ABSTRACT. Cladistic analysis and biogeography of Ochlerini (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae). A cladistic analysis using 63 characters and 30 genera of the Neotropical tribe Ochlerini Rolston was performed to test their monophyletic condition and to establish a relationship hypothesis. Janeirona Distant, 1911 (Pentatomini) and the tribes Discocephalini and Halyini were included in the ingroup to test their relationship with Ochlerini; Marghita Ruckes, 1964 and Stictochilus Bergroth, 1918 (Pentatomini) were used as outgroups. The obtained strict consensus cladograms indicate that Ochlerini and Discocephalinae are monophyletic groups, but Pentatominae, Halyini+Ochlerini, Pentatomini+Ochlerini, Ochlerus Spinola, 1837, Stalius Rolston, 1992 and Alitocoris Sailer, 1950 are merophyletic groups. Discocephalini and Ochlerini share three synapomorphies: first rostral segment long, attaining prosternum; metasternum with a mesial, longitudinal carina, and dorsal surface of basal third of male proctiger membranous. Ochlerini is supported by one synapomorphy, the flattened dorsal surface of third tarsal segment of hind legs, in females. Biogeographical analysis based on consensus cladograms shows congruent patterns with several vicariant events proposed for the Neotropical region.

The Pentatomidae, representing the fourth largest family within Heteroptera, are one of the most diverse groups with about 800 genera and more than 4,700 species in the world. In the Neotropics, about 230 genera and 1,400 species are included in seven subfamilies of the world's nine subfamilies; four subfamilies are exclusively of the Neotropics. In this chapter, for each subfamily, a diagnosis, an overview of the classifi cation, and information on life history, ecology, and economic importance are given. Comprehensive keys and diagnosis to the subfamilies, tribes, and genera for the Neotropical Region, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies, are also given.

Robust phylogenetic hypotheses have become key for studies addressing the evolutionary biology and ecology of various groups of organisms. In the species-rich heteropteran superfamily Pentatomoidea, phylogenies at lower taxonomic levels are still scarce and mostly employ exclusively morphological data. In this study, we conducted a total evidence phylogeny focusing on the tribe Carpocorini (Pentatomidae), using morphological data and four DNA markers (COI, Cytb, 16S and 28S rDNA; ∼2330 bp; 32 taxa) in order to investigate the relationships within Euschistus Dallas, one of the most speciose pentatomid genera, and between Euschistus and related genera. Our hypotheses generated by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference show that the current taxonomic composition and classification of Euschistus and allied genera are in need of revision. Euschistus was recovered as nonmonophyletic, with the subgenera forming four independent lineages: Euschistus (Euschistus) and Euschistus (Lycipta) Stål are sister groups; Euschistus (Euschistomorphus) Jensen-Haarup is more closely related to Dichelops Spinola and Agroecus Dallas; and Mitripus Rolston is divided into two clades closely related to Sibaria Stål and Ladeaschistus Rolston. We chose not to change the classification of E. (Euschistomorphus) until further data become available, and propose to split Euschistus into three genera with the exclusion of Euschistus (Mitripus) and all of its species. Here we elevate Mitripus to genus rank to include M. acutus comb.n., M. convergens comb.n. and M. legionarius comb.n., and propose Adustonotus Bianchi gen.n. to include A. anticus comb.n., A. latus comb.n., A. tauricornis comb.n., A. grandis comb.n., A. hansi comb.n., A. paranticus comb.n., A. irroratus comb.n. and A. saramagoi comb.n. We also provide identification keys to the genera Adustonotus gen.n., Ladeaschistus, Mitripus n. rank and Sibaria, here defined as the Mitripus genus group, and to the species of Mitripus and Adustonotus gen.n. Our results provide insights into the current status of the classification of the Pentatomidae, suggesting the need for phylogenetic analyses at different taxonomic levels within stink bugs.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid: zoobank.

The chorionic structure of sixteen pentatomid species is described. Morphological patterns in different taxonomic levels are discussed. In addition, egg characters useful in cladistic analyses are listed, and some of those characters are tested for congruence with two cladistic analyses previously conducted within Pentatomidae. Descriptive studies were conducted with Banasa induta, Capivaccius bufo, Catulona pensa, Chinavia armigera, Chinavia aseada, Chinavia brasicola, Chinavia runaspis, Dichelops furcatus, Euschistus heros, Euschistus riograndensis, Euschistus paranticus, Mormidea cornicollis, Podisus distinctus, Podisus nigrispinus, Serdia apicicornis, and Thoreyella maracaja. The eggs were examined and photographed under light and scanning electron microscopy. Based on literature data, a list of 40 egg characters with potential phylogenetic importance has been compiled. Some of these characters were included in the cladistic analyses of the genus Nezara (six characters) and of the Chinavia obstinata group (five characters). Both analyses were performed in TNT with equal weighting of characters. The eggs of most of the Neotropical species studied were barrel-shaped, chorion translucent and spinose, with aero-micropylar processes that were short and clubbed. The patterns of egg morphology could be identified in Carpocorini, Procleticini, and in the genera Banasa, Chinavia, Euschistus, Mormidea, and Podisus. In the cladistic analyses, the inclusion of egg characters did not affect the topology of the trees shown in the original papers. For the analyses, the egg characters were somewhat informative. At present, a total of 286 Pentatomidae species have their egg stage described.

Alitocoris Sailer, 1950, consists of four valid species described from Central America. In a recent cladistic analysis of Ochlerini, the genus was considered paraphyletic in the Herrichella Distant, 1911, group of taxa. The present study provides a cladistic analysis of the Herrichella clade, using 88 morphological characters and 40 taxa representing 21 genera of Ochlerini, including all known species of Alitocoris plus 16 new species. Outgroups included Eritrachys bituberculata Ruckes, 1959, Phereclus pluto Stål, 1862, and Adoxoplatys comis Breddin, 1903, with the last used for rooting. The cladistic analysis was conducted using TNT under heuristic searches and implied weighting of characters; 11 K‐values calculated for an average character fit ranged from 50 to 90% of a perfectly hierarchical character. The results corroborated the paraphyly of Alitocoris, calling for changes in the classification of the genus with the proposition of three new genera for two, three, and ten species, respectively, that will be described elsewhere. Alitocoris is redescribed and a key for the species is presented. Alitocoris brunneus, Alitocoris maculosus, and Alitocoris parvus are removed from the genus, and the new species Alitocoris grandis sp. nov., Alitocoris lateralis sp. nov., and Alitocoris ornatus sp. nov. are described. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London