Iotacyphinae Shcherbakov, Bashkuev et Shmakov, 2024

Shcherbakov, D. E., Bashkuev, A. S. & Shmakov, A. S., 2024, A new genus of Lophioneuridae (Thysanoptera s. l.) with elytrized forewings from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Russian Entomological Journal 33 (3), pp. 272-275 : 273-274

Family Lophioneuridae Tillyard, 1921

Subfamily Iotacyphinae Shcherbakov, Bashkuev et Shmakov , subfam.n.

TYPE GENUS. Iotacypha Shcherbakov, Bashkuev et Shmakov , gen.n .

DIAGNOSIS. Distinct from remaining Lophioneuridae in elytrized, convex, finely areolate forewings and а very small ovipositor. In other lophioneurids the forewings are flat, somewhat more sclerotized than the hind wings, lacking areolate microsculpture, and the ovipositor is well developed, with cutting valvulae.

COMPOSITION. Type genus and Burmacypha Zherikhin, 2000 , both from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

REMARKS. The families Lophioneuridae and Cyphoneuridae were described from the Permian as Homoptera by Tillyard [1921] and Carpenter [1932], respectively. Tillyard [1935] merged these families, described the allied Permian family Zoropsocidae and placed it along with Lophioneuridae in Psocoptera. Becker-Migdisova described the genus Lophioneurodes Becker-Midgisova, 1953 , bridging the gap between Lophioneuridae and Zoropsocidae , and united these two families [ Becker-Midgisova, 1961]. Vishniakova [1981] retained Lophioneurinae and Zoropsocinae as subfamilies and for the first time described Mesozoic Lophioneuridae , including two species from Late Cretaceous Taimyr amber. Jell and Duncan [1986] described the monotypic family Edgariekiidae from the Lower Cretaceous in Psocoptera, but Ansorge [1996] synonymized it under Lophioneuridae . Our observations confirm that there is no reason to distinguish between Lophioneurinae and Zoropsocinae even at the subfamily level.

Genus Iotacypha Shcherbakov, Bashkuev et Shmakov , gen.n.

TYPE SPECIES. Iotacypha zherikhini Shcherbakov, Bashkuev et Shmakov , sp.n .

DIAGNOSIS. Minute subbrachypterous lophioneurids. Forewings weakly elongated, strongly sclerotized, deeply convex; veins carinate, beset with strong curved setae; membrane finely areolate; Sc absent; RA long sigmoidal, leaving short R+M stem before separation of M (short RP+M stem developed); arculus (basal m-cu crossvein) between R+M and CuA; veins at wing apex Y-shaped (apical cell petiolate); discal cell bordered by 4 cells; clavus short and broad. Hind wings narrow, with long R+M+CuA stem, R and M separating distally; R, M and CuA subtransverse; clavus areolate. Antennae 7-segmented, at most 1/2 as long as forewing, scape and pedicel stout, flagellum moderately slender. Ocelli far apart, lateral ocelli close to eyes, median ocellus near clypeus. Pronotum short, saddle-shaped. Hind coxae enlarged. Tibiae with rows of setae. Tarsi 2-segmented; two slender curved claws. Genitalia very small.

COMPOSITION. Monobasic.

REMARKS. Similar to Burmacypha Zherikhin, 2000 in very small size, convex areolate forewings and the hindwing venation, but in the latter genus the veins at the forewing apex are H-shaped (apical cell is not petiolate), the discal cell is bordered by 7 cells, and the antennae are at least 2/3 forewing length with a filiform flagellum. Similar to Jantardachus Vishniakova, 1981 from Late Cretaceous Taimyr amber in very small size, 7-segmented antennae, absence of Sc and short CuA in forewings, but in the latter genus forewings are non-areolate, RA leaves the R stem after separation of M, tarsi and claws are shorter.

ETYMOLOGY. From Greek iota (smallest letter of Greek alphabet; anything very small) and genus Burmacypha ; gender feminine.