Smiliini
Stål, 1866
Genus Guides
7Smiliini is a tribe of treehoppers in the Membracidae, Smiliinae, containing approximately 6 and at least 40 described . Members are predominantly Nearctic in distribution and primarily feed on trees, with many species associated with oak (Quercus). The tribe was historically defined broadly to include Telamonini, but phylogenetic analysis has reinstated Telamonini as a separate tribe, narrowing the definition of Smiliini. Several genera within Smiliini, including Atymna, Cyrtolobus, Heliria, and Telamona, are not monophyletic.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Smiliini: //sˈmɪlɪˌaɪnaɪ//
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Identification
Smiliini can be distinguished from the reinstated tribe Telamonini by several morphological characters: the margin of the , pronotum shape, size of pronotal humeral angles, presence or absence of pronotal longitudinal rugae, forewing size, patterns of R and M fusion at the wing apex in both fore- and hind wings, and the shape of the apex of the female second valvulae.
Images
Habitat
Trees; primarily arboreal with documented feeding on various tree .
Distribution
Predominantly Nearctic. The common ancestor of the group occurred in Central America and Mexico, with multiple events to temperate North America.
Diet
Phloem-feeding, consistent with Membracidae . Many feed on various species of oak (Quercus).
Host Associations
- Quercus - primary plantvarious oak
- various tree species - plantgeneral tree-feeding habit
Similar Taxa
- TelamoniniHistorically treated as a junior synonym of Smiliini but reinstated as a separate tribe based on phylogenetic analysis; distinguished by morphological characters of the , pronotum, wings, and female genitalia.
- Other Smiliinae tribesSmiliini is the nominotypical tribe of Smiliinae; other tribes in the subfamily include Amastrini, Ceresini, and Polyglyptini, which differ in morphological characters and associations.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Smiliini was previously defined broadly to include Telamonini as a junior synonym. Morphological phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that this broad concept was not monophyletic, leading to the reinstatement of Telamonini as a separate tribe and a narrower definition of Smiliini.
Phylogenetic status of genera
Several traditionally placed in Smiliini are not monophyletic, including Atymna, Cyrtolobus, Heliria, and Telamona, indicating need for taxonomic revision.
Biogeographic origin
Phylogenetic mapping of geographic distribution indicates the common ancestor of Smiliini and related clades occurred in Central America and Mexico, with subsequent to temperate North America.