Problematode: an enigmatic new genus of Membracidae (Hemiptera) with two new species from Venezuela Author Gaiani, Marco A. text Zootaxa 2017 4281 1 journal volume 28707 10.11646/zootaxa.4281.1.7 e6f2f35a-6ccf-44c1-aa29-3e7abd613cdf 1175-5326 815782 C555186B-91C0-4388-A6BA-7455E23DF370 Problematode sakakibarai Gaiani sp. nov. ( Figs. 1–2, 5–9 , 11–12, 18–21 ) Diagnosis . Both sexes display a flat “keel-like” process on the posterior half of the pronotum (reminiscent of a shark’s dorsal fin in lateral view), sexually dimorphic in shape ( Figs. 6–7 ). Pygofer with ventral margin strongly sinuate ( Fig. 21 ). Description . Adult s. Dimensions (mm): Total length ♂ 8.3, ♀ 9.3; width of head including eyes ♂ 2.6, ♀ 2.8; width between humeral angles ♂ 2.7, ♀ 2.9; pronotal length ♂ 1.9, ♀ 1.9; wing length ♂ 6.6, ♀ 7.9. Coloration . Body with long pale pubescence; overall integument color light brown; dorsal projections of head, posterior pronotal keel, base of pronotal area and scutellum, and claval area of forewings dark brown; apex of all femora, apex and base of all tibia, mid-section of hind tibia, and all tarsi brown; meso-basisternites black; abdominal sternites I–VI dark brown medially. Yellow markings on basal anterior margin of pronotal ridge, apical third of scutellum, and lateral posterior pronotal margin. Structure : Head. Broad, wider than long, with long pubescence, dorsal projections small and triangular; ocelli raised above surface. Thorax: Pronotum. Densely punctate, covered with pale decumbent setae; middorsal ridge slightly produced, extending over full length of pronotum, with sexually dimorphic posterior dorsal crest, decumbent caudally in males, erect and perpendicular to pronotal surface in females ( Figs. 1, 6–7 ). Anterior margin with submarginal scars in two fields separated by a pilose area ( Fig. 9 ). Scutellum. Basal 1/3rd raised, apical third with a slight median depression. Legs . Prothoracic and mesothoracic femora with raised tubercle on hind margin; metathoracic tibiae with three enlarged setal rows, each bearing cucullate setae (row I with 23–30 cucullate setae, row II with 6–7, and row III with 15–17). Forewing ( Fig. 11 ). Basal half slightly thickened, punctate; with one or two m-cu crossveins, apical half with a plexus of veins (specimens examined differ in the number of crossveins on left and right forewings); A2 bent anteriorly, joining A1 on apical fourth of clavus. Genitalia . Lateral plates fused to pygofer (line of fusion not evident), ventral margin situate in lateral view ( Fig. 21 ); styles ( Fig. 20 ) elongate, slender, hooked apically; aedeagus ( Figs. 1 8–19 ) strongly U-shaped, widened at middle and tapering apically, posterior face of apex denticulate. Female as in generic description. Nymphs . Unknown. Etymology : I am pleased to name this remarkable species after Dr. Albino Sakakibara, in honor of his immense contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical Membracoidea. Distribution . VENEZUELA : Aragua State. Material examined . 1♂ ( Holotype ), VENEZUELA , Aragua , Rancho Grande , Portachuelo , 1100 m , 23-V- 1975 , “al vuelo”, J. Salcedo & J.A. Clavijo cols. MIZA 0098872 ; 1♀ ( Paratype ), VENEZUELA , Aragua , Rancho Grande , 1100 m , 20/4/1968 , J. & B. Bechyné cols, MIZA 0098885 (all specimens at MIZA ) .