First record of a troglobitic Delphacidae in the Neotropics: Spelaeodelphax nexus Santos & Asche gen. nov. et sp. nov. from Brazil (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha)

By

Santos, Júlio C. C. V.
Asche, Manfred.
Hoch, Hannelore
Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2026-1-14

Original Publication

Subterranean Biology

Volume

55

Pages

1--25

Subjects

limestone caves , nymphal morphology , subterranean biodiversity , troglomorphy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.175661

 

Abstract

<br> A new obligately cavernicolous planthopper species belonging to the Delphacidae was discovered in a cave in Bahia State, Brazil. As no epigean relatives could be identified so far, the species is isolated among the Asiracinae, and accordingly, a new genus<br> Spelaeodelphax<br> gen. nov.<br> is erected to accommodate it. Worldwide, this discovery represents only the fourth record of subterranean Delphacidae and the second confirmed case of a cave-adapted delphacid, and the first such record in the Americas. The<br> Spelaeodelphax nexus<br> sp. nov.<br> is the seventh troglobiont Fulgoromorpha recorded in Brazil. The discovery of this spectacularly troglomorphic species is yet another example of the unique diversity and ecological complexity of biological communities in Brazilian cave environments, and underlines the imperative need for the conservation and in-depth study of subterranean ecosystems.<br>