﻿Revision of the leafhopper genus Smyga (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae)

﻿Abstract The leafhopper genus Smyga Dworakowska (Typhlocybinae, Empoascini) is reviewed and a new species, S.brevipenis Webb & Xu, sp. nov. from Brunei and Malaysia, is described based on specimens previously identified as “aberrant specimens” of Smygadistincta Dworakowska. Images of the types of S.brevipenis and S.distincta are given for the first time. A checklist and key to known species of Smyga are also provided.


Introduction
The typhlocybine leafhopper genus, Smyga Dworakowska, 1995, was described for five species from Brunei and Malaysia (Sarawak and Sabah) (Dworakowska 1995;Knight 2010).The genus is recognized by a brown spot on the fore margin of the head and sinuate transverse brown band on the pronotum (Figs 1, 9), a well-developed coronal suture extended onto the face (Fig. 2), and a hind wing with veins MP and CuA free distally.Although species are very similar externally, there are considerable differences in their male genitalia, particularly with respect to the aedeagus, so much so that Dworakowska (1995) tentatively regarded one species, S. distincta, as having an aberrant form with a remarkably short aedeagal shaft.However, the discovery of two new species from Papua New Guinea in Xu's (2019) PhD thesis, with similar aedeagus, suggests that the specimens described and illustrated by Dworakowska as an aberrant form represent a separate species.This new species is described and illustrated below and a checklist and key to the known species of the genus are presented.Description.Body relatively robust.Pale yellow; head with a brown patch anteriorly (Figs 1, 9); face with anteclypeus brown distally (Fig. 2), sometimes with more extensive brown marking (S. divergens); pronotum with a brown transverse narrow band at midlength, pale yellow anterior to band and silvery posterior to band (Figs 1, 9); mesonotum with yellow to brown basal triangles (Figs 1, 9).

Morphological
Head including eyes broader than pronotum in dorsal view, crown short and broad, round anteriorly, length along midline shorter than one-half width between eyes; coronal suture well developed, extended onto face, and terminating at level of antennal bases (Fig. 2).Ocelli distinct, well separated from eyes (Fig. 2).Face moderately broad; lateral frontal suture well developed, curved mesad above antennal pit and meeting coronal suture at midline ventromesad of ocelli; anteclypeus slightly convex, not expanded (Fig. 2).Pronotum large with sinuate transverse depression (Figs 1, 9).Forewing narrow, rounded apically; apical cells occupying almost one-third of total length; vein R2 and RM dissociated at bases, joined by cross-vein, both arising from r cell; vein ScP+RA is not detectable; vein MCu almost parallel with vein RM apically.Hindwing with MP+CuA confluent.Front femur seta AM1 stout, situated near ventral margin; intercalary row with one large basal seta and eight or nine smaller setae near tip of femur.Hind femur with macrosetal formula 2 + 1 + 1; tibia row AV with six or seven preapical macrosetae.
Notes.Smyga superficially resembles Dapitana Mahmood, 1967 in the features of the head and wings (coronal suture extended onto face and terminating at level of antennal bases (Fig. 2), forewing with vein R2 and RM dissociated at bases, joined by cross-vein, both arising from r cell and vein ScP+RA is not detectable).It differs from Dapitana in color pattern (see generic description) and in having the male pygofer with one or two dorsal macrosetae and long fine ventrolateral setae (Figs 4, 10) (pygofer without macrosetae and long fine setae in Dapitana).Both genera occur on both sides of Wallace's Line, separating the Oriental from Australian regions.
Smyga includes five previously known species, all from Borneo, described by Dworakowska (1995).In her treatment of the type species, S. distincta, Dworakowska also described and illustrated some "aberrant specimens" that she excluded from the type series because she considered the small, ventrally positioned aedeagal shaft to be "not functional."Here we recognize these specimens as a valid species: S. brevipenis sp.nov., as similar specimens of two new species have been seen in Xu's (2019) PhD thesis.
As most Smyga species are from similar localities in Borneo (see Checklist) and as males are needed for identification, the female paratypes of two species (S. distincta and S. zonata) must be regarded as of uncertain identity (see also comments under S. distincta and S. zonata).It is also of some interest that, compared to males, the number of known females is very low.
Etymology.The name is derived from the Latin words brevis (short) and penis, which refers to the very short aedeagal shaft.
Distribution.Brunei, Malaysia.Notes.Specimens of S. brevipenis were considered aberrant specimens of S. distincta by Dworakowska (1995) and of uncertain status.However, based on the high degree of difference between these two species and the discovery of two similar new species from Papua New Guinea noted in Xu's (2019) PhD thesis, we describe the above specimens as a new species.All type specimens listed here (with some amendments) were identified by I. Dworakowska as the aberrant form of S. distincta.All are male and most have a Dworakowska genitalia dissection affixed to a card placed beneath the specimen.Three females (NHM) with identical data to the males could be the same species but, as three other species are also from these localities (see Checklist), their identity is uncertain.See also the concluding comments under the genus description.In Dworakowska's (1995) figure of the head and thorax there are some fine lines in the basal triangles of the mesonotum.These are seen in some specimens, but it is not clear if they are markings or perhaps caused by shrinkage of internal tissue during drying.

Smyga distincta Dworakowska Figs 9-13
Smyga distincta Dworakowska, 1995: 153-155, figs 168-177.Notes.The type series was originally stated as holotype male from Brunei, Ulu Temburong and one paratype male and two females from three different localities in Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park; however, the paratype male is in fact female.The identity of these three females must remain uncertain until females in the genus can be identified, particularly as other species are sympatric with S. distincta (see Checklist).
Aberrant specimens regarded as possibly this species in its original description are described above as a new species.Therefore, this species is known with certainty only from a single male, the holotype (NHM).