Three new Mexican species of the endemic Athysanini leafhopper genus Devolana DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the tropical dry forest

Biogeographical evaluation and conservation assessment of arboreal leafhoppers in the Mexican Transition Zone biodiversity hotspot

“…According to Aguilar‐Pérez et al. (2019) and Pinedo‐Escatel and Dietrich (2020) as well as the present results, the dry forest harbours 65% of athysanine species richness, more than in other forests in Mexico. A few more widespread genera, for example Mesamia Ball, Norvellina Ball, Eutettix Van Duzee, Zabrosa Oman and Comayagua Linnavuori & DeLong inhabit multiple types of vegetation and are more dispersed geographically to the north and south (Hamilton & Whitcomb, 2010).…”

“…Pinedo-Escatel et al (unpublished data) provided an overview of Athysanini inhabiting the seasonally dry tropical forest and showed that this forest type is inhabited mostly by endemic genera. According to Aguilar-Pérez et al (2019) and Pinedo-Escatel and Dietrich (2020) as well as the present results, the dry forest harbours 65% of athysanine species richness, more than in other forests in Mexico.…”

“…Continuing a trend begun in the 1920s, recent field work in Mexico has led to discovery of new leafhopper species and genera (Appendix ; Aguilar‐Pérez et al., 2019; Pinedo‐Escatel et al., 2016). Ongoing surveys will continue to fill gaps in knowledge of this diverse insect fauna.…”

“…We selected the diverse leafhopper tribe Athysanini (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) (Figure 1) because genera and species of this group exhibit a strong association with native forests and vegetation occurring in Mexico (Aguilar‐Pérez et al., 2019; DeLong & Hershberger, 1948). Most Mexican athysanine taxa apparently are endemic and confined to particular native forest types, many of which are endangered habitats (Pinedo‐Escatel et al, unpublished data).…”

Threatened Neotropical seasonally dry tropical forest: evidence of biodiversity loss in sap-sucking herbivores over 75 years

“…Arthropod species diversity in the SDTF remains inadequately studied with available data mostly scattered among disparate taxonomic papers and in museum collections. Within this seasonal ecosystem, insects are diverse and highly endemic [ 14 , 15 ]. Among the most diverse and abundant groups of insects in tropical forests, leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Membracoidea: Cicadellidae) comprise greater than 23 500 known species, many of which are highly specialized on particular host plants or habitats [ 16 ].…”