JURASSIC PALAEONTINIDAE FROM CHINA AND THE HIGHER SYSTEMATICS OF PALAEONTINOIDEA (INSECTA: HEMIPTERA: CICADOMORPHA)

Abstract:  Genera of Palaeontinidae (Insecta, Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) are reviewed based on some newly-discovered material. An updated list of palaeontinid genera is provided. The genus Palaeontinopsis Martynov is assigned to Palaeontinidae incertae sedis . A new genus and species, Ningchengia aspera gen. et sp. nov., is described based on forewings and hindwings from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. Fletcheriana colorata Wang, Zhang and Fang and F . minuta Wang, Zhang and Fang are transferred to Suljuktocossus and Ningchengia respectively, resulting in Suljuktocossus coloratus comb. nov. and Ningchengia minuta comb. nov. Papilioncossus Wang, Ren and Shih, 2007 syn. nov. is considered to be a junior synonym of Eoiocossus Wang and Zhang, 2006 and Quadraticossus Wang and Ren 2007 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Sinopalaeocossus   Hong, 1983 . The genus Fletcheriana is believed to represent a transition between Dunstaniidae and Palaeontinidae. This result is consistent with the previous view that Dunstaniidae is ancestral to Palaeontinidae. Furthermore, Suljuktocossus is a transitional genus between Fletcheriana and Cretaceous palaeontinids. The fusion of veins RP and M₁ in the palaeontinid hindwings implies a change of the mechanism of flight and an improvement in flight ability. The presence of a reduced costal area and the rigid basal leading edge of the palaeontinid forewings suggest gain of lift.