Title

SYSTEMATICS OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE LETHAEINI (INSECTA: HEMIPTERA: LYGAEIDAE) (CLADISTICS, CLASSIFICATION, PHYLOGENY)

Date of Completion

January 1986

Keywords

Biology, Entomology

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

The 46 species and 13 genera of Western Hemisphere Lethaeini are treated taxonomically. The following are provided: a key to the Western Hemisphere genera; keys to the species of most genera; synonymies; diagnoses or descriptions for genera and species, based on morphological features of the adult, and maps showing species' distributions. Scanning electron micrographs and line drawings illustrate the species discussed. Two new genera and 10 new species are described. Two species are synonymized.^ A cladistic analysis shows that several genera are paraphyletic as currently defined. In addition, the New World genera do not constitute a holophyletic group. Rather, there is a clade of seven closely related genera which has no convincing sister group in the Western Hemisphere. The remainder of the New World fauna shows relationships with both Australia and Africa.^ Sexual dimorphism is described for the first time in the tribe. Commonly, lethaeine males exhibit modifications of the head, legs and metathoracic scent gland peritreme not found in conspecific females. These characters have evolved several times. ^

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