Description of the adult of the thread-legged assassin bug Eugubinus araneus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from India, with comments on other congeneric species.

The thread-legged assassin bug Eugubinus araneus Distant, 1903 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Emesini) was described from India on the basis of two nymphs. This paper provides the first description of the adult with illustrations of both the adult and the nymph. A checklist of and a key to species of Eugubinus Distant, 1903, and images of the type material of six additional species of the genus, i.e., E. intrudans Distant, 1915, E. reticolus Distant, 1915, E. canalanus (Distant,1914), E. annulatus (Villiers, 1948), E. forsteri Wygodzinsky, 1953 and E. papuensis Wygodzinsky, 1966, are provided.

Two new species of emRhiginia/em Stål, 1859, with taxonomical notes on species in the "emcruciata/em-group" of this genus and an updated key to the New World genera of Ectrichodiinae (Heteroptera, Reduviidae).

Taxonomical and morphological notes on the species in the "cruciata-group" of Rhiginia Stål, 1859 (Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Ectrichodiinae, Ectrichodiini) are provided. Photographs of the type specimens of R. bimaculata Breddin, 1914, R. cinctiventris (Stål, 1872), R. crucifera (Stål, 1872), and R. crudelis Stål, 1862 are presented. Rhiginia lourdesae sp. nov. and Rhiginia nicholsae sp. nov. are described based on male specimens from Mexico and considered as members of the "cruciata-group". We also provide an updated key to the New World genera of Ectrichodiinae that includes the genus Tribelocodia Weirauch, 2010 to reflect recent taxonomic changes to the classification of the subfamily.

Biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic analyses, with taxonomic notes of emZelurus/em emochripennis/em (Stål, 1854) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae).

Based on specimens of Zelurus ochripennis (Stål, 1854) collected in the entrance zone of a small terrestrial cave, some biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic data, as well, as the general morphology of their nymphs are presented for the first time. A short taxonomic summary of the species is also provided.

A new species of emCosmoclopius/em Stål, 1866 from Argentina (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

A new species of Cosmoclopius Stål, 1866, C. joceliae sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in northern Argentina. This new species is recognized by the vertical and truncate median process of pygophore, and the short-recurved spine on the apex of the dorsal phallothecal sclerite; and other features such as the dorsally black head, pronotum, and femora, and the thoracic sterna black with median pale markings; some females show lighter posterior pronotal lobe and femora with more conspicuous dark and pale bands. Digital images of the adult male and female and male genitalia are provided, as well as a comparison with the species of the genus are given.

Four new species of emHeza/em Amyot amp; Audinet-Serville (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) from the Neotropics.

Four new species of the Neotropical harpactorine genus Heza Amyot Audinet-Serville are newly described: Heza graziae sp. nov. from Ecuador, Heza nebrias sp. nov. from Peru and Brazil, Heza phthinica sp. nov. from Brazil and Peru, and Heza viridipes sp. nov. from Bolivia. Two new country records for two other species are also reported: Heza aurantia Maldonado, 1976 from Ecuador and Heza ventralis Stål, 1872 from Brazil.

emTagalis graziae/em, a new species of Saicinae from the Chocó biogeographic region in Colombia (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Tagalis graziae sp. nov., is described from a specimen collected in Risaralda, Colombia, in an area considered part of the Chocó biogeographic region. Among the species of Tagalis with a large and nearly horizontal posteromedial process of the pygophore, T. graziae sp. nov. can be recognized by its coloration pattern, in particular by having the profemur with a basal and apical dark brown band, the apex of the meso and metafemur with an apical narrow dark brown band, and the supracoxal lobes dark brown. Digital images of external morphological characters and of the genitalia are provided. An updated key to the species of Tagalis is presented to facilitate the identification of the new species.

A revalidation and new synonymies among some species of emBrontostoma/em Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae).

Based on the examination of types and additional specimens, the following new synonymies and revalidation are proposed in the genus Brontostoma Kirkaldy, 1904 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae): Brontostoma discus (Burmeister, 1835) = Brontostoma nanus Carpintero, 1980, syn. nov.; and Brontostoma haematodes (Blanchard, 1846), sp. reval. = Brontostoma discus nigricans Carpintero, 1980, syn. nov. The previous synonym of Brontostoma venusta (Walker, 1873) with B. discus is confirmed. Brontostoma discus is recorded from French Guiana for the first time. Brontostoma cicheroi Carpintero, 1980 is very similar to B. discus, but because its holotype was not available for study no taxonomic conclusion could be achieved.

Proguithera caspersi/, a new cavernicolous thread-legged bug species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from Hainan, China.

The thread-legged bug genus Proguithera Wygodzinsky, 1966 is recorded from China for the first time, and a new species, P. caspersi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The new species is cavernicolous and was collected on the walls of a cave together with another emesine species Myiophanes tipulina Reuter, 1881. The type species of the genus, P. drescheri (Wygodzinsky, 1966), is re-diagnosed based on the examination of the holotype. An updated key to species of the Guithera-Lutevula genus group is provided.

Biogeographic origin and phylogenetic relationships of Mepraia (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) on islands of northern Chile.

Chagas disease is one of the main zoonoses mediated by vectors in America. The etiological agent is the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted mainly by hematophagous insects of the subfamily Triatominae. Mepraia species are triatomines endemic to Chile that play an important role in T. cruzi transmission in the wild cycle and are potential vectors for humans. In addition to the continental distribution, populations of Mepraia genus have been reported inhabiting islands of northern Chile. The presence of individuals of Mepraia in insular areas might be explained through passive dispersion by marine birds or by vicariance of an ancestral widespread population. To clarify the biogeographic origin and phylogenetic relationships of island individuals of Mepraia, mitochondrial COI and cyt b genes were sequenced in individuals from island and continental areas. Gene sequences were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships, divergence dates and migration rates between insular and continental populations. The dates of divergence estimates are congruent with sea level and tectonic changes that originated the islands during Pleistocene. Migration rates suggest symmetric historical island-continent gene flow. We suggest that the origin of island triatomines can be explained by both vicariance and dispersion. Phylogenetic relationships show that individuals from Santa María Island and the continent clustered in a clade different from those previously reported, indicating a new lineage of Mepraia genus. This study will contribute to understand the origin of the T. cruzi infection in coastal islands of northern Chile.

Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of the ambush bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae).

The ambush bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae) are a diverse clade of predators known for their cryptic hunting behavior and morphologically diverse raptorial forelegs. Despite their striking appearance, role as pollinator predators, and intriguing biogeographic distribution, phylogenetic relationships within Phymatinae are largely unknown and the evolutionary history of the subfamily has remained in the dark. We here utilize the most extensive molecular phylogeny of ambush bugs to date, generated from a 3328 base pair molecular dataset, to refine our understanding of phymatine relationships, estimate dates of divergence (BEAST 2), and uncover historical biogeographic patterns (S-DIVA and DEC). This taxon set (39 species of Phymatinae and six outgroups) allowed reevaluation of the proposed sister group of Phymatinae and tribal-level relationships within the group, and for the first time proposes species-level relationships within Phymata Latreille, the largest genus of ambush bugs (∼109spp.). Available evidence suggests that Phymata originated in the Neotropical region, with subsequent dispersals to the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. This study provides a framework for future research investigating the evolutionary history of ambush bugs, as well as ecological and microevolutionary investigations.

New synonymies among species of Nitornus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Based on examination of types and additional specimens, the following new synonymies are proposed in the genus Nitornus Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Stenopodainae): Nitornus lobulatus Stål, 1859 = Nitornus monrosi (Wygodzinsky, 1959), syn. nov. = Nitornus barberi Froeschner, 1999, syn. nov.; and Nitornus parkoi (Costa Lima & Campos Seabra, 1945) = Nitornus seabrai (Prosen & Martínez, 1958), syn. nov. These synonymies result in Nitornus having only two valid species. Comments on morphological variations and the male genitalia of the species studied here are provided.

A new species of Dohrnemesa from Brazil, with notes on the male of D. carvalhoi and on D. albuquerquei (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae).

Dohrnemesa oliveirai sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Emesini) is described from state of Pará, Brazil, based on a male specimen. The male genitalia of D. carvalhoi (Wygodzinsky, 1966) is described for the first time and some notes about D. albuquerquei (Wygodzinsky, 1966) are furnished.

The genus Zelurus Hahn, 1826, in Brazilian caves: description of new species and comments on the potential distribution of the genus in South America.

A survey on species of the genus Zelurus Hahn, 1826 (Reduviidae) occurring in Brazilian caves is provided. Zelurus tambejua sp. n. and Zelurus gerevatinga sp. n. collected from caves in Brazil are described. Comments about the current and potential distribution of the genus as a whole and of species of Zelurus found in caves for South America are also provided.

Would Nesotriatoma bruneri Usinger, 1944 be a valid species?

Variation in the size and morphological differences intraspecific of Nesotriatoma flavida led to the description of N. bruneri. However, two years later the same author proposed the synonymization N. bruneri with N. flavida. N. bruneri was revalidated through morphological analysis after 35 years. Thus, given the existing taxonomic questioning between these Cuban triatomines, we analyzed new parameters such as genetic distance from the mitochondrial 16S rDNA deposited in Genbank and cytogenetic characterization, through the constitutive heterochromatin pattern, in order to reassess the specific status of N. bruneri. The analysis of the disposition of constitutive heterochromatin in the genome of these triatomines allowed observing that only the sex chromosome Y is heterochromatic, and the autosomes and the sex chromosomes X are euchromatic. These characteristics are identical to those described for N. flavida. By means of analysis of genetic distance matrix, we found that the genetic distance between N. bruneri and N. flavida was only 0.04%. Thus, by means of extremely low genetic distance and identical cytogenetic characteristics, we suggest that N. bruneri should be back again synonymized with N. flavida. However, we recommend that experimental hybrid crosses and new molecular analysis should be conducted, focusing mainly in the genetic distance based on other genes, on the rate of fertility of eggs and viability of hybrids to confirm the proposed of synonymization.

A revision of the Australian genus Trachylestes with the description of two new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae).

Two new species, Trachylestes barrowensis sp. nov. from Barrow Island, Western Australia and T. queenslandensis sp. nov. from southeastern Queensland are described, and a key for their separation from other known species of the Australian endemic genus Trachylestes Stål, 1868 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is given.

Transfer of the assassin bug Nitornus fuliginosus to the genus Apronius (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Stenopodainae).

Based on examination of its lectotype (here designated), the assassin bug Nitornus fuliginosus Distant, 1902 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Stenopodainae) is transferred to the genus Apronius Stål, 1865, with the resulting new combination: Apronius fuliginosus (Distant, 1902), comb. nov.

Phylogenetics and biogeography of the endemic Madagascan millipede assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae).

For at least the past 80my, Madagascar, a major biodiversity hotspot, has been isolated from all other landmasses. This long-term isolation, along with geologic and climatic factors within Madagascar and throughout the Indian Ocean, has undoubtedly influenced the evolution of the island's biota. However, few systematic analyses incorporating modern divergence dating and biogeographic analyses have focused on Madagascan insects. The diverse Madagascan millipede assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae) offer an opportunity to contribute to a limited body of insect-related research that explores Madagascar's historical biogeography. A molecular dataset (COI mtDNA and 18S, 28S D2 and D3-D5 rDNAs) for 56 taxa (39 ingroup) and a combined morphological (145 characters) and molecular dataset for 110 taxa (93 ingroup) are analyzed with maximum likelihood (ML) and parsimony approaches. Based on the molecular ML phylogeny, divergence times were estimated using fossil and secondary calibrations and biogeographic analyses performed using DIVA, DEC, and DEC+j models to determine the role and patterns of vicariance and dispersal in the origin of Madagascan Ectrichodiinae. Results indicate that Ectrichodiinae in Madagascar do not form a monophyletic group, different clades are closely related to Afrotropical and Oriental lineages, and have colonized the island via transoceanic dispersal at least twice from the Oriental region and once from the Afrotropical region in the last ∼68my. Additionally, the DEC+j and DIVA models infer a single out-of-Madagascar dispersal event to the Afrotropical region. Oceanic and geologic factors that may have facilitated dispersal between these three regions are discussed. Results of the combined analyses are used to explore character support for Madagascan taxa and inform taxonomic diagnoses. Our results are congruent with the small but growing body of biogeographic research supporting Cenozoic transoceanic dispersal for Madagascan invertebrates to and from Oriental and Afrotropical regions.

Efficient capture of natural history data reveals prey conservatism of cryptic termite predators.

Stenophagy, specialization of a clade on a narrow range of taxa, has not been well studied in speciose clades of predators, principally due to the difficulty of obtaining adequate natural history data. The pantropical Salyavatinae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae; 17 genera, 107 species) contains members with enigmatic morphology and specialized behavior for feeding on termites. All Salyavatinae are suspected specialist termite predators; however, existing observations are limited to seven species. Prior analyses indicate that Salyavatinae may be paraphyletic with respect to another subfamily, Sphaeridopinae, also hypothesized to feed on termites. A molecular phylogeny of these putative termite assassins is here constructed using seven loci from 28 species in nine genera and is used in a dating analysis to shed light on the timing of Neotropical colonization by this primarily Old World clade. DNA extracted from gut contents of 50 individuals was assayed using PCR with prey-specific primers.Molecular assays, along with recent photographs and observations, provide substantial evidence that this clade feeds specifically upon termites, documenting 28 new individual associations. Our phylogeny supports a sister group relationship of the Neotropical genus Salyavata with Sphaeridopinae. Termite association data combined with our phylogeny provide evidence of previously unknown prey conservatism among clades of one of the most diverse groups of specialist termite predators.

The first fossil record of the Emesinae genus Emesopsis Uhler (Hemiptera: Heteroptera, Reduviidae) from Eocene Baltic amber.

Two new fossil representatives of the assassin bug family Reduviidae are described as new from Baltic amber (Upper Eocene), belonging to the genus Emesopsis of the tribe Ploiariolini (Emesinae): Emesopsis putshkovi sp. nov. and E. similis sp. nov. These representatives of the Emesinae are the oldest fossil bugs of the genus Emesopsis known so far, and reported for the first time. This genus is also briefly diagnosed.

Two new species of Phasmatocoris Breddin from Brazil, and description of the male of Phasmatocoris borgmeieri (Wygodzinsky) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae).

Phasmatocoris catarinae sp. nov. and P. galvaoi sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Emesini) are described from Brazil based on female and male specimens. The male of Phasmatocoris borgmeieri (Wygodzinsky, 1945) is described and short taxonomical notes on this species and P. xavieri Gil-Santana et al., 2007 are provided.