Selenacentrus
Morris & Dietrich, 2016
Species Guides
1Selenacentrus is a of treehoppers in the Membracidae, Centrotinae, described by Morris and Dietrich in 2016. The genus contains a single , Selenacentrus wallacei, found in Texas and northern Mexico. The genus was named in honor of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the " of Tejano Music." Selenacentrus lacks diagnostic features of currently recognized tribes within Centrotinae, including specific male genital capsule structures and femoral setae patterns, and does not fit into existing tribal classifications based on wing venation.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Selenacentrus: //sɛˌlɛnəˈsɛntrəs//
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Identification
Selenacentrus can be distinguished from other Centrotinae by the arrangement of in the forewing and the structure of the male genitalia. It lacks the top tip and lower lobes of the sides of the male genital capsule characteristic of the tribe Boocerini, and the hair-like setae on the of the second pair of legs found in that tribe. It also lacks certain wing veins used to diagnose the tribe Platycentrini. The narrow, curved valvulae with prominent teeth along the top edge and the exposed sides of the second thoracic segment resemble some Caribbean tribes (Monobelini, Nessorhinini), but differ in forewing venation and male genitalia structure.
Habitat
Found in Texas and northern Mexico; specific microhabitat preferences have not been documented.
Distribution
Known from Texas, USA and northern Mexico. The type series was assembled from specimens collected across this range that had been mislabeled in museum collections.
Human Relevance
The name honors Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (1971–1995), the influential Tejano music singer, recognizing her cultural significance and the geographic connection to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico where the genus occurs. The single , S. wallacei, is named after Matthew S. Wallace, a professor at East Stroudsburg University.
Similar Taxa
- BooceriniSelenacentrus lacks the top tip and lower lobes of the sides of the male genital capsule and the hair-like setae on the of the second pair of legs that characterize this tribe.
- PlatycentriniSelenacentrus lacks certain wing used to diagnose this tribe.
- MonobeliniShares similar narrow, curved valvulae with prominent teeth and exposed sides of the second thoracic segment, but differs in forewing venation and male genitalia structure; Monobelini is restricted to the Caribbean Antilles.
- NessorhininiShares similar narrow, curved valvulae with prominent teeth and exposed sides of the second thoracic segment, but differs in forewing venation and male genitalia structure; Nessorhinini is restricted to the Caribbean Antilles.
More Details
Discovery context
The was discovered after examination of 45 mislabeled specimens from collections at the Illinois Natural History Survey, United States National Museum of Natural History, American Museum of Natural History, Texas A&M University, and University of Missouri. This highlights the importance of museum collections for discovering cryptic diversity.
Taxonomic significance
Selenacentrus represents a previously unrecognized lineage within Centrotinae that does not fit into any currently recognized tribe, suggesting the need for revised tribal classifications in the . It is the first new Nearctic described in recent years, following the most recently described North American from Arizona and Nevada.