Paropsocolis, a new pentatomid genus with two new species from Brazil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Ochlerini).

Abstract

When examining specimens of the Janeirona Distant, 1911 clade of Ochlerini (Discocephalinae) we found males and females of two undescribed species. Though clearly similar to the genera in the Janeirona clade, these two species lack the diagnostic characteristics of any of them. We made a cladistic analysis to verify the placement of the two new species in Discocephalinae. A total of 38 taxa and 60 morphological characters were included in the analysis. Character polarization followed the outgroup comparison method, and the most parsimonious trees were calculated in TNT using an implied weighting approach. The analysis resulted in one most parsimonious tree where the two new species form a monophyletic group within the Ochlerini, sister to Janeirona. We propose Paropsocolis Sampaio & Campos, gen. nov. for the two new species Paropsocolis convergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. and Paropsocolis divergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov.. The new genus is recognized by having an inconspicuous labial intercalary segment, metasternum anteriorly carinated, parameres with a basal dish-shaped process and a bifurcated apex, theca with one apical ventral process, endosoma with one dorsal and one ventral processes, laterotergites IX surpassing the mediotergite VIII, and thickening of vaginal intima circular. P. convergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. and P. divergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. are described to Brazil. A distributional map is provided.