Phylogenetic relationships of family groups in Pentatomoidea based on morphology and DNA sequences (Insecta: Heteroptera)

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships within the Pentatomoidea are investigated through the coding and analysis of character data derived from morphology and DNA sequences. In total, 135 terminal taxa were investigated, representing most of the major family groups; 84 ingroup taxa are coded for 57 characters in a morphological matrix. As many as 3500 bp of DNA data are adduced for each of 52 terminal taxa, including 44 ingroup taxa, comprising the 18S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and COI gene regions. Character data are analysed separately and in the form of a total evidence analysis. Major conclusions of the phylogenetic analysis include: the concept of Urostylididae is restricted to that of earlier authors; the Saileriolinae is raised to family rank and treated as the sister group of all Pentatomoidea exclusive of Urostylididae sensu stricto; a broadly conceived Cydnidae, as recognized by Dolling, 1981, is not supported; the placement of Thaumastellidae within the Pentatomoidea is affirmed and the taxon is recognized at family rank rather than as a subfamily of Cydnidae, although its exact phylogenetic position within the Pentatomoidea remains equivocal; the Parastrachiinae is treated as also including Dismegistus Amyot & Serville and placed within a broadly conceived Corimelaenidae, the latter group being treated at family rank; the family-group taxa Dinidoridae and Tessaratomidae probably represent a monophyletic group, but the recognition of monophyletic subgroups will benefit from additional representation in the sequence data set; and the Lestoniidae is treated as the sister group of the Acanthosomatidae. The Acanthosomatidae and Scutelleridae are consistently recovered as monophyletic. The monophyly of the Pentatomidae appears unequivocal, inclusive of the Aphylinae and Cyrtocorinae, on the basis of morphology, the latter two taxa not being represented in the molecular data set.

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.…”

(E)-4-Oxo-2-hexenal Dimers in the Scent Glands of the Bark BugPhloea subquadrata(Heteroptera, Phloeidae)

“…1 This family comprises three genus: Phloea, with two species (Phloea subquadrata and Phloea corticata); Phloeophana (Phloeophana longirostris) and Serbana (Serbana borneensis), both with one species each. 2 P. subquadrata occurs exclusively in Brazil, from Southern Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul. 3 All four species have cryptic coloration, with a flattened body with broad foliated expansions.…”

“…3 All four species have cryptic coloration, with a flattened body with broad foliated expansions. 2 This insect is phytophagous, feeding on the sap of certain species of Myrtaceae trees, but also Combretaceae and Phyllanthaceae. 4 It is subsocial and females with eggs or early nymphs display parental care.…”

Morphology of immatures of Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…Recent studies also employ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques that allow more detailed descriptions, with relevant morphological features found (e.g., BIANCHI et al 2011, POLLO et al 2012, GILIO-DIAS et al 2013. The phylogenetic importance of the egg stage was demonstrated in cladistic analyses (HASAN & KITCHING 1993, WHEELER et al 1993, HENRY 1997, GRAZIA et al 2008, while the relevance of DAGs in phylogenies was not explored.…”