related to this new genus. Gender: feminine.

Diagnosis. The angle formed by the hind margin of the pronotum (rectangular or moderately obtuse) is similar to that of the New Zealand genus Chathamaka Larivière (slightly obtuse) but differs from that found in the genus Aka (broadly obtuse). The presence of 4 fine setae on the first tarsomere is unique to Yanganaka . This character has not been observed in Aka or Chathamaka .

Yanganaka can be distinguished from all other Australian Cixiidae by the following combination of characters: presence of a forked frontal carina; absence of a median ocellus; 8 apical teeth on the first tarsomere.

Morphology. Body length: ♂ 4.1–4.2 mm.

Head: Vertex 2.1–2.5 x longer than pronotum; with lateral carinae concave, vertex widest at base, narrowest between subapical and apical carina. Frons with forked median carina; lateral carinae of frons in facial view convex, rectilinear apically or slightly sinuate. Frontoclypeal suture slightly semicircular, bent upwards, median part not reaching lower margin of antennal scape. Postclypeus with well developed median and lateral carinae. Anteclypeus lacking lateral carinae. Rostrum very long, surpassing hind coxa by far, subapical segment reaching hind trochanter. Head including eyes narrower than pronotum.

Thorax: Pronotum with median carina well developed; lateral carinae of pronotum c-shaped, lateral parts directed towards head; lateral carinae not following contour of eyes; angle formed by hind margin of pronotum rectangular or moderately obtuse. Mesonotum 4.9–6.0 x longer than pronotum; with moderately developed median carina, fading before it reaches hind margin of mesonotum; lateral carinae well developed, reaching hind margin. Forewing with concavity at costal border poorly developed (wing straightened) or absent pterostigma very small and indistinct, triangular; forewing widest anterior to apex of clavus; y-vein with A1 slightly higher elevated than PCu (almost the same elevation as PCu). Hind leg: tibia with 2–3 large lateral spines, with 6 apical spines, grouped in two groups with or without a small gap in between, outermost spine largest, innermost and 3rd innermost spine almost as long as outermost spine; 1st tarsomere with 8 apical teeth and no platellae but with 4 fine setae; 2nd tarsomere with 7–8 apical teeth and no platellae but with 4–5 fine setae.

Distribution. Australia (Tasmania).