Sinoneurorthus yunnanicusn. gen. et n. sp. – a spectacular new species and genus of Nevrorthidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from China, with phylogenetic and biogeographical implications

Abstract

A new species and genus of Nevrorthidae, Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. gen. et n. sp., from Yunnan Province, China, is described. The generic status of the new genus is discussed based on the genital morphology. The phylogenetic and biogeographical relevance of the new genus and its implications on the whole family are discussed.

Keywords:

• Nevrorthidae
• taxonomy
• China
• phylogeny
• biogeography

Acknowledgements

We are much indebted to Dr Liangming Cao (Beijing), Dr Hu Li (Beijing) and Mr Anxian Shi (Zhaotong) for kindly providing the valuable specimen that was collected during their survey in Yunnan and taking the photos of living adults and habitats. We thank Dr John Plant (Vienna) for linguistic improvements of the manuscript. The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31000973, 31110103002).