Hoffmannocoris sinuatus sp. nov. and a new generic synonym in the Harpactorinae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) of Africa, with a brief history of ‘Rhaphidosomatini’

Abstract

Knowledge of the biodiversity of a region can have wide‐ranging implications for other disciplines and enterprises, including public health, agriculture and pest management, and conservation. However, in order to properly assess a region's biodiversity, an accurate and up‐to‐date taxonomy is needed. While description of new taxa plays a sizeable role in how biodiversity changes over time, the re‐assessment of previously described taxa and the recognition of synonyms are of equal importance. In this service, taxonomic study of ‘Rhaphidosomatini’ and its variously associated taxa was undertaken. ‘Rhaphidosomatini’ are a group of harpactorine assassin bugs centred around three predominantly sub‐Saharan genera. However, its composition has remained obfuscated, as nine other small (mostly monotypic) genera have been subsequently associated with the group, either explicitly or through implied relationship. Its basic history, culminating in the rejection of ‘Rhaphidosomatini’ as a valid taxonomic group, is here discussed. Also, during this investigation, both a new species and a new generic synonym were discovered, necessitating the following taxonomic changes. Hoffmannocoris sinuatus sp. nov. is herein described from Grahamstown, South Africa. Harrisocoris africanus Miller, 1959 is here considered a junior synonym of Igora repraesentatus Hesse, 1925 syn. nov.; this taxonomic change relegates the genus Harrisocoris Miller, 1959 to a junior synonym of Igora Hesse, 1925 syn. nov. Finally, a single new country record for Rhaphidosoma collarti Schouteden, 1952 from Uganda is reported.

A new species of the genus Rhaphidosoma Amyot et Serville, 1843 (Heteroptera, Reduviidae), with data on its chromosome complement

“…Harpactorinae are the largest subfamily of Reduviidae, comprising approximately 2,330 species and 320 genera in its worldwide distribution (Swanson 2020). The subfamily is composed of seven tribes: Apiomerini, Diaspidiini, Dicrotelini, Ectinoderini, Harpactorini, Rhaphidosomatini, and Tegeini (Weirauch et al 2014;Zhang et al 2015;Schuh and Weirauch 2020).…”

“…The tribe Rhaphidosomatini Distant, 1904 has unclear circumscription and taxonomic status. Davis (1969) included five genera in this tribe: Rhaphidosoma Amyot et Serville, 1843, Lopodytes Stål, 1855, Leptodema Carlini, 1892, Hoffmanocoris China, 1940, and Harrisocoris Miller, 1959, while Maldonado Capriles (1990, only three genera: Rhaphidosoma, Lopodytes, and Kibonotocoris Miller, 1953. Swanson (2020, considering the taxonomic history of the tribe, concludes that it "became a 'dumping ground' or 'trash bin taxon' for any long, slender Old World harpactorine assassin bug".…”