Análise cladística e novas espécies de Grammedessa Correia & Ferandes, 2016 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Abstract

The genus Grammedessa Correia & Fernandes, 2016 has twelve species and was proposed without a cladistic analysis. The main diagnostic feature for Grammedessa are the black stripes on dorsal side of the head, these stripes are also present in specimens that were not initially considered part of the genus due to the absence of the other diagnostic characteristics of the group. The objective of the present work was to analyze Grammedessa using the cladistic methodology and to test if the initially excluded species would be or not part of this genus. A total of 45 specimens were examined. The descriptions followed pre-established models for descriptions in Edessinae. The cladistic analysis was performed exclusively with morphological characters polarized through the outgroup method, the matrix was composed by thirty-six terminal taxa, twenty-for in the outgroup, twelve in the ingroup, and forty-three characters in its mostly, binary. For the phylogenetic inference, maximum parsimony method was used using heuristic search algorithms, T.N.T. software was used. At the end of the analysis without weighing, eight equally parsimonious trees were obtained (L=108, CI=49 and IR=80); Using implicit weighing (n=6) three more parsimonious trees were obtained (L=109, CI=48 IR=80), and the consensus tree was presented and discussed. The hypothesis that Grammedessa is monophyletic was tested and corroborated by two synapomorphies: the dorsal region of the head with longitudinal stripes formed by spots and punctuation, the posterior side of the proctíger presenting a raised keel; Eight new species were described for the genus; Edessa Botocudo Kirkaldy, 1909 was transferred to Grammedessa.