Diploptera punctata (Eschscholtz, 1822)

Wang, Zong-Qing, 2017, Preliminary molecular phylogeny of beetle cockroaches (Diploptera) and notes on male and female genitalia (Blattodea: Blaberidae: Diplopterinae), Zootaxa 4320 (3), pp. 523-534 : 529-530

Diploptera punctata and D. minor

Diploptera punctata is said to be a widespread species, but it is doubtful whether all recorded specimens are genuine D. punctata . As an example, D. cf. punctata in the present study has large genetic divergence from determined D. punctata , and the differences in female genitalia are observable (see above). Re-examinations of the specimens recorded as D. punctata are needed. Although cross experiments are recommended, male genitalia morphology and molecular phylogeny should be more economical. To date, based on Lenkic et al. (2008) and the present study, only those from Hawaii and continental Asia can be reliably identified as D. punctata . Diploptera minor is very similar to D. punctata . It differs from the latter only by the tawny legs and the anterior arch of female genitalia (see above). We are not sure that these differences can discriminate between species; the phylogeny also provides us with two interpretations: 1) these two nominal species are separate groups in nature, or 2) D. minor represents a certain founder population of D. punctata , e.g. Luzon in the present study.

Updates to species distribution. According to Leonardo Fea’s travel map (Maria Tavano, personal communication) and his travel notes ( Fea 1896), the localities of D. punctata are revised ( Fig. 6 ). This mainly concerns ‘Catcin Cauri’, an area lying on the China-Burmese border to the east of Bhamo , Burma . In the present day, most of this area may correspond to Longchuan, Yunnan, China. A D. elliptica specimen from the same locality, collected by Fea, deposited in MHNG, was rediscovered (Dr. Peter J. Schwendinger, personal communication). Distributional data of other species are also updated based on our new materials ( Fig. 6 ).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Distribution of Diploptera in China and Southeast Asia, modified from Li & Wang (2015). Imprecise localities removed. Circle, D. punctata; other species indicated by first two letters of epithet written in normal fonts: el, elliptica; er, erythrocephala; ma, maculata; mi, minor; na, naevus; gu, nigrescens guani; ni, nigrescens nigrescens; pa, parva; pu, punctata; pu?, cf. punctata. Diamond, sympatry of two species written in Italics. Framed, type locality. Red, included in molecular phylogeny.