Cyphotes Burmeister 1835

Cyphotes -group

Cyphotes -group genera (Aspona, Cyphotes, Hypheodana, Nasuconia and Taunaya) share a unique combination of morphological features that distinguishes them from other Darnini genera.These genera can sometimes be challenging to distinguish from each other due to an overlap of key characters and a scarcity of material in collections for reference. With the aim of providing a more stable classification of these genera, we identify diagnostic characters and propose a preliminary key. In cases where genera lack unique synapomorphies that define them, we propose a combination of characters to redefine them. For Hypheodana, we follow diagnostic characters established by Sakakibara (2006); because of its high morphological heterogeneity, however, a closer comparison of the species of this genus is necessary. A phylogenetic analysis is beyond the scope of this paper and all generic concepts here provided should be considered hypotheses that need to be tested in future research.

The following are morphological features of the Cyphotes -group not present in other Darnini genera. Head. Coronal and frontoclypeal sutures well delimited (poorly delimited in raindrop genera) (Fig. 4A sc, s fc).The forward projected head is not a unique character to the Cypho tes group genera; this is a character also observed in other genera such as Funkhouseriana Creão-Duarte, 1999, Tynelia Stål, 1858, and Neotynelia Creão-Duarte and Sakakibara, 2000. Head orientation (vertex and frontoclypeus) varies from perpendicular, to obliquely projected forward forming an angle between the metopidum and vertex.

Pronotum. Covering forewings at rest, costal area visible (Fig. 4B); pronotum integument irregular, punctate, pubescent, with elevated lines, knots, or combinations of these present (Fig. 3) (sculpture even and smooth, in other Darnini genera); postocular area not extended beyond the eye (Fig. 4B) (postocular area lobulate or carinate in other Darnini genera); preapical part of posterior pronotal process enlarged (Fig. 4B), evenly convex, or tapered; median carina percurrent, elevated throughout (Fig. 4C) (not elevated in other genera); humeral angles projected laterally, triangular (Fig. 10A) to trilobate (Figs. 16A, E, D) (humeral angles not well projected laterally in other Darnini genera).

Legs. Pro- and mesothoracic tibia subfoliaceous (Fig. 2D) (slender in other Darnini genera); metathoracic femur with row of cucullate setae absent or, if present, restricted to basal or distal area (Fig. 2B); metathoracic tibia with row I reduced or absent (Figs. 2E–F).

Forewing. Vein M approaching and closely parallel to R in basal half of wing; vein R 4+5 strongly curved toward costal margin, forming nearly right angle (Figs. 5A; 11; 17) (M equidistant between M and Cu; R 4+5 straight in other Darnini) (Figs. 5B, C).

Abdomen. Sternum notably more sclerotized than tergum (Figs. 6A, C); abdominal sternites with conspicuous punctation (Figs. 6C–H) (uniformly sclerotized, without conspicuous punctations in other Darnini genera) (Figs. 6A, B).

1 Head in profile with anterodorsal margin perpendicular to the rest of body, produced downwards (Figs. 7A, C)........... 2

- Head in profile with anterodorsal margin oblique (Fig. 7l) or subparallel (Figs. 7B, 7K,7M) to the rest of the body, produced forward............................................................................................. 3

2 Frontoclypeus not extended beyond suprantennal ledges (Fig. 7D), head in anterior view subrectangular, wider than long................................................................................................. Taunay a

- Frontoclypeus extended at least 1/3 of its length beyond suprantennal ledges, head in anterior view usually triangular, longer than wide.................................................................................. Hypheodana

3 Frontoclypeus conical (Fig. 7H)................................................................... Nasuconia

- Frontoclypeus oblong (Fig. 7I) or tubular (Fig. 7J)........................................................... 4

4 Head in anterior view subtriangular, wider than long, frontoclypeus with lateral margins continuing contour of suprantennal ledges (Fig. 7I); in dorsal view, posterolateral area of pronotum enlarged, extended beyond humeral angles (Fig. 10); humeral angles triangular, not projected laterally; forewing with s crossvein absent (Fig. 11)........................... Cyphotes

- Head in anterior view subrectangular, longer than wide, frontoclypeus abruptly extended beyond suprantennal ledges (Fig. 7J); in dorsal view, posterolateral area of pronotum not extended beyond humeral angles (Fig. 16); humeral angles usually trilobate or, if triangular, well projected laterally (Fig. 7I); forewing with s crossvein present (Fig. 4A)........ Allocyphotes gen. nov.