Taxonomic revision of the New World big-eyed minute litter bug genus Ommatides Uhler (Hemiptera: Schizopteridae).

Hypselosomatinae, the big-eyed minute litter bugs, are diagnosed among Schizopteridae (infraorder Dipsocoromorpha) by the large eye, 4-segmented labium, and distinct wing venation. The group was recovered as sister taxon to all remaining Schizopteridae in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. Described species diversity of Hypselosomatinae (13 extant genera prior to this study) is greatest in the Old World and in particular the Australian region, while only five monotypic or small genera are currently described from the New World (Glyptocombus Heidemann, Ommatides Uhler, Williamsocoris Carpintero Dellapé, Hypsohapsis Hoey-Chamberlain Weirauch, and Hypselosomops Hoey-Chamberlain Weirauch). Based on examination of 60 specimens of Hypselosomatinae from South America, we here synonymize Ommatides that includes one described species from the Lesser Antilles with the monotypic genus Williamsocoris Carpintero Dellapé from Argentina, describe seven new species of Ommatides (O. duodentis sp. nov., O. nudus sp. nov., O. parvidentis sp. nov., O. pillcopata sp. nov., O. pristis sp. nov., O. tridentis sp. nov., O. yoderi sp. nov. and O. zanderij sp. nov.) from various locations in South America, and redescribe Ommatides. We provide thorough documentation of morphological features using macroimages, SEM, and line drawings for new taxa and Ommatides insignis Uhler and a distribution map for all currently known New World Hypselosomatinae.

Synopsis of Schizopteridae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Dipsocoromorpha) from the United States, with description of seven new species from the US and Mexico.

Because species diversity of the small true bug family Schizopteridae is greatest in tropical and subtropical areas, it is not surprising that only four species have been described from the United States. As part of a larger project on the taxonomy and phylogenetics of Schizopteridae, 178 specimens from the United States were examined. This material contained representatives of the previously described species Glyptocombussaltator Heidemann, 1906, Corixideamajor McAtee & Malloch, 1925, Nannocorisarenarius Blatchley, 1926, and Schizopterabispina McAtee & Malloch, 1925, but also six undescribed species. These new taxa are described as Glyptocombushalbertae sp. n., Glyptocombussuteri sp. n., Nannocorisanophorus sp. n., Nannocorisbrevipilus sp. n., Schizoptera (Cantharocoris) rileyisp. n., and Schizoptera (Schizoptera) henryisp. n. Habitus images and genitalic illustrations of the previously described and the new species are provided as well as a map showing distribution ranges of these species in the United States and Mexico. To provide a comprehensive treatment of the small genus Glyptocombus Heidemann, 1906, Glyptocombusmexicanus sp. n. is also described that, to our knowledge, occurs only in Mexico, and the female of one additional undescribed Glyptocombus species is documented from Mexico.

Giant among dwarfs: Meganannus lewisi, gen. n. and sp. n., a new genus and species of minute litter bugs from Costa Rica (Hemiptera: Schizopteridae).

The Neotropical biodiversity of the cryptic and tiny minute litter bugs in the family Schizopteridae-although thought to be the best documented tropical fauna of Schizopteridae-is still poorly known. Sixteen species of Schizopteridae have been described from Costa Rica, 13 of which during the past few years, and the last new genus of Schizopteridae from that country was described more than half a century ago. We here describe and document a new monotypic genus of Schizopteridae from Costa Rica, Meganannus n. gen. The new genus belongs to the "Ogeriinae" + Schizopterinae lineage of Schizopteridae and stands out among other litter bugs by the large body size, among other features. We provide habitus photographs and document morphological details using scanning electron, confocal, and light compound microscopic images. A map and measurements are also produced. An illustrated identification key to genus groups and/or genera of Neotropical Schizopteridae including this new genus is presented.

Two new genera of big-eyed minute litter bugs (Hemiptera, Schizopteridae, Hypselosomatinae) from Brazil and the Caribbean.

Charismatic Hypselosomatinae (currently 14 extant and fossil genera; 72 species), the "big-eyed minute litter bugs", are characterized among Schizopteridae (Dipsocoromorpha) by the large eyes, four-segmented labium, and distinctive wing venation. A recent molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Hypselosomatinae that were recovered as the sister taxon to the Ogeriinae + Schizopterinae (Weirauch and Stys 2014). Hypselosomatinae occur in the Old and New Worlds, but described species diversity is biased towards the Oriental and Australian regions: only three monotypic genera are currently known from the New World (Glyptocombus Heidemann, Ommatides Uhler, and Williamsocoris Carpintero & Dellapé). Based on 28 male, female, and juvenile specimens from Cuba and the Dominican Republic and a single male specimen from Brazil we here describe two new monotypic genera of Hypselosomatinae, Hypselosomops peckigen. n. and sp. n., and Hypsohapsis takiyaegen. n. and sp. n. We provide habitus images, digital illustrations (light, scanning electron, and/or confocal microscope) of wing and male genitalic structures, line drawings of genitalic structures, and distribution maps. Bizarre morphologies, a worldwide distribution with small endemic species ranges, and a fossil record that dates back to the mid-Cretaceous make the Hypselosomatinae a fascinating group to explore in an effort to understand the evolutionary history of Dipsocoromorpha.

Glandular areas associated with the male genitalia in Triatoma rubrofasciata (Triatominae, Reduviidae, Hemiptera) and other Reduviidae.

In this paper, glandular areas associated with the phallus in Triatoma rubrofasciata are described and illustrated for the first time. The glandular areas lie in the membrane surrounding the articulatory apparatus. In order to unambiguously define the locality of the respective glandular areas, some features of the pygophore-phallus connection are redescribed. A possible functional context of the gland secretions is discussed. A preliminary study of several other Reduviidae implies that the described glandular areas occur in a wider range of taxa in this group.

Glandular areas associated with the male genitalia in Triatoma rubrofasciata (Triatominae, Reduviidae, Hemiptera) and other Reduviidae

In this paper, glandular areas associated with the phallus in Triatoma rubrofasciata are described and illustrated for the first time. The glandular areas lie in the membrane surrounding the articulatory apparatus. In order to unambiguously define the locality of the respective glandular areas, some features of the pygophore-phallus connection are redescribed. A possible functional context of the gland secretions is discussed. A preliminary study of several other Reduviidae implies that the described glandular areas occur in a wider range of taxa in this group