New Baltic amber leafhoppers representing the oldest Aphrodinae and Megophthalminae (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)

  • Christopher H. Dietrich Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL 61820
  • Ana Clara Gonçalves Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL 61820
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.74
Keywords: Morphology, fossil, evolution, phylogeny, Paleogene

Abstract

Three fossil leafhopper inclusions from Eocene Baltic amber, representing three new extinct genera and species, are described and illustrated. Eomegophthalmus lithuaniensis gen. et sp. nov. is tentatively placed in Megophthalminae, although it may represent the stem group from which Megophthalminae, Ulopinae, and Membracidae arose. Xestocephalites balticus gen. et sp. nov. and Brevaphrodella nigra gen. et sp. nov. are placed in Aphrodinae: Xestocephalini based on the structure of the head, leg chaetotaxy, and male genital capsule. These new genera and species represent the oldest known representatives of their respective subfamilies and the latter is the oldest known brachypterous adult leafhopper.

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Published
2014-02-14
How to Cite
Dietrich, C. H., & Gonçalves, A. C. (2014). New Baltic amber leafhoppers representing the oldest Aphrodinae and Megophthalminae (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae). European Journal of Taxonomy, (74). https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.74
Issue
No. 74 (2014): New Baltic amber leafhoppers representing the oldest Aphrodinae and Megophthalminae (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)
Section
Palaeontology
Copyright (c) 2014 Christopher H. Dietrich, Ana Clara Gonçalves

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