A new species of Languidipes Hubbard (Ephemeroptera, Polymitarcyidae) from Borneo.

The genus Languidipes is currently represented by three species distributed in southeastern Asia, India, and Sri Lanka. Languidipes corporaali is the most widely distributed species, and both, male and female imagos, as well as nymphs, are known. In contrast, the other species, L. taprobanes and L. lithophagus, are only known from nymphs. Here, we describe a new species, Languidipes janae sp nov, based on male imagos collected from Borneo, Indonesia. This new species is characterized by the presence of ommation on mesonotum, and penis almost completely divided, with sub-quadrate base and a small outer projection basal to the long and slender distal arms. This constitutes the first record of the genus for Borneo. A cladistic analysis of the subfamily Asthenopodinae supports its taxonomic status.

Influence of ecoregion and river type on neotropical Chironomidae (Diptera) from humid mountain to semiarid lowland

Introduction: Chironomidae (Diptera) is the most widespread and abundant aquatic insect family in freshwater ecosystems. Chironomids are considered good indicators of water quality but are seldom identified at the genus level in broad spatial scale studies. Objective: To identify environmental conditions associated with chironomids in an altitudinal gradient. Methods: We compared ecoregions, river types, and seasons, for chironomids in neotropical streams and rivers (18 river sites; 2014-2018; Yungas rainforest and Western Chaco dry forest, Argentina). We used non-metric multidimensional scaling, dissimilarity, envfit analysis and rank-abundance curves. Results: Chironomid "assemblages''matched both ecoregions and river types. However, ecoregions presented a better fit with species composition. The stenothermal taxa of Orthocladiinae were dominant at high elevations and the eurythermal Chironominae in lowland rivers. Altitude, water temperature and conductivity were important. Seasonal differences were smaller than ecoregional differences. Conclusions: Ecoregions, altitude, water temperature and conductivity correlated with chironomid communities. Orthocladiinae were dominant at high elevations and Chironominae in lowland rivers.

Introducción: Chironomidae (Diptera) es la familia de insectos acuáticos más extendida y abundante en los ecosistemas dulceacuícolas. Los quironómidos se consideran buenos indicadores de la calidad del agua, pero rara vez se identifican a nivel de género en estudios de amplia escala espacial. Objetivo: Identificar las condiciones ambientales asociadas a los quironómidos en un gradiente altitudinal. Métodos: Comparamos ecorregiones, tipos de ríos y estaciones para quironómidos en arroyos y ríos neotropicales (18 sitios en ríos; 2014-2018; en un bosque tropical de Yungas y un bosque seco del Chaco Occidental, Argentina). Utilizamos escalamiento no métrico multidimensional, disimilitud, análisis de envfit y curvas de rango-abundancia. Resultados: Los "ensamblajes''de quironómidos coincidieron tanto con las ecorregiones como con los tipos de ríos. Sin embargo, las ecorregiones presentaron un mejor ajuste con la composición de especies. Los taxones estenotérmicos de Orthocladiinae fueron dominantes en las elevaciones altas y los euritermales de Chironominae en los ríos de las tierras bajas. La altitud, la temperatura del agua y la conductividad fueron importantes. Las diferencias estacionales fueron menores que las diferencias ecorregionales. Conclusiones: las ecorregiones, la altitud, la temperatura del agua y la conductividad se correlacionaron con las comunidades de quironómidos. Orthocladiinae fue dominante en los sitios altos y Chironominae en los ríos de tierras bajas.

Diagnoses and key for the larvae of Progomphus Selys, 1854 from Argentina (Anisoptera: Gomphidae), with first larval descriptions for P. aberrans Belle, 1973 and P. kimminsi Belle, 1973.

Ten species of Progomphus Selys, 1854 are known to occur in Argentina. The larval stages of only four of them are described. We here add the larval descriptions of two species: P. aberrans Belle, 1973 and P. kimminsi Belle, 1973, and diagnose and illustrate important characters for the remaining species known at the larval stage in Argentina: P. complicatus Selys, 1854, P. joergenseni Ris, 1908, P. lepidus Ris, 1911 and P. phyllochromus Ris, 1918. New geographical records for these species are presented, including new records for P. kimminsi in Bolivia, and new provincial records in Argentina: P. aberrans and P. joergenseni in San Luis, and P. kimminsi in Santiago del Estero. A key to distinguish the larval stage of Argentinean species is proposed.

Structure, biomass, and secondary production of benthic macroinvertebrates in subtropical Andean rivers.

Secondary production is the formation of heterotrophic biomass across time, which integrates several important ecological processes that affect the life of organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems, but its study has poor developed in South America. The objectives of this work were to describe the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in terms of abundance and biomass, and to quantify their secondary production for the first time in Andean rivers. A quantitative sampling scheme was implemented, using a Surber sampler, in three forested streams. Physical-chemical variables, nutrients, organic matter and chlorophyll were measured also. The macroinvertebrates were separated and identified mostly at the species level. Each taxon was assigned to a functional feeding group. Secondary production was estimated for 38 taxa, mostly Diptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Ephemeroptera. The annual production varied from 3769 to 13916 mg dry mass m-2 y-1. Most abundant taxa were also those with higher production, dominated by Ephemeroptera (Baetidae), Trichoptera (Hydropsychidae) and Diptera (Chironomidae and Simuliidae). Density, biomass, and production of collectors and predators were much higher than the other feeding groups. We expect that our results will be useful to evaluate the effects on stream functioning produced by global warming and other anthropogenic disturbances in our region.

Two new species and new records of Campsurus Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) in Amazon.

Campsurus Eaton is the second most speciose genus of mayflies in South America and, until recently, one of the most problematic. The scenario was so disorganized that the description of new species was strongly discouraged. In 2010 the genus started to be revised and, after more than ten years of advances, the taxonomic impediment was drastically reduced, facilitating new researches. The new evidence allowed us to investigate specimens of this genus collected from Amap and Mato Grosso States, Brazil, which were impossible to assign to any species in the past. As results, two new species are described, Campsurus fortuitus sp. nov. and Campsurus froehlichi sp. nov.; and new records are provided for Campsurus cuyuniensis Traver, Campsurus indivisus Ulmer, Campsurus inusitatus Molineri Salles, Campsurus jorgenseni Esben-Petersen, Campsurus litaninensis Spieth, Campsurus nessimiani Molineri Salles, Campsurus pereirae Molineri Salles and, Campsurus segnis Needham Murphy.

Mayfly taxonomy (Arthropoda: Hexapoda: Ephemeroptera) during the first two decades of the twenty-first century and the concentration of taxonomic publishing.

The twentieth anniversary of the first issue of Zootaxa (De Moraes Freire, 2001) provides an appropriate opportunity to reflect on some trends in global Ephemeroptera taxonomy publishing over the last two decades, with a focus on the description of new species and the outsized role of the journals Zootaxa and ZooKeys, in particular. Detailed reviews of world Ephemeroptera knowledge up to about 2000 were collected in a series of nine papers from a symposium on the subject, published together in the proceedings of the ninth International Conference on Ephemeroptera (Domínguez 2001). Domínguez Dos Santos (2014) provided updates and analysis for South America up to the year 2012. More recent detailed accounts of regional and taxonomic diversity, and other aspects of mayfly biology and ecology, were reviewed by Jacobus et al. (2019), while Ogden et al. (2019) discussed current issues involving higher classification.

A new species of Tricorythodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from Uruguay.

A new species of Tricorythodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from Uruguay is described and illustrated based on nymphs and adults. Tricorythodes biluhue sp. nov. is related to T. arequita Traver, T. mirca Molineri, T. sallesi Dias, Cabette De Sousa, and T. tragoedia Souto, Angeli Salles. The adults of these species are similar (share body color patterns formed by irregularly distributed pigments, while nymphs and adults present subapical blackish marks on tibiae). The nymphs of the new species present a spine on the inner margin of superlingua; operculate gills with a clear paler anterolateral area; and fore tarsal claw with 10-13 marginal denticles and with 0-1 + 1 submarginal denticles. This species has a wide distribution in Uruguay and was found in small streams with stony substrate and thick sand. Additional records for T. arequita Traver in Uruguay are also provided.

Status changes in some species of Leptohyphes Eaton (Leptohyphidae, Ephemeroptera).

Leptohyphes Eaton is a Panamerican genus with stout nymphs inhabiting mainly mountain streams. In the present work two Leptohyphes species are revalidated: Leptohyphes comatus Allen and Leptohyphes myllonotus Allen Roback. Additionally, a new diagnosis for the nymphal stage of Leptohyphes petersi Allen is presented, and its records from Brazil are removed.

Description of the male imago of Paracloeodes eurybranchus Lugo-Ortiz amp; McCafferty 1996 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae).

Paracloeodes Day 1955 is represented in America by 22 species, sixteen of them are present in South America (Cruz et al. 2018b). The systematic of the genus is mainly based on nymphs (Nieto Salles 2006; Emmerich Nieto 2009; Lima et al. 2010; Cruz et al. 2017) but the association of both stages was recognized to improve the taxonomy of the genus (Cruz et al. 2018a, b). All species are known from the nymphal stage, eleven of them are known from male adults. Paracloeodes eurybranchus is known from nymphs and female adults from Argentina and Brazil. We here describe the male imago and give some additional data for the female imago. The nymphs were collected in small pools on the banks of Los Sauces river. The entire river has a sandy substrate. Along with them, nymphs of Americabaetis alphus Lugo-Ortiz McCafferty 1996 were also collected.

A rare new species of Leptohyphes Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from the Lost World.

A new species of Leptohyphes Eaton (Ephemerotera: Leptohyphidae) is described, diagnosed and illustrated from nymphs collected in the Pantepui region in Southeastern Venezuela. Leptohyphes kukenan sp. nov. is similar to Leptohyphes populus Allen because they share a unique character for the genus: male compound eyes are divided. Other unique characters for the new species include a plesiomorphic gill structure, with imbricated ventral lamellae, and paired subapical denticles on tarsal claw. The new species show a unique combination of characters that distinguish it from L. populus and all other species of Leptohyphes: fore and hind margin of femora with spines on strong elevated sockets, part of body and legs covered by small pale spots, tarsal claws with 4-5 marginal denticles and a subapical pair of submarginal denticles, pronotum with large rounded lateral projection, hind wing pads absent in female, gill formula 8/7/7/4/1, operculate gill with imbricated ventral lobes, and gill V without ventral extension on dorsal lamella.

Direct analysis of vicariance in Neotropical mayflies (Ephemeroptera).

The distribution of aquatic insects has been poorly explored in quantitative analyses aiming at the historical reconstruction of area relationships in the Neotropics. Ephemeroptera is an ancient group, characterized by its low vagility, and of high richness and endemicity in this region. Systematic knowledge of the group has enormously increased in the last decades, achieving a sufficient background to explore biogeographical historical patterns. Our aim is to reconstruct area history in the Neotropics using the rationale of Barrier biogeography (Hovenkamp protocol). We present eleven mayfly phylogenies, representing groups that evolved independently at least from the Jurassic (i.e., not a one-taxon history). With these groups, we conducted independent biogeographical analyses (using Vicariance Inference Program), and extracted the events that repeated in two or more clades. We found fifty-eight TVEs (Traceable Vicariant Events), from which four were found at least twice, thus constituting SVEs (Supported Vicariant Events).

Nymphal description of Tricorythodes zagaia n. comb. and Tricorythodes pemonensis n. comb. (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) and first records from Colombia.

The nymphal stages of Tricorythodes pemonensis n. comb. and T. zagaia n.comb. are firstly described. The nymphal characters as well as the characteristic swelling at the base of second forceps segment in male imago justify moving them from Macunahyphes to Tricorythodes. Additionally, other three species described in Macunahyphes are also transferred to Tricorythodes: Tricorythodes araca (Souto Salles) new comb., Tricorythodes eduardoi (Almeida Mariano) new comb., and Tricorythodes incognitus (Molineri et al.) new comb. Macunahyphes australis is the only species that remains in the genus.

The larva of Neoneura confundens Wasscher and van't Bosch, 2013 (Odonata, Coenagrionidae) and key to the larvae of genus.

The beautifully colored damselflies included in Neoneura Selys are divided in 28 species known from North, Central and South America. Larval stage is little known, only seven species were described at this stage. We describe and illustrate the final instar larva of Neoneura confundens for the first time. Adults associated to this larva correspond to the blue form of the species and are also discussed and illustrated. The larva of N. confundens is similar to other Neoneura larvae, showing 1 premental seta and a well-marked nodus in caudal lamellae, but it can be differentiated by having fringed posterior margin in all tibiae and in middle and hind tarsi, among other characters. A key to known larvae of Neoneura and new records extending the species range in the southern cone are provided.

Two new species of Campsurus Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) from Colombia.

Two new species of Campsurus from Colombia are herein described, based on adults of both sexes and eggs. Campsurus vichada sp. nov. from the albifilum group, is separated from the other species in this group by: abdominal terga shaded slightly darker posteriorly, with a pale median band and pale closed markings, and pedestals short and subquadrate, main lobes of penes very long and slender, among other characters. Its sister relation with C. homaulus and C. gracilipenis is hypothesized through a cladistic analysis. A key is presented for the six species in the albifilum group of Campsurus.Campsurus cristales sp. nov. from the segnis group, closely related to C. janae, is diagnosed by: posterior margin of male abdominal sternum IX tri-lobed, pedestal strongly elongated and penes with a strongly expanded dorsal area, among other features.

Tricorythodes macuira (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae), new species from Colombia.

Tricorythodes macuira sp n. is described and illustrated based on nymphs of both sexes and eggs from Colombia. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: maxillary palp 2-segmented and small, pronotum with rounded anterolateral projection, pronotum and mesonotum with thick and long setae on margins, femora I and II with transverse row of long setae at dorsum, tarsal claws with marginal row of 5-8 denticles and subdistal double row of 4-2 + 1-2 submarginal denticles, subtriangular operculate gills shaded black on a basal stripe, ventralmost lamellae of gills III-V with dorsal extension very well developed, abdominal segments VII-IX with small posterolateral spines. Eggs with one polar cap, polygonal chorionic plates with elevated margins and long adhesive filaments near the uncapped pole.

Variaciones espaciales y ontogenéticas en la dieta de un plecóptero de amplia distribución Claudioperla tigrina (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) / Spatial and ontogenetic variations in the diet of a widely distributed stonefly Claudioperla tigrina (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae)

Resumen: La determinación de los hábitos alimentarios permite la comprensión de muchos procesos ecológicos que se dan en los ecosistemas lóticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es: 1) conocer los hábitos alimentarios de ninfas de Claudioperla tigrina en un amplio gradiente altitudinal y latitudinal en Argentina; 2) asignar el grupo funcional trófico (GFT) de C. tigrina; 3) evaluar diferencias entre dietas de los sitios estudiados. Las ninfas estudiadas fueron recolectadas a lo largo de un amplio rango espacial en el noroeste de Argentina e incluyen diferentes estados del desarrollo (cuatro clases de tamaño). El material ingerido fue extraído de la parte anterior del tubo digestivo mediante disección ventral del tórax. Los perfiles dietarios fueron analizados a través de la estimación de parámetros de la distribución multinomial de Dirichlet. Se efectuaron ANOVA's para cada rubro alimentario en función de los sitios. Se utilizó la técnica Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) para identificar los sitios con perfiles alimentarios promedios similares. Se realizó un análisis de amplitud de nicho trófico para evaluar la diversificación de los recursos consumidos en cada sitio. El aparato bucal no muestra variaciones a lo largo del desarrollo ninfal, excepto una mayor esclerotización con la edad. Poseen palpos mandibulares y maxilares relativamente cortos y mandíbulas y maxilas fuertes, esclerozadas y dentadas. Las ninfas ingirieron más de un ítem alimentario, sugiriendo que se trata de una especie flexible en su alimentación. El ítem dominante en la dieta fue la MOPG, los signos de haber sido masticado indican hábitos trituradores. Se encontraron diferencias entre sitios para los ítems MOPF, invertebrados, algas y sedimento, pero no para MOPG. Se obtuvieron las correlaciones para cada eje del análisis MDS. Con el eje 1 se correlacionaron negativamente los sitios AP, LT, LI, C y M (Selva de Yungas y Pastizal de neblina) asociados a un mayor consumo de MOPF, en el lado positivo del eje se encontró el sitio P (Altos Andes) asociado a los ítems invertebrados y sedimento. Para el eje 2 se relacionaron positivamente IN (Pastizal neblina) y LR (Monte de Sierras y Bolsones) con la presencia de algas. Los resultados del análisis de amplitud de nicho revelaron diferencias en el uso de los recursos secundarios de la dieta en los sitios estudiados que puede deberse a la oferta ambiental en las ecorregiones consideradas. El GFT de C. tigrina es triturador/ recolector en Selva de Yungas y Pastizales de Neblina y triturador/ depredador en Altos Andes. La definición del GFT de C. tigrina y el establecimiento de su rol como procesador primario de materia orgánica representa un paso importante para futuros estudios de redes tróficas y otras metodologías basadas en los grupos funcionales.

Abstract: Dietary information gives insight into several ecological processes acting in lotic ecosystems. This work aimed: 1) to identify the dietary habits of Claudioperla tigrina immature stages along a wide altitudinal as well as latitudinal gradient in North Argentina; 2) to define the functional feeding group (FFG) of C. tigrina; 3) to evaluate differences in diet in the studied sites. Studied nymphs were collected from localities widely scattered in Northwestern Argentina and they fell into different developmental stages (four size classes). The ingested material was extracted from the foregut and midgut by using thorax ventral dissection. Dietary profiles were analyzed through the estimation of parameters associated with a Dirichletmultinomial distribution. ANOVA's were performed for each food item using sites as factor. Multidimensional Scaling was used to identify sites with similar dietary profiles. An analysis of food-niche breadth was also performed to evaluate the degree of dietary diversification for the resources consumed in each site. Mouthparts are similar across the different size classes, excepting the increasing sclerotization recorded with age. Mouthparts retained most of the typical chewing groundplan, showing relatively short labial and maxillar palps, and strong, sclerotized and denticulated mandibles and maxillae. Our results pointed out that the nymphs of C. tigrina always ingest two or more food items (CPOM, FPOM, invertebrates and algae), suggesting thus a flexible diet. The diet changed in relation to body size, while finer particles were consumed in the early stages, larger particles were ingested in final stages. Coarse particulate organic matter was the dominant food item, with signals of shredding during ingestion. Differences between sites for FPOM, invertebrates, algae and sediment were detected, but not for MOPG. Correlations were obtained for the first two axis of the MDS analysis. Sites AP, LT, LI, C and M (Yungas Rainforest and Humid Grassland) were negatively correlated with the axis 1 which was associated with increased consumption of FPOM. On the positive side of the axis the site P (High Andes) is associated with a greater proportion of invertebrates and sediment. The sites IN (Humid Grassland) and LR (Argentine Northwest Monte and Thistle of the Prepuna) were located at the positive domain of axis 2 which is in turn associated with a greater count of algae in the dietary contents. We found significant differences in the quantity of secondary items, and this is likely related with the resources environmental availability. The FFG of Claudioperla tigrina is primarily shredder/collector-gatherer in Yungas Rainforest and Humid Grassland shredder/predator in High Andes. FFG classification of C. tigrina and the definition of their role for organic matter processing is an important step for future studies based on functional groups such as analysis of food webs. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (3): 1174-1184. Epub 2017 September 01.

The role of macroinvertebrates for conservation of freshwater systems.

Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. Argentinian-protected areas have been established mainly to protect vertebrates and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to create a comprehensive biodiverse conservation plan, it is crucial to integrate both aquatic and terrestrial systems and to include macroinvertebrates. Here, we address this topic by proposing priority areas of conservation including invertebrates, aquatic ecosystems, and their connectivity and land uses. LOCATION: Northwest of Argentina. We modeled the ecological niches of different taxa of macroinvertebrates such as Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Acari, and Mollusca. Based on these models, we analyzed the contribution of currently established protected areas in the conservation of the aquatic biodiversity and we propose a spatial prioritization taking into account possible conflict regarding different land uses. Our analysis units were the real watersheds, to which were added longitudinal connectivity up and down the rivers. A total of 132 species were modeled in the priority area analyses. The analysis 1 showed that only an insignificant percentage of the macroinvertebrates distribution is within the protected areas in the North West of Argentina. The analyses 2 and 3 recovered similar values of protection for the macroinvertebrate species. The upper part of Bermejo, Salí-Dulce, San Francisco, and the Upper part of Juramento basins were identified as priority areas of conservation. The aquatic ecosystems need special protection and 10% or even as much as 17% of land conservation is insufficient for species of macroinvertebrates. In turn the protected areas need to combine the aquatic and terrestrial systems and need to include macroinvertebrates as a key group to sustain the biodiversity. In many cases, the land uses are in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; however, it is possible to apply the connectivity of the watersheds and create multiple-use modules.

Two new species of Caenis Stephens, 1835 (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) from South America.

Caenis Stephens, 1835 is a relatively diverse South American genus of Caenidae (Ephemeroptera), with 22 recorded species, but much of its diversity remains poorly explored in this region. In the present study, two new species of Caenis with apically pointed forceps are described: Caenis amacayacu sp. nov., based on male adults from Colombia; and C. elidioi sp. nov, based on all life stages from several localities in Brazil.

Stage description, new combination and new records of Neotropical Brachycercinae (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae).

We present taxonomic contributions and new records for Neotropical Brachycercinae based on material from Brazil. We performed a phylogenetic analysis in order to test the relationship between Alloretochus Sun & McCafferty, 2008 and Latineosus Sun & Mc- Cafferty, 2008, and Alloretochus sigillatus was recovered in the Latineosus clade. Therefore, we propose a new combination, Latineosus sigillatus comb. n. The nymph of Latineosus sigillatus is described and is associated with imago through molecular tools. Moreover, Alloretochus peruanicus (Soldán, 1986) is reported for the first time from Brazil.

Biogeography and areas of endemism of Prepops Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Resumen Miridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) es una de las familias de insectos más ricas en especies, con alrededor de 11 100 especies descritas. Mirinae es la mayor subfamilia y sus endemismos se hacen evidentes desde el nivel de tribu hacia abajo. La tribu Restheniini (Mirinae) se encuentra en América, con la mayor parte de su diversidad en el Neotrópico. Prepops Reuter es el mayor género de Restheniini con 198 especies, con un rango de distribución similar al de la tribu. Los estudios sobre distribución y áreas de endemismo en Miridae son escasos, y no existen para Prepops. Aquí se analizan todos los registros geográficos de Prepops (707 registros de 181 especies) con el objetivo de identificar patrones de diversidad y áreas de endemismo, usando análisis de redes. Los datos de localidad se asignaron usando especímenes de museo y registros geográficos en la literatura. Además usamos datos de distribución para proponer preferencias de hábitat y variables geoclimáticas importantes para cada grupo de especies co-ocurrentes. Los resultados indican una alta riqueza específica en las regiones subtropicales, mientras que la faja tropical y las altas latitudes aparecen empobrecidas. La región Neotropical presenta 86 % de las especies, la Neártica alrededor del 11 % (pero con mayores rangos específicos de distribución). La región Andina casi no posee registros del género. Veintitrés áreas de endemismo (y dos díadas), formadas por 2 o más especies endémicas se encuentran en la región Neártica (3), la zona de transición Mexicana/subregión Caribe (5), y la zona de transición Sudamericana/ subregiones Amazónica, Chaqueña y Paranaense (15). La superposición de algunas áreas indica regiones con elevada riqueza específica y con una historia compleja. La falta de registros en la región Andina (excepto para P. nigrus en el sur de Patagonia) y la dominancia de especies estrictamente neotropicales (86 %) apoyan la hipótesis del origen neotropical para la tribu Restheniini. La conformación general de los grupos de especies co-ocurrentes de Prepops muestra una estrecha correlación con las regiones y subregiones biogeográficas conocidas. Entre las características ecofisiográficas más comunmente asociadas con los registros geográficos de Prepops se encuentran, en orden de importancia: bosques de hoja ancha (húmedos y secos), pastizales y hábitats xéricos.

AbstractThe Miridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are one of the most species rich families of insects, with about 11 100 described species. Mirinae is the largest subfamily and its endemism becomes evident at the tribal level and below. Mirines of the tribe Restheniini are found throughout America, with most of the diversity confined to the Neotropics. Prepops Reuter is the largest genus in Restheniini with 198 described species and its geographical range is similar to that of the tribe. The study of the distribution and areas of endemism in Miridae are scarce and non-existent for Prepops. We analyzed all the geographic records of Prepops (707 records for 181 species) in order to identify diversity patterns and areas of endemism, using network analysis. Locality data were assigned using museum specimens and geographic records in the literature. Additionally we used spatial data to propose habitat preferences and geoclimatic variables important for each group of co-occurring species. The results indicate high species richness in subtropical regions, while the tropical belt and high latitudes appear impoverished. The Neotropical region contains 86% of the species, and the Nearctic about 11 % (but with larger species ranges); the Andean region is sparingly represented. Twenty-three areas of endemism (and two diads), formed by 2 or more endemic species, are distributed in the Nearctic (3), Mexican Transition Zone and Caribbean subregion (5), South American Transition Zone and Amazonian, Chacoan and Paranaense subregions (15). Overlap between some of the areas indicates regions with high species richness and complex history. The lack of records from the Andean region (except for P. nigrus in Southern Patagonia) and dominance of strictly Neotropical species (86 %) supports the hypothesis of a Neotropical origin for the tribe Restheniini. The general arrangement of the units of co-occurrence of Prepops species shows a close correlation with known biogeographic regions and subregions. Broad physiographic characteristics most commonly associated with Prepops geographical records are, in order of importance: broad leaf forests (wet and dry), grasslands and xeric habitats. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64(1): 17-31. Epub 2016 March 01.