Selenacentrus wallacei

Morris & Dietrich, 2016

Selenacentrus wallacei is a in the Membracidae, described by Morris and Dietrich in 2016. It represents the sole species of the Selenacentrus. The species was discovered among mislabeled specimens in multiple museum collections and is known from Texas and northern Mexico. Its taxonomic placement required the establishment of a new genus due to unique morphological characteristics that do not align with any recognized tribes within the Centrotinae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Selenacentrus wallacei: //ˌsɛlɪnəˈsɛntrʊs wəˈlæsi.aɪ//

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Identification

Selenacentrus wallacei can be distinguished from other Centrotinae by several unique morphological features. It lacks the top tip and lower lobes of the sides of the genital capsule found in males of the tribe Boocerini, and lacks the hair-like setae on the of the second pair of legs characteristic of that tribe. It also lacks certain wing used to diagnose the tribe Platycentrini. The possesses narrow, curved valvulae with prominent teeth along the top edge, and shows exposure of the sides of the second segment of the . Most diagnostically, it differs from all related tribes in the arrangement of veins in the forewing and in the structure of the male genitalia.

Habitat

Found in Texas and northern Mexico. Specific details are not documented, but as a member of Membracidae, it likely occurs on woody or herbaceous vegetation.

Distribution

Known from Texas, USA and northern Mexico. The was described from specimens collected at multiple localities across this range.

Diet

Feeds on plant sap using , as is characteristic of all treehoppers. Specific plant records are not documented.

Human Relevance

The was named in honor of Matthew S. Wallace, a professor at East Stroudsburg University. The name Selenacentrus honors Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known as the " of Tejano Music." The discovery highlights the importance of museum collections for documenting biodiversity, as the species was identified from previously collected, mislabeled specimens.

Similar Taxa

Boocerini (tribe)Shares some superficial similarities in general body form, but differs in male genital capsule structure (lacks top tip and lower lobes of sides) and lacks hair-like setae on second .
Platycentrini (tribe)Can be confused based on overall Centrotinae , but lacks the diagnostic wing used to identify this tribe.
Monobelini and Nessorhinini (tribes)Resembles these Caribbean tribes in having narrow, curved valvulae with prominent teeth and exposed sides of the second thoracic segment, but differs in forewing venation and male genitalia structure.