New and enigmatic cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattodea) of Guyana

Abstract

We report Blattodean taxa collected from three regions in Guyana. Our analyses associated with these specimens provide new geographic records, species descriptions, ecological information and genetic information. We report on the genera Lamproblatta, Eublaberus, Epilampra, Dasyblatta, Ischnoptera, Xestoblatta, Dendroblatta and Euphyllodromia. These include two new species, nine new records for Guyana and four new records for the Guiana Shield entirely. We also provide photographs, measurements, and some new biological information for our specimens.

Fossil calibrations for the cockroach phylogeny (Insecta, Dictyoptera, Blattodea), comments on the use of wings for their identification, and a redescription of the oldest Bla

“…Many authors still use the terminology in Rehn (1951) for the wing and tegminal veins (e.g., Anisyutkin, 2008Anisyutkin, , 2014Wang et al, 2014;Evangelista et al, 2016). The illustrations are a common point of reference and are reproduced in multiple works (e.g., Klass, 2001).…”

“…Béthoux and Wieland (2009) proposed that veins can be translocated to nearby locations on a wing, and data on the tegminal M and CuA vein from Ross (2012) suggests that such translocations are commonplace in intraspecific variation. For these reasons, fore-wings are not heavily relied upon in taxonomic studies treating extant taxa (e.g., Lopes and Da Silva, 2013;Vidlička, 2013;Wang et al, 2013;Evangelista et al, 2015;Silva-da-Silva and Lopes, 2015;Evangelista et al, 2016).…”

Evidence that dispersal barriers influence blaberoid cockroach assemblages in a neotropical savanna–forest matrix

“…Other areas in Guyana where I. galibi has been collected have also been disturbed forests (Evangelista et al ., ). Extensive sampling in the near‐pristine rainforests at Iwokrama River Lodge did not yield any I. galibi individuals (although I. atrata/hercules were quite abundant) (Evangelista et al ., ). Ischnoptera galibi has been reported from Iwokrama, but only in the leaf litter at the edges of the Iwokrama saw mill (Evangelista et al ., ).…”

“…In order to better understand how savanna, forests and flood zones affect differences in leaf‐litter cockroach assemblages, we surveyed blaberoid cockroaches (including Anaplecta ) at Karanambu Eco‐Lodge. We include a special focus on the members of the Ischnopterini – a tribe that dominates leaf‐litter cockroach communities across Guyana (Evangelista et al ., , , ).…”

New Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattodea) from French Guiana and a Revised Checklist for the Region

“…In this paper, we describe three new species and present eight new records of species from French Guiana. Additionally, the checklists of Evangelista et al (2015Evangelista et al ( , 2016 omit species noted in two publications (Grandcolas 1994a, Grandcolas 1994b), so we add them here. We also amend previous errors in the report of one synonym from Guyana (British Guiana).…”