Sivis, Vršanský, 2009

Vršanský, Peter, 2009, Albian cockroaches (Insecta, Blattida) from French amber of Archingeay, Geodiversitas 31 (1), pp. 73-98 : 86

Genus Sivis n. gen.

TYPE SPECIES. — Sivis odpo n. sp., by monotypy.

ETYMOLOGY. — After si vĪs (Latin for “if you like it”).

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. — The present taxon may be categorized within the Mesoblattinidae based on modern morphology of head with globular eyes and clypeus, with strong antenna bearing a row of short sensilla chaetica, by the derived form of pronotum and long marginal chaeta on head, nota and abdomen.

The present genus may be differentiated from Praeblattella Vršanský, 2003 based on the characteristic pronotum coloration, which is sophisticated in Praeblattella .

Mesoblattina , Archimesoblatta Vršanský, 2003 and Hispanoblatta Martínez-Delclós, 1993 differ by having a simpler form of pronotum (plesiomorphy).

The derived form of pronotum is synapomorphic with the Praeblattella , autapomorphic in sophisticated pronotal coloration. The pronotum of Hispanoblatta , Mesoblattina and Archimesoblatta Vršanský, 2003 is plesiomorphic. Brachymesoblatta Vršanský, 2003 belongs to the Liberiblattinae. Thus, Sivis n. gen. may be the sister genus of Praeblattella .

DESCRIPTION

Head, notum and abdomen with distinct very long marginal sensilla chaetica. Head large, with dark globular eyes protruding beyond the head outline. Antenna very wide, with long scape, shorter pedicel and very long third antennal segment. Mandible very large, with numerous small sharp teeth. Maxillary palp with cup-like apical segment. Pronotum almost quadrate in outline, body not wide.

REMARKS

Distinct cup-like apical segment of maxillary palp is a phylogenetic novelty, absent in Mesozoic families. The terminal segment may be cup-like in the pollinating Skokidae , but not as distinct as here.