Mukaria sakaeratensis sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae), a new species of bamboo leafhopper from Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand

Abstract

Mukaria sakaeratensis Piraonapicha & Chomphuphuang, sp. nov. is described based on male and female specimens recently collected in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The new species is herein described by an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular evidence. Genetic distance analyses revealed a potential barcoding gap (K2P) of 0.20–12.07% for COI in Mukaria. Species delimitation methods ABGD and ASAP demonstrated promising results for the COI gene. This species clearly differs from all its congeners in the aedeagal shaft abruptly narrowed and curved inward in the distal half, and with a pair of spines pointed anteriorly. Mukaria sakaeratensis sp. nov. has been found on the bamboo Vietnamosasa pusilla (A. Chev. & A. Camus) T.Q. Nguyen. This finding constitutes the first recorded instance of a specialized member of the tribe Mukariini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) feeding exclusively on bamboo from the genus Vietnamosasa. The holotype has been deposited in the Entomology Section, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden Organization, Thailand.