The higher classification of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract. Until now the ant subfamily Leptanillinae has been closely linked with the army ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ecitoninae, but on relatively tenuous evidence. The current phylogenetic study strongly indicates that this view is incorrect and that the leptanillines really constitute the sister-group of subfamily Ponerinae, and are at a consider- ably greater taxonomic distance from the Army Ant subfamilies. Three tribes are now recognized within the Leptanillinae (Leptanillini; Anomalornyrmini, new tribe; and Apomyrmini, transferred here from Ponerinae: Arnblyoponini), containing a total of eight genera with fewer than fifty species in all. The subfamily and its component tribes are diagnosed and discussed here, and a key to genera provided. New taxa described include Anomalomyrma Taylor gen.n., type-species A. taylori Bolton sp.n. and Protanilla Taylor gen.n., type-species P. rafflesi Taylor sp.n.     

Mitogenomic phylogeny of Typhlocybinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) reveals homoplasy in tribal diagnostic morphological traits

The subfamily Typhlocybinae is a ubiquitous, highly diverse group of mostly tiny, delicate leafhoppers. The tribal classification has long been controversial and phylogenetic methods have only recently begun to test the phylogenetic status and relationships of tribes. To shed light on the evolution of Typhlocybinae, we performed phylogenetic analyses based on 28 newly sequenced and 19 previously sequenced mitochondrial genomes representing all currently recognized tribes. The results support the monophyly of the subfamily and its sister‐group relationship to Mileewinae. The tribe Zyginellini is polyphyletic with some included genera derived independently within Typhlocybini. Ancestral character state reconstruction suggests that some morphological characters traditionally considered important for diagnosing tribes (presence/absence of ocelli, development of hind wing submarginal vein) are homoplastic. Divergence time estimates indicate that the subfamily arose during the Middle Cretaceous and that the extant tribes arose during the Late Cretaceous. Phylogenetic results support establishment of a new genus, Subtilissimia Yan & Yang gen. nov., with two new species, Subtilissimia fulva Yan & Yang sp. nov. and Subtilissimia pellicula Yan & Yang sp. nov.; but indicate that two previously recognized species of Farynala distinguished only by the direction of curvature of the processes of the aedeagus are synonyms, that is, Farynala dextra Yan & Yang, 2017 equals Farynala sinistra Yan & Yang, 2017 syn. nov. A key to tribes of Typhlocybinae is provided.     

A new genus and phylogenetic analysis of the Bathyaulacini and Glyptomorphini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae)

A new genus Annectobracon (type species A. eventus sp.n. from China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam) and A. excavata sp.n. from India and Sri Lanka belonging to the tribe Bathyaulacini are described and illustrated, and an identification key to the species is provided. A phylogenetic analysis of the tribes Bathyaulacini and Glyptomorphini is presented, and the new genus is shown to be the sister group of Ischnobracon Baltazar.     

Cachiporrini, a remarkable new tribe of Lamprosomatinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) from South America

A new genus and species of Lamprosomatinae, Cachiporra extremaglobosa Chamorro & Konstantinov, is described from Brazil. A new tribe, Cachiporrini, is proposed. The first phylogenetic analysis of Lamprosomatinae based on adult morphological caharacters is conducted. Comparisons are made among lamprosomatine tribes and genera. A key to tribes is provided.     

An upgraded comprehensive multilocus phylogeny of the Tardigrada tree of life

Providing accurate animals’ phylogenies rely on increasing knowledge of neglected phyla. Tardigrada diversity evaluated in broad phylogenies (among phyla) is biased towards eutardigrades. A comprehensive phylogeny is demanded to establish the representative diversity and propose a more natural classification of the phylum. So, we have performed multilocus (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) phylogenies with Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood. We propose the creation of a new class within Tardigrada, erecting the order Apochela (Eutardigrada) as a new Tardigrada class, named Apotardigrada comb. n. Two groups of evidence support its creation: (a) morphological, presence of cephalic appendages, unique morphology for claws (separated branches) and wide‐elongated buccopharyngeal apparatus without placoids, and (b) phylogenetic support based on molecular data. Consequently, order Parachela is suppressed and its superfamilies erected as orders within Eutardigrada, maintaining their current names. We propose a new classification within the family Echiniscidae (Echiniscoidea, Heterotardigrada) with morphological and phylogenetic support: (a) subfamily Echiniscinae subfam. n., with two tribes Echiniscini tribe n. and Bryodelphaxini tribe n.; (b) subfamily Pseudechiniscinae subfam. n., with three tribes Cornechiniscini tribe n., Pseudechiniscini tribe n. and Anthechiniscini tribe n.; and (c) subfamily Parechiniscinae subfam. n., with two tribes Parechiniscini tribe n. and Novechiniscini tribe n. Reliable biodiversity selection for tardigrades in broad phylogenies is proposed due to biased analyses performed up to now. We use our comprehensive molecular phylogeny to evaluate the evolution of claws in the clawless genus Apodibius and claw reduction across the Tardigrada tree of life. Evolutionary consequences are discussed.     

A new species of Omicrus Sharp (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from Puerto Rico and its larva, the first known larva of Omicrini

A remarkable new species of bromeliadicolous Hydrophilidae, Omicrus ingens sp.n., is described from Puerto Rico. Notes on the habitat and occurrence of the species are given. Larvae found in association with adult beetles are assigned to the same species and described as such. It is the first known larva of the sphaeridiine tribe Omicrini. Comparative notes are given to other hydrophilid larvae, particularly Sphaeridiinae, and preliminary keys to larvae are presented for known subfamilies of Hydrophilidae and known tribes of Sphaeridiinae.     

Review of the genus Stephanospathius Belokobylskij, 1992 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), with discussion of their tribal position

A review of the Afrotropical genus Stephanospathius Belokobylskij is provided. A new species Stephanospathius benoitisp. n. from the Republic of Congo, and the male and, for the first time, the female of Stephanospathius ornatipes (Kieffer) are described. A discussion of the status and composition of the tribe Stephaniscini is given and a new name for this tribe, Leptospathiini, nom. n., is proposed. A key to the included genera and a key to species of Stephanospathius are provided.     

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).     

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.     

Phylogeny and classification of the leafhopper subfamily Eurymelinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) inferred from molecules and morphology

Phylogenetic analysis of the globally distributed arboreal leafhopper subfamily Eurymelinae was conducted based on DNA sequence data from three nuclear and two mitochondrial genes in addition to 86 discrete morphological characters. The analysis included 89 species representing 61 genera from all major biogeographic regions including six species from outgroups, Megophthalminae and Ulopinae. Trees resulting from partitioned Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of the combined data were well resolved and largely congruent, differing mainly in the relationships among the earliest diverging lineages. The results are consistent with an expanded concept of Eurymelinae, including tribes Austroagalloidini and Macropsini. Six monophyletic groups are recognized as new tribes, Balocerini, Chiasmodolini, Chileanoscopini, Idioceroidini, Kopamerrini and Nesocerini, tribe n. , and the previously recognized tribes Eurymelini, Idiocerini and Megipocerini are redefined. A new synonym, Busonini Zhang & Li, 2015 syn.n. is proposed here for Megipocerini Isaev, 1988. Molecular divergence time estimates were calibrated using two fossil taxa and suggested that the earliest divergences occurred in the Lower Cretaceous and that most major lineages of this group arose during the Cretaceous. Reconstruction of ancestral areas revealed considerable continental-scale biogeographical structure. The place of origin of Eurymelinae is equivocal but major lineages arose in the Neotropical, Australian and Afrotropical regions. A key to tribes and a checklist of genera showing current tribal placements are provided.     

A new tribe of fossil digger wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera,Crabronidae) from the Rovno amber,Eocene of Ukraine

A new tribe of digger wasps, Protomicroidini trib. nov. (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), including a single known species Protomicroides sororius gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Upper Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine. The new tribe combines features characteristic of several tribes of the Crabroninae and is a sister group of the extant tribe Oxybelini. The most distinctive characters of the new tribe include nonelongate propodeum with strongly developed lateral keel and enclosed dorsal area; semioval postscutellum with a lamellate border; absence of pygidial plate, psammophores, and digging tarsal rakes; and considerably reduced forewing venation.     

Phylogenetic systematics of Pseudolebinthus, a new genus of Eneopterinae crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Eneopteridae) from south-east Africa

Abstract.  Within a framework of historical analysis of Eneopterinae crickets, the genus Pseudolebinthus Robillard gen.n. and two new species P. africanus Robillard, sp.n. and P. whellani Robillard, sp.n. , endemic from south-east Africa, are described. A cladistic analysis using 198 morphological characters and 47 terminals assessed the phylogenetic position of the new taxa within the subfamily. The resultant topologies support the previously proposed phylogeny for the subfamily and contained tribes. The monophyly of Pseudolebinthus is supported strongly as well as its sister relationship with Xenogryllus within the tribe Xenogryllini. A key to Eneopterinae tribes, Xenogryllini genera and Pseudolebinthus species is given. Taxonomic, evolutionary and acoustic issues raised by the recognition of Pseudolebinthus are discussed.     

Morphological classification of loaches (Nemacheilinae)

Comprehensive comparative morphological analysis of loaches from the subfamily Nemacheilinae is conducted. Forty significant phylogenetic characters are suggested, and phylogenetic relationships are reconstructed. The subfamily Nemacheilinae is subdivided into five tribes (Vaillantellini, Lefuini nov., Yunnanilini nov., Triplophysini nov., and Nemacheilini), and the relationships between these tribes can be expressed by the following formula: Vaillantellini (Lefuini (Yunnanilini (Triplophysini + Nemacheilini))). The classification of highland Asian loaches (Triplophysini) is specified, and the revised diagnoses of the genera from this tribe are given. Heterogeneity of the genus Triplophysa is demonstrated. This genus can be divided into several subgenera, and three new subgenera (Labiatophysa subgen. nov., Indotriplophysa subgen. nov., and Tarimichthys subgen. nov.) are described. A new species Hedinichthys grummorum sp. n is described from the Turpan Depression (northwest China).     

Molecular phylogeny of Sterrhinae moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): towards a global classification

A multigene phylogenetic study was carried out to test current, mostly morphology-based hypotheses on Sterrhinae phylogeny with additional material included from further geographical areas and morphologically different lineages. A maximum likelihood analysis (11 molecular markers and 7665 bp) was conducted on 76 species and 41 genera using iq-tree software. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis is well resolved and branches have high support values. Results generally agree with earlier hypotheses at tribal levels and support the hypothesis that Sterrhinae comprises two major lineages. Based on the molecular phylogeny and extensive morphological examination, nine tribes are considered valid and the following taxonomic changes are introduced to recognize monophyletic groups: Mecoceratini Guenée, 1858 (= Ametridini Prout, 1910) is transferred from Desmobathrinae to Sterrhinae, and it is considered valid at tribal level new classification ; Haemaleini Sihvonen & Brehm is described as a new tribe and deemed sister to Scopulini + Lissoblemmini; Lissoblemmini Sihvonen & Staude is described as a new tribe and sister to Scopulini; Lythriini Herbulot, 1962 is now a junior synonym of Rhodometrini Agenjo, 1952 syn.n. ; and Rhodostrophiini Prout, 1935 is now a junior synonym of Cyllopodini Kirby, 1892 syn.n. In addition, 48 taxa are transferred from other geometrid subfamilies to Sterrhinae, or within Sterrhinae from one tribe to another, or they are classified into a tribe for the first time, or a new genus classification is proposed. The results demonstrate the limited explanatory power of earlier classifications, particularly at the tribal level. This is probably a result of earlier classifications being based on superficial characters and biased towards the European and North American fauna. The species richness and distribution of Sterrhinae and its constituent tribes are reviewed, showing that the globally distributed Sterrhinae are most diverse in the Neotropics (31% of global fauna). They are species-rich in the Palaearctic (22%), Afrotropics (19%) and Indo-Malay (16%) regions, whereas they are almost absent in Oceania (1%). In terms of the described fauna, the most species-rich tribes are Scopulini (928 species), Sterrhini (876 species) and Cosymbiini (553 species), all of which have a cosmopolitan distribution. Mecoceratiini and Haemaleini are almost entirely Neotropical. Timandrini and Lissoblemmini, by contrast, are absent in the Neotropics. We present a revised classification of the global Sterrhinae fauna, which includes about 3000 putatively valid species, classified into nine tribes and 97 genera. Four genera are of uncertain position within Sterrhinae. Our results highlight the compelling need to include more genera from a global perspective in molecular phylogenetic studies, in order to create a stable global classification for this subfamily. This published work has been registered on ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org :pub:A66F5DDD-06D6-4908-893E-E8B124BB99B1.     

A worldwide phylogenetic classification of the Poaceae (Gramineae) III: An update

We present an updated worldwide phylogenetic classification of Poaceae with 11 783 species in 12 subfamilies, 7 supertribes, 54 tribes, 5 super subtribes, 109 subtribes, and 789 accepted genera. The subfamilies (in descending order based on the number of species) are Pooideae with 4126 species in 219 genera, 15 tribes, and 34 subtribes; Panicoideae with 3325 species in 242 genera, 14 tribes, and 24 subtribes; Bambusoideae with 1698 species in 136 genera, 3 tribes, and 19 subtribes; Chloridoideae with 1603 species in 121 genera, 5 tribes, and 30 subtribes; Aristidoideae with 367 species in three generaand one tribe; Danthonioideae with 292 species in 19 generaand 1 tribe; Micrairoideae with 192 species in nine generaand three tribes; Oryzoideae with 117 species in 19 genera, 4 tribes, and 2 subtribes; Arundinoideae with 36 species in 14 genera and 3 tribes; Pharoideae with 12 species in three generaand one tribe; Puelioideae with 11 species in two generaand two tribes; and the Anomochlooideae with four species in two generaand two tribes. Two new tribes and 22 new or resurrected subtribes are recognized. Forty-five new (28) and resurrected (17) genera are accepted, and 24 previously accepted genera are placed in synonymy. We also provide an updated list of all accepted genera including common synonyms, genus authors, number of species in each accepted genus, and subfamily affiliation. We propose Locajonoa, a new name and rank with a new combination, L. coerulescens. The following seven new combinations are made in Lorenzochloa: L. bomanii, L. henrardiana, L. mucronata, L. obtusa, L. orurensis, L. rigidiseta, and L. venusta.     

Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from Australia: revision of the genus Thoreauana Girault, 1930 and description of Dilapothor n. gen.

Abstract  The Australian genus Thoreauana Girault is revised: the three known species are redescribed and Thoreauana giraulti sp. n. is described. A new genus of Charipinae from Australia, Dilapothor n. gen., is described. The diagnostic characters for the tribe Charipini are discussed and a key to the Charipini genera is provided.     

First record of Neolindus Scheerpeltz from French Guiana (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae), with a key to males

The genus Neolindus Scheerpeltz, 1933, of the tribe Cylindroxystina Bierig, 1943, is recorded from French Guiana for the first time. Two new species, Neolindus irmlerisp. n. and Neolindus hermanisp. n., are described and illustrated. A key to males of Neolindus is provided.