Molecular phylogeny and revised classification of the New World subfamily Cryphocricinae, including the reinstatement of Ambrysinae (Insecta: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae)

Abstract

The aquatic bug family Naucoridae currently is organized by a morphology‐based taxonomy and has never been analysed from a phylogenetic perspective. Thus, we sequenced two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes in order to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among the genera in the subfamily Cryphocricinae, using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches. In total, 101 species were included in the analyses (ingroup: 85 species of Cryphocricinae). The results support a polyphyletic Cryphocricinae as currently conceived. Thus, we offer a revised concept of Cryphocricinae comprising only Cryphocricos Montandon, and reinstate the subfamily Ambrysinae for the remaining six genera previously placed in Cryphocricinae. Cryphocricos is sister to Limnocoris Stål (Limnocorinae) while Ambrysinae is closer to the African genus Neomacrocoris Montandon. The genus Pelocoris Stål was found to be closely related to other genera in Ambrysinae; consequently, this genus is herein transferred from Naucorinae to Ambrysinae. The genus Ambrysus Stål was found to be polyphyletic as currently conceived; accordingly, we propose a new classification for this genus with three evolutionarily independent lineages: Ambrysus sens. str., Australambrysus new gen., and Maculambrysus new gen. Within Ambrysus sens. str., we recognize the subgenera Ambrysus Stål stat. rev., Dissimilis new subgen., Grandis new subgen., and Syncollus La Rivers stat. rev. The former subgenus Melloiella De Carlo stat. rev. is herein elevated to full generic status and is a member of and sister to all other genera in Ambrysinae.