The taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the cicada genus Gymnotympana Stål, 1861 (Homoptera : Tibicinidae)

Abstract

A new taxonomic concept is proposed for the genus Gymnotympana Stål. The genus now consists of a supposedly monophyletic group of 20 species, for which a key to the males is presented. Eight species [G. dahli (Kuhlgatz, 1905), G. olivacea Distant, 1905, G. rubricata (Distant, 1897), G. rufa (Ashton, 1914), comb. nov., G. strepitans Stål, 1861, G. stridens Stål, 1861, G. subnotata (Walker, 1868), comb. nov., and G. varicolor (Distant, 1907), comb. nov.) are redescribed. Baeturia rufa, Baeturia varicolor and Ueana dahli are transfened to Gymnotympana, and Baeturia valida Blote, 1960 is regarded as a junior synonym of G. dahli. Cicada innotabilis Walker (1868) is regarded to be a junior homonym; the name is brought into the synonymy of Baeturia subnotata Walker, which is transferred to Gymnotympana. Twelve species (G. hirsuta, G. langeraki, G. membrana, G. minoramembrana, G. montana, G. nigravirgula, G. obiensis, G. parvula, G. phyloglycera, G. stenocephalis, G. verlaani and G. viridis) are described as new. Gymnotympana belongs to a group of New Guinean and Australian genera, defined earlier as the 'Baeturia and related genera complex', and is closely related to Venustria Goding & Froggatt, Scottotympana de Boer and Baeturia Stål of that complex. The phylogenetic position of the monotypic genus Venustria, as a possible part of Gymnotympana, is discussed. Character distributions within Gymnotympana indicate several monophyletic species groups. Gymnotympana is widely distributed in New Guinea, with many endemic species in the eastern parts, but its distribution also includes northern Maluku, the Bismarck Archipelago, the D'Entrecasteaux Is, the Louisiade Archipelago, Woodlark I. and northern Queensland. Maps of distributions are presented. Biogeographic patterns are compared with patterns found in other taxa of cicadas, and an attempt is made to explain the distribution characteristics of Gymnotympana with the latest views on the geological history of New Guinea.