Minyscapheus dominicanus n. gen., n. sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), a fossil cicada in Dominican amber

Abstract

A new fossil cicada, Minyscapheus dominicanus n. gen., n. sp. Poinar, Kritsky and Brown (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) is described from Dominican amber. The small size distinguishes the new genus from all extant West Indian cicadas. M. dominicanus aligns with the Hispaniolan Uhleroides clade; however, it differs from the two endemic Uhleroides species and other West Indian members of the genus. Diagnostic characters include a narrow pronotal collar with pointed lateral angles, a narrow scutellum, tegmina with a narrow, elongated costal area (R ₂ cell), wing with length of A₃ vein greater than half length of vannus and additional venation features. Two erythraeid mites are attached to the mesonotum of the fossil cicada. This is the first description of an adult cicada in amber.

Keywords:

• Tertiary amber
• Dominican Republic
• cicada fossil
• parasitic mites

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Art Boucot and Roberta Poinar for their comments on earlier drafts of this paper.