Morphology of the spermatheca in the Cydnidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): Bearing of its diversity on classification and phylogeny

Abstract

Abstract. Cuticular parts of the spermatheca and associated vaginal structures (chiefly the ring sclerites of the parietovaginal glands) have been examined and compared in 190 cydnid species representing 65 genera and all five subfamilies currently recognized in the family (Amnestinae, Cephalocteinae, Cydninae, Garsauriinae, Sehirinae). Four species belonging to genera formerly included within the Cydnidae (Dismegistus, Parastrachia, Thaumastella, Thyreocoris) were also examined. Morphology of the three main parts of the spermatheca [seminal receptacle (distal bulb), intermediate part (pump apparatus), spermathecal duct] is described. Four main types of spermathecae can be recognized from the distal receptacle and the intermediate part: the amaurocorine type (in Sehirinae: Amaurocorini), amnestine type (in Amnestinae), garsauriine type (in Garsauriinae), and "cydnoid" type (in Cephalocteinae + Cydninae: Cydnini, Geotomini + Sehirinae: Sehirini). No synapomorphy of these types was found which suggests that the currently conceived Cydnidae are not monophyletic. Moreover, out of these four types only the "cydnoid" is typically pentatomoidean due to the presence of an intermediate part usually well delimited by two flanges and having always an unsclerotized flexible zone as well as two internal cuticular structures (septum and fretum) partly obstructing the lumen. The simple tubular amaurocorine type is unusual and aberrant within all Pentatomoidea. The amnestine and garsauriine types display some similarities with taxa outside the Pentatomoidea, especially with some lygaeoid or coreoid spermathecae, mainly in the structure of the intermediate part not delimited proximally (absence of flanges) and devoid of the flexible zone. Within the "cydnoid" type, six spermathecal facies can be characterized principally according to the shape of both the apical reservoir along with the intermediate part, and the differentiations of the spermathecal duct. It has been impossible to find any synapomorphy for all species and for the six facies belonging to the "cydnoid" type of spermatheca. We suggest that the Cydnidae as defined presently are probably a polyphyletic group; moreover its main "cydnoid" branch, called by us Cydnidae sensu stricto (Cephalocteinae + Cydninae + Sehirinae: Sehirini) seems to be relatively recent among the Pentatomoidea. Nishadana and Nishocoris are transferred from Garsauriinae back to Cydninae: Cydnini and the tribe Amaurocorini (Sehirinae) is upgraded to a separate subfamily Amaurocorinae stat. nov. Moreover, we regard the Geotomini and the Sehirini both as non-monophyletic and we indicate that by appending them sensu lato (Geotomini "s. l.", Sehirini "s. l.")

New insight into the systematic position of the endemic Madagascan genus Amberiana (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Dinidoridae) using 12S rDNA sequences

“…Most importantly, our results are in contrast with all previous findings based on the morphological characters. The close relationship between the Parastrachiidae and the genus Sehirus shown in our study was also indicated in other morphological investigations (Miyamoto, 1961;Dolling, 1981;Lis, 2002;Lis and Schaefer, 2005;Grazia et al, 2008;Pluot-Sigwalt and Lis, 2008;Matesco et al, 2012).…”

Burrower Bugs (Cydnidae)

“…The monophyly of the Cydnidae and phylogenetic relationships with other pentatomoid families are still controversial (Grazia et al 2008 ;Pluot-Sigwalt and Lis 2008 ;Lis 2010 ). Two of the typical characteristics of the Cydnidae (i.e., coxal combs and spinose tibiae) are shared with the related families Parastrachiidae, Thaumastellidae, and Thyreocoridae, sometimes included as subfamilies in a more inclusive taxon (Dolling 1981 ;Schuh and Slater 1995 ).…”

“…It includes more than 750 species in 93 genera, divided in six subfamilies (Table 21.1 ) (Grazia et al 2008 ;Pluot-Sigwalt and Lis 2008 ).…”

Annotated catalogue of Iranian burrower bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomoidea, Cydnidae)

“…Even if the monophyly and the delimitation of family Cydnidae has been questioned recently (Grazia et al 2008;Pluot-Sigwalt and Lis, 2008), these insects are undoubtedly closely related to the Pentatomidae. To such an extent that they were classifi ed as a subfamily of the Pentatomidae in early literature.…”

“…Th e classifi cation of subfamilies and tribes follows in part Froeschner (1960), Lis (1994Lis ( , 1999Lis ( , 2006 and Pluot-Sigwalt and Lis (2008).…”