Zootaxa 3795 (5): 564–570 www.mapress.com /zootaxa / Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press
Article
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3795.5.5 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B441E091-90A9-435E-9DB9-0A7CA57FCB9B
Flexitibia, a new genus of Harpactorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), with a discussion on the functional morphology of fore legs of the related genera PING ZHAO1, MINHLAN PHAM 2, 3, XUAN LAM TRUONG 4 & WANZHI CAI2, 5 1
College of Environment and Life Sciences, Kaili University, Kaili, Guizhou 556000, China Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China 3 Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, No. 149 Ho Dac Di, Dong Da, Ha Noi, Vietnam 4 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet. Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Vietnam 5 Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. 2
Abstract Flexitibia, a new genus, in the division Euagorasaria of the assassin bug subfamily Harpactorinae from Yunnan Province of China is described. The type species, Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., is described and illustrated. A key to the closely related genera is provided. The type specimens are kept in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University, Beijing. Key words: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, taxonomy, China, new genus, new species
Introduction Euagorasaria, a division of the reduviid subfamily Harpactorinae, was established by Distant in 1904 based on the following characters: body slender, head with a pair of spines or tubercules at the base of antennae, lateral pronotal angles generally spinously produced. In our recent examination of the oriental reduviids in the Entomological Museum of the China Agricultural University, we discovered an undescribed species belonging to Euagorasaria. As it can’t be assigned to any known genus, we erected a new genus to accommodate the species. A key to the new genus and the related genera is provided. The structure of fore leg of the new genus and four related genera adapted for preying are discussed. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.
Material and methods This study is based on the material deposited in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University, Beijing. Male genitalia of the reduviid was soaked in hot 10% potassium hydroxide solution for approximately five minutes to remove soft tissue, rinsed in distilled water, and dissected under a Motic binocular dissecting microscope. All drawings were traced with the aid of a camera lucida. Morphological terminology follows that of Cai & Tomokuni (2003). Measurements were obtained using a calibrated micrometer. Body length was measured from the apex of head to the tip of the hemelytra in resting position. Maximum width of pronotum was measured across humeral angles.
564 Accepted by M. Malipatil: 22 Apr. 2014; published: 15 May 2014
Systematics Flexitibia gen. nov. (Figs. 1–10, 14) Type species. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Body elongate, abdomen laterally nearly parallel (Fig. 1). Head slightly shorter than pronotum (Fig. 2), with a spine behind base of antennal tubercle; postocular area subequal to anteocular in length, transversely impressed between eyes; first antennal segment nearly as long as hind tibia; first rostral segment distinctly longer than second and third segments combined (Fig. 2). Pronotum discally slightly bulging and conspicuously anteriorly declining, lateral margin nearly straight; collar processes obtuse; anterior pronotal lobe much smaller than posterior; disk of posterior lobe not depressed but anteriorly feebly bulgy, and two sides without lateral sulci (Fig. 1); lateral pronotal angles produced laterally, short spine-shaped, with a small denticle behind it; posterior and posterolateral margins nearly straight; scutellum somewhat long and subtriangular, apex posteriorly produced. Legs slender; femora apically with a pair of small spines; fore legs somewhat thickened, apical part of fore tibiae bent; apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle (Fig. 14). Fore wing membrane area large, inner cell longer than outer cell at base. Distribution. China (Yunnan), Vietnam. Etymology. The new generic name alluded to its bent fore tibiae. Feminine. Remarks. The new genus and four closely related genera (Camptibia Cai & Tomokuni 2003, Rihirbus Stål 1861, Brassivola Distant 1904, Agyrius Stål 1863) have some common morphological characters in fore legs: the apical part of fore tibia is bent (Figs. 11–15), the apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle (Figs. 11–14). But in the new genus, the anterior pronotal lobe is distinctly shorter than 1/2 of posterior lobe, the pronotum is medianly discally feebly bulging and anteriorly declining, the femur apically with a pair of spines (vs. in the closely related genera, the anterior pronotal lobe is much larger, and the pronotum is distinctly transversely constricted and not bulging in middle, femur apically without a pair of spines (Figs. 11–13, 15)). The genera morphologically related to the new genus can be separated using the following key.
A key to Flexitibia gen. nov. and morphologically similar genera 1. -. 2. -. 3. -. 4. -.
Abdomen angularly dilated laterally; pronotum with discal spines; apical part of fore tibia dilated on inner side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brassivola Distant 1904 Abdomen not angularly dilated; pronotum without discal spines; apical part of fore tibia normal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Anterior tibiae spined subapically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rihirbus Stål 1861 Anterior tibia not spined subapically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Antennae short, first segment subequal to head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agyrius Stål 1863 Antennae long, first segment longer than head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pronotum not conspicuously anteriorly declining; posterior lobe flat and two sides with obscure lateral sulci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camptibia Cai & Tomokuni 2003 Pronotum conspicuously anteriorly declining; posterior lobe anteriorly feebly elevated, and two sides without lateral sulci (Figs. 1, 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flexitibia gen. nov.
Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov. (Figs. 1–10, 14) Description. Color. Body above yellowish brown tinged with red, underneath paler yellowish brown. Basal 2/3 of first antennal segment, apical 3/5 to 2/3 of third segment, fourth segment (except apical part) dark brown; apical 1/6 of first segment, second segment black; a pale annular markings near 1/3 of apex of first segment, basal 2/5 to 1/3 of third segment, apical part of fourth segment orange; posterior margin of propleuron dark brown; each segment of abdominal sternum laterally with a pair of round black spots; mid and hind femora pale yellowish brown, subapical part darker; tibia reddish brown, apical part pale; tarsus pale yellowish brown, apex darker; eyes whitish gray, with irregular black markings (Fig. 1). lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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FIGURE 1. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., ♂, habitus. Scale bar of 1 = 2.52 mm.
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FIGURES 2–10. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov. ♂. 2, head and pronotum, antennae removed; 3, apical part of hind tibia; 4, apical part of abdomen; 5, 6, pygophore; 7, paramere; 8, phallus; 9, 10, phallosoma. 5, 10, ventral view; 2, 4, 6, 8, lateral view; 9, dorsal view. Scale bar of 2= 0.87 mm; of 3, 7 = 0.31 mm; of 4 = 0.73 mm; of 5, 6 = 0.34 mm; of 8–10= 0.31 mm. lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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FIGURES 11–16. 11. Camptibia obscura Cai & Tomokuni; 12. Rihirbus sinicus Hsiao & Ren; 13. Brassivola hystrix Distant; 14. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.; 15. Agyrius watanabeorum Ishikawa; 16. Endochus cingalensis Stål. 11–16, fore leg. 11–16, lateral view. Scale bar of 11–13, 16= 2.00 mm; of 14–15 = 1.33 mm.
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Structure. Body of medium size. Head, thorax, abdomen and legs clothed with sub-erect setae; fore femur and tibia ventrally clothed with dense short setae; dorsal and lateral sides of head, pronotum, corium of fore wing covered with bent procumbent short setae; first and second antennal segments sparsely clothed with suberect setae, apical 1/3 of second segment densely clothed with short suberect setae, third and fourth segment densely clothed with procumbent pubescence. Head cylindrical and with a short spinous tubercle at base of antenna; antennae slender, first segment longer than head, pronotum and scutellum together, second antennal segment sub-equal to 1/3 of first segment; eyes protruding laterally, interocellar space about 2 times as long as distance between ipsilateral eye and ocellus; rostrum robust, first segment extending beyond posterior margin of eyes and longer than second and third segments together (Fig. 2). Pronotum centrally slightly bulged and prominently anteriorly declining, lateral margin nearly straight; anterior angles obscure; anterior pronotal lobe centrally shallow sulcate and laterally with shallow arc-shaped glabrous markings, distinctly smaller than posterior lobe in size; posterior pronotal lobe frosted; lateral pronotal angles spinously produced, short; scutellum sub-angular with “Y”-shaped carina. Abdomen laterally nearly parallel. Fore wing passing abdominal tip. Pygophore elliptic; paramere clavate, apical part somewhat dilated (Figs. 5–7); median pygophore process broad, its posterior margin wavelike (Figs. 5, 6). Basal plate of phallobase slightly longer than and thicker than plate bridge, pedicel short;. Phallosome elliptic; dorsal phallothecal sclerite sclerotized, apical part gradually constricted and concave in apex (Figs. 8, 9); struts shown as Figs. 8, 9. Measurements [in mm, ♂ (n= 5)]. Body length 19.2–20.40; maximum abdomen width 3.66–4.60. Head length (including neck) 3.20–3.46; anteocular part length 1.45–1.47; postocular part length 1.40–1.53; synthlipsis length 0.80–0.93; interocellar space 0.57–0.60; antennal segments length I–IV = 9.80–1.00, 3.45–4.00, 6.17–7.19, 3.03–3.46; rostral segments length I–III =2.20–2.33, 1.20–1.33, 0.55–0.60. Anterior pronotal lobe length 1.10–1.20; posterior pronotal lobe length 2.40–2.60; maximum thorax width (including lateral pronotal spines) 4.26–4.46 (5.50–5.53); scutellum length 1.93–2.00; hemelytron length 13.32–13.95. Type material. Holotype, ♂, Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park, 144 m, N20˚15’31.0”, E105˚42’25.5”, 2012-V-16, Pham ML leg. Paratypes, 2♂, same data as holotype; 1♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun, 2009-V-6, 630 m, Yang Xiushuai leg.; 1 ♂, China, Yunnan, Mengzhe, VI-30-1960, 875 m, the specimen is not in good condition, fourth antenna and fore legs are missing. Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Yunnan), Vietnam. Etymology. The specific name alludes to it distribution in the Oriental Region.
Discussion The structures of the fore legs of most assassin bugs, as predators, are designed for capturing of prey. The functional morphological plasticity of fore leg in Reduviidae has been discussed by some authors (Miller 1942; Cai & Tomokuni 2003; Weirauch et al. 2011; Zhang & Weirauch 2013). The morphological diversity of the reduviid fore-leg apparently reflects their predatory habits and methods of different groups of the family Reduviidae. The fore legs of Phymatinae and Emesinae may become extremely specialized and resemble to those of crab and mantis (Wygodzinsky 1966; Weirauch et al. 2011). The fore leg of many assassin bugs is armed with the special structure, such as fossula spongiosa (Salyavatinae, Triatominae, Peiratinae, Ectrichodinae, Reduviinae), spines, teeth, dense setae, or clothed with exogenous sticky substance (plant resins and gums) (Ectinoderini, Apiomerini and Diaspidiini) (Miller 1942; Davis 1969), endogenous sticky substances produced by sticky glands (Zhang & Weirauch 2013), and so on, in order to increase the capacity for catching the preys. The fore legs of the new genus somewhat like those of Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus and Agyrius (Figs. 11–15) in bent tibiae. In Camptibia, whole fore tibia gradually bent and the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/4, and the fore tibia reaches base of the fore coxa (Fig. 11). In Rihirbus, only apical 2/3 of fore tibia bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/6 of the fore tibia, a short process presents at subapical part of fore tibiae against invaginating part of fore femur, and the fore tibia reaches middle of fore coxa (Fig. 12). In Brassivola, only apical 1/5 of fore tibia is bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/7 of the fore tibia, and fore tibia reaches the connecting part of fore femur and fore coxa (Fig. 13). In the new genus, apical 4/7 of fore tibia is bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/7, and fore tibiae reaches nearly base of fore coxa (Fig. 14). In Agyrius, fore tibia is gradually bent and lacks distinct maximum bending point. lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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The fore femur of the new genus is much like those in Endochus Stål (Fig. 16) as well as most genera in the tribe or Division Euagorasaria with the most of fore femur in similar thickness (Figs. 14, 16). In Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus, the basal 1/3 to basal half of the fore femur is depressed and inner surface densely covered with short erect hairs (Figs. 11–13). In Agyrius, fore femur is distinctly thickened (Fig. 15). From the structure of fore legs of above mentioned genera, we can easily find that there is no space left when fore tibia against the fore femur in genera Endochus and Agyrius. However, there are different-sized spaces or gaps when fore tibia sits against the fore femur in genera Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus and new genus. For this reason, we deduce that the reduviids in last four genera may capture and hold on larger sized preys.
Acknowledgments We sincerely thank Dr. M. Malipatil (Department of Environment & Primary Industries Bundoora Centre) for suggestions and critical reading of the manuscript. This research is supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2013CB127600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31201737), the National Key Technology R & D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology (2012BAD19B00) and the Special Fund for Scientific Research (No. 2012FY111100), the Special Fund of the Governor of Guizhou Province for Excellent Scientific, Technological and Educational Talents (No. [2012] 52), the Science and Technology Foundation of Guizhou Province (No. J[2009]2285) and Kaili University (No. Z0902); Excellent Scientific Research Innovative Team of Education Department of Guizhou Province (No. [2013]26).
References Cai, W. & Tomokuni, M. (2003) Camptibia obscura, gen. et sp. nov. (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) from China. European Journal of Entomology, 100, 181–185. http://dx.doi.org/10.14411/eje.2003.028 Distant, W.L. (1903–1904) The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Rhynchota 2 (Heteroptera). Taylor and Francis, London, 503 pp. [pp. 1–242, 1903; pp. i–xvii, 243–503, 1904] Davis, N.T. (1969) Contribution to the morphology and phylogeny of the Reduvioidea. Part IV. The harpactorid complex. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 62, 74–79. Miller, N.C.E. (1942) On the structure of the legs in Reduviidae (Rhynchota). Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 17, 49–58. Weirauch, C., Forero, D. & Jacobs, D.H. (2011) On the evolution of raptorial legs: An insect example (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae). Cladistics, 26, 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-0031.2010.00325.x Wygodzinsky, P. (1966) A monograph of the Emesinae (Reduviidae, Hemiptera). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 133, 1–614. Zhang, G. & Weirauch, C. (2013) Molecular phylogeny of Harpactorini (Insecta: Reduviidae): correlation of novel predation strategy with accelerated evolution of predatory leg morphology. Cladistics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cla.12049
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Article
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3795.5.5 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B441E091-90A9-435E-9DB9-0A7CA57FCB9B
Flexitibia, a new genus of Harpactorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), with a discussion on the functional morphology of fore legs of the related genera PING ZHAO1, MINHLAN PHAM 2, 3, XUAN LAM TRUONG 4 & WANZHI CAI2, 5 1
College of Environment and Life Sciences, Kaili University, Kaili, Guizhou 556000, China Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China 3 Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, No. 149 Ho Dac Di, Dong Da, Ha Noi, Vietnam 4 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet. Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Vietnam 5 Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. 2
Abstract Flexitibia, a new genus, in the division Euagorasaria of the assassin bug subfamily Harpactorinae from Yunnan Province of China is described. The type species, Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., is described and illustrated. A key to the closely related genera is provided. The type specimens are kept in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University, Beijing. Key words: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, taxonomy, China, new genus, new species
Introduction Euagorasaria, a division of the reduviid subfamily Harpactorinae, was established by Distant in 1904 based on the following characters: body slender, head with a pair of spines or tubercules at the base of antennae, lateral pronotal angles generally spinously produced. In our recent examination of the oriental reduviids in the Entomological Museum of the China Agricultural University, we discovered an undescribed species belonging to Euagorasaria. As it can’t be assigned to any known genus, we erected a new genus to accommodate the species. A key to the new genus and the related genera is provided. The structure of fore leg of the new genus and four related genera adapted for preying are discussed. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.
Material and methods This study is based on the material deposited in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University, Beijing. Male genitalia of the reduviid was soaked in hot 10% potassium hydroxide solution for approximately five minutes to remove soft tissue, rinsed in distilled water, and dissected under a Motic binocular dissecting microscope. All drawings were traced with the aid of a camera lucida. Morphological terminology follows that of Cai & Tomokuni (2003). Measurements were obtained using a calibrated micrometer. Body length was measured from the apex of head to the tip of the hemelytra in resting position. Maximum width of pronotum was measured across humeral angles.
564 Accepted by M. Malipatil: 22 Apr. 2014; published: 15 May 2014
Systematics Flexitibia gen. nov. (Figs. 1–10, 14) Type species. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Body elongate, abdomen laterally nearly parallel (Fig. 1). Head slightly shorter than pronotum (Fig. 2), with a spine behind base of antennal tubercle; postocular area subequal to anteocular in length, transversely impressed between eyes; first antennal segment nearly as long as hind tibia; first rostral segment distinctly longer than second and third segments combined (Fig. 2). Pronotum discally slightly bulging and conspicuously anteriorly declining, lateral margin nearly straight; collar processes obtuse; anterior pronotal lobe much smaller than posterior; disk of posterior lobe not depressed but anteriorly feebly bulgy, and two sides without lateral sulci (Fig. 1); lateral pronotal angles produced laterally, short spine-shaped, with a small denticle behind it; posterior and posterolateral margins nearly straight; scutellum somewhat long and subtriangular, apex posteriorly produced. Legs slender; femora apically with a pair of small spines; fore legs somewhat thickened, apical part of fore tibiae bent; apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle (Fig. 14). Fore wing membrane area large, inner cell longer than outer cell at base. Distribution. China (Yunnan), Vietnam. Etymology. The new generic name alluded to its bent fore tibiae. Feminine. Remarks. The new genus and four closely related genera (Camptibia Cai & Tomokuni 2003, Rihirbus Stål 1861, Brassivola Distant 1904, Agyrius Stål 1863) have some common morphological characters in fore legs: the apical part of fore tibia is bent (Figs. 11–15), the apex of fore tibia with a small tubercle (Figs. 11–14). But in the new genus, the anterior pronotal lobe is distinctly shorter than 1/2 of posterior lobe, the pronotum is medianly discally feebly bulging and anteriorly declining, the femur apically with a pair of spines (vs. in the closely related genera, the anterior pronotal lobe is much larger, and the pronotum is distinctly transversely constricted and not bulging in middle, femur apically without a pair of spines (Figs. 11–13, 15)). The genera morphologically related to the new genus can be separated using the following key.
A key to Flexitibia gen. nov. and morphologically similar genera 1. -. 2. -. 3. -. 4. -.
Abdomen angularly dilated laterally; pronotum with discal spines; apical part of fore tibia dilated on inner side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brassivola Distant 1904 Abdomen not angularly dilated; pronotum without discal spines; apical part of fore tibia normal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Anterior tibiae spined subapically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rihirbus Stål 1861 Anterior tibia not spined subapically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Antennae short, first segment subequal to head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agyrius Stål 1863 Antennae long, first segment longer than head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pronotum not conspicuously anteriorly declining; posterior lobe flat and two sides with obscure lateral sulci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camptibia Cai & Tomokuni 2003 Pronotum conspicuously anteriorly declining; posterior lobe anteriorly feebly elevated, and two sides without lateral sulci (Figs. 1, 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flexitibia gen. nov.
Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov. (Figs. 1–10, 14) Description. Color. Body above yellowish brown tinged with red, underneath paler yellowish brown. Basal 2/3 of first antennal segment, apical 3/5 to 2/3 of third segment, fourth segment (except apical part) dark brown; apical 1/6 of first segment, second segment black; a pale annular markings near 1/3 of apex of first segment, basal 2/5 to 1/3 of third segment, apical part of fourth segment orange; posterior margin of propleuron dark brown; each segment of abdominal sternum laterally with a pair of round black spots; mid and hind femora pale yellowish brown, subapical part darker; tibia reddish brown, apical part pale; tarsus pale yellowish brown, apex darker; eyes whitish gray, with irregular black markings (Fig. 1). lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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FIGURE 1. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov., ♂, habitus. Scale bar of 1 = 2.52 mm.
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FIGURES 2–10. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov. ♂. 2, head and pronotum, antennae removed; 3, apical part of hind tibia; 4, apical part of abdomen; 5, 6, pygophore; 7, paramere; 8, phallus; 9, 10, phallosoma. 5, 10, ventral view; 2, 4, 6, 8, lateral view; 9, dorsal view. Scale bar of 2= 0.87 mm; of 3, 7 = 0.31 mm; of 4 = 0.73 mm; of 5, 6 = 0.34 mm; of 8–10= 0.31 mm. lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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FIGURES 11–16. 11. Camptibia obscura Cai & Tomokuni; 12. Rihirbus sinicus Hsiao & Ren; 13. Brassivola hystrix Distant; 14. Flexitibia orientalis sp. nov.; 15. Agyrius watanabeorum Ishikawa; 16. Endochus cingalensis Stål. 11–16, fore leg. 11–16, lateral view. Scale bar of 11–13, 16= 2.00 mm; of 14–15 = 1.33 mm.
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Structure. Body of medium size. Head, thorax, abdomen and legs clothed with sub-erect setae; fore femur and tibia ventrally clothed with dense short setae; dorsal and lateral sides of head, pronotum, corium of fore wing covered with bent procumbent short setae; first and second antennal segments sparsely clothed with suberect setae, apical 1/3 of second segment densely clothed with short suberect setae, third and fourth segment densely clothed with procumbent pubescence. Head cylindrical and with a short spinous tubercle at base of antenna; antennae slender, first segment longer than head, pronotum and scutellum together, second antennal segment sub-equal to 1/3 of first segment; eyes protruding laterally, interocellar space about 2 times as long as distance between ipsilateral eye and ocellus; rostrum robust, first segment extending beyond posterior margin of eyes and longer than second and third segments together (Fig. 2). Pronotum centrally slightly bulged and prominently anteriorly declining, lateral margin nearly straight; anterior angles obscure; anterior pronotal lobe centrally shallow sulcate and laterally with shallow arc-shaped glabrous markings, distinctly smaller than posterior lobe in size; posterior pronotal lobe frosted; lateral pronotal angles spinously produced, short; scutellum sub-angular with “Y”-shaped carina. Abdomen laterally nearly parallel. Fore wing passing abdominal tip. Pygophore elliptic; paramere clavate, apical part somewhat dilated (Figs. 5–7); median pygophore process broad, its posterior margin wavelike (Figs. 5, 6). Basal plate of phallobase slightly longer than and thicker than plate bridge, pedicel short;. Phallosome elliptic; dorsal phallothecal sclerite sclerotized, apical part gradually constricted and concave in apex (Figs. 8, 9); struts shown as Figs. 8, 9. Measurements [in mm, ♂ (n= 5)]. Body length 19.2–20.40; maximum abdomen width 3.66–4.60. Head length (including neck) 3.20–3.46; anteocular part length 1.45–1.47; postocular part length 1.40–1.53; synthlipsis length 0.80–0.93; interocellar space 0.57–0.60; antennal segments length I–IV = 9.80–1.00, 3.45–4.00, 6.17–7.19, 3.03–3.46; rostral segments length I–III =2.20–2.33, 1.20–1.33, 0.55–0.60. Anterior pronotal lobe length 1.10–1.20; posterior pronotal lobe length 2.40–2.60; maximum thorax width (including lateral pronotal spines) 4.26–4.46 (5.50–5.53); scutellum length 1.93–2.00; hemelytron length 13.32–13.95. Type material. Holotype, ♂, Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park, 144 m, N20˚15’31.0”, E105˚42’25.5”, 2012-V-16, Pham ML leg. Paratypes, 2♂, same data as holotype; 1♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun, 2009-V-6, 630 m, Yang Xiushuai leg.; 1 ♂, China, Yunnan, Mengzhe, VI-30-1960, 875 m, the specimen is not in good condition, fourth antenna and fore legs are missing. Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Yunnan), Vietnam. Etymology. The specific name alludes to it distribution in the Oriental Region.
Discussion The structures of the fore legs of most assassin bugs, as predators, are designed for capturing of prey. The functional morphological plasticity of fore leg in Reduviidae has been discussed by some authors (Miller 1942; Cai & Tomokuni 2003; Weirauch et al. 2011; Zhang & Weirauch 2013). The morphological diversity of the reduviid fore-leg apparently reflects their predatory habits and methods of different groups of the family Reduviidae. The fore legs of Phymatinae and Emesinae may become extremely specialized and resemble to those of crab and mantis (Wygodzinsky 1966; Weirauch et al. 2011). The fore leg of many assassin bugs is armed with the special structure, such as fossula spongiosa (Salyavatinae, Triatominae, Peiratinae, Ectrichodinae, Reduviinae), spines, teeth, dense setae, or clothed with exogenous sticky substance (plant resins and gums) (Ectinoderini, Apiomerini and Diaspidiini) (Miller 1942; Davis 1969), endogenous sticky substances produced by sticky glands (Zhang & Weirauch 2013), and so on, in order to increase the capacity for catching the preys. The fore legs of the new genus somewhat like those of Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus and Agyrius (Figs. 11–15) in bent tibiae. In Camptibia, whole fore tibia gradually bent and the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/4, and the fore tibia reaches base of the fore coxa (Fig. 11). In Rihirbus, only apical 2/3 of fore tibia bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/6 of the fore tibia, a short process presents at subapical part of fore tibiae against invaginating part of fore femur, and the fore tibia reaches middle of fore coxa (Fig. 12). In Brassivola, only apical 1/5 of fore tibia is bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/7 of the fore tibia, and fore tibia reaches the connecting part of fore femur and fore coxa (Fig. 13). In the new genus, apical 4/7 of fore tibia is bent, the maximum bending point located about the apical 1/7, and fore tibiae reaches nearly base of fore coxa (Fig. 14). In Agyrius, fore tibia is gradually bent and lacks distinct maximum bending point. lEXITIBIA, A NEW GENUS OF HARPACTORINAE
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The fore femur of the new genus is much like those in Endochus Stål (Fig. 16) as well as most genera in the tribe or Division Euagorasaria with the most of fore femur in similar thickness (Figs. 14, 16). In Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus, the basal 1/3 to basal half of the fore femur is depressed and inner surface densely covered with short erect hairs (Figs. 11–13). In Agyrius, fore femur is distinctly thickened (Fig. 15). From the structure of fore legs of above mentioned genera, we can easily find that there is no space left when fore tibia against the fore femur in genera Endochus and Agyrius. However, there are different-sized spaces or gaps when fore tibia sits against the fore femur in genera Camptibia, Brassivola, Rihirbus and new genus. For this reason, we deduce that the reduviids in last four genera may capture and hold on larger sized preys.
Acknowledgments We sincerely thank Dr. M. Malipatil (Department of Environment & Primary Industries Bundoora Centre) for suggestions and critical reading of the manuscript. This research is supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2013CB127600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31201737), the National Key Technology R & D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology (2012BAD19B00) and the Special Fund for Scientific Research (No. 2012FY111100), the Special Fund of the Governor of Guizhou Province for Excellent Scientific, Technological and Educational Talents (No. [2012] 52), the Science and Technology Foundation of Guizhou Province (No. J[2009]2285) and Kaili University (No. Z0902); Excellent Scientific Research Innovative Team of Education Department of Guizhou Province (No. [2013]26).
References Cai, W. & Tomokuni, M. (2003) Camptibia obscura, gen. et sp. nov. (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) from China. European Journal of Entomology, 100, 181–185. http://dx.doi.org/10.14411/eje.2003.028 Distant, W.L. (1903–1904) The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Rhynchota 2 (Heteroptera). Taylor and Francis, London, 503 pp. [pp. 1–242, 1903; pp. i–xvii, 243–503, 1904] Davis, N.T. (1969) Contribution to the morphology and phylogeny of the Reduvioidea. Part IV. The harpactorid complex. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 62, 74–79. Miller, N.C.E. (1942) On the structure of the legs in Reduviidae (Rhynchota). Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 17, 49–58. Weirauch, C., Forero, D. & Jacobs, D.H. (2011) On the evolution of raptorial legs: An insect example (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae). Cladistics, 26, 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-0031.2010.00325.x Wygodzinsky, P. (1966) A monograph of the Emesinae (Reduviidae, Hemiptera). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 133, 1–614. Zhang, G. & Weirauch, C. (2013) Molecular phylogeny of Harpactorini (Insecta: Reduviidae): correlation of novel predation strategy with accelerated evolution of predatory leg morphology. Cladistics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cla.12049
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