Tetramelasma tanyphysis, Stiller, 2011

Stiller, M., 2011, A new leafhopper genus and four new species from the Grassland Biome of South Africa (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), Zootaxa 2794 (1), pp. 35-51 : 49-51

Tetramelasma tanyphysis sp. n.

( Figs 9a–g ; 10a–k )

Diagnosis. Dimensions generally larger (3.5–4.2 mm) than that of other species of Tetramelasma . Spine on medial surface of ventral pygofer lobe with apex bipinnate, almost symmetrical ( Fig. 9c ). Style apophysis elongate, with ventral, median ridge and basal tooth; apex projecting beyond posterior margin of plate ( Fig. 9d ). Aedeagal shaft in ventral or dorsal view constricted medially, apical ½ about two times wider than narrowed median section ( Fig. 9b ). Plate with posterior margin not attaining anterior margin of ventral lobe of pygofer ( Fig. 9b ). Female sternite 7 generally with short or reduced lateral processes ( Fig. 10b–e ).

Etymology. Compound word in Greek, tany, long, apophysis, projection, referring to the elongate shape the posterior apodeme of the style. Gender feminine.

Colour. Male & female. Pale grayish yellow. Vertex with paired markings on apex of vertex, generally with small wedge and elliptical marking. Darker specimens with disc with brown marking and all cells of tegmina with fuscous lining. Two pairs of brownish bands on pronotum. Tegmina with pale yellowish veins, apical cells distally lined with fuscous marking. Tegmina usually extending beyond abdomen, male with tegmina much longer, female slightly longer ( Figs 9a ; 10a ). The exception is in specimens from Tugela where females have the tegmina extending as far as the abdomen.

Male. Tegmina & hind wing. Tegmina as in Fig. 9f ; hind wing ½ as wide as tegmina, ¾ as long; jugal lobe reduced ( Fig. 9g ).

Dimensions. (n=64) Length from apex of vertex to apex of tegmina 3.5–3.9 mm; length from apex of vertex to apex of abdomen 2.8–3.0 mm; median length of vertex 0.4 mm; length of vertex next to eye 0.3 mm; median length of pronotum 0.4 mm; maximum width across head 1.1 mm; width across pronotum 0.9–1.0 mm; ocellar diameter 28 µm; ocellocular distance 39–48 µm.

Genital capsule. Pygofer with ventral pygofer lobe slightly larger than posterior pygofer lobe; medial spine of ventral pygofer lobe with apex bipinnate, base narrower than apex, apex almost symmetrical ( Fig. 9c ). Posterior pygofer lobe rounded ( Fig. 9c ). Plate with posterior margin truncate, dorsal process digitate, base protruding slightly beyond posterior lateral margin ( Fig. 9b ). Aedeagal shaft in lateral view narrowed subbasally, apex gradually angled dorsally ( Fig. 9e ); in dorsal or ventral view, constricted medially ( Fig. 9b ). Style apophysis elongate, narrowly triangular, ventral medial ridge with basal tooth ( Fig. 9d ).

Female. Dimensions. (n=53) Length from apex of vertex to apex of tegmina 3.5–4.2 mm; length from apex of vertex to apex of abdomen 3.3–3.8 mm; median length of vertex 0.5 mm; length of vertex next to eye 0.3–0.4 mm; median length of pronotum 0.4 mm; maximum width across head 1.1–1.2 mm; width across pronotum 0.9–1.1 mm; ocellar diameter 28 µm; ocellocular distance 40–53 µm.

Genitalia. Sternite 7 with shallow V-shaped notch, flanked by rounded, short lobes ( Fig. 10b , in situ; Fig. 10c , Wildfell farm; Fig. 10d , Naude’s Neck, lateral apices reduced; Fig. 10e , Ben Macdhui), or lobes sometimes reduced ( Fig. 10d ). Valvula 1 lanceolate ( Fig. 10f ), imbricate sculpture ( Fig. 10h ). Valvula 2 with fine serration ( Fig. 10g &i ). Valvula 3 with fine setae ( Fig. 10j&k ).

Material examined. Holotype male. South Africa, Eastern Cape Province. Naude’s Neck, near Rhodes , 30.767583S, 28.104417E, 2593 m, 27.iv.2006, M. tiller, DVac short grazed grass and forbs, also Merxmuellera sp. regrowth after fire ( SANC) . Paratypes. 60♂, 46♀, 8 nymphs. Lesotho . 1♀, Mamohau , 29.142856S, 28.480925E, 2210 m, 2.x.1991, H. Geertsema; South Africa. Eastern Cape Province . 1♂, 3♀, road to Ben Macdhui , 30.680717S, 27.957633E, 2540 m, 23.iv.2000, M. Stiller, Merxmuellera drakensbergensis ; 3♂, 5♀, Naude’s Neck summit, 30.732S, 28.137147E, 2490 m, 25.iv.2000, Merxmuellera sp .; 13♂, 6♀, Telle Falls catchment, 30.65S, 27.83333E, 2440 m, 29.iii.2005, sweeping Merxmuellera sp .; 6♂, 9♀, Wildfell Farm , 30.6667S, 27.80E, 2180 m, 29.iii.2005, sweeping grazed grass ; 13♂, 8♀, Ibid. holotype; 12♂, 9♀, 8 nymphs, between Barkly East and Elliot , 31.20S, 27.96667E, 1962 m, 27.iv.2006, DVac road reserve and grazed pasture, also Merxmuellera sp. present .

KwaZulu-Natal Province. 3♀, Orange River catchment, 28.894556S, 29.018958E, 2880 m, 16.iv.2006, sweeping grass and forbs ; 12♂, 2♀, Tugela River, summit of Drakensberg , 28.751567S, 28.89485E, 2980 m, 5.i.2007, sweeping grass and forbs; all collected by M. Stiller, except where stated otherwise ( SANC, BMNH, INHS) .

Remarks. This species is recognized by the elongate apophysis of the style, that projects beyond the posterior margin of the plate ( Fig. 9b ). In undissected specimens it could be confused with the lateral process of the plate of T. nodosatha ( Fig. 3c ). Other distinguishing features are the medial process of the ventral lobe of the male pygofer that is almost symmetrically bifurcate ( Fig. 9c ). It would appear that this species occurs at high altitudes, and is probably also common in Lesotho. Merxmuellera species are probably a host, with some habitats in the KwaZulu- Natal Province suggesting other hosts. No examined specimen of T. tanyphysis (17♂, 15♀ dissected) was parasitized.

Figures

FIGURE 3 a–d. Tetramelasma nodosatha sp. n. male. a, Habitus, in situ (scale bar = 2 mm); b, pygofer, dorsally; c, genital capsule, laterally; d, pygofer, ventrally (scale bar = 0.1 mm).

FIGURE 9a–g. Tetramelasma tanyphysis sp. n. male. a, Habitus, male (scale bar = 2 mm); b, genital capsule, ventrally; c, pygofer, laterally; d, style; e, aedeagus & connective, laterally; f, tegmina; g, hind wing (scale bar = 0.1 mm).

FIGURE 10a–j. Tetramelasma tanyphysis sp. n. female. a, Habitus (scale bar = 2 mm); b, sternite 7, ventrally, in situ; c-e, sternite 7, ventrally; f, valvula 1; g, valvula 2; h, valvula 1 detail; i, valvula 2 detail; j, valvula 3; k, valvula 3 detail (scale bar = 0.1 mm).