ABSTRACT
During a survey in Trinidad and Grenada for putative vectors of palm lethal decline phytoplasmas, three species of planthopper in the genus Melanoliarus (Hemiptera, Cixiidae) were collected. Melanoliarus maidis was collected from coconut palms in Grenada, M. kindli was collected from grasses in a coconut plot in Trinidad and a new species of Melanoliarus was collected from coconut palms in Trinidad. Herein the novel taxon is described with supplementary molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and histone 3 (H3) gene to support placement in the genus Melanoliarus in the strict sense.
Subject(s)
Arecaceae , Hemiptera , Animals , Cocos , Hemiptera/genetics , Trinidad and Tobago , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Haplaxius is a large genus of cixiid planthopper found in the New World. The genus is of particular interest due to the ability of H. crudus to transmit the phytoplasmas for lethal decline in various palm species, primarily in the Caribbean and Florida, U.S.A. During recent vector survey work in Jamaica, a specimen was collected at Castleton Botanic Garden and determined to be a new species of Haplaxius. The novel taxon is herein described, Haplaxius fornicus sp. n., and corresponding DNA sequence data is provided for the barcoding region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and histone 3 (H3) gene. An updated phylogeny of the genus is provided with currently available taxa demonstrating additional support for the placement of H. fornicus sp. n. in Haplaxius.
Subject(s)
Cocos , Hemiptera , Animals , Rainforest , Jamaica , Hemiptera/genetics , PhylogenyABSTRACT
A new species of Jamaha Gnezdilov & O'Brien, 2008, is described from Jamaica and compared with other species in the genus. A key to the species of Jamaha is provided. Molecular data for the five-prime region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 18S rRNA gene is provided and compared to available Colpopterini, with other Nogodinidae as the outgroup, for a preliminary phylogenetic analysis. While the Colpopterini grouped with high support, these data remain too sparse to draw firm conclusions.
Subject(s)
Cocos , Hemiptera , Animals , Hemiptera/genetics , Jamaica , PhylogenyABSTRACT
Recent survey work in Jamaica on palm-associated planthoppers seeks to identify putative vectors of the lethal yellowing phytoplasma. Herein, a new species of planthopper, Bothriocera harthi sp. n., is described from coconut palm. Molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 18S rRNA gene, histone 3 (H3) gene, and 28S rRNA gene is provided to support placement of the novel taxon in Bothriocera. These findings are important because it provides novel data to help better understand the diversity and evolution of this unique group of planthoppers.
Subject(s)
Cocos , Hemiptera , Animals , Cocos/genetics , Hemiptera/genetics , JamaicaABSTRACT
A new species of the genus Agoo Bahder Bartlett, Agoo beani sp. n. was found associated with coconut (Cocos nucifera L., Arecaceae) in Jamaica. This species was discovered as part of a survey of the Caribbean basin to document planthopper diversity on palms. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S sequence data strongly support placement of the new species in Agoo. The morphological features of Omolicna cocoana Rodriguez-Leon Hidalgo-Gato from Cuba are reviewed and this species transferred into the genus Agoo.
Subject(s)
Cocos , Hemiptera , Animals , JamaicaABSTRACT
A new species of cixiid planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) in the genus Oecleus Stål, Oecleus mackaspringi sp. n., is described from Spring Garden, Jamaica. This new taxon is associated with coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) and was found while surveying palm plots with active cases of lethal yellowing (LY). This is the first report of the genus Oecleus from Jamaica. Sequence data for the COI gene and 18S gene are also provided.