Table Of ContentSYSTEMATICS ANDNEWTAXAOFTHE VANNIUSCOMPLEX (HEMIPTERA:
MIRIDAE: CYLAPINAE) FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION
GERASIMOS CASSIS, MICHAELD. SCHWARTZANDTIMOTHYMOULDS
Cassis, G, Schwartz, M.D. & Moulds, T. 2003 06 30: Systematics and new taxa ofthe
Vanniuscomplex(Hemiptera:Miridae:Cylapinae)fromtheAustralianRegion.Memoirsof
theQueenslandMuseum49(1): 123-151 Brisbane. ISSN0079-8835.
.
Erectionofthetribe Vanniiniand itsplacementinthesubfamilyPalaucorinae,asproposed
by Gorczyca (1997), is rejected. An informal group, the Vannius complex (Cylapinae:
Cylapini) is recognised, comprised ofAfrovannius Gorczyca, Austrovannius gen. nov.,
ParacylapusCarvalho, VanniopsisPoppius, VanniusDistant,and VanniusoidesCarvalho&
Lorenzato.Austrovanniusnov.gen.isdescribed,includingthreenewspecies,A.platnickisp.
nov.,A. scutica sp. nov., and A. xepenehense sp. nov. New species belonging to existing
generawithinthe Vanniuscomplexarcdescribed, including: Vanniopsishowensesp. nov.,
Vanniusoidesasprokarasp.nov.and Vanniusoides melafmnssp.nov. Vanniopsisnifescens
Poppius, 1909 is redescribed and the male genitalia are illustrated for the first time.
Illustrationsofmaleandfemalegenitaliaaregivenforthenewspecies.Acladisticanalysis
ofthegeneraofthe Vanniuscomplexispresentedandthesystematicpositionofthecomplex
isdiscussed. Hemiptera, Miridae, Cylapinae Vanniuscomplex, Australianregion.
,
Gerasimos Cassis, (e-mail: [email protected]), Centre for Biodiversity and
Conservation Research, 6 CollegeStreet, Sydney 2010, Australia; MichaelD. Schwartz,
Research Associate, American Museum ofNatural History, New York New York, USA
10024; TimothyMoulds, CentreforEvolutionaryBiologyandBiodiversity, University of
Adelaide, Adelaide5005,Australia; 14March2003.
The Cylapinae are a basal group of Miridae from the Australian region. In addition, the
(Schuh, 1975)whosesystematicsandbiologyare ingrouprelationshipsofthe Vanniuscomplexare
probably the least known in the family. Schuh analysed,andtheirpositionwithintheCylapinae
(1995) and Schuh & Slater (1995) rejected the is discussed.
notionofmeaningful monophyleticinfrafamilial TheCylapinae,aswithmostmiridsubfamilies,
groups within the Cylapinae, as suggested by are poorly documented for Australia. Cassis &
previous authors such as&Carvalho (1952, 1957: Gross (1995) listed only nine genera and 11
Bothriomirini, Cylapini Fulviini). Gorczyca species, yetexisting collections indicate that the
(1997, 1998) has attempted to clarify the cylapine fauna ofAustralia, may be an order of
suprageneric classification, although this author magnitudemorespeciesrich.Thisworkispartof
has recentlyrejected his own inital findings (i.e. a series on the systematics ofthe Miridae ofthe
Vannius complex as a tribe within the Australian region, and the results herein are the
Palaucorinae). first record of the Vannius complex from
Gorczyca(1997)recognisedthe Vanniuscom- Australia.
plexasamonophyletictribeofmiridsbecauseof This paper is based on a study of existing
the spatulate parempodia, a condition unique in collections from the tropical parts of the
basal Miridae. He recognised this complex as Australian region, including the southwest
containingAfrovanniusGorczyca,Austrovannius Pacific. A smallercollection ofother specimens
gen. nov., Paracylapus Carvalho, Vanniopsis fromNew Caledoniahas been examined but not
Poppius, Vannius Distant and Vanniusoides includedinthispaper. Thismaterialrepresentsat
Carvalho & Lorenzato. least another ten new species ofAustrovannius,
This work reports on an examination ofnew and it is apparent that material examined from
material from the Australian region, with new each mountain top is an endemic species. This
species described from the Australian mainland. material will be thesubjectofasecond paper, as
Lord Howe Island, Fiji, New Caledonia and weawait thecollection ofadditional specimens.
Vanuatu. This study also includes a broader MATERIALS AND METHODS
overview of the systematics of the Vannius
complex, with a description of three genera Thisstudywasbasedonabout 100 specimens,
(Austrovannius, Vanniopsis and Vanniusoides) borrowed from the Bernice P. Bishop Museum
124 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
(BPBM), the Queensland Museum (QM), the characterised by an extremely elongate labium,
South Australian Museum (SAMA), and the which is suggestive offungal feeding. Unlike in
University of Queensland Insect Collection theAradidae,whicharewell documented fungal
(UQIC). DrRogerKitching(Griffith University) feeders,thelabiumofcylapinesdoesnotpossess
providedonespecimen.TheholotypesofAustro- coiled stylets, and there have been no reports on
vanniusplatnickisp. nov. andA.xepenehensesp. the mechanism of cylapine feeding. Wheeler
nov. are lodged in the Museum National (2001 suggestedthatsomecyalpines,particularly
)
d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris (MNHP). Material Fulviini, arepredaceous.
was also collected by us during fieldwork on Thereisverylimitedknowledgeofthebiology
Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia, and is ofspecies ofthe Vannius complex. We found a
housedattheAustralianMuseum(AM).Geographic new species of Vanniopsis from Lord Howe
coordinates for specimens without such inform- Island, Vhowensesp.nov.,inlowlandrainforest,
ation were calculated usingGIS techniques, and associated with leafmould offallen palm leaves
are given in brackets in the Materials section of (HoweafosterianaBecc.).Thismicrohabitatwas
the species descriptions. characterised by dense matts of fungal mycelia
All measurements are maximum lengths and andhighmoisturecontent. Vhowensewasfound
tAhbebrreavnigaetfioornseafcohrsmpoecripehsomisegtirviecncihnamrialcltiemrestearrse.: AicnarasaspotceiraatiUosninwgietrh&otMhaetrsuhdeate(rAorpatdeirdaane),taaxnad;
BL=bodylength; HW=headwidthacrosseyes; twospeciesofReduviidae: Emesinae(Emesopsis
IOD=interoculardistance; HL=headlength; PL sp. and Atisne derelictus Wygodzinsky).
=pronotal length; PWpronotal width athumeral Similarly, Vanniopsis rufescens Poppius and the
angles;All=lengthofsecondantennalsegment; new species of Austrovannius have been
and, LL=labial length. collectedamongstleaflitterin rainforests. These
Scanning electron micrographs were prepared data provide indirect support that the Vannius
uSswienagritnegcehnnieqtuaels. (o1u9t9l7i)n.ed in Bolte (1996) and cfuonmgpil.exO,thleirkesoptehceirecsyloafpiVnaensnairoepsaisssocairaetekdnwoiwtnh
fromvegetation,includingsweepingferns.Chris
DXC1oloduigritialmacgaemserwaerfeitctaedptwuirtehd aunsinIngfianiNtyikKo2n oRceciads(ipoenras.llcyomcmo.l)leocbtseedrvoendtfheartnVs..hoVwaennnsieopwsaiss
long distance microscope and a CF-3 objective. crobyloshasalsobeencollectedfromalowplant
Illumination was supplied by the Microptic
ML-1000 fiber optics system with the images (aEbloavteosdatteamasusgpg.es[tUrtthaitcacVeaanen]i)o.psiTsogseptehceire,s tahree
relayed directly to Nikon Capture 2software. epigaeic but frequent low vegetation during the
The data were constructed and analysed using day.
NONA
Winclada (Nixon, 1999) and (GolobofF,
Austrovannius species are also primarily
1999). The characters are unweighted and all
multistate characters are unordered. The ground-dwelling, collected from either sieved
following three taxa were used as outgroups: litter or by pyrethrum fogging of fallen logs.
Bothriomiris lugubris Poppius, Peritropisca Nothingisknownofthebiologyofthespeciesof
bituberculata Carvalho and Lorenzato and an GVoarnncizuyscoaid&esKtohnasttaanrteindoevsc(r2i0b0e1d)irneptohirstedwotrhka.t
undetermined speciesofCylapocerusCarvalho. &
VanniusoideselypeatusGorczyca Konstantinov
BIOLOGY.Thebiologyofthebasalsuprageneric is found in a riparian habitatamongststones.
groups (Isometopinae, Cylapinae, Psallopinae) Thereisalsolimitedbiological informationfor
ofthe Miridaearesubject to debatebecauseofa species of the Vannius complex from the
lack ofempirical evidence(Schuh, 1975, Cassis Afrotropical and Neotropical regions. Gorczyca
&Gross, 1995;Wheeler,2001&).Manyresearchers (1996, 1997) and Gorczyca & Konstantinov
h(ea.vg.eSacrhguuhe,dt1h9a7t6C;ylCaaprivnaalehoaresLtoerneontzoaptioc,in1t9h7e8i)r o(2n0f0u1ng)ir,epaonrdtesdpetchiatesPaorfaVcaynlnaipuussalreestkonnoiwisnfforuondm
habits, being associated with the mycelia and fruit and flowers.
fruitingbodiesofhigherfungi,inhabitatssuchas
fallen logs and under bark. There are some HOMOLOGYANDTERMINOLOGY. Arange
observations that support the notion that of external morphological and genitalic
cylapines are mycetophagous (Schuh, 1975). characters are used to differentiate genera and
Most cylapines (aside from Bothriomirini and species within the Vannius complex. Homology
most members of the Vannius complex) are andterminology fornon-genitalic characters are
SYSTEMATICS OF THE VANNIUSCOMPLEX 125
consistent with those described in Cassis (1995 6)orpresent(Vanniopsis)(Fig.2A). Inmosttaxa
and references therein) and Cassis & Moulds ofthe Vannius complex the antennae are much
(1995). The homology and terminology of the longer than the body and thread-like (e.g. Figs
male genitalia follow Kelton (1959) for gross 3A,B,D, 6, 13). Antennal length is useful in
features, and Stonedahl (1988) for specific differentiating species of Vanniopsis, with V
attributesoftheendosoma. Thehomologyofthe crobylos and V rufescens (Fig. 3C) having
male genitalia proposed by Kerzhner & relatively short antennae (as long as the body),
Konstantinov (1999) is not employed in this whereas V. howense have the antennae
work. We use the term endosoma to refer to the significantly longerthan the body (Fig. 13). The
aedeagus distal to the secondary gonopore. The length ofthe first antennal segment is critical in
descriptions ofthe femalegenitalia arc based on determining Vanniopsis, having AI much longer
Slater(1950)andDavis(1955). Modificationsto thanthehead(Figs3A-C, 13). Inothertaxaofthe
terminologyforthefemalegenitaliabySchwartz Vanniuscomplex, AI is subequal in length tothe
& Footitt(1998) are used. head (Figs 3D, 6, 8). The length ofthe labium is
not as significant, with most taxa having the
Colouration.Thecolourofthebody,particularly labium reaching between the meso and
thedorsum iscritical indifferentiatingspeciesin metacoxae,aside fromAustrovannius whichhas
the Vdnnius complex. Aside from Vanniopsis an extremely elongate labium, reachin,gbetween
crobylosand Vrufescens,mosttaxaaredetermined abdominalsternumVIIandthegenitalsegments.
bycolourpatterns ofthe dorsum, particularly of
thepronotumandforewings.Thesepatternshave Pronotum.Theflattenedbroadcollar(Figs3A-C,
a generalised form, which are partially charac- 2A, 13) is diagnostic for the Vannius complex.
teristic the Vannius complex, and are composed The collar is almost vestigial in Austrovannius
of a pallid background, interspersed with (Fig. IA), however, this is likely correlated to
species-specific red markings (Fig. 3). We refer wing reduction. It isnoteworthy that Vanniopsis
to these patterns as disruptive colouration. In howense also has staphylinoid wings (Fig. 13),
addition, there are associated red markings of but possesses a broad flattened collar. Other
lateralaspectsoftheheadandthethoracicpleura. pronotal characters of significance include the
The colour patterning of the second antennal campanulate pronotum (Fig. 3A-C), the undif-
segmentisvaluable indiscriminatinggeneraand ferentiated disc (without calli) and the bisinuate
species, with All either banded (Fig. 3C) or posteriormargin (Fig. 3A-C).
concolorous (Fig. 3A,B). Thoracic Pleura. Thoracic pleura are largely
Texture. The body ofmost taxa of the Vannius uninformative, aside from the metathoracic
complex is smooth, aside from two species of spiracle and peritreme of the external efferent
Vanniopsis (V crobylos and V rufescens) which system of the metathoracic glands. The meta-
have a weakly rugose dorsum. thoracic spiracle is either concealed (Fig.IB) or
exposed (Fig. 2C). The peritreme is either
Vestiture.Thevestitureofthe Vanniuscomplexis medially (Figs 1B-D, 2C) placed on the
not significant taxonomically. In general, the metepistemum,oradjacenttotheanteriormargin
setae are simple, usually bristle-like, and of ofthe metepistemum, as in the remainderofthe
sparse to moderate distribution (Fig. 3D). Cylapini (Cassis, 1995, fig. 128).
Head. The head is vertical in orientation (Fig. Forewings. Wing polymorphism is diagnostic at
m1aAx)i,llwairtyhpltahteesclcyopneeu-sl,ikea,ndwimthandthiebubluacrcualnade tchoempgleenxu.sStaanpdhylspiencoiiedsy (lseevnelssu Sinchtuhhe &VaSnlnaituesr
small and arcuate. The gular is consequently 1995) is diagnostic forAustrovannius (Figs 3D,
greatly reduced in size. Gorczyca (1997; figs Vanniopsis howense (Fig. 13) and
11-16)illustrateddifferencesoftheheadbetween 6V,ann8)i,usoidesbrevis.Allothertaxaofthe Vannius
genera.Therearesomespeciesdifferencesfound complex are macropterous.
in Vanniusoides where the clypeus and man-
dibular plates ,are apically rounded; cf. V Legs. Legs are elongate in the Vannius complex,
clypeatus (see Gorczyca & Konstantinov, 2001; andareexaggeratedinAustrovannius(Figs6, 8),
fig. 4)and other Vanniusoides species. Themost and some species of Vanniopsis (Fig. 13) and
significantcharacterexamined was the presence Vanniusoides. Tarsi are uniformly two-
of the longitudinal suture found on the vertex segmentedinthe Vanniuscomplex.Thepretarsus
(and ffons partially), which was either absent has spatulate parempodia (Fig. 1E,F), which is
(Austrovanniusand Vanniusoides) (e.g. Figs 3A, diagnostic and synapomorphic for the Vannius
126 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
SYSTEMATICS OF THE VANNIUSCOMPLEX 127
complex.Theabsence(Fig. 1E)orpresence(Fig. comparison, have slight, bilaterally separated
2F)ofsubapicalteeth isdiagnosticatthegeneric inter-ramal sclerite with lobes.
level, and in some cases the number of teeth VANNIUSCOMPLEX
varies (Gorczyca, 1997).
Male Genitalia. Thepygophore isdiagnostic for rDeIcAogGnNisOeSdIbSy.thTehefollVoawninniguscomcboimnaptlieoxn oisf
certain genera. In most taxa the genital opening
characters: head vertical (Fig. 1A); elongate
of the pygophore is dorsal in orientation (Fig.
thread-like antennae (Fig. 3D); pronotal collar
1H), or rarely terminal (Fig. 2E). The ventral
smuirdflaicneeofitnheApuysgtorpohvoarneniisusimp(rFeisgs.ed1aGl)o.ngTthhee b(Frioga.d3aB)n;d tfalrasti(tFwigo.-s1e3g)m;eenltoendga(tFeigmse6t,af8e,mo13r)a;
spatulate parempodia (Figs IF, 2F); pretarsus
structuresoftheaedeagus(Figs5C,7C,9C, 12C,
14C, 15C, 18C) are ofprimary significance in lacking pulvilli or pseudopulvilli (Fig. IE); and,
endosoma with basal sclerites (strap-like and/or
determining genera and species in the Vannius
complex. The presence of basal sclerites (Figs digitiform)(Fig. 5).
5C,7C,9C, 12C, 14C, 15C, 18C)andthenumber DESCRIPTION. Colouration. Body either
andlocationoflobalsclerites(Figs7C,9C)ofthe stramineous to mostly red, if pale often with
endosoma are variable among genera, although disruptivecolouration(Fig.3),withredmarkings
their form is consistent within species. The on head, pronotum, thoracic pleura and
secondary gonopore is either indistinguishable forewings. Antennae often concolorous (Fig.
(Vannius and Vanniopsis) (Figs 12C, 14C, 15C, 3B), stramineous to brown, sometimes with
18C)orstronglysclerotisedandcup-shaped,with reddish highlighting, less commonly with All
vthaenniaupse,rtPuarreacdyelnatpautse, a(nAdfrVoavnanninuisuoisd,esA)us(tFriog-s bfaemnodread w(Fiitgh. r3eBd).baLnedgisngof(tFeing.pa3lBe),.sAobmedtoimmeens
5C, 7C, 9C). eitherstramineoustored,oftenconcolorous,less
commonly dark, sometimes with paler regions
Female Genitalia. The sclerotised rings (Figs
ventrally.
10A,C, 16A,C,E 19A,C) and associated ventral
and dorsal labiate plates, as well as the Texture. Body smooth; impunctate; dorsum
sometimesweakly rugose.
inter-ramal sclerite and associated inter-ramal
lobes (Figs 10B,D, 16B,D,F, 19B,D) are useful Vestiture. Body with sparse to moderate
fordistinguishingbothgeneraandspeciesofthe distribution ofdecumbent to semi-erect, pale to
Vannius complex. In Austrovannius the dark, softto stiff(bristle-like) setae (Fig. 3D)
sclerotisedrings(Figs 10A,C)andposteriorwall Structure. Macropterous (Fig. 3A-C) or
(Figs 10B,D) and their associated components staphylinoid (Figs 3D, 6, 8, 13); elongate to
haveacomplexityofstructurenotfoundineither elongate-ovoid. Head subtriangular (Fig. 2A) to
Vanniopsisand Vanniusoides. The speciesofthe oval;transverse(Fig.3A);vertical(Figs 1A,2B);
latter two genera have thin, simple, flattened clypeus not visible from above, posteroventrally
rings (Figs 16A,C,E, 19A,C) placed between directed,usuallyflat,sometimesweaklyswollen,
separate ventral labiate plates and wide, sometimes with postclypeal processes; vertex
sometimes scroll-like, dorsal labiate plates. In flatto weaklyconvex (Fig. 2A), sometimeswith
contrast, species of Austrovannius have large, weak depressions medially, often with shallow
ornate, asymmetrical rings(Fig. IOC)between a longitudinal sulcus (Fig. 2A); bucculae short,
convoluted, entire ventral plate and strongly arcuate; mandibular plate greatly enlarged,
sclerotised,butnarrower,dorsalplates. Similarly triangular (Figs 1A, 2B); eyes enlarged,
the posterior wall ofAustrovannius species are contiguous with anterior margin of pronotum
complete(Fig. 10B,D), spanning the base ofthe (Figs 1A, 2A,B), not significantly extending
first valvifers, with spinose and bulbous beyond plane of head (Fig. 1A); ocelli absent
inter-ramal lobes. Species of Vanniopsis and (Fig.2A).Antennaeelongate,thread-like,atleast
Vanniusoides (Figs 16B,D,F 19B,D), in aslongasthebody(Fig.3D);AIweaklyswollen.
FIG. 1. Scanningelectronmicrographs. A-C, E-GAustrovanniusxepenehense,DandHAustrovanniusscutica.
A,head,lateralview; B,thoracicpleura,metathoracicglands,lateralview;C,peritremeandevaporativearea,
vDe,ntprearlitvrieemwe;aHn,dpeyvgaopoprhaotrievedoarrseaal;vEi,eswt.roEnAgl=yreevcauprovreadtitvaersia,revae,ntLrPal=vileefwt;pFa,ratamresir,e,latPer-alpevriietwr,em(Je,,pyR1gop-hroirgeh,t
paramere, VR=ventral ridge.
128 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
FIG 2. Scanningelectron micrographs. Vanniopsishowense. A, head andpronotum, dorsal view; B, head and
pronotum,lateralview;C,thoracicpleura,lateralview;D,forewing,dorsalview;E,pygophorc,dorsalview;F,
pretarsus, ventral view. EES = external efferent system ofmetathoracic glands, LP = left paramere, ME =
mesepimeron,MT=metepistemum,RP=rightparamere,S=metathoracicspiracle,SAT=subapicaltooth,SP
=spatulateparempodia.
eithersubequalin lengthtoheadlength(Fig.3D) Labium usually extending between meso and
or significantly longer (Figs 3A-C, 13), either metacoxae, rarely elongate, reaching genital
cylindrical or bilaterally compressed and segments; LI longer than bucculae; LI1 often
outwardlyarcuate(Figs3B, 13); All cylindrical, short. Pronotum transverse; often campanulate
thin, elongate, longer than posterior width of (Fig. 3A-C) with broad flattened collar, or in
pronotum (Figs 3, 6, 8, 13); AIII-IV extremely wing shortened species collar usually vestigial
thin (Fig. 3D), cylindrical, elongate. Labrum (Figs 6, 8), with pronotum ring-like and short;
subtriangular, shorter than first labial segment. callosite region absent; posterior margin of
SYSTEMATICS OF THE VANNIUSCOMPLEX 129
FIG3.Habitusphotographs.A, Vanniusoidesasprokara;B, Vanniusoidesmelafrons\C, Vanniopsisrufescens,D,
Austrovanniusxepenehense. Scalebar= 1.0mm.
130 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
pronotum either bisinuate (Fig. 3A-C) or (Fig.2F)tostronglyarcuate(Fig. 1E)claws,with
rectilinear (Figs 6, 8). Hemelytra: macropterous (Fig. 2F) or without (Fig. IE) subapical teeth;
specieswithwingsweaklytostronglydeflexedat spatulate parempoida; lacking pulvilli or
cuneal fracture; cuneal fracture small to pseudopulvilli (Fig. IE). Male genitalia:
moderately large; cuneus elongate and usually pygophoreconical(Figs IG,2E),sometimeswith
narrow; two membrane cells (Fig. 3A,B). pygophoralprocesses;genitalopeningoval,dorsal
Proepistemumanteriorlydirected(Figs 1A, 2B); (Fig. 1H) or terminal (Fig. 2E) in orientation;
proepimeron flat or medially depressed. parameres roughly equivalent in size (Fig.
Mesepimeron broadly fused with mesostemum 5A,B); sometimes only weakly asymmetrical;
(Fig. 2C); metathoracic spiracle exposed (Fig. left paramere always largest, usually C-shaped
2C) or concealed (Fig. IB); evaporative bodies (Fig. 5A)toweaklyarcuate(Fig. 7A),with apex
on ventral angle of mesepimeron (Figs 1B-D, ofshaft hooked(Fig. 5A), sometimes with basal
2C). Metepisternum subrectangulate; well (Figs 7A) or subapical (Fig. 9A) processes;
developed external efferent system of meta- aedeagus with membraneous endosoma (e.g.
thoracic glands, occupying about 1/3 ofsclerite Figs 5C, 7C 14C, 15C), always with sclerotised
(Figs 1B,2C);evaporativeareascontiguouswith strap-like (often looped) basal sclerites; often
mesepimeron; peritreme elliptical, raised withdigitiformbasal sclerites(Figs5C, 7C,9C),
posteriorly (Fig. 1C,D), positioned anteriorly or sometimes with multiple digitiform lobal
medially (Figs IB, 2C) on sclerite, sometimes sclerites (Figs 7C, 9C), less commonly with
more broadly raised, spout-like. Legs elongate sclerotised, fan-like lobal sclerites (Figs 5C),
(Figs 3, 6, 8, 13). Metafemora greatly elongate, with apical margin serrate; secondary gonopore
tapered distally (Fig. 3B, 13). Tarsi two- either undifferentiated (Figs 12C, 14C, 15C,
segmented (Figs 6, 8, 13). Pretarsi with weakly 18C) or with prominent ring-like process with
SYSTEMATICS OF THE VANNIUSCOMPLEX 131
dentate aperture (Figs 5C, 7C, 9C); ductus We consider the arrangement of Gorczyca
seminis short; phallotheca short to moderately (1997) to be unsupported based on our
large. Female genitalia: sclerotised rings (Figs reappraisal. Toothed-claws occur in Cylapinae,
10A,C, 16A,C,E, 19A,C) relatively flattened or Psallopinae and some Isometopinae (Schuh,
slightly folded and sometimes with small lobes 1975, 1976; Schuh & Schwartz, 1984), and is
on outside margin ofring; ventral labiate plate therefore toogeneral to be considered a synapo-
entire or separate, wider than width ofring(s); morphy ofPalaucorini +Vanniini. Furthermore,
dorsal labiate plate reflexed mesially dorsal to the claw (with deeply notched subapex) of
rings or with scroll-like lateral margins; some- Palaucoris, ismoreelaboratethaninthe Vannius
times sclerotised rings and associated structures complex, and the putative homology is at best
asymmetrical; posterior wall (Figs 10B,D, conjectural.
16B,D,F, 19B,D) with intcr-ramal sclerite entire Spatulate parempodia as a synapomorphy for
or bilaterally separated; sometimes with one to Palaucorinae sensu Gorczyca also needs
three pairs of bilaterally separated inter-ramal
re-analysis. Spatulate parempodia occur within
lobes; dorsal lobe and lateral lobes absent.
other higher taxa, such as the Deraeocorinae:
&
DISTRIBUTION. The Vannius complex is PTeorpmpaituosph—ylisneie C(ea.sgs.isA,ry1g9r9o5t;elfaigesn—u8s9,Re95u)t,erand
circumtropical, with centres of endemism in Phylinae(e.g.ArafuramirisSchuh seeSchuh,
wMeasdtagPaasccifairc,(Fiisjlia,nNdeawrcChailpeedloangioas,oVfantuhaetus)o,utthh-e i1n9d8i4c:atfiivg.e6o7f0)subpurtatgheenseerilcattreerleaxtieomnpslhaiprss.arHeonwo-t
wet tropics of northern Queensland, and the ever, the presence of spatulate parempodia in
northernNeotropicalregion.Allofthegeneraare Palaucorinae sensu Gorczyca does appear to be
restricted toamajorzoogeographical region. Ten invariantand theirhomology cannotbe falsified
species and three genera (Austrovannius,
at present.
Vanniopsisand Vatmiusoides)areendemictothe
Australianregion (Figs4, 11, 17). Gorczyca(1997) listeda numberofcharacters
additional to the aforementioned pretarsal
REMARKS. Gorczyca (1997) erected a new characters, as a basis for his concept of the
tribe of Miridae, the Vanniini, for Afrovannius Palaucorinae.Theseincludetheverticalheadand
Gorczyca, Paracylapus Carvalho, Vanniopsis the short labium. The formercharacteroccurs in
Poppius, Vannius Distant and Vatmiusoides many mirid groups, but most significantly in
Carvalho & Lorenzato, which have spatulate manyofthetaxaplacedwithintheCylapinisensu
parempodia and toothed claws. He removed Carvalho. This suggests that the Vannius
thesegenerafromtheCylapinaeandplacedthem complex is related to taxa within the Cylapini.
withtheannectanttaxon,PalaucorisCarvalho,a Moreover,Schuh(1976)showedthatBryocorinae:
genus for which Carvalho (1956) established a Eccritotarsini, including Palaucoris, possess a
subfamily with unspecified affinities. Gorczyca vertical head.
(1997) thereby established the following class- The length of the labium has limited phylo-
ification: Palaucorinae: Palaucorini {Palaucoris) geneticvalue. InmostMiridaethelabiumextends
and Vanniini {Vannius complex). In contrast, between the middle and hind coxae, and are
Schuh (1975) regarded the palaucorines as a distinct in comparison to the elongate condition
subtribe of Bryocorinae, and as sister-group to foundinmostCylapinaesensuCarvalho.Gorczyca
theEccritotarsina,withinthetribeEccritotarsini. (1997)reportedthatthe PalaucoriniandVanniini
aVrarGnaonnrigcienzmiyenctaw,it(ch1o9m9sp8ea)lreiqcnutgeedstthietoancxheaadraohcfitseCrsyolroiagfpiintnahile tpihnoaststehtshesealVeasnnhgontrihtuoslfabtcihouemmpl.alObeuixru,mobvvsaaerrriyevisantcgioonnfssirdsoeumrgagbetlshyte
P(hCyylloacpyloampoursplhuathemriigProaptpoirusi)a. (HDeistraencto)gniasnedd tmheesloacboixuameitnoPatlheaugceonrtiiasldoseesgmneonttse.xtIenndcobnetyraosntd,
the middle ofthe mesocoxae.
‘great similarities’ of the body, antennae, tarsi
and colour pattern. However, Gorczyca did not Insummary,webelievethatthere isnotample
clearlyrestoretheVanniiniwithintheCylapinae, supportfortheconceptionofthePalaucorinaeas
despite implicitly maintaining theirtribal status. a subfamily comprising Palaucoris and the
Moreover, he argued that there were alternative Vannius complex. There is considerable homo-
interpretations, based on potential homoplasyof plasy exhibited in the characters described by
theobservedcharacters,includingtheparempodia. Gorczyca (1997, 1998). Pending a phylogenetic
132 MEMOIRS OFTHE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
analysis ofa larger sample ofcylapine taxa we Austrovannius gen. nov.
proposethatthe Vanniuscomplexbemaintained (Figs 1, 3D, 4-10)
rinelatthieonCsyhliappwiintahePaaslaiunccoerritsaebeserdeijsecatendd.that its ETYMOLOGYForitsrestrictiontotheAustralianregion
anditsmembershipofthe Vanniuscomplex.
CHECKLISTOF VANNIUSCOMPLEX
TYPE SPECIES. Austrovannius scutica sp. nov., by
Austrovanniusgen.nov. originaldesignation.
pxslecauptteninicecahksiepns.spn.eosnvpo.v..nov. AustraNNleeiaww(CCnoaarllteehddooQnnliidaa) cDoIlAlaGrNaOlSmIosSt.oSbtsoalpehtyel,inaotidmo(sFtigass6,an8)i;mpprroensosteadl
AfrovanniusGorczyca, 1997 line (Figs 6, 8); labium reaching between
annulicomis(Poppius,1909) Madagascar abdominal sternum VII and genital segments;
halinaeGorczyca,1997 SierraLeone pronotumreducedandflattened(Figs6,8);claws
mahensis(Distant, 1913) Seychelles stronglyarcuate(Fig. 1E);subapicalteethabsent
schmitzi(Gorczyca, 1996) Madagascar (Fig. IE); pygophore with longitudinal medial
ParacylapusCarvalho, 1952 ridge on ventral surface (Fig. 1G); endosoma
insularisCarvalho, 1952 Madagascar with basal and lobal sclerites(Figs 5C, 1C, 9C);
lestoni(Gorczyca, 1996) Ghana sclerotised rings (Fig. 10A,C) asymmetrical,
VanniopsisPoppius, 1909
chroowbeynlsoessspp..nnoovv.. Australia(LordVHaonwuaetIu) wlaarlgle,(Faingd.w1i0tBh,mDa)rgwiintahlipnrtoecre-srsaemsa;lalnodb,esp.osterior
rufescensPoppius,1909 NewCaledonia, DESCRIPTION. Colouration. Body reddish to
Vanuatu
brown, sometimes with disrupted red markings
VanocnrciauuslssaitDcuiossrtCnaainrstv,Paol1p8hpo8i,3us1,9515909 CostBoalRiivciaa oannddtohrosraucmic(pFliegusra3.D,Me8t)a,fleamteorralaassopmeecttismoefshweiatdh
podagerBergroth, 922 Brazil red banding. Abdominal venter stramineous to
1
rubrovittatusDistant, 1883 Colombia, red-fuscous.
VanniusoidesCarvalho&LorenzatGou,at1e9m7a8la,Panama Vestiture. Body with sparse to moderate density
asprokarasp.nov. Fiji of soft to stiff (bristle-like) semi-erect to
bcrleyvpiesat(uPsopGpoirucs,zy1c9a09&) Konstantinov,2N00e1wGuinea dTeexctuumrbe.enBto,dsyimspmloeotshe.tae (Fig. 3D).
SolomonIslands
melafronssp.nov. Australia(northQld) Sotvrouicdt.urHee.adS:mavlelr;tesxtafplahtyltionwoiedak(lFyigcson3vDe,x6,(Fi8g).;
KEYTOTHE GENERAOFTHE 1A), sometimes with submedial weak depress-
VANNIUSCOMPLEX ions. Antennae thread-like, elongate, much
longerthanbody,at least 1.5x longer(Fig. 3D);
1. Labium extending to genital segments; males with AI equal to head length (Figs 6, 8), weakly
longitudinalridgeonventralsurfaceofpygophore(Fig.
1G) Austrovanniusgen.nov. expanded; All elongate (Figs 6, 8), cylindrical,
Labiumextendingatmosttofourthabdominalsegment; narrow, a littlebroaderthan AIII-A1V; AIII-AIV
males without ventral ridge on ventral surface of elongate,verynarrow. Labiumelongate,extend-
pygophore 2 ing between abdominal sterna VII and genital
2. Headwithlongitudinalshallowsulcus(Fig.2A). ... 3 segments. Pronotum (Figs 6, 8) transverse,
Headentire,withoutsulcus(Fig.6) 4 subrectangular, ring-like, small, flat; collar
3. AI significantly longer than head (Figs 3A,B, 13) vestigial, at most as thin crease; remainder of
Vanniopsis pronotum uniform, not subdivided into callosite
AIequaltoorshorterthanlengthofhead(Figs3D,6,8) region and disc; posterior margin rectilinear.
Vannius
4. Twosubapicalteethontarsalclaws;peritremeofexternal tMreisaonsgucluatru,mtnroatnsvviesrisblee,(sFmigasll6,, 8s)h.orStceurtetlhlaumn
efferent system of metathoracic glands medially
orientedonmetepistemum Paracylapus pronotum, flat (Figs 6, 8). Proepimeron weakly
One subapical tooth on each tarsal claw (Fig. 2F); depressed medially (Fig. 1A). Mesepimeron:
peritreme ofexternal efferent system ofmetathoracic metathoracic spiracle (Fig. 1B-D) not exposed;
glandsanteriorlyorientedonmetepistemum 5 ventral angle ofmesepimeron with evaporative
5. Dorsum with distinct red-orange markings and narrow bodies. External efferentsystemofmetathoracic
belnalcakrgmeadrbkaisnalglsyon head, clavusandhemelytArfar;ovfaenmnioursa glands(Fig. 1B-D)occupyingalittlemorethana
Dorsumwithdistinctred-orangemarkingsonly;femora third of metepistemum; peritreme elliptical,
narrow Vanniusoides moderately tumid and raised, positioned
