On the systematic position of Podopterocus Banks and Dinopsocus Banks, with a revised diagnosis of the genus Sigmatoneura Enderlein (Psocodea: `Psocoptera': Psocidae)

Abstract

The genus Podopterocus Banks has been known only from male specimens and has been characterized by the thickened first antennal flagellomere and the expanded hind tibia. The genus Dinopsocus Banks has been characterized by the thickened first antennal flagellomere. Detailed morphological examinations and brief molecular-based identification (only for one species) suggest that both taxa are congeneric. Based on characters of female terminalia and fore wing venation, both taxa are furthermore considered to be closely related to the genus Sigmatoneura Enderlein. The discovery of two new species and observations on Sigmatoneura spp. reveal the limited significance of the diagnostic characters of Podopterocus and Dinopsocus. Therefore we consider both Podopterocus and Dinopsocus as junior synonyms of Sigmatoneura. Monophyly of the genus Sigmatoneura, including Podopterocus, Dinopsocus, and the subgenus Longifolia Li, is well supported by the unique fore wing venation of females and by sexually dimorphic fore wing venation and coloration. Two new species, Sigmatoneura kakisayap sp. n. and Sigmatoneura lemahsayap sp. n., which would be classified under Podopterocus or Dinopsocus by the previous generic definitions, are described. Sigmatoneura longicornis comb. n., the type species of Podopterocus, is redescribed and transferred to Sigmatoneura and the female of this species is described for the first time. Dinopsocus atratus, the type species of Dinopsocus, is synonymized with S. longicornis. Sigmatoneura semicolorata comb. n. is redescribed and transferred from Dinopsocus to Sismatoneura.