Disentangling species boundaries in Massartella Lestage, 1930, from the Atlantic Forest: an integrative approach

Introduction Previous to this study, the Neotropical genus Massartella was represented by six species divided into two lineages: one for the Atlantic Forest, including the widely distributed M. brieni (type species), M. alegrettae , and the recently described M. aurora ; and another for the Pantepui area of Northern South America, including the species M. venezuelensis , M. devani , and M. hirsuta . After analyzing specimens from various localities in Southeastern Brazil, including material previously attributed to M. brieni , consistent morphological differences among adults, nymphs, and eggs were revealed, suggesting that the genus’s diversity had been underestimated. To clarify the taxonomy of the Atlantic Forest lineage, we aimed to assess species boundaries using an integrative approach. Methods We used an integrative approach combining COI sequences and morphological data from all life stages for species delimitation. Results Molecular data confirmed the correspondence between nymphs and adults within the same clades of the phylogenetic tree, particularly for M. brieni, M. fruhstorfferi reinst. stat., M. aurora , and M. helenae sp. nov. Based on these results, M. brieni is redescribed based on material from the type locality and its distribution is revised; M. fruhstorfferi reinst. stat. is revalidated and redescribed; M. aurora is newly recorded from Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Minas Gerais State; and three new species, M. helenae sp. nov., M. demoulini sp. nov., and M. bituca sp. nov., are described based on eggs, nymphs, and imagos or subimagos. Discussion Our integrative taxonomic approach significantly expands the known diversity of the Atlantic Forest lineage of Massartella , clarifying the identity and distribution of previously confused species and revealing three new taxa, thereby laying a robust foundation for future taxonomic, ecological, and biogeographic studies within this Neotropical genus.