Phylogenetics and evolutionary morphology of the Neotropical true bug genus <I>Epipolops</I> (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae)

Abstract

Species of Epipolops Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Geocoridae), comprising the largest genus of Pamphantinae, are among the most bizarre true bugs because of their striking morphology. To elucidate evolutionary morphology in Epipolops, a phylogenetic analysis was performed using 17 species and 36 adult morphological characters. Two cladograms were obtained under equal and implied weight analyses, showing slight differences between them. Two new species, E. stridulatus sp.n. and E. univallensis sp.n., are described, and E. meridionalis Pirán is resurrected from synonymy with E. frondosus Herrich-Schaeffer. A key to the known species of Epipolops is provided. The systematic relevance of the unique characters of the genus is discussed and the sequence of character state transformations for both the anterior and posterior lateral processes of the pronotum are optimized on the cladogram obtained under implied weights. Species of Epipolops are found in the Neotropical region and the Mexican Transition Zone, with some clades and species restricted to certain South American subregions.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CB72D5DA-D86B-4B91-93A2-88894F7120C9.