NESOPHROSYNE
Endemic Hawaiian Leafhoppers
Endemic Hawaiian Nesoprhosyne
Picture Book!
​Why a picture book​
​
The native Hawaiian Leafhopper genus, Nesophrosyne, contains over 150 new species awaiting descriptions. However, it's exceptionally hard work to formally describe a new species, let alone dozens upon dozens. While I wait for retirement, I have created—and try to maintain—a diagnostic "picture book". It includes many of the previously described species, the new species that need description, as well as the areas of endemicity and host plant associations (i.e., where you can expect to find them).
​
It is hoped that such a resource would be useful to those generally interested in Hawaii's endemic biodiversity, but more so those trying to manage and protect!
​
CLICK-ME: NESOPRHOSYNE PICTURE BOOK
​
​More about Nesoprhosyne​
​​
Nesophrosyne currently contains over 200 species with only ~72 described in any usable detail. Species are distributed across all high islands in the Archipelago and occupy niches in all habitat types, from coastal to subalpine regions (2,500 – 3,100 meters). Nesophrosyne species are restricted to single host plants, utilizing 25% of the native Hawaiian angiosperm genera and 75% of the most ecologically dominant and species-rich genera (e.g., Coprosma, Myrsine, Hedyotis, genera of the lobelioid group, and Urticaceae family).
​
The genus is a classical adaptive radiation, as its species exhibit extreme morphological diversity, with highly adapted forms corresponding to habitat types, endemic hawaiian host plants, and unqiue Hawaiian climatic variables. They further show a range of articulated color patterns.
​
Thus, this exciting genus provides a fount of opprotunity to study cool, fun, and super interesting research questions regarding evoluiton, symbiosis, ecology, etc., This is why my lab keeps coming back to study this group. We simply love it!
Nesophrosyne currently contains over 200 species with only ~72 described in any usable detail. Species are distributed across all high islands in the Archipelago and occupy niches in all habitat types, from coastal to subalpine regions (2,500 – 3,100 meters). Nesophrosyne species are restricted to single host plants, utilizing 25% of the native Hawaiian angiosperm genera and 75% of the most ecologically dominant and species-rich genera (e.g., Coprosma, Myrsine, Hedyotis, genera of the lobelioid group, and Urticaceae family).
The genus is a classical adaptive radiation, as its species exhibit extreme morphological diversity, with highly adapted forms corresponding to habitat types, endemic hawaiian host plants, and unqiue Hawaiian climatic variables. They further show a range of articulated color patterns.
​
Thus, this exciting genus provides a fount of opprotunity to study cool, fun, and super interesting research questions regarding evoluiton, symbiosis, ecology, etc., This is why my lab keeps coming back to study this group. We simply love it!
