Megataxa

New genera and species of cicadas from arid Australia (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae)

M.S. MOULDS — 2025-05-15

All described species of cicadas (Cicadidae) from the Northern Territory and South Australia are listed (Tables 1 and 2) and the composition of these faunas is briefly compared and discussed.

Five new genera and 12 new species are described from arid regions of Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales, viz. Amica glauca gen. et sp. nov., Amica sitis gen. et sp. nov., Arenopsaltria exmouthensis sp. nov., Arenopsaltria dryas sp. nov., Austropunia cheloides gen. et sp. nov., Brevia bullula gen. et sp. nov., Paraclinata chlorotes gen. et sp. nov., Paraclinata nullarboris gen. et sp. nov., Cognadanga capricornica gen. et sp. nov., Cognadanga isos gen. et sp. nov., Gudanga kolos sp. nov. and Xeropsalta eremica sp. nov. Notes on the attributes of Heremusina Ewart, 2018 are reviewed and discussed. Correction is provided for a misidentification of Paradina leichardti (Distant, 1882) in the molecular study of Marshall et al. (2018).

**Thirteen new cicada species (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Thailand with the resurrection of Pomponiini Kato, 1932, a new combination, and a new tribal assignment for Muda Distant, 1897**

ALLEN F. SANBORN — 2025-06-05

The species Chremistica doiluangensis sp. nov., Chremistica kalasinensis sp. nov., Pomponia bimaculosalaria sp. nov., Aetanna lannensis sp. nov., Vietanna oresbia sp. nov., Metapurana phuruensis sp. nov., Minipomponia doiinthanonensis sp. nov., Megapomponia isanensis sp. nov., Meimuna chiangmaiensis sp. nov., Meimuna maehongsonensis sp. nov., Muda songkhlensis sp. nov., Muda phetchabunensis sp. nov., and Muda chanthaburensis sp. nov. are described as new clarifying the taxonomy of undescribed species in a previous publication on Thailand cicadas. In addition, Pomponiini Kato, 1932 rev. stat. is resurrected from junior synonymy of Psithyristriini Distant, 1905, Pomponia adusta (Walker, 1850) is reassigned to become Megapomponia adusta (Walker, 1850) comb. nov., and Muda Distant, 1897 is reassigned from Chlorocystini Distant, 1905 to Katoini Moulds & Marshall, 2018 (in Marshall et al., 2018).

Revisiting the concept of ‘ultra evolved’ aedeagi of Adelopsis Portevin, 1907 (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Ptomaphagini) using scanning electron microscopy, with description and redescription of species

PEDRO GNASPINI — 2025-06-13

We revisit the diagnosis and evolution concept of aedeagal morphology in the tribe Ptomaphagini using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. We here focus on Adelopsis Portevin, 1907, which is a speciose Neotropical genus, which includes species with male genitalia varying from elongate and slender to globose and very complex (including the so-called ‘ultra evolved aedeagi’). We analyzed SEM images focusing on the aedeagal morphology of 19 described species and eight species here described, representatives of most of the species groups recognized in the genus and representing a broad variety of aedeagal types observed in the genus. The eight Brazilian new species here described (all in benardi species group) are: Adelopsis boraceia Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, Adelopsis monticola Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, Adelopsis vanini Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, Adelopsis gibber Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, and Adelopsis ilhabela Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, from São Paulo state, Adelopsis caeteh Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species and Adelopsis gandarela Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, from Minas Gerais state, and Adelopsis sacerdotis Gnaspini & Gomyde, new species, from Bahia state. We record several types of probable sensory structures on the ‘ultra evolved’ aedeagi of species in benardi species group; and we also address more finely the complex morphology of the aedeagi in benardi and elephas species groups. Those characters will help with phylogenetic analysis of the genus and the tribe as a whole when the same kind of study includes the remaining species. We also add images of the aedeagus apex taken from slightly different views in order to highlight the importance of precisely illustrate the aedeagus to avoid misleading comparisons and misidentification of species.