A new genus and species of planthopper from Seychelles endemic palm forest (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Derbidae)

A remarkable derbid planthopper was discovered in endemic palm forest on Praslin, Seychelles. Here, we describe it as Salaziella praslinensis Bolotov & Spitsyn gen. & sp. nov. (Derbidae: Otiocerinae: Zoraidini). The new taxon habitually resembles a group of Zoraidini genera, the frons of which shares gradually widening lateral carinae in the upper part, that is, Zorabana Van Stalle, 1984 from Africa and Helcita Stal, 1856 [=Jada Distant, 1906] from Africa and tropical Asia. However, it can be distinguished from these genera based on diagnostic differences in the tegmen venation pattern. The new species is known to occur in a single forest patch on Praslin and seems to be threatened by habitat loss and invasive species impact. Hence, it could be accessed as Critically Endangered (CR B1a).