Revision of the genus Innobindus Jacobi (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) with the description of six new species and comments on other Australian Brixiini genera

Abstract

Australian planthoppers of the genus Innobindus Jacobi are revised. A lectotype for Innobindus multimaculatus Jacobi is designated and six new species of Innobindus are described: I. alternans, I. collessi, I. licinus, I. marginatus, I. robinae and I. unicornis. Maps of the known distribution for the species of Innobindus are presented and discussed. The Australian Brixiini fauna, which appears to be restricted in distribution to Queensland and New South Wales, comprises a further two genera: Solonaima Kirkaldy and Undarana Hoch & Howarth. The majority of Brixiini, including Innobindus, is non-cavernicolous; however, eight species within the genera Solonaima and Undarana have adapted to life in lava tubes and limestone caves. A key to genera and a checklist of the Australian species are presented.

Six new species in the genus Innobindus Jacobi 1928 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Brixiini)

“…12A-G; Löcker et al 2007: fig. 10a-e). However, features that are only present on one side in I. alternans are seen on both sides in I. geminatus such as the medium-sized spine and minute spine on right lateral side of phallotheca in I. alternans (Löcker et al 2007. fig.…”

“…There are further differences between the two species such as a small spine on the flagellum, and the humped shape of the phallotheca in lateral view in I. geminatus which are not present in I. alternans. Interestingly Löcker et al 2007 lists a specimen of I. alternans that is excluded from the type series, which has the medium-sized spine inserted on the left hand side of the phallotheca (all other I. alternans specimens have it on the right side). This specimen, as well as the other specimens of I. alternans, were collected in the Lamington National Park, only about 200 km south of the Conondale Range where I. geminatus occurs.…”

“…Examination of additional material since Löcker et al 2007 revealed that the 'length of median carina of frons' character used in the identification key of Löcker et al 2007 to distinguish between the multimaculatus and licinus groups does not work for all specimens. One specimen of I. multimaculatus, one specimen of I. geminatus sp.…”

“…Females can be identified to species group level, with some females identifiable to species level. This key should be used in conjunction with the revision of the genus (Löcker et al 2007) as characters relating to previously described species are illustrated in the above mentioned research paper. (Fig.…”