Microphyllurinae, Burckhardt & Ouvrard & Percy, 2021

Burckhardt, Daniel, Ouvrard, David & Percy, Diana M., 2021, An updated classification of the jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) integrating molecular and morphological evidence, European Journal of Taxonomy 736, pp. 137-182 : 143-145

Subfamily * Microphyllurinae subfam. nov.

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Fig. 2

Type genus

Microphyllurus Li, 2002 .

Diagnosis

Adult

Head with subtrapezoidal vertex smoothly passing into genae that lack processes. Frons triangular. Antenna about as long as head width. Clypeus flattened, triangular. Propleurites with subequal epimeron and episternum. Tibiae distinctly longer than femora; metacoxa with small pointed meracanthus and small membranous lobe on metatrochanteral cavity; metatibia without genual spine, bearing an open crown of 8–9 densely spaced, sclerotised, apical spurs; metabasitarsus with 2 spurs. Forewing weakly coriaceous, covered in surface spinules; costal break and pterostigma developed; veins R and M+Cu subequal, branches of vein M, and vein Cu 1a very long; anal break close to apex of vein Cu 1b. Hindwing with costal setae not grouped; vein R+M developed. Male proctiger one-segmented; in profile, with large posterior lobe in basal half. Female terminalia cuneate.

Description

Adult

Head, in profile, inclined at 45° from longitudinal body axis ( Fig. 2A ). Vertex subtrapezoidal, passing smoothly into genae which are not produced into processes; coronal suture fully developed ( Fig. 2C ); frons triangular with median ocellus situated at dorso-median edge ( Fig. 2D ). Antenna 10-segmented, filiform, about as long as head width. Clypeus flattened, triangular ( Fig. 2D ), not visible in profile. Rostrum very short, hardly exceeding procoxae. Thorax moderately arched dorsally; pronotum transversely ribbon-shaped, longer medially than laterally; mesopraescutum in longitudinal body axis shorter than mesoscutum which is strongly bulged; propleurites with subequal epimeron and episternum. Legs ( Fig. 2B ) moderately slender, tibiae distinctly longer than femora; metacoxa with small pointed meracanthus and small membranous lobe on metatrochanteral cavity ( Fig. 2B : lobe); metatibia without genual spine, bearing an open crown of 8–9 densely spaced, sclerotised, apical spurs; metabasitarsus with 2 spurs ( Fig. 2B ). Forewing weakly coriaceous, membrane semitransparent, covered in surface spinules; costal break and pterostigma developed; veins R and M+Cu subequal, branches of vein M, and vein Cu 1a very long; anal break close to apex of vein Cu 1b. Hindwing slightly shorter than forewing, membranous; costal setae not grouped; vein R+M developed. Male proctiger one-segmented; in profile, with large posterior lobe in basal half. Male subgenital plate semiglobular. Paramere shorter than proctiger. Female terminalia cuneate. Circumanal ring oval.

Immature Unknown.

Comments

In describing Paurocephala longicella Tuthill (1943a) noted that the forewing venation differs from other known species of Paurocephala Crawford, 1913 . In a review of Rhinocola Foerster, 1848 and associated genera, Heslop-Harrison (1952) discussed P. longicella for which he erected ‘ Parapaurocephala ’ but failed to provide a description. The name is, therefore, a nomen nudum and not available (ICZN 1999/2012: article 13.1.1). Burckhardt & Basset (2000) referred to the taxon as “‘ Paurocephala ’ longicella group”. Based on a single male, Li (2002) described Microphyllurus longicellus Li, 2002 , from Hainan ( China). We have examined the holotype of Microphyllurus longicellus (DB, 31 Aug. 2009) and material identified as Paurocephala longicella from Fiji and Samoa (MHNG, 9 Jul. 2018). We conclude that the samples are congeneric but represent different species, one each in China, Fiji and Samoa, respectively, and suggest the following nomenclatorial acts:

Microphyllurus Li, 2002 , stat. rev., removed from synonymy with Peripsyllopsis .

Microphyllurus longicellus (Tuthill, 1943) comb. nov. from Paurocephala .

Microphyllurus lii nom. nov. for Microphyllurus longicellus Li, 2002 , nec Tuthill (1943a).

Included genus

* Microphyllurus Li, 2002 (syn. Microphyllura , misspelling, Li, 2011; Parapaurocephala Heslop- Harrison, nomen nudum; ‘ Paurocephala ’ longicella group sensu Burckhardt & Basset, 2000).

Figures

Fig. 2. Microphyllurinae subfam. nov.: Microphyllurus sp. A. Habitus, in profile view. B. Legs. C. Head, dorsal view. D. Head, ventral view.