Scaralina metcalfi Yanega & Van Dam 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Yanega, Douglas
name: Goemans, Geert
name: Dam, Matthew Van
name: Gómez-Marco, Francesc
name: Hoddle, Mark
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hemiptera
Fulgoridae
Scaralina
Scaralina metcalfi

description: Scaralina metcalfi Yanega & Van Dam, sp. nov.
(Figs 20, 34, 49, 64, 77, 86)
Etymology. This species is named to honor Z.P. Metcalf; although he might not have included specimens of this taxon in the paratype series of his Crepusia glauca, it is the only species of the three he might have seen that is in the same species group as marmorata.
Diagnosis. The diagnostic structural features of the pronotum and mesonotum are quite consistent, and generally unlike any of the populations of marmorata examined; the details of coloration also do not quite match any marmorata color variants known, though specimens of rileyi from western Texas are somewhat close, metcalfi differing most visibly in the dorsal abdomen being very broadly yellow-orange medially, and laterally grayish white. This particular feature distinguishes this taxon from all of the other taxa we consider to be closely affiliated with marmorata, most of which have the midline of the abdomen black or very narrowly yellow (though marmorata and orientalis typically have some pale sublateral markings on terga 2 and 3). The lateral mesonotal carinae, in their posterior development, are also unlike marmorata or its affiliated species, and the male genitalia differs significantly from these taxa, though it is more like other members of the marmorata species group than the cristata group. The slightly expanded lower frons is similar to obfusca, obrienae, and sullivani, and perhaps it is with these species that its affinities lie. It is the only member of the marmorata group that is known to be sympatric with any members of the cristata species group (though it is possible that S. obfusca might also be), or occurs west of the Continental Divide in the United States. This taxon, like S. aethrinsula and cristata, appears to be limited to the “Sky Island” Madrean region in Arizona and adjacent northern Mexico, but is much rarer, and more geographically restricted, than the other species, though sympatric with them, suggesting it may feed on a rarer and more restricted host.
Description. Head (Figs 34, 49). Median pale spot on anterior rim of vertex considerably smaller than lateral spots; supra-ocular lobes slightly narrower and more produced posteriorly than in marmorata. Frons coloration similar to marmorata, with the reflexed margin entirely pale, and the pale marks at the upper creased corners very small, but lacking converging frontal ridges sometimes seen in marmorata, orientalis, and very distinct in rileyi. Lateral margin of frons slightly concave, lower lobes of frons slightly expanded. Clypeus pale-marked at upper corners, along midline, and just laterad of midline, similar to obrienae (compare Figs 34 & 37).
Thorax (Fig. 49). Pronotal post-ocular spots confluent; dorsal pronotal face almost entirely gray, pale only along medial carina, rims, and adjacent to pronotal spots. Mesonotum mostly dark with typical lateral pale markings and pale carinae, also with submedian lighter gray patches; lateral carinae atypical for genus, in that they are slightly obscured posteriorly, and the semicircular inner posterior carina that runs around the posterior pronotal spots is strong and connects to the terminus of the lateral carina; in effect, then, the lateral carinae appear to be strongly recurved posteriorly and running inside the posterior spots, similar to the pattern seen in gigantea and cristata. Mesonotal lobe pale along the midline and lateral margins, otherwise black. Dorsal setae long. Forecoxae paler than in most other species, legs otherwise mostly corresponding to generic diagnosis.
Wings (Figs 20, 64). Forewings mostly similar to marmorata, but with prominent dark marks posteriorly along claval vein, touching juncture; never with basal pale areas opaque. Pale basal area of forewing with membrane translucent (not hyaline) and hardly pigmented, though the venules may be orange and/or have tiny red flecks. Costal crossveins simple and typically well-spaced past 1st branch of M, M with 4–5 branches, CuA rarely with more than one direct branch. Hind wing hyaline except base, which is slightly orange-infused.
Abdomen (Fig. 20) Dorsum with distinct medial yellow-orange band in addition to poorly-defined buff-grayish lateral bands, tending to become nearly confluent on psoterior terga. Female supra-anal plate large, extensively pale.
Male terminalia (Figs 77, 86). Gonostyle apically black. Setose bulge displaced more anteriorly to the incurved dorsal portion than usual, and at an almost vertical orientation rather than nearly horizontal as in other species. Dorsal surfaces of gonostyli nearly meeting at midline, without evident ridges. Lateral hooks relatively small, acute, with basal flap poorly developed.
Type material. Holotype, male: ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Copper Canyon, Montezuma Canyon Road, 31°21’45”N, 110°18’01”W, 1850m, 29.vii.2002, D. Yanega (UCRC ENT 72827, at UCRC).
Paratypes (20 specimens): ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Portal, 4700 ft, 29.iii.1983, L.D. Anderson, 1F (UCRC ENT 127490); SWRS, Chiricahua Mts, 3.viii.1969, L.D Anderson, 1F; same but 10.viii.1975, McNally, 1F (UCRC); East Turkey Creek, 31°54’49”N, 109°14’19”W, 1830m, 28.vii.2005 J. & E.Adams, 1F (UCRC ENT 128976); Miller Canyon Road, Huachuca Mts, 31°24’56”N, 110°16’32”W, 1760m, 21.viii.2004, D. Yanega, 4F, 1M (UCRC ENT 98265–69); Miller Canyon, 31°24.952’N, 110°16.539’W, 1750m, 3.viii.2007, J. Mottern, MV, 1M (UCRC ENT 323691); Ash Canyon, 18.viii.1982, A. Reifschneider, 1F (UNSM); Pima Co.: Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mts, 13.viii.1952, M. Cazier, R. Schrammel, C. & P. Vaurie, 1M (AMNH); Bog Springs Campground, Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mts, 13.ix.1964, L. & C.W. O’Brien, blacklight, 1M (TTU-Z 18693; TTCC); same but 25.vi.1985, on Quercus, W.F. Barr, 1F (UDCC); Santa Cruz Co.: Madera Canyon, 5400 ft, 3.viii.1988, at light, C.E. Seibert, 1F (MTEC); Upper Madera Canyon, 31°42’46”N, 110°52’25”W, 1660m, 3.ix.2011, D. Yanega, MV, 1M (UCRC ENT 309054); Upper White Rocks Campground, Peña Blanca Lake, 1200m, 29.vii.2003, A.L. Park, Hg vapor light, 1F (UDCC); Santa Rita Canyon, 31°42’06”N, 110°48’58”W, 1870m, 31.vii.2002, D. Yanega, 1M (UCRC ENT 72843); MEXICO: Chihuahua: Cuiteco, 19.viii.1969, T.A. Sears, R.C. Gardner, C.S. Glaser, 1M (CSCA); 3 km. S. of Temoris, 4700 ft, 21.viii.1969, T.A. Sears, R.C. Gardner, C.S. Glaser, 1F (CSCA).
Distribution. While it might occur in other mountain ranges in the US besides the four it has been found in (the Atascosa, Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita ranges), we would caution against such an assumption; the Santa Catalina and Patagonia ranges, for instance, have been well sampled, yielding numerous of specimens of aethrinsula and cristata, but not one recorded specimen of metcalfi thus far.
description: Published as part of Yanega, Douglas, Goemans, Geert, Dam, Matthew Van, Gómez-Marco, Francesc & Hoddle, Mark, 2024, Description of a new genus of North and Central American planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) with fourteen new species, pp. 1-53 in Zootaxa 5443 (1) on pages 26-32, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5443.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/10997023