Record Details
The taxonomic value of the metathoracic wing in the Scutelleridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | The taxonomic value of the metathoracic wing in the Scutelleridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) |
| Names |
Au, Eunice Chizuru
(creator) Lattin, John D. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1968-10-29 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1969 |
| Abstract | Classification based on metathoracic wing venation does not coincide with the existing higher classification of the family Scutelleridae. The wings of the genera in the Scutellerinae possess a similar general pattern of venation which is quite distinct from that of Eurygasterinae, Odontoscelinae, Odontotarsinae, and Pachycorinae. The Scutellerinae wings possess three additional characters not found in the other subfamilies: a second secondary vein (present in all of the genera); an antevannal vein (present in three-fourths of the genera), and a Pcu stridulitrum (present in one-half of the genera). Based upon wing venation the genera at present included in the Scutellerinae do not fit into the tribal classification. The wings of the Scutellerinae fell into two natural groups, those with the Pcu stridulitrum and those without it. Those without the Pcu stridulitrum are more generalized than those with it. The four other subfamilies in the Scutelleridae, Eurygasterinae, Odontoscelinae, Odontotarsinae and Pachycorinae, cannot be separated from one another on the basis of the characters associated with the metathoracic wing. However, genera in these taxa could be separated from each other in most cases. The Pachycorinae are very homogeneous and very generalized as a group. Two-thirds of the genera are generalized. The Odontoscelinae are more heterogeneous and specialized than the Odontotarsinae which are either generalized or intermediate-generalized. Eurygaster Laporte and Xerobia Stal[superscript o] are included in the Eurygasterinae. Eurygaster is slightly more generalized than Xerobia. The taxonomic position of Tectocoris Hahn is uncertain. It possesses an intermediate-generalized wing. The genus Macro-carenus Stal[superscript o] should be removed from the Scutelleridae because it has a pentatomid type of metathoracic wing and the scutellum possesses a frena. On the basis of these characters it belongs in the Pentatomidae. In the subfamily Scutellerinae, a stridulitrum situated on the underside of the wings at the base of the Pcu was observed for the first time. It was present in 12 out of the available 24 genera. The plectrum is located on the anterior-dorsal part of the abdomen and takes the form of a heavily sclerotized, file-like schlerite. Scutelleridae wings are more generalized than Pentatomidae wings. Selected examples of other families within the Pentatomoidea were examined. Cyrtocoris White has the most generalized wing. Tessartoma Berthold has an intermediate metathoracic wing. The Corimelaenidae Thyreocoris scarabaeoides (L.) and Corimelaena nigra Dallas have very specialized wings. The wing of the Cydnidae, Sehirus cinctus albonotatus Dallas is intermediate. Brachyplatys vahlii (F.) (Plataspidae) and Phloea subquadrata Spinola have intermediate wings. The interpretation of Davis (1966) on metathoracic wing nomenclature has been used in this paper. The higher classification follows the classification used by Stal[superscipt o] (1873) with minor modifications. There are many useful taxonomic characters associated with the metathoracic wing. The taxonomic level at which these characters are useful varies from group to group. Metathoracic wing venation proved to be a very useful structure in classification at the generic levels. On the other hand, at the higher taxonomic levels it is possible to define only the subfamily Scutellerinae. It is necessary to use other characters in conjunction with wing characters to define the Eurygasterinae, Odontoscelinae, Odontotarsinae and Pachycorinae. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Hemiptera |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/46478 |
