Pentatomomorpha
Encyclopedia
Pentatomomorpha is an infraorder of insects in the true bug order
(Hemiptera
). It unites such animals as the plant bugs (Miridae), stink bugs (Pentatomidae), flat bugs (Aradidae), seed bugs (Lygaeidae and Rhyparochromidae
), etc. They are closely related to the Cimicomorpha
.
represent the most basal extant lineage, while the others, often united as clade
Trichophora, are more modern:
Among these, the Pentatomoidea seem to represent a by and large monophyletic lineage as traditionally understood, while the other three form a close-knit group and are in serious need of redelimitation. The Idiostolidae are sometimes placed in the Lygaeoidea
, sometimes in a distinct monotypic
superfamily Idiostoloidea for example.
The Piesmatidae
, usually placed in the Lygaeoidea also, are better considered incertae sedis
pending a more thorough analysis, as the most ancient member of that family
is strikingly similar to some prehistoric Aradoidea; until their relationships are cleared up the recognition of another monotypic superfamily Piesmatoidea is probably somewhat premature but may eventually turn out to be the most warranted approach.
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
(Hemiptera
Hemiptera
Hemiptera is an order of insects most often known as the true bugs , comprising around 50,000–80,000 species of cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and others...
). It unites such animals as the plant bugs (Miridae), stink bugs (Pentatomidae), flat bugs (Aradidae), seed bugs (Lygaeidae and Rhyparochromidae
Rhyparochromidae
The Rhyparochromidae are a large family of true bugs , many of which are commonly referred to as seed bugs. The family includes two subfamilies, 368 genera, and over 1,800 species....
), etc. They are closely related to the Cimicomorpha
Cimicomorpha
Cimicomorpha is an infraorder of insects containing bugs....
.
Systematics
5 superfamilies are usually placed in the Pentatomomorpha. The AradoideaAradoidea
Aradoidea is a superfamily of true bugs. The Piesmatidae, usually placed in the Lygaeoidea, might also belong here....
represent the most basal extant lineage, while the others, often united as clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
Trichophora, are more modern:
- AradoideaAradoideaAradoidea is a superfamily of true bugs. The Piesmatidae, usually placed in the Lygaeoidea, might also belong here....
- Pentatomoidea
- CoreoideaCoreoideaThe leaf-footed bugs and allies make up the superfamily Coreoidea of the true bug infraorder Pentatomomorpha.There are 5 families presently recognized, but the Coreoidea as a whole are part of a close-knit group with the Lygaeoidea and Pyrrhocoroidea and it is likely that these three superfamilies...
- LygaeoideaLygaeoideaThe Lygaeoidea are a sizeable superfamily of true bugs, containing the seed bugs and allies. The ash-gray leaf bug family , usually placed herein, might be closer to the Aradoidea....
- PyrrhocoroideaPyrrhocoroideaPyrrhocoroidea is a superfamily of insects in the infraorder of Pentatomomorpha....
Among these, the Pentatomoidea seem to represent a by and large monophyletic lineage as traditionally understood, while the other three form a close-knit group and are in serious need of redelimitation. The Idiostolidae are sometimes placed in the Lygaeoidea
Lygaeoidea
The Lygaeoidea are a sizeable superfamily of true bugs, containing the seed bugs and allies. The ash-gray leaf bug family , usually placed herein, might be closer to the Aradoidea....
, sometimes in a distinct monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
superfamily Idiostoloidea for example.
The Piesmatidae
Piesmatidae
Piesmatidae is a small family of true bugs, commonly called ash-grey leaf bugs. It contains a mere three living genera with over 40 described species altogether. The Piesmatidae are distributed mostly in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with some occurring in Africa, Australia and South America...
, usually placed in the Lygaeoidea also, are better considered incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
pending a more thorough analysis, as the most ancient member of that family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
is strikingly similar to some prehistoric Aradoidea; until their relationships are cleared up the recognition of another monotypic superfamily Piesmatoidea is probably somewhat premature but may eventually turn out to be the most warranted approach.