Ant mimicry in Australian plant bugs: a new genus (Heteroptera: Miridae: Austromirini: Carenotus gen. nov.), eight new species, myrmecomorphic traits, host plants and distribution

Abstract

The Australian plant bug tribe Austromirini consists of ant-mimetic taxa which are poorly known, with no information of their phylogenetic relationships and ant-mimetic traits. In this study, we examined nearly 1000 ingroup specimens and developed a comprehensive morphological dataset comprising 37 characters, which was analysed both weighted and unweighted, using ‘Tree analysis using New Technology’ (TNT) software. A single minimal length phylogenetic tree was found, comprising a monophyletic group of ant-mimetic taxa, that included Myrmecoroides rufescens, Myrmecoridea sp., Kirkaldyella spp. and eight species of a new genus, Carenotus gen. nov. The myrmecomorphic traits of Carenotus and allied ant-mimetic taxa are documented and analysed phylogenetically, in conjunction with genitalic characters. Carenotus is defined by the myrmecomorphic colour patterning of the abdominal venter, whereas the ingroup species relationships are supported by genitalic characters alone. Carenotus is described as new with eight included species as follows: C. arltunga sp. nov., C. louthensis sp. nov., C. luritja sp. nov., C. pullabooka sp. nov., C. scaevolaphilus sp. nov., C. schwartzi sp. nov., C. tanami sp. nov. and C. yuendumu sp. nov. Host plant associations are also documented, ranging from host plant specificity and genus-group preferences to host plant generalism. The distribution of Carenotus species is documented with reference to phytogeographic subregions, with all species being semi-arid and arid dwelling. The male and female genitalia of Kirkaldyella pilosa and K. rugosa are described and illustrated, for comparative and phylogenetic purposes. This research expands our knowledge on the plant bug tribe Austromirini and has broader implications for myrmecomorphic research in the suborder Heteroptera. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2FF9BE23-38A6-42B4-8488-74F216D8237F