On Seven Undescribed Leaf Insect Species Revealed Within the Recent "Tree of Leaves" (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae)

With the recent advance in molecular phylogenetics focused on the leaf insects (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae), gaps in knowledge are beginning to be filled. Yet, shortcomings are also being highlighted, for instance, the unveiling of numerous undescribed phylliid species. Here, some of these taxa are described, including from Mindoro Island, Philippines; from Samar Island, Philippines; from Mindanao Island, Philippines; from Vietnam; from South Kalimantan, Indonesia; and from Java, Indonesia. Several additional specimens of these species together with a seventh species described herein, from southwestern India, were incorporated into a newly constructed phylogenetic tree. Additionally, two taxa that were originally described as species, but in recent decades have been treated as subspecies, are elevated back to species status to reflect their unique morphology and geographic isolation, creating the following new combinations: (Gray, 1843) from Bangladesh and northeastern India, and (Audinet-Serville, 1838) from the Seychelles islands. Lectotype specimens are also designated for (Gray, 1843) and (Audinet-Serville, 1838) from original type material.