A New Lophopid Genus (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) Corroborates the Family Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography
Abstract
A new genus Venisiella and species V. manifesta of Lophopidae from the Fiji islands are described. The phylogenetic features of the new taxon were coded and analyzed using parsimony to placed it within the previously published phylogeny of the family. Lophopidae remains monophyletic, with the new genus in the Makota+ group sister to Buxtoniella. The historical biogeography of the Makota+ group is discussed and characters are given in order to distinguish this new genus from Buxtoniella.