New paper!

Lis J.A. et al. "New Molecular Phylogenetic Evidence Confirms Independent Origin of Coxal Combs in the Families of the ‘Cydnoid’ Complex (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea)".

Four families (Cydnidae, Parastrachiidae, Thaumastellidae, and Thyreocoridae) in the superfamily Pentatomoidea are morphologically defined by a similar body outline and the presence of a series of stout setae on the distal margin of the coxae. These structures, called coxal combs, are thought to protect the coxal–trochanteral articulation from damage caused by soil and sand particles and have not been observed in other true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Therefore, they have been consistently considered a synapomorphy for these four families. However, their
independent origin in these families has been suggested by nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence analysis (28S rDNA and 18S rDNA). This study investigated whether the analysis of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA sequences would confirm these results. In addition, we examined whether any group of species possessing the coxal combs could be considered a well-supported independent monophylum.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/792

New paper!

Arslan H. & Candan S. "Morphological structure of salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules in adult Eurydema spectabilis Horváth, 1882 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)".

Eurydema spectabilis (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) has a piercing-sucking mouth type and feeds on plant sap. In this study, the morphological structure of the salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules of E. spectabilis was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Salivary glands consist of the principal and accessory salivary glands. In E. spectabilis, digestion begins in the mouth and ends in the anus. Alimentary canal is divided into three parts: foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The foregut consists of pharynx, esophagus, and proventriculus. The esophagus connects to the proventriculus and resembles a narrow tube. The wall of the proventriculus has a recessed structure and is surrounded by a single cylindrical layer of epithelium and muscle. The midgut is divided into three regions: the first, second, and third ventricles (V1-V3). V1 and V2 consist of single-layered cylindrical epithelium. V3 contains a single layer of cuboidal epithelium. Gastric caeca were found in the midgut. The hindgut consisted of a pylorus followed by a well-developed rectum. The wall of the rectum consists of a single-layer cuboidal epithelium and muscle. Its lumen contains numerous bacteria and uric acid crystals. The pylorus consists of a single-layered cylindrical epithelium. It is also the origin of Malpighian tubules. Malpighian tubules consist of two regions: proximal and distal. The morphological structure of the salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules of E. spectabilis, which has not been studied before, was examined and discussed in comparison with other orders. It is also aimed to contribute to future studies.

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jemt.24684?af=R

New paper!

Cunha E.V.P. et al. "Hypoxys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Edessinae): new species and updated identification keys for the species".

The genus Hypoxys Amyot & Serville, 1843 was recently revalidated and reviewed. Hypoxys is the second most numerous genus in Edessinae, with around 50 species described so far. Here, 12 new species of Hypoxys, distributed in three species groups, are described: H. quadridens group (H. afasciatus sp. nov. H. ambiguus sp. nov. H. variegatus sp. nov.), H. oxyacanthus group (H. bimaculatus sp. nov. H. stenospilus sp. nov.) and H. balteatus group (H. caienensis sp. nov. H. colombianus sp. nov. H. montanus sp. nov. H. oblongus sp. nov. H. splendidus sp. nov. H. tapirapensis sp. nov. H. tucumensis sp. nov.). Diagnoses for the species, distributional maps, and updated identification keys for the species groups of Hypoxys are provided. The female paratypes of H. breddini Mendonça, Nunes & Fernandes, 2021 are transferred to H. venustus Mendonça, Nunes & Fernandes, 2021. The geographical distribution of H. venustus is expanded.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01650521.2024.2323758?scroll=top&needAccess=true