Braunus prionotus, 2016

Barão, Kim Ribeiro, Garbelotto, Thereza De Almeida, Campos, Luiz Alexandre & Grazia, Jocelia, 2016, Unusual looking pentatomids: reassessing the taxonomy of Braunus Distant and Lojus McDonald (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Zootaxa 4078 (1), pp. 168-186 : 169-171

Braunus Distant, 1899

Braunus Distant, 1899: 422–423; Kirkaldy, 1909: 220. Lojus McDonald, 1982: 327. syn. nov.

Type species. Braunus: Coriplatus sciocorinus Walker, 1867, by monotypy. Lojus : Lojus asperus McDonald, 1982, by original designation.

Diagnosis. Mandibular plates widely triangular apically, at least as long as clypeus. Costal margin of each forewing with a basal process. Peritreme of the metathoracic gland obsolete; mesial margin of each ostiole bordered by a globoid tubercle. Abdominal sternite III projected over abdominal sternite IV ventro-medially. Male genitalia: dorsal rim of pygophore concave with 1 + 1 trapezoidal expansions laterad to segment X; segment X rectangular. Female genitalia: sutural margin of each gonocoxite 8 parallel basally, usually juxtaposed, and divergent apically.

Description. Brown to dark-brown or mottled brown and ivory; legs dark-brown or yellowish with brown, circular spots; dorsal and ventral surfaces of connexivum light brown medially. Integument strongly corrugated dorsally. Head longer than wide; mandibular plates equal to or longer than clypeus, but usually not meeting anterior to clypeus, widely triangular apically; anterior margin of each bucculae triangular, each posterior margin tapering towards base of head; ocelli from rudimentary to well-developed; antennae five-segmented; labium arising before anterior margin of eyes, attaining from hind coxae to abdominal sternite III. Anterior angles of pronotum obtuse or acutely projected; anterolateral margins smooth or with spine-like tubercles; humeral angles strongly projected laterad or anteriad, each with a single process or quadrate with two or more processes marginally; posterolateral margin each with or without a median tubercle and indentation; posterior margin straight to strongly concave; cicatrices swollen ( Figs 1–11 ). Scutellum foveate in basal angles. Costal margin of each forewing with an obtuse process basally; radial vein calloused or not apically; membranal veins coarse and reticulated; length of corium and membrane variable ( Figs 14 –15 , 56– 57 ). Peritreme of metasternal gland obsolete; mesial margin of ostiole bordered by a rounded process; evaporatorium concolorous with pleural color pattern, reaching halfway to lateral metapleural margin and to the posterior margin of mesopleura ( Figs 17 , 51 , 59 ). Posterolateral angles of abdominal sternites each projected posterolaterally, obtuse apically. Median portion of abdominal sternite III projected onto base of abdominal sternite IV.

Male genitalia. Pygophore sub-quadrate ( Figs 18 –23 , 38–43 , 60– 65 ). Dorsal rim concave with 1 + 1 trapezoidal projections laterally to segment X. Segment X rectangular ( Figs 25 , 67 ). Parameres F-shaped ( Figs 24 , 66 ), placed laterad to segment X. Inferior layer of ventral rim uniformly excavated or emarginated; superior layer of ventral rim depressed medially. Apical margin of phallotheca with a membranous thecal shield ( Figs 26 –31 , 68– 73 ; ts). Ventral and laterodorsal conjunctival processes present, ventral hatchet-like.

Female genitalia ( Figs 32 –33 , 46–47 , 52–53 , 74– 75 ). S utural margins of gonocoxites 8 each parallel basally, usually juxtaposed, and divergent apically. Gonapophyses 8 visible, usually carinated medially. Spiracle of laterotergites 8 visible, placed posterior to lateral angle of each gonocoxite 8. Gonocoxites 9 rectangular or trapezoidal. Laterotergites 9 basally depressed, rounded apically. Segment X rectangular.

Distribution. Central America: Costa Rica. South America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia ( Figs 78–82 ).

Remarks. McDonald ( 1982) related Braunus [sic Lojus ] to Berecynthus Stål, 1862 , Padaeus Stål, 1862 , and Proxys Spinola, 1837 based on the shape of metasternal gland ( MG) peritreme and projections on the anterolateral margins of pronotum. However, while the MG peritreme is obsolete in Braunus, it is fully developed, spout-shaped on Berecynthus , Padaeus and Proxys . Similarly, the anterolateral margins of the pronotum are armed with fingerlike process in Braunus and Berecynthus , whereas smooth in Padaeus and Proxys . The corrugate dorsal appearance, brachyptery, obsolete MG peritreme, and genitalia structure of Braunus is similar to Pentatomiana Grazia & Barcellos, 2004 , as noted by Grazia & Barcellos ( 2004).

Key to species of Braunus Distant, 1899

1. Lateral margin of each mandibular plate denticulate ( Fig. 50 ); humeral angles of pronotum projected anteriad, each with multiple processes ( Figs 6 , 48 ); apex of scutellum explanate ( Fig. 48 )................ B. prionotus Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov.

1 ’. Lateral margin of each mandibular plate smooth; humeral angles of pronotum projected laterad, each with 1–4 processes ( Figs 1 –5, 7– 11 ); apex of scutellum smooth..................................................................... 2

2 ( 1). Anterolateral margins of pronotum smooth, except for a weak tubercle at each anterior angle; humeral angles of pronotum each with single digitoid process at apex ( Fig. 8 )....................................... B. ateuchus (Thomas) comb. nov.

2 ’. Anterolateral margins of pronotum each with spine-like tubercles; humeral angles of pronotum each with two or more processes apically ( Figs 1 –5, 7, 9–11 )........................................................................ 3

3 ( 2 ’). Anterior angles of pronotum each with a spine-like tubercle surpassing the lateral margin of each compound eye in dorsal view ( Figs 1 –4, 7 )......................................................................................... 4

3 ’. Anterior angles of pronotum each with a spine-like tubercle not surpassing the lateral margin of each compound eye in dorsal view ( Figs 5, 9– 11 ).................................................................................... 6

4 ( 3). Head uniformly dark brown dorsally; posterolateral margins of pronotum sinuated, each with median indentation ( Figs 1–3 ); internal margin of each pronotal cicatrix with white spot.......................... B. sciocorinus (Walker) ( Figs 12–13 )

4 ’. Head uniformly castaneous dorsally; posterolateral margins of pronotum sinuated, each with tubercle and indentation medially ( Figs 4, 7 ); internal margin of each pronotal cicatrix concolorous with remainder of pronotum......................... 5

5 ( 4 ’). Outline of each mandibular plate black dorsally; anterolateral margins of pronotum each with stout tubercles; each humeral angle trilobed apically; posterior margin of pronotum slightly concave ( Fig. 4 ); abdomen dark brown ventrally with 1 + 1 yellowish bands mediolaterally.................................. B. machadoi Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. ( Figs 36–37 )

5 ’. Outline of each mandibular plate concolorous with remainder of head; anterolateral margins of pronotum each with small tubercles; each humeral angle singled lobed apically; posterior margin of pronotum straight ( Fig. 7 ); abdomen uniformly reddish-brown ventrally....................................................... B. asperus (McDonald) comb. nov.

6 ( 3 ’). Tubercles on each anterolateral margin of pronotum obtuse; humeral angles of pronotum each with two processes apically, one anteriorly and one posteriorly ( Fig. 10 )....................................... B. brettlizorum (Thomas) comb. nov.

6 ’. Tubercles on each anterolateral margin of pronotum acute; humeral angles of pronotum each with three processes apically, two anterior and one posterior ( Figs 5, 9, 11 )................................................................... 7

7 ( 6 ’). Ocelli absent; apex of each hemelytral radial vein not calloused; inferior layer of ventral rim of pygophore smooth........................................................................ B. bordoni (Brailovsky & Rolston) comb. nov.

7 ’. Ocelli present; apex of each hemelytral radial vein calloused; inferior layer of ventral rim of pygophore projected medially (except B. gibbus Garbelotto & Barão sp. nov., male unknown)................................................. 8

8 ( 7 ’). Dark brown dorsally; abdomen uniformly dark brown ventrally; anterior lobe of pronotum as long as posterior lobe of pronotum ( Fig. 11 ).................................................... B. ocellatus (Thomas) comb. nov. ( Figs 54–55 )

8 ’. Light brown to yellowish dorsally; abdomen dark brown ventrally with 1 + 1 yellowish bands mediolaterally; anterior lobe of pronotum shorter than posterior lobe of pronotum ( Fig. 5 )............ B. gibbus Garbelotto & Barão sp. nov. ( Figs 44–45 )

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 11. Schematic drawings of pronotum of Braunus Distant, 1899 in dorsal view. 1 – 3. B. sciocorinus (Walker, 1867); 4. B. machadoi Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov.; 5. B. gibbus Garbelotto & Barão sp. nov.; 6. B. prionotus Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov.; 7. B. asperus (McDonald, 1982) comb. nov.; 8. B. ateuchus (Brailovski & Rolston, 1986) comb. nov.; 9. B. bordoni (Thomas, 1997) comb. nov.; 10. B. brettlizorum (Thomas, 1997) comb. nov.; 11. B. ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 12 – 17. Braunus sciocorinus (Walker, 1867), general morphology. 12 – 13. habitus; 12. dorsal view; 13. ventral view; 14. male forewing; 15. female forewing; 16. male hindwing; 17. external scent efferent system, inset showing ostiolar area. Abreviattions: ev = evaporatorium; ms = mesopleura; mt = metapleura; o = ostiole. Scale bars: 11 – 12 = 2 mm; 13 – 16 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 54 – 59. Braunus ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov.. 54 – 55. habitus; 54. dorsal view; 55. ventral view; 56. male forewing; 57. female forewing; 58. male hindwing; 59. external scent efferent system. Abreviattions: ev = evaporatorium; ms = mesopleura; mt = metapleura; o = ostiole. Scale bars: 47 – 48 = 2 mm; 49 – 52 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 48 – 53. Braunus prionotus Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. 48 – 49. habitus; 48. dorsal view; 49. ventral view; 50. head, dorsal view; 51. external scent efferent system; 52 – 53. genital plates. Abbreviations: ev = evaporatorium; gc 8 = gonocoxites 8; gc 9 = gonocoxites 9; g 8 = gonapophyses 8; la 8 = laterotergites 8; la 9 = laterotergites 9; ms = mesopleura; mt = metapleura; o = ostiole; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 48 – 49 = 2 mm; 50 – 53 = 1 mm.

FIGURES 18 – 31. Braunus sciocorinus (Walker, 1867), male genitalia. 18 – 23, pygophore; 18 – 19. dorsal view; 20 – 21. posterior view; 22 – 23. ventral view; 24. right paramere, lateral view; 25. abdominal segment X, dorsal view; 26 – 31. phallus; 26 – 27. dorsal view; 28 – 29. lateral view; 30 – 31. ventral view. Abbreviations: dr = dorsal rim; ds = ductus seminis distalis; lcp = laterodorsal conjunctival process; pa = posterolateral angle; par = paramere; ph = phallotheca; sl = mid depression of superior layer of ventral rim; ts = thecal shield; v = vesica; vcp = ventral conjunctival process; vr = ventral rim; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 17 – 22 = 0.5; 23 – 30 = 0.25; inset of Fig. 17 = 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 36 – 43. Braunus machadoi Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. 36 – 37. habitus; 36. dorsal view; 37. ventral view; 38 – 43. pygophore; 38 – 39. dorsal view; 40 – 41. posterior view; 42 – 43. ventral view. Abbreviations: dr = dorsal rim; pa = posterolateral angle; par = paramere; sl = mid depression of superior layer of ventral rim; vr = ventral rim; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 35 – 36 = 2 mm; 37 – 42 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 60 – 73. Braunus ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov., male genitalia. 60 – 65. pygophore; 60 – 61. dorsal view; 62 – 63. posterior view; 64 – 65. ventral view; 66. right paramere, lateral view; 67. abdominal segment X, dorsal view; 68 – 73. phallus; 68 – 69. dorsal view; 70 – 71. lateral view; 72 – 73. ventral view. Abbreviations: dr = dorsal rim; ds = ductus seminis distalis; lcp = laterodorsal conjunctival process; pa = posterolateral angle; par = paramere; ph = phallotheca; sl = mid depression of superior layer of ventral rim; ts = thecal shield; v = vesica; vcp = ventral conjunctival process; vr = ventral rim; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 52 – 58 = 0.5 mm; 59 – 60 = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 32 – 35. Braunus sciocorinus (Walker, 1867), female genitalia. 32 – 33. genital plates, ventroposterior view; 34 – 35. female receptaculum seminis and ausenwand, ventral view. Abbreviations: ch = chitinellipsen; cs = capsula seminalis; gc 8 = gonocoxites 8; gc 9 = gonocoxites 9; g 8 = gonapophyses 8; g 9 = gonapophyses 9; la 8 = laterotergites 8; la 9 = laterotergites 9; lf = lateral folding of gonapophyses 9; md = median duct of vesicular area; pi = pars intermedialis; tvi = thickning of vaginal intima; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 44 – 47. Braunus gibbus Garbelotto & Barão sp. nov. 44 – 45. habitus; 44. dorsal view; 45. ventral view; 46 – 47. genital plates. Abbreviations: gc 8 = gonocoxites 8; gc 9 = gonocoxites 9; g 8 = gonapophyses 8; la 8 = laterotergites 8; la 9 = laterotergites 9; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 43 – 44 = 2 mm; 45 – 46 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 74 – 77. Braunus ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov., female genitalia. 74 – 75. genital plates, ventroposterior view; 76 – 77. female receptaculum seminis and ausenwand, ventral view. Abbreviations: cs = capsula seminalis; gc 8 = gonocoxites 8; gc 9 = gonocoxites 9; g 8 = gonapophyses 8; g 9 = gonapophyses 9; la 8 = laterotergites 8; la 9 = laterotergites 9; lf = lateral folding of gonapophyses 9; md = median duct of vesicular area; pi = pars intermedialis; rs = ring sclerites; tvi = thickning of vaginal intima; X = abdominal segment X. Scale bars: 67 – 68 = 0.5 mm; 69 – 70 = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 78 – 82. Distribution of species of Braunus Distant, 1899 and localities of some collection events. 78. map of localities; 79. a collection locality of B. sciocorinus (Walker, 1867) and B. ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov. (ECUADOR, Napo, Yanayacu Biological Station; photo by D. Forero); 80. type locality of B. machadoi Barão & Garbelotto sp. nov. (PERU, Cuzco, Wayqecha Research Center; photo by C. Weirauch); 81 – 82. a collection locality of B. ocellatus (Thomas, 2001) comb. nov. (ECUADOR, Napo, 1.3 km SW of Baeza; photos by J. Skuhrovec).