Kim Ribeiro Barão

Quantitative panbiogeography: was the congruence problem solved?

Panbiogeography represents the spatial congruence among species distributions by means of generalized tracks. Some critics have suggested the method fails to objectively evaluate congruence, being neither repeatable nor falsifiable. The MartiTracks software was proposed to address spatial congruence using geometric properties as a counterpoint to the manual procedures so far employed in generalized track obtainment. To evaluate whether MartiTracks is a reliable alternative to the congruence problem in the quantitative panbiogeographic approach, we tested the software parameters with three analysis schemes under two real datasets. Then, we proceeded to a comparison of the results to those produced from Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) and Clique Analysis, two quantitative methods which are based in predefined biogeographic areas or in the employment of grid cells. For PAE we used both analytical units, while Clique Analysis was restricted to grid cells. Through this, we aimed to comparatively evaluate the criteria of spatial congruence in different approaches. For each dataset and method, significantly different tracks resulted, highlighting the disparate congruence criteria among panbiogeographic approaches. Despite PAE ending up as the most reliable of the tools tested, it is still far from solving panbiogeographic congruence. The main focus of this paper, MartiTracks, is indeed a tool that makes minimum spanning tree construction a repeatable and easy-to-visualize process, but stumbles upon its obscure procedures of generalized track obtainment, congruence criteria, subjective parameter definition, the unclear implications of employing said parameters, and dubious results. Our results suggest that the subjectivity of the parameter setup process substantially influences the results, biasing them to the user-desired level of congruence. That the software produces fast and easy-to-visualize results does not make it a definitive solution to the problem of quantitative panbiogeographic approaches.

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: IX. Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae)

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: IX. Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae). The biology of the Andean silverspot butterfly Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1861) is still poorly known. This species is restricted to high elevations in the Andes, where the immature stages are found in close association with species of Passiflora belonging to the section Tacsonia (Juss.) Harms, especially P. tripartida var. mollissima (Kunth), which is grown for subsistence by villagers. Herein we describe and illustrate the external features of the egg, larva and pupa of D. glycera, based on light and scanning electron microscopy.

Comparative morphology of selected characters of the Pentatomidae foreleg (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).

Heteropteran legs are very diverse within and among taxa, and such variation is frequently correlated with life habits. Structural modifications are commonly present in the legs of the Pentatomoidea but are poorly studied. Using scanning electron microscopy, the tibia and pretarsal microstructure of 82 species of Pentatomidae (Heteroptera), three species of Scutelleridae, and ten species of Thyreocoridae were described, focusing on the pretarsal structure, the foretibial apparatus, and the foretibial comb. The Pentatomidae, the Scutelleridae, and the Thyreocoridae have uniform pretarsal structures. Variation can be found in the length of the parempodial setae and in the shape of the parempodial projections. The foretibial combs of the Pentatomidae, the Thyreocoridae, and the Scutelleridae are described for the first time, and we have demonstrated that there is low structural variation in the foretibial comb complex of the studied species. The setae organization and distribution on the foretibial apparatus is uniform in the families studied. However, the Asopinae (Pentatomidae) bear a foretibial apparatus that is uniquely organized. The taxonomic and phylogenetic relevance of the pretarsal traits, the foretibial apparatus, and the foretibial comb are discussed.

An Integrative Approach to the Taxonomy of Oenopiella Bergroth (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini) with the Description of Two New Species from Argentina and Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT “Integrative taxonomy” is a conceptual multisource approach in which the nomination of a species is considered as a hypothesis subject to evaluation through different empirical evidence. In this study, we followed a hypothesis-driven approach, where a set of specimens are used to test previous hypotheses about the existence of species. Thus, Oenopiella Bergroth is revised, based on morphology with emphasis on the genitalia of both sexes. Oenopiella unidentata Spinola, Oenopiella punctaria Stål, and Oenopiella pallidula Stål are redescribed and illustrated, and two new species are described, Oenopiella ventanensis Grazia sp. nov. from Argentina and Oenopiella flonensis Fernández-Aldea sp. nov. from southern Brazil. A key to separate the species is provided. The reliability of O. punctaria and O. unidentata is evaluated through a reanalysis of their morphological characters, by exploring differences in qualitative and quantitative morphologic characteristics. All lines of evidence support these species hypotheses.

Unusual looking pentatomids: reassessing the taxonomy of Braunus Distant and Lojus McDonald (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The Neotropical genus Braunus Distant is revised. Based on general morphology, Braunus is transferred to the Pentatominae and Lojus is proposed as a junior synonym of Braunus. The male and female genitalia of Braunus sciocorinus (Walker) are described for the first time. Three new species from the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes and from Colombia are described, Braunus machadoi Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in AMNH: Peru, Cuzco, 01.XII.2011, C. Weirauch leg.), Braunus gibbus Garbelotto & Barão sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in AMNH: Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Prov. Caballero, 15-21.X.2001, S. Spector & J. Ledezma leg.), and Braunus prionotus Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. (Holotype female deposited in MNHN: Colombia, VII.1974, Steinheil leg.), respectively. Also, we describe the internal male and female genitalia of Braunus ocellatus (Thomas) comb. nov. A key to species and comments on subfamilial and tribal placements and on wing polymorphism are provided.

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: VIII. Philaethria wernickei (Röber) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae)

The external features of egg, larva, and pupa of Philaethria wernickei (Rober, 1906) are described and illustrated, based upon light and scanning electron microscopy.

Morphology of the external scent efferent system of Neotropical shield bugs (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae: Pachycorinae)

Abstract The metathoracic scent glands are characteristic of the true bug suborder Heteroptera and are known to have defensive, sexual and aggregation roles, among others. The morphology of external scent efferent system (ESES) associated with these glands has taxonomic and phylogenetic importance. These structures have been documented previously in four of the eight Scutelleridae subfamilies. In this work we investigate them in detail in 22 genera of the New World subfamily Pachycorinae using scanning electron microscopy. We report five general types of ESES in pachycorine: (1) enlarged evaporatorium and well-developed peritreme; (2) well-developed evaporatorium and poorly developed or obsolete peritreme; (3) reduced evaporatorium and small or obsolete peritreme; (4) reduced evaporatorium on mesepimeron and elongate peritreme; (5) enlarged evaporatorium and elongate peritreme. Our results are in contradistinction to previous accounts of the ESES for the Pachycorinae which have been reported as being poorly developed. The Pachycorinae patterns do not support Schaefer’s hypothesis that there is a correlation between degree of development of the external metathoracic structures and way of life. We also demonstrate that these structures are of systematic importance in the Pachycorinae.

Classification and Biogeography of Neotropical True Bugs

A review of Heteroptera classification, biogeography, and phylogeography is presented. The use of molecular data significantly expanded the knowledge of phylogenetic relationships among and within heteropteran infraorders. However, taxa historically less studied continue to receive little attention. Promising, new molecular approaches with increased genetic markers and broader taxon sampling, as well as new morphological approaches (e.g., microtomography), are the future for more stable classifications and a better comprehension of the heteropteran evolutionary history, but their application is still incipient. A non-exhaustive overview of studies about Neotropical heteropteran biogeography is made and discussed, including those about intercontinental connections and regional distribution patterns. The most comprehensible studies, and more promising area, seem to be those focused on distribution patterns, especially employing macroecological methods, and trying to elucidate what are the major factors responsible for the distribution of the group in the Neotropics. Finally, we present an overview of phylogeographic studies involving Neotropical Heteroptera. It is clear that the best biogeographic and phylogeographic studied groups are those with medical and economical importance (e.g., Reduviidae and Pentatomidae).

Phylogeny of the South Asian Halyini? Comments on Memon et al. (2011): Towards a Better Practice in Pentatomidae Phylogenetic Analysis

Recently, Memon et al. (2011) published a article entitled “Phylogeny of the South Asian Halyine Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Halyini) Based on Morphological Characters” (Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 104: 1149Ð1169). The main goal of the authors was to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of the South Asian genera of Halyini based on morphological characters. In our opinion, the authors overlooked some of the basic tenets of a phylogenetic analysis by their: use of an untested a priori hypothesis of relationship, choice of ingroups and outgroups, deÞnition of character and character states, and interpretations of the results. Herein, we do not intend to determine the best practices in phylogenetic analysis but to discuss some points of their analysis that are under-developed and cannot be disregarded.

Revision of Urubaxia Fennah (Hemiptera: Cercopidae: Ischnorhininae) with description of two new species

We reviewed Urubaxia Fennah, 1968 and described two new species, Urubaxia solo n.sp. and Urubaxia chewie n.sp. from South America. Species of the genus can be easily distinguished by the shape of the paramere, with two divergent processes, and are usually collected in high altitude zones. An identification key and illustrations are provided.