Generic revision of the New World tribe Hoplophorionini (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Membracinae)

Abstract. The tribe Hoplophorionini Goding, 1926, includes 105 species of treehoppers in 10 genera. All are apparently subsocial and lack mutualism with honeydew-collecting hymenopterans. In many species, parental investment in offspring is unique because of a specialized kicking defence (described herein) and construction of extra-ovipositional punctures in the host tissue through which nymphs feed. The tribe occurs from Canada to Chile, with most generic diversity in Central America but most species diversity near the equator. Three genera, Stalotypa Metcalf, Ramosella, new genus and Stirpis, new genus, are endemic to the Greater Antilles but do not constitute a monophyletic group; the first two genera appear most closely related to Turrialbia, new genus, from Costa Rica. Host plant specializations and other biological attributes are summarized for genera and species. A phylogenetic analysis of 23 hoplophorionine species produced 9 minimal-length cladograms that were similar in many respects. Potnia Stål appears to have retained the greatest number of ancestral features. Aposematic teneral coloration of adults probably evolved once. The modification of the ancestral kicking behaviour by the first hoplophorionines appears to have released them from a constraint on pronotal form. Diagnoses are given for adults of all genera and, when possible, for immatures. A key is presented for the 10 genera; three are described as New Genera based on the cladistic analysis: Ramosella, Stirpis, and Turrialbia. Three New Species are described: Ramosella thalli, Stirpis jamaicensis, and Turrialbia felina. The genus Micropepla Sakakibara is considered a junior synonym of Ochropepla Stal, New Generic Synonymy. Umbonia terribilis Walker is moved from synonymy under Alchisme virescens (Fairmaire) to a New Synonymy under Umbonia reducta Walker. The subspecies Platycotis vittata vittata (Fabricius), P. vittata lineata (Fairmaire), and P. vittata quadrivittata (Say) are returned to synonymy with Platycotis vittata (Fabricius), Reinstated Specific Synonymies. Three species are Reinstated as valid: Alchisme obscura (Walker) and A. veruta (Fowler), both from synonymy under A. turrita (Germar); and Umbonia reducta Walker, from synonymy under U. crassicomis (Amyot & Serville). Five New Combinations are proposed: Alchisme antigua (Funkhouser), referred from Umbonia; A. sordida (Germar), referred from Platycotis; A. sagittata (Germar), elevated from subspecific rank under Platycotis vittata; Ochropepla mourei (Sakakibara), referred from Micropepla; and Ramosella dominicensis (Ramos), referred from Platycotis. Platycotis nigrorufa (Walker), P. cornuta Plummer, P. salvini (Fowler), and P. fuscata (Fowler) were previously unplaced to subgenus; the first is referred to Platycotis (Lophopelta Stal) and the others to Platycotis (Platycotis Stål). Microschaema nigrostrigata Buckton is moved from synonymy under Alchisme recurva (Stål) to a New Synonymy under Ennya dorsalis (Fairmaire) of the tribe Polyglyptini, subfamily Smiliinae. A checklist with critical synonymies and indexes to hoplophorionine taxa and host plant associations are provided. Lectotypes are designated for Centrotus vittatus Fabricius, Hoplophora lineata Fairmaire, Membracis venosa Germar, Potnia affinis Buckton, and Triquetra obtusa Fowler.     

Cosmosycanus, a new genus of harpactorine assassin bug established for Agriosphodrus perelegans (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

A new monotypic genus Cosmosycanus is established for Agriosphodrus perelegans Breddin, 1903. This genus is separable from Agriosphodrus Stål, 1867 by the head being much longer than the pronotum, and the posterior pronotal lobe lacking a median depression. The new genus is also distinguished from Sycanus Amyot and Serville, 1843 by the smooth posterior pronotal lobe and the unspined and non‐tuberculate scutellum. The type species, Cosmosycanus perelegans, comb. nov. is redescribed and considered the senior synonym of Sycanus elongatulus Distant, 1919.     

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.     

Molecular systematics of Scaphirhynchinae: an assessment of North American and Central Asian Freshwater Sturgeon Species

The sturgeon subfamily Scaphirhynchinae contains two genera of obligate freshwater sturgeon: Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus, from North America and Central Asia, respectively. Both genera contain morphologically variable species. A novel data set containing multiple individuals representing four diagnosable morphological variants for two species of Pseudoscaphirhynchus, P. hermanni and P. kaufmanni, was generated. These data were used to test taxonomic hypotheses of monophyly for the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae, monophyly of both Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus, monophyly of P. hermanni and P. kaufmanni, and monophyly of the recognized morphological variants. Monophyly of the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae is consistently rejected by all phylogenetic reconstruction methodologies with the molecular character set while monophyly of both river sturgeon genera is robustly supported. The molecular data set also rejects hypotheses of monophyly for sampled species of Pseudoscaphirhynchus as well as monophyly for the recognized intraspecific morphological variants. Interestingly both Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus demonstrate the same general pattern in reconstructed topologies; a lack of phylogenetic structure in the clade with respect to recognized diversity. Despite rejection of monophyly for the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae with molecular data, reconstructed hypotheses from morphological character sets consistently support monophyly for this subfamily. Disparities among the data sets, as well as reasons for rejection of monophyly for Scaphirhynchinae and species of Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus with molecular characters are examined and a decreased rate of molecular evolution is found to be most consistent with the data.     

A phylogenetic revision of the true bug genus Heraeus (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae: Myodochini), with the description of two new genera and 30 new species

Prior to this study, the genus Heraeus Stål, 1862 included 14 species, all of which are restricted to the Western Hemisphere. Three species are known from the Nearctic Region, nine from the Neotropical Region, and two mainly tropical elements are distributed in both regions. In this contribution, we consider Heraeus cincticornis Stål, 1874 a junior synonym of Heraeus elegans (Walker, 1873), select a lectotype for Heraeus coquilletti Barber, 1914, and neotype for Lygaeus triguttatus Guérin‐Méneville, 1857, and describe 28 new species. In addition, the two new genera, Baranowskiobius gen. nov., to include H. elegans (Baranowskiobius elegans comb. nov.) and two new species, and Paraheraeus gen. nov., to include Heraeus eximius Distant, 1882 (Paraheraeus eximius comb. nov.), are described. Previously described species and new taxa are (re)described and illustrated, including male genitalia. Scanning electron micrographs, general habitus photographs, and distribution maps are included for all species studied. A phylogenetic analysis comprising 46 terminal taxa and 50 morphological characters was performed, and five species groups were hypothesized, including the coquilletti, caliginosus, guttatus, illitus, and plebejus groups. All known species of Heraeus and the new genera are included in the phylogenetic analysis. The type species of the genera Myodocha Latreille, 1807, Orthaea Dallas, 1852, and Paisana Dellapé, 2008 are used as out‐groups.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the family Ariidae (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes), with a hypothesis on the monophyly and relationships of the genera

Ariid monophyly and intrafamilial relationships are investigated based on cladistic analysis of 230 morphological characters. Terminal taxa examined include whenever possible type‐species, or the most morphologically similar species to the type‐species of the nominal genera, and the largest possible number of species, including cleared and stained specimens, available in zoological collections. Previous hypotheses about monophyly of the Ariidae are strongly corroborated by new synapomorphies discovered in the present study. The subfamily Galeichthyinae and the remaining ariids are strongly supported by new morphological characters. The monotypic subfamily Bagreinae is recognized as the sister group to all nongaleichthyin ariids, supported by a large series of exclusive synapomorphies. A new concept of Ariinae is presented: the subfamily is found to be unequivocally monophyletic and includes all ariid genera, except Galeichthys and Bagre. New data supporting the monophyly of the genera included in the Ariinae are introduced and previous hypotheses of monophyly, species composition, morphological definition, and relationships are reviewed and discussed.     

Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera,Syrphidae)

Vuji?, A., Ståhls, G., A?anski, J., Bartsch, H., Bygebjerg, R. & Stefanovi?, A. (2013). Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera, Syrphidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 288–305. In the present work the monophyly and molecular phylogenetic relationships of the genera of tribe Pipizini (Syrphidae) were investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences, and the relationships among species of genus Pipiza Fallén, 1810 based on mtDNA COI sequences. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Pipizini supported Pipiza as monophyletic and as sister group to all other Pipizini, and resolved other Pipizini genera as monophyletic lineages except for genus Heringia Rondani, 1856. To recognize the distinctness and maintain the monophyly the genus Heringia was redefined, generic rank was assigned to Neocnemodon Goffe, 1944 stat. n., and the genus Claussenia Vuji? & Ståhls gen. n., type‐species Claussenia hispanica (Strobl, 1909), was described. A revision of the European Pipiza species, including a discussion of taxonomic characters and a morphological redefinition of all included species, is presented. One new species, Pipiza laurusi Vuji? & Ståhls sp. n. was described. The taxa Pipiza carbonaria Meigen, 1822; Pipiza fasciata, Meigen 1822; Pipiza lugubris (Fabricius, 1775), Pipiza noctiluca (Linneaues, 1758), Pipiza notata Meigen, 1822 were redefined. Lectotypes are designated for 17 taxa, and neotypes were designated for seven taxa. Fourteen new synonymies were proposed. Male genitalia were illustrated for all the species, and a key of the 12 European species for males and females was provided. Geometric morphometrics of wing landmarks and extended sampling of mtDNA COI sequences was employed to delimitate taxa of the P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes. Despite subtle morphological differences, wing geometric morphometrics variables of wing size and shape showed highly significant differences among species within P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes, which were supported by the molecular data.     

Update on the praying mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) of South-East Vietnam

A report of Mantodea species collected in South-East Vietnam (provinces Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Lam Dong) is presented. New for Vietnam are the subfamily Phyllothelyinae, the tribe Anaxarchini of the subfamily Hymenopodinae and the species Leptomantella lactea (Saussure, 1870), Tropidomantis gressitti Tinkham, 1937, Amantis bolivari Giglio-Tos, 1915, Anaxarcha graminea Stål, 1877, Creobroter nebulosa Zheng, 1988, Phyllothelys breve (Wang, 1993), Ceratocrania macra Westwood, 1889, Ceratomantis saussuri Wood-Mason, 1876 and Theopompa tosta Stål, 1877, as well as five additional species whose precise identifications are less certain. Eighteen species are new for the South-East region and seven are new for the provinces sampled. The fauna of Vietnam now contains 69 species of Mantodea, 40 of which occur in the South-East region. Morphological, taxonomical and identification details for selected species are discussed and illustrated.     

Morphology-based phylogeny of the treehopper family Membracidae (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Membracoidea)

A parsimony‐based phylogenetic analysis of eighty‐three morphological characters of adults and immatures of seventy representatives of the tribes and subfamilies of Membracidae and two outgroup taxa was conducted to evaluate the status and relationships of these taxa. Centrotinae apparently gave rise to Nessorhinini and Oxyrhachini (both formerly treated as subfamilies, now syn.n. and syn.reinst., respectively, of Centrotinae). In contrast to previous analyses, a clade comprising Nicomiinae, Centronodinae, Centrodontinae, and the unplaced genera Holdgatiella Evans, Euwalkeria Goding and Antillotolania Ramos was recovered, but relationships within this clade were not well resolved. Nodonica bispinigera, gen.n. and sp.n., is described and placed in Centrodontini based on its sister‐group relationship to a clade comprising previously described genera of this tribe. Membracinae and Heteronotinae were consistently monophyletic. Neither Darninae nor Smiliinae, as previously defined, was monophyletic on the maximally parsimonious cladograms, but constraining both as monophyletic groups required only one additional step. The monophyly of Stegaspidinae, including Deiroderes Ramos (unplaced in Membracidae), was supported on some but not all equally parsimonious cladograms. More detailed analyses of individual subfamilies, as well as morphological data on the undescribed immatures of several membracid tribes and genera, will be needed to elucidate relationships among tribes and genera. A key to the subfamilies and tribes is provided.     

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.     

The subfamily Myoxocephalinae of cottid fishes (Cottidae): Genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships

A comprehensive study based on molecular marker and karyotype analyses has provided evidence for the monophyly of the subfamily Myoxocephalinae, which includes the genera Myoxocephalus, Megalocottus, Microcottus, Porocottus, Enophrys and Argyrocottus. In addition, the karyotype of the threadfoot sculpin Argyrocottus zanderi Herzenstein 1892 has been studied for the first time. Marker traits of karyotypes identified 13 species among six cottid genera. As the molecular genetic results confirmed, the subfamily is divided into two groups corresponding to Enophrys and Myoxocephalus. The molecular genetic data did not support the formation of tribes within the subfamily Myoxocephalinae, as proposed earlier based on morphological characters. Moreover, the genera Trichocottus and Taurocottus should be excluded from the Myoxocephalinae. The evolutionary transformations of karyotypes in cottid fish tended towards a reduction in the number of chromosomes and chromosome arms.     

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.     

The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Gobioninae (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) Inferred from Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene Sequences

The Gobioninae are a group of morphologically and ecologically diverse Eurasian freshwater cyprinid fishes. The intergeneric relationships of this group are unresolved and the possible monophyly of this subfamily remains to be established. We used complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences from most genera within the gobionine group, in addition to a selection of cyprinid outgroups, to investigate the possible monophyly of this group and resolve the interrelationships within the group. Our results support the monophyly of the Gobioninae and identify four monophyletic groups within the subfamily; the Hemibarbus group, the Sarcocheilichthys group, the Gobio group, and the Pseudogobio group. The morphologically aberrant genera Gobiobotia, Xenophysogobio and Gobiocypris are included in the Gobioninae, with the latter a sister group of Gnathopogon.     

Phylogeny of the plant bug subfamily Mirinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha: Miridae) based on total evidence analysis

The first comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of the most diverse subfamily of plant bugs, Mirinae, is presented in this study, for 110 representative taxa based on total evidence analysis. A total of 85 morphological characters and 3898 bp of mitochondrial (16S, COI) and nuclear (18S, 28S) sequences were analysed for each partitioned and combined dataset based on parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Major results obtained in this study include monophyly of the tribe Mecistoscelini. The largest tribe, Mirini, was recovered as polyphyletic, and Stenodemini was recovered as paraphyletic. The clade of Stenodemini + Mecistoscelini is the sister group of the remaining Mirinae. The monophyly of two complexes composed of superficially similar genera were tested; the Lygus complex was recovered as nonmonophyletic, and the Adelphocoris–Creontiades–Megacoelum complex was confirmed to be monophyletic. The generic relationships of the main clades within each tribe based on the phylogeny, as well as their supported morphological characters, are discussed.     

Phantoms of Gondwana?—phylogeny of the spider subfamily Mynogleninae (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

This is the first genus‐level phylogeny of the subfamily Mynogleninae. It is based on 190 morphological characters scored for 44 taxa: 37 mynoglenine taxa (ingroup) representing 15 of the 17 known genera and seven outgroup taxa representing the subfamilies Stemonyphantinae, Linyphiinae (Linyphiini and Micronetini), and Erigoninae, and a representative of the family Pimoidae, the sister‐group to Linyphiidae. No fewer than 147 of the morphological characters used in this study are new and defined for this study, and come mainly from male and female genitalia. Parsimony analysis with equal weights resulted in three most parsimonious trees of length 871. The monophyly of the subfamily Mynogleninae and the genera Novafroneta, Parafroneta, Laminafroneta, Afroneta, Promynoglenes, Metamynoglenes, and Haplinis are supported, whereas Pseudafroneta is paraphyletic. The remaining seven mynoglenine genera are either monotypic or represented by only one taxon. Diagnoses are given for all genera included in the analysis. The evolution of morphological traits is discussed and we summarize the diversity and distribution patterns of the 124 known species of mynoglenines. The preferred topology suggests a single origin of mynoglenines in New Zealand with two dispersal events to Africa, and does not support Gondwana origin.     

A survey of the tribe Ectinoderini (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) of China,with the description of a new Ectinoderus species

The two resin assassin bugs belonging to the tribe Ectinoderini (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) occurring in China are documented: Amulius malayus Stål, 1867 is redescribed and Ectinoderus sinicus Chen & Cai, sp. nov. is described as new. The discovery of the new species extends the distribution of the genus and the tribe northwards from tropical Southeast Asia to southern mainland China. A key to the two ectinoderine genera and species from China is provided to facilitate their identification. DNA barcodes and bionomic data are provided for the species concerned, and their conservation is briefly discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A7F7402E-E9A8-4FAD-B72A-4B1C9B2A7276.     

Phylogenetic relationships of flesh flies in the subfamily Sarcophaginae based on three mtDNA fragments (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

In an effort to improve our knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of the subfamily Sarcophaginae, we analysed data from three mitochondrial gene fragments. Sequence data for portions of the genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) were obtained from 43 species of Sarcophagidae representing 15 genera. We used a Bayesian approach to simultaneously choose how best to partition the data and which substitution model to apply to each partition. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Our results are consistent with monophyly of the subfamily Sarcophaginae (posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 93%), as well as with monophyly of several genera within the Sarcophaginae (including Sarcophaga s.l.; posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 97%). We found support for a sister‐group relationship between Ravinia Robineau‐Desvoidy and Oxysarcodexia Townsend, which has been hypothesised by past authors on the basis of morphological similarities, although this was supported only in the Bayesian analyses (posterior probability 0. 81–0. 98), and for some novel supra‐generic clades. Contrary to a recent morphological hypothesis, we do not find Helicobia Coquillett to be nested within Sarcophaga Meigen; our data suggest, but do not strongly support, a hypothesis that Peckia Robineau‐Desvoidy is the sister group to Sarcophaga.     

The sensory systems and feeding behavior of leafhoppers. II. A comparison of the sensillar morphologies of several species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The ultrastructure of the sensilla, and other structures, within the precibaria of eight species from three subfamilies of leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The types and grouping of the 20 precibarial sensilla in seven of these species were similar to those observed previously in Macrosteles fascifrons Stål. Oncometopia nigricans (Walker) also displayed similar sensilla groups; however, it had 30 sensilla. The species examined differed chiefly in the exact location and arrangement of the sensilla. The possible significance of the differences relative to leafhopper feeding is discussed. The precibarial chemosensilla may provide chemosensory evaluation of fluid in the food canal and precibarium prior to ingestion or egestion.