Untangling the assassin's web: Phylogeny and classification of the spider-associated Emesine complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Web-building spiders are formidable predators, yet assassin bugs in the Emesine Complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae, Saicinae, and Visayanocorinae) prey on spiders. The Emesine Complex comprises >1000 species and these web-associated predatory strategies may have driven their diversification. However, lack of natural history data and a robust phylogenetic framework currently preclude tests of this hypothesis. We combine Sanger (207 taxa, 3865 bp) and high-throughput sequencing data (15 taxa, 381 loci) to generate the first taxon- and data-rich phylogeny for this group. We discover rampant paraphyly among subfamilies and tribes, necessitating revisions to the classification. We use ancestral character state reconstructions for 40 morphological characters to identify diagnostic features for a revised classification. Our new classification treats Saicinae Stål and Visayanocorinae Miller as junior synonyms of Emesinae Amyot and Serville, synonymizes the emesine tribes Ploiariolini Van Duzee and Metapterini Stål with Emesini Amyot and Serville, and recognises six tribes within Emesinae (Collartidini Wygodzinsky, Emesini, Leistarchini Stål, Oncerotrachelini trib.n. , Saicini Stål stat.n. , and Visayanocorini Miller stat.n. ). We show that a pretarsal structure putatively involved in web-associated behaviours evolved in the last common ancestor of Emesini, the most species-rich clade within Emesinae, suggesting that web-associations could be widespread in Emesinae.     

On the composition and distribution of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea)

The composition of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville, 1843 is revised. According to the synapomorphies in the structure of the male and female genitalia, the family Acanaloniidae s. str. comprises 4 New World genera: Acanalonia Spinola, 1839, Batusa Melichar, 1901, Chlorochara Stål, 1869, and Philatis Stål, 1862. Galapagosana Distant, 1909 and Euthiscia Van Duzee, 1923 are placed in synonymy to Philatis Stål, 1862. The taxonomic position of the genera Aylaella Demir et Ozdikmen, 2009 (replacement name pro Perinetia Lallemand et Synave, 1954), Hemithiscia Schmidt, 1912, Paraphilatis Melichar, 1912, Parathiscia Melichar, 1901, Pseudothiscia Schmidt, 1912, Thinea Melichar, 1912, and Thiscia Stål, 1862 is unclear and needs further study.     

Systematic revision of Aluntiini Emeljanov, 1979 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae: Dictyopharinae): reclassification,phylogenetic analysis,and biogeography

The dictyopharid planthopper tribe Aluntiini s.l. is revised and reclassified into two tribes: Aluntiini s.s. and Arjunini Song & Szwedo trib. nov. The tribe Aluntiini s.s. includes five genera: Aluntia Stål, 1866; D endrophora Melichar, 1903 stat. rev. ; Dictyomorpha Melichar, 1912; Indodictyophara Liang & Song, 2012; and Madagascaritia Song & Liang gen. nov. The new tribe Arjunini comprises two genera – Arjuna Muir, 1934 and Pippax Emeljanov, 2008 – both moved from Aluntiini s.l. Four new species – A luntia longicephalica Song & Szwedo sp. nov. , Madagascaritia angusta Song & Liang sp. nov. , Arjuna maai Song & Wang sp. nov. , and Arjuna muiri Song & Wang sp. nov. – are described. A morphologically based phylogenetic analysis is undertaken for Aluntiini, Arjunini, and the representatives of Dictyopharini, Hastini, Orthopagini, and the fossil Worskaitini within Dictyopharinae, all distributed in the Old World. A matrix of 129 characters of the habitus, coloration, head, thorax, and male and female genitalia of the adults was used for the cladistic analysis. The phylogenetic results show that Aluntiini s.l. as placed in Dictyopharidae is well supported, but it is distinctly paraphyletic and should be separated into two unambiguous tribes. A palaeotropical distribution pattern displayed by Aluntiini is suggested. The origin and diversification of Aluntiini are discussed preliminarily. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

New tribes of the superfamily Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) in Burmese amber

Two new tribes in the Curculionoidea are described as the Anchineini Poinar and Legalov, n. trib. (Ithyceridae: Carinae) and Paleocryptorhynchini Poinar and Legalov, n. trib. (Curculionidae: Erirhininae). The genus Anchineus Poinar and Brown, 2009, n. placem. is transferred from the subfamily Curculioninae of the family Curculionidae to the subfamily Carinae of the family Ithyceridae. The genus Paleocryptorhynchus Poinar, 2009, n. placem. is transferred from the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae to the subfamily Erirhininae. The placement of the genus Mesophyletis Poinar, 2006 in the family Ithyceridae was confirmed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0C0039DD-7BC6-4A54-9282-F43C5606D68B     

Revision of the tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea: Nogodinidae)

The tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 is revised, upgraded to the subfamily Colpopterinae, stat. n., and transferred from the family Issidae Spinola to Nogodinidae Melichar. The tribe Colpopterini is recorded from the Afrotropical Region for the first time—Bumerangum deckerti gen. et sp. n. is described from Southern Africa. The tribe Colpopterini s. str. comprises 6 genera: Bumerangum gen. n., Caudibeccus Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Colpoptera Burmeister, 1835, Jamaha Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Neocolpoptera Dozier, 1931, and Ugoa Fennah, 1945. The genera Cheiloceps Uhler, 1895, Tempsa Stål, 1866, Eupilis Walker, 1857, and Gabaloeca Walker, 1870 are transferred to the tribe Issini Spinola of the family Issidae. Issus longulus Lethierry, 1890 is transferred to the genus Colpoptera Burmeister. A key to the genera and a list of the species of the tribe Colpopterini are given. Morphological data confirming independent evolution of similar ovipositor types in the families Issidae and Nogodinidae are provided. The term “styletization” is suggested for describing the transformation of the ovipositor from a rounded to an elongate type.     

Microsatellite diversity among the primitive tribes of India

The present study was undertaken to determine the extent of diversity at 12 microsatellite short tandem repeat (STR) loci in seven primitive tribal populations of India with diverse linguistic and geographic backgrounds. DNA samples of 160 unrelated individuals were analyzed for 12 STR loci by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gene diversity analysis suggested that the average heterozygosity was uniformly high ( >0.7) in these groups and varied from 0.705 to 0.794. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that these populations were in genetic equilibrium at almost all the loci. The overall G(ST) value was high (G(ST) = 0.051; range between 0.026 and 0.098 among the loci), reflecting the degree of differentiation/heterogeneity of seven populations studied for these loci. The cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling of genetic distances reveal two broad clusters of populations, besides Moolu Kurumba maintaining their distinct genetic identity vis-à-vis other populations. The genetic affinity for the three tribes of the Indo-European family could be explained based on geography and Language but not for the four Dravidian tribes as reflected by the NJT and MDS plots. For the overall data, the insignificant MANTEL correlations between genetic, linguistic and geographic distances suggest that the genetic variation among these tribes is not patterned along geographic and/or linguistic lines.     

Generic revision of Cypricercinae McKenzie, 1971 (Crustacea,Ostracoda), with the description of three new genera and one new species and a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily

The Cypricercinae are one of the most speciose subfamilies of non-marine ostracods, with more than 170 described species, mostly from the tropics. Although the identity of the subfamily as such is clear, because of the presence of unifying characters such as the Triebel’s loop in the attachment of the caudal ramus, the supra-specific taxonomy of this group has long been confused because of lack of good generic and tribal characters. Here, the generic characters of the Cypricercinae are revised. Eleven genera are retained in this subfamily, including three new genera: Bradleytriebella n. gen., Nealecypris n. gen. and Pseudostrandesia n. gen. Tanycypris siamensis n. sp. is described from Thailand. In addition, five species [Bradleystrandesia fuscata (Jurine, 1820), Bradleytriebella tuberculata (Hartmann, 1964), Nealecypris obtusa (Klie, 1933), Pseudostrandesia striatoreticulata (Klie, 1932), Spirocypris horrida (Sars, 1926)] are redescribed. A key to the genera is given. We propose three tribes: the nominal tribe Cypricercini McKenzie, 1971, as well as two new tribes, Bradleystrandesiini n. trib. and Nealecypridini n. trib. To evaluate the systematic relationships within this subfamily, phylogenetic analyses, based on morphological characters of valves and soft parts, were conducted. The Neighbour Joining (NJ) tree strongly supports the classification into three independent tribes, whereas the Maximum Parsimony (MP) tree shows that Bradleystrandesiini n. trib is actually a subgroup of the Cypricercini. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: Luigi Naselli-Flores     

New and little known planthoppers of the subfamily Ommatidiotinae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea, Caliscelidae) from Madagascar and South Asia

Cano merinus gen. et sp. n., belonging to the tribe Augilini Baker, is described from Madagascar. Tubilustrium typicum Distant, 1916 is transferred from the tribe Ommatidiotini Fieber to the tribe Augilini. Lasonia kirkaldyi Melichar, 1903 is transferred from the family Issidae to the family Caliscelidae, tribe Adenissini Dlabola. A key to the tribes of the subfamily Ommatidiotinae is provided.     

Calling Behavior and Morphology of the Stridulatory Apparatus in Neotropical Grasshoppers (Aleuas Stål; Orthoptera)

The sound production and sound producing apparatus of two species of grasshoppers, A. lineatus Stål, 1878 and A. vitticollis Stål, 1878 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Copiocerinae) have been studied. For both species oscillograms and other physical data on sounds are presented for the first time. The sound producing behavior is described and the stridulation apparatus mechanism is illustrated. In the case of A. vitticollis these data are the first known on its sound production and general acoustic behavior.     

New Weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionoidea) from the Earlymost Eocene Oise Amber

Paleontological Journal - Several new tribes, genera and species of Curculionoidea are described from the earlymost Eocene Oise amber (France), viz., the new tribes Oiserhinini trib. nov. (type...     

A new species of the genus Pibrocha Kirkaldy (Homoptera, Fulgoridae) with notes on the systematics of the subfamily Dichopterinae and with description of a new tribe

The second species is described in the genus Pibrocha Kirk., P. excelsa sp. n. from Thailand. The limits of the subfamily Dichopterinae are discussed, a new tribe Protachilini trib. n. erected for the South American monotypical genus Protachilus Fenn. is added to the tribes Dichopterinii, Cladodipterini, and Dorysarthrini. The composition of the families Fulgoridae and Dictyopharidae is also discussed. The origin of the articulated cephalic process in adult Dorysarthrini is hypothesized.     

The Neotropical ‘polymorphic earless praying mantises’ – Part I: molecular phylogeny and revised higher‐level systematics (Insecta: Mantodea,Acanthopoidea)

We perform phylogenetic analyses of the ‘polymorphic earless praying mantises’, a heterogeneous assemblage comprising c. 55% of mantodean diversity in the Neotropics. Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood were implemented on a DNA dataset of 9949 aligned nucleic acid characters comprising ten mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Our analyses largely resolved congruent relationships with high levels of support for higher‐level taxonomic groups, but revealed extensive inconsistencies between the resolved topology and morphology‐based classification systems. The polymorphic earless praying mantises, now granted superfamily status as the Acanthopoidea stat. n., comprises 8 families, 15 subfamilies and 18 tribes. Our newly revised organization required the following taxonomic changes: (i) Thespidae sensu n., including subfamilies Pseudopogonogastrinae subfam. n., Pseudomiopteryginae sensu n., Bantiinae subfam. n., Miobantiinae sensu n. and Thespinae sensu n. (tribes Musoniellini trib. n. and Thespini sensu n. ); (ii) Angelidae stat. n. et sensu n. ; (iii) Coptopterygidae stat. n. ; (iv) Liturgusidae sensu n. ; (v) Photinaidae stat. n., including Macromantinae stat. n., Cardiopterinae stat. n., Photiomantinae subfam. n. and Photinainae sensu n. (tribes Microphotinini trib. n., Orthoderellini stat. n. and Photinaini sensu n. ); (vi) Stenophyllidae stat. n. ; (vii) Acontistidae stat. n. ; and (viii) Acanthopidae sensu n. Our new system also resulted in the reassignment of various genera to new and existing higher‐level taxa, the exclusion of old world genera otherwise traditionally classified among the Thespidae, Liturgusidae and Angelidae, the confirmation of Stenophylla Westwood as member of this clade, and the revalidation of Paradiabantia Piza stat. r. We provide diagnoses for all suprageneric taxa using external morphological characters and male genitalia. A key to higher‐level groups is provided. We incorporate egg case structural variation as a novel approach for taxon delineation. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:29E37322‐30EB‐4F64‐80C9‐E2149B5B0195 .     

Phylogeny of the leafhopper subfamily Evacanthinae with a review of Neotropical species and notes on related groups (Hemiptera: Membracoidea: Cicadellidae)

Abstract. The phylogenetic analysis of ninety‐two adult morphological characters supports the treatment of Nirvaninae as a junior synonym of Evacanthinae and the redefinition of Evacanthinae to include the tribes Nirvanini, Balbillini, Evacanthini and Pagaroniini. The analysis indicates that Nirvaninae, as previously defined, is polyphyletic. A key to tribes and Neotropical genera is provided and diagnostic features for these taxa are reviewed. Jassoqualus Kramer, Neonirvana Oman, Synogonia Melichar (=Jassopronus Nielson & Godoy, syn.n.) and Tahura Melichar are retained within Nirvanini and two new Neotropical genera of this tribe are described and illustrated: Antillonirvana, gen.n., based on two new species from the Dominican Republic and one from Cuba; and Chibchanirvana, gen.n., based on two new species from Colombia. Pentoffia Kramer and Evanirvana Hill are treated as incertae sedis within Evacanthinae. Six new species of Pentoffia, a new species of Synogonia, a new species of Jassoqualus, two new species of Neonirvana and eleven new species of Tahura, all from South America, are also described and illustrated. The following taxa included previously in Nirvaninae are excluded from Evacanthinae, sensu lato: Tungurahuala Kramer to Cicadellinae; Columbonirvana Linnavuori to Typhlocybinae; Macroceratogoniini to Coelidiinae; Occinirvanini Evans to Deltocephalinae. Omaranus Distant, placed previously in Occinirvanini, is transferred to Doraturini (Deltocephalinae).     

Phylogenetic analysis of the Abana group of genera (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini)

Abstract. The Abana group sensu Mejdalani (2000) includes the genera Abana Distant, Acrobelus Stål, Acrogonia Stål, Deselvana Young, Omagua Melichar, Raphirhinus de LaPorte and Teletusa Distant. A comparative morphological study of these genera and six outgroup taxa yielded seventy-four characters of the head, thorax, and male and female genitalia. The structures of the female genitalia, studied for the first time in a phylogenetic analysis of proconiine genera, provided informative characters for the analysis. A phylogenetic analysis conducted to estimate the relationships among these genera, using six outgroup genera, revealed eight equally most-parsimonious trees. Goloboff's implied weights method resulted in two trees and successive weighting selected one of the original trees. The latter shows the following relationships for the genera: (Cicciana ((Acrogonia, Homalodisca) (Molomea, Tretogonia)) (Diestostemma (Desamera (Acrobelus ((Abana, Omagua) ((Raphirhinus (Deselvana sp., Deselvana ornata, Deselvana excavata)) (Deselvana dorsivitta, Teletusa))))))). The monophyly of the Abana group was not recovered, but a monophyletic group including Abana, Acrobelus, Deselvana, Omagua, Raphirhinus and Teletusa appeared in all eight trees. The genus Deselvana seems to be polyphyletic.     

Phylogeny and historical biogeography of leafhopper subfamily Iassinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with a revised tribal classification based on morphological and molecular data

Phylogenetic relationships among major lineages of the leafhopper subfamily Iassinae were explored by analysing a dataset of 91 discrete morphological characters and DNA sequence data from nuclear 28S rDNA and histone H3 genes and mitochondrial 12S rDNA. Bayesian, maximum‐likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses yielded similar tree topologies that were well resolved with strong branch support except at the base of the tree, resulting in equivocal support for inclusion of Bythoniini as a tribe of Iassinae but strong support for the monophyly of Iassinae (excluding Bythoniini) and most previously recognized iassine tribes. Divergence times for recovered nodes were estimated using a Bayesian relaxed clock method with two fossil calibration points. The results suggest that the deepest divergences coincided with Gondwanan vicariant events but that more recent divergences resulted from long‐range dispersal and colonization. Biogeographical analyses suggest that the group most likely has a Neotropical origin. The following changes to the taxonomic classification are proposed: establishment of three new tribes, Batracomorphini trib.n. (based on type genus Batracomorphus Lewis), Hoplojassini trib.n. (based on type genus Hoplojassus Dietrich and including one other South American genus), Lipokrisnini trib.n. (based on type genus Lipokrisna Freytag and including two other endemic Caribbean genera); Krisnini is redefined to include only the Old World genera Krisna and Gessius; Iassini is redefined to include only the type genus and four endemic Afrotropical genera; Bascarrhinus Fowler and Platyhynna Berg, recently treated as genera incertae sedis, are placed in Hyalojassini; Thalattoscopus Kirkaldy is added to the previously monobasic tribe Trocnadini. Iassinae now includes 12 tribes, all of which appear to be monophyletic. Revised morphological diagnoses of the subfamily and each of the included tribes are provided and a key to tribes is also given. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:41295B68‐2DAB‐4C4F‐B260‐F7C054922173 .     

The cladistics and higher classification of the Pimpliformes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The monophyly of the ichneumonid clade Pimpliformes is established and the phylogenetic relationships of the eight component subfamilies are resolved. The clade (Acaenitinae + (Diacritinae + (Cylloceriinae + (Diplazontinae + Orthocentrinae)))) is the sister-lineage to the clade (Pimplinae + (Rhyssinae + Poemeniinae)). The Nearctic genus Cressonia Dasch is transferred to the Diacritinae from the Orthocentrinae. Tribes are not recognized in the Acaenitinae as the Coleocentrini (sensu Townes, 1971) is paraphyletic with respect to the Acaenitini. The Cylloceriinae is recognized as comprising three genera, Cylloceria Schiødte, Allomacrus Förster and Sweaterella gen.n. The Orthocentrinae, including the Helictinae of authors, is shown to be monophyletic, but the latter is clearly shown to be paraphyletic if the Orthocentrus genus-group is excluded. The Pimplinae comprises four monophyletic tribes: the Delomeristini, consisting of Delomerista Förster and Atractogaster Kriechbaumer; the Perithoini trib.n., which includes only Perithous Holmgren (= Hybomischos Baltazar syn.n.); the Pimplini, which includes the Theronia genus-group as well as the Pimpla genus-group; and the Ephialtini, which includes the Polysphinctini syn.n., a monophyletic group that previously rendered the restricted Ephialtini paraphyletic. The tribe Delomeristini is the sister-group to the clade (Ephialtini + (Perithoini + Pimplini)). The subfamily Poemeniinae is recognized as comprising three tribes: the Pseudorhyssini (trib.n.) which includes the single Holarctic genus Pseudorhyssa Merrill; the Rodrigamini (trib.n.) which includes only the Costa Rican genus Rodrigama Gauld; and the Poemeniini. The tribe Pseudorhyssini is the sister-group to the clade (Rodrigamini + Poemeniini). The phylogenetic inter-relationships of the genera of Poemeniini are resolved. A new genus from South Africa, Guptella (gen.n.) is described, and Achorocephalus Kriechbaumer is shown to be a synonym of Eugalta Cameron (syn.n.). The evolution of biological traits within the Pimpliformes is discussed with reference to the elucidated phylogeny, and zoogeographic patterns are outlined.     

Some blood genetic characteristics of several Sudanese tribes

The distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood groups, serum haptoglobin, and transferrin; red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase; and hemoglobin was studied among the two aboriginal negroid tribes (Nuba and Fur); the Nilotic tribe; five tribes of Arab ancestory; and a mixed group of other minor tribes of Arab origin. The Nilotic and Nuba tribes were genetically quite distinct from the rest, with lower R1, R2, and r in the Rhesus system and low HbS and Gd-. The Arab tribes had a genetic structure which was intermediate between that of the original negroid population of the Sudan and the Arabs to the north. However, some of the Arab tribes had special genetical characteristics, e.g., Messeria had high TfD1; both Messeria and Hawazma had high HbS and Gd-, while GdA was higher only in the Hawazma. The Gaalin had very low HbS, Ro, GdA, and Gd-, suggestive of less negroid admixture compared to Messeria and Hawazma. The Fur, though an aboriginal negroid tribe, had genetic characteristics similar to Arabs.     

A new subgenus and a new species of the planthopper family lophopidae (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea) from Papua New Guinea

A new subgenus, Acarnana subgen. n. with the type species Acarna karnyi Baker, is established in Acarna Stål. Acarna fulgoroides sp. n. from Papua New Guinea is described in the nominotypical subgenus. The subfamily Acarninae is downgraded to a tribe, its limits are extended.