Inflatopyga, a new cicada genus (Homoptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae) endemic to the Solomon Islands

Abstract

The new cicada genus Inflatopyga and six new species of this genus are described from the Solomon Islands. The genus belongs to the subtribe Cosmopsaltriaria of the tribe Dundubiini (family Cicadidae). The species are mainly island endemics. Inflatopyga boulardi, sp. nov.,I. ewarti, sp. nov., andI. verlaani, sp. nov., are endemic to Bougainville,I. langeraki, sp. nov. (type species), is endemic to Guadalcanal and New Georgia, I. webbi, sp. nov., to Santa Isabel and I. mouldsi, sp. nov., to Malaita. A key to the males is provided. Inflatopyga is the sister-genus of Rhadinopyga, while both genera together are considered to be the sister-group of Diceropyga. A cladogram showing the apomorphies suggests the monophyletic origin of the genera and the genus relationships. The biogeography of the cicadas of the Solomon Islands is discussed. The distribution and monophyly of Inflatopygasuggest that the Solomon Islands form an area of endemism.