The taxonomy, biogeography and host plant relationships of jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) associated with creosote bushes (Larrea spp., Zygophyllaceae)

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Panisopelma (Psyllidae: Aphalaroidinae) is revised and its internal phylogeny analysed. The constituent species, including five new ones, are described and illustrated. Keys are provided for the adults and the last instar larvae. Eight species are associated with creosote bushes (Larrea, Zygophyllaceae): five with L. nitida and three with L. divaricata. There is evidence that another three species, the larvae of which are unknown, also develop on L. divaricata. Seven species are restricted to Argentina, one to Bolivia and three to Chile. The cladistic analysis based on male, female and larval morphological characters yielded a single most-parsimonious tree. The species associated with L. nitida form a monophyletic clade, those on L. divaricata, by contrast, are paraphyletic. One clade with three species is restricted to Argentina, but three clades each contain a species from Argentina and Chile. Although a close association exists between Panisopelma and Larrea, there is no evidence for cospeciation, but rather an initial shift from an unknown host to L. divaricata and a second shift from L. divaricata to L. nitida. In three species pairs of Panisopelma, the distribution patterns suggest geographical vicariance between Argentina and Chile.