Comparative genitalic morphology in the New World resin bugs Apiomerini (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Harpactorinae)

Abstract

Apiomerini, also called New World resin bugs, are a largely Neotropical tribe of the assassin bug subfamily Harpactorinae, whose members show unique predation and maternal care behaviors. Species in this group collect resins to improve prey capture, and species within Apiomerus also coat their eggs with the accumulated resin to prevent egg predation and desiccation. Current understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the tribe is limited, in part due to the lack of comprehensive comparative morphological studies that would allow for cladistic analyses. Here, the male and female ectodermal genitalic structures are documented for all but one of the 12 extant genera of Apiomerini, including 12 species of the speciose genus Apiomerus. Descriptions and digital micrographs are provided for the pygophore, parameres, and phallus of the male, and for the tergite 8, syntergite 9/10, gonocoxae, gonapophyses, gonoplac, and bursa copulatrix of the female. Primary homologs are identified and their variation among taxa discussed. The wealth of morphological character information uncovered in this comparative analysis will greatly facilitate future cladistic analyses of Apiomerini. Our study also represents one of the first detailed and well-illustrated comparative studies of genitalic features at the tribal level in Reduviidae. Functional morphology of apiomerine genitalia is discussed where appropriate. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)