Afrius Stål, 1870

Roell, Talita, Lemaître, Valérie A. & Webb, Michael D., 2019, Revision of the African shieldbug genus Afrius Stål, 1870 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 520, pp. 1-44 : 13-15

Afrius Stål, 1870

Cimex (Afrius) Stål, 1870: 44 . Type species by subsequent designation ( Schouteden 1907a: 51): Asopus figuratus Germar, 1838 (= Afrius purpureus ( Westwood, 1837)) .

Afrius – Lethierry & Severin 1893: 214 . — Schouteden 1907a: 50–52; 1909: 64; 1972: 106. — Kirkaldy 1909: 10. — Cachan 1952: 305. — Villiers 1952b: 81. — Mamet 1957: 34. — Gillon 1972: 351 – 352. — Thomas 1994: 150 –152. — Maldès & Pluot-Sigwalt 2004: 20. — Rider 2006: 234. — Robertson 2009: 20 –23.

Diagnosis

Lateral pronotal margins sinuous and crenulated on anterior half; frenal margin of scutellum longer than postfrenal part; abdominal basal tubercle short, not extending beyond metacoxae; profemur with a preapical spine; protibia very slightly expanded; male abdomen with or without ventral setose patches on segments V and VI; posterior angles of seventh abdominal segment obtuse ( Fig. 8C , paVII); metapleural evaporatorium thinly surrounding peritreme.

Redescription

BODY LENGTH. 8.70–13.22 mm (♀♀) and 9.00–11.00 (³³).

BODY. Oval or pentagonal, with variable colour patterns.

HEAD. Uniformly punctured, mandibular plates varying from equal to a little shorter or little longer than clypeus, with margins straight to slightly sinuous; ocelli placed close to an imaginary line connecting posterior margin of eyes; antenna with five antennomeres bearing thin setae, denser on fourth and fifth antennomeres; antennal tubercles partially visible from above, acute apically; bucculae rounded; labium robust, extending to posterior margin of metasternum.

THORAX. Pronotum hexagonal, uniformly punctured except on cicatrices; anterior margin concave; lateral margins sinuous, crenulated on anterior half; posterior angles with a prominent small spine; a thin central line without punctures forms a weak longitudinal medial carina that extends from anterior to posterior margin. Scutellum reaching an imaginary line connecting middle of each connexival segment V; a thin central line without punctures also forms a weak longitudinal medial carina, connected with a similar line on pronotum from anterior to posterior margins; frenal margins longer than postfrenal margins. Corium longer than scutellum, uniformly punctured, membrane surpassing apex of abdomen. Pro-, meso- and metasterna covered by small thin setae; prosternum lighter, with a weak median carina; mesosternum black between pro- and mesocoxae, slightly punctured, with central parallel horizontal stripes, and with a median light wide, rectangular and elevated carina, wider anteriorly; metasternum flat or slightly elevated. Metapleural evaporatorium narrowly surrounding peritreme, narrowly extending on posterior meso- and anterior metapleural margins, also extending to anterior angle of mesopleura. Peritreme disc: ostiolar opening laterally directed. Profemur with anteapical spine, protibia slightly expanded, meso- and metatibiae prismatic.

ABDOMEN. Sparsely punctured, punctures less dense on disc, short basal tubercle anteriorly directed. Trichobothria aligned to an imaginary line connecting middle of spiracles. Posterolateral angles of abdominal sternites rounded.

Male

ABDOMEN. With or without ventral setose patches on segments V and VI.

GENITALIA. Pygophore bowl-shaped, with setae on entire surface, denser between ventral border and inferior layer of ventral border, and on apex of posterolateral angles ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 A–F); dorsal border concave, weakly medially elevated ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 A, D , db); ventral border slightly concave ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , B, E, vb), medially emarginated in posterior view ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , C, F, vb), inferior layer slightly excavated ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , B–C, E–F, il). Posterolateral angles rounded, setose on apex ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , A–F, pa). Segment X tubular, ventrally directed, dorsally sclerotized, medially carinated, setose, setae denser on apex ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , A, C–D, F, X). Genital plates between lateral walls of capsule and parameres ( Figs 3 , 6 , 10 , A, C–D, F, I, gp). Phallus. Phallotheca divided in a globose basal theca and a cup-like thecal shield ( Figs 3 J–Q, 6 J–R, 10 J–R, ph, bt, ts). Ejaculatory reservoir contained inside basal theca ( Figs 3 J–N, 6 J–O, 10 J–O, er). Basal foramen circular, reinforced by basal plates ( Figs 3 L, N , 6 L, O , 10 L, O , bf, bp). Vesica partially inserted in phallotheca, golf club-shaped in lateral view, bearing two elongated filaments and a central elevated portion with microsculptures ( Figs 3 J–Q, 6 J–R, 10 J–R, v); ductus seminis running between filaments of vesica, ending on a secondary gonopore, dorsally directed ( Figs 3 J–Q, 6J–R, 10J–R, ds, sg). Conjunctival lobes paired, posteriorly directed, globose, with apices endowed with a set of small sculptured processes ( Figs 3 J–P, 6J–P, 10J–Q, cl, sp).

Female

GENITALIA. Gonocoxites VIII subtriangular, posterior margins sinuous, sutural margins straight, juxtaposed, setae on posterior and sutural margins ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , A–B, gcVIII). Laterotergites VIII triangular, longer than wide, with spiracles on basal angle ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , A–B, laVIII). Exposed portion of gonocoxites IX rectangular, wider than long, slightly covering proximal lateral margins of laterotergites IX ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , A–B, gcIX). Exposed portion of laterotergites IX digitiform, setose on apex, not attaining band uniting laterotergites VIII, separated from each other by gonocoxites IX and segment X ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , A–B, laIX). Segment X trapezoidal ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , A–B, X). Inner portion of gonocoxites IX projected in 1+1 straight elongated arms, variable in extension, and with apices rounded or acute ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , C–D, gcIX). Gonapophyses IX with 1+1 variable secondary thickenings ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , C–D, gpIX). Ring sclerites absent. Thickening of vaginal intima elongated ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , C–D, vi). Pars intermedialis small ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , C–D, pi), narrower than median duct of vesicular area. Capsula seminalis oval, longer and wider than pars intermedialis ( Figs 4 , 7 , 11 , C–D, cs).

Distribution

Throughout Africa and adjacent islands ( Fig. 1 ).

Remarks

Afrius was created as a subgenus of Cimex Linnaeus, 1758 by Stål (1870), but not within the present understanding of Cimex , since Cimex currently corresponds to a genus of Cimicidae . At the time of the description, three species of Afrius were recognized, viz. Cimex (Afrius) figuratus ( Germar, 1838) , C. (Afrius) purpureus ( Westwood, 1837) and C. (Afrius) flavirostris Stål, 1864 , while two others ( Canthecona marmorata Dallas, 1851 and C. annulipes Dallas, 1851 ) were mentioned as species incertae sedis. Lethierry & Severin (1893) included all the above five species in Afrius . Schouteden (1907a) divided the genus into two subgenera ( Afrius s. str. and Subafrius Schouteden, 1907a ), separating them by the size of the scutellum and by the presence of abdominal silky patches in the male of the subgenus Afrius . Afrius can be differentiated from most African genera of Asopinae by the following combined characteristics: lateral pronotal margins crenulated on anterior half, presence of a well-developed spine on profemora, and abdominal basal tubercle short, not extending beyond metacoxae. The genus shares these features only with Canthecona Amyot & Serville, 1843 , Glypsus Dallas, 1851 and Picromerus Amyot & Serville, 1843 ; however, the posterior abdominal segment of Canthecona is acuminate, not obtuse as in Afrius ; the abdominal tubercle is bifid in Glypsus , not single as in Afrius ; and the metapleural evaporatorium is more developed in Picromerus in comparison with Afrius .

We maintain the division of Afrius in two subgenera based on the presence or absence of abdominal glandular patches ( Schouteden 1907 a; Thomas 1994) and morphological differences of the male genitalia, described below. We do not consider, however, these subgenera as two distinct genera because the presence or absence of abdominal glandular patches can be interspecifically variable in other genera of Asopinae , as in Macrorhaphis Dallas, 1851 ( Thomas 1994) . Besides, the species of Afrius present many similarities of general morphology, of female genitalia, and of the pygophore, mainly the genital plates. Perhaps a phylogenetic study may better elucidate the classification of Afrius in future.

Key to the species of Afrius Stål, 1870

1. Scutellum wider than long, humeral pronotal angles laterally well projected to acute angle ( Fig. 2B, D, F, H, J ). Male abdomen without setose patches on segments V and VI ( Fig. 2C, L ), parameres with two evident rami ( Fig. 3 G–H) ........................... A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum ( Signoret, 1861)

– Scutellum longer than wide ( Figs 5B, D , 8B, D, F, H, J, L, N, P ), humeral pronotal angles slightly projected to acute ( Figs 5B , 9B ), rounded ( Fig. 9A, C ) or triangular angle ( Fig. 9D ). Male abdomen with setose patches on segments V and VI ( Fig. 8C ), parameres without two evident rami, triangular ( Figs 6 G–H, 10G–H) ....................................................................................................................... 2

2. Postfrenal lobe of scutellum enlarged, constriction line (sc) broader than adjacent region (ac) of corium until radial vein ( Fig. 8H ). Humeral angles slightly emarginated ( Fig. 9 ) ............................................................................. A. (Afrius) purpureus ( Westwood, 1837)

– Postfrenal lobe narrow, constriction line (sc) equal or shorter than adjacent region (ac) of corium until radial vein ( Fig. 5D ). Humeral angles not emarginated ( Fig. 5B, D ) ......................................... .................................................................................................. A. (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911

Figures

Fig. 8. Afrius (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837), type specimens. A–C. Canthecona caerulea Dallas, 1851, syntype ³, labels, dorsal and ventral habitus, respectively (NHMUK). D. Canthecona miniatescens Stål,1854, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal view (image courtesy of Gunvi Lindberg, NHRS). E–F. Pentatoma purpurea Westwood, 1837, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (OUMNH). G–H. Asopus figuratus Germar, 1838, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (MFNB). I–J. Canthecona marginella Dallas, 1851, syntype ³, labels and dorsal habitus (NHMUK). K–L. Canthecona marmorata Dallas, 1851, syntype ³, labels and dorsal habitus (NHMUK). M–N. Canthecona annulipes Dallas, 1851, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (NHMUK). O–P. Afrius rubromarginatus Bergroth, 1903, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (OUMNH). Abbreviations: ac = corium adjacent to the scutellum constriction; paVII = posterior angles of seventh abdominal segment; sc = scutellum constriction. Scale bars: 4 mm.

Fig. 3. Afrius (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861), male genitalia. A–F. Pygophore in dorsal (A, D), ventral (B, E) and posterior (C, F) views. G–H. Right paramere in lateral views, internal and external respectively. I. Right genital plate, dorso-posterior view. J–L. Phallus in anterior, posterior and lateral views, respectively. M. Detail of the vesica in lateral view, also represented in N. N. Drawing of the phallus. O–Q. Phallus in dorsal view. Abbreviations: bf = basal foramen; bp = basal plates; bt = basal theca; cl = conjunctival lobes; db = dorsal border; ds = ductus seminis; er = ejaculatory reservoir; gp = genital plates; il = inferior layer; m = microsculptures; pa = posterolateral angles; par = parameres; ph = phallotheca; sg = secondary gonophore; sp = conjunctival process; ts = thecal shield; v = vesica; vb = ventral border; X = segment X. Scale bars: F = 0.5 mm; G–Q = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 6. Afrius (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911, male genitalia. A–F. Pygophore in dorsal (A, D), ventral (B, E) and posterior (C, F) views. G–H. Right paramere in lateral views, internal and external respectively. I. Right genital plate, dorso-posterior view. J–L. Phallus in anterior, posterior and lateral views, respectively. M. Detail of the vesica in lateral view, also represented in O. N. Phallus in dorsolateral view. O. Drawing of the phallus. P–R. Phallus in dorsal view. Abbreviations: bf = basal foramen; bp = basal plates; bt = basal theca; cl = conjunctival lobes; db = dorsal border; ds = ductus seminis; er = ejaculatory reservoir; gp = genital plates; il = inferior layer; m = microsculptures; pa = posterolateral angles; par = parameres; ph = phallotheca; sg = secondary gonophore; sp = conjunctival process; ts = thecal shield; v = vesica; vb = ventral border; X = segment X. Scale bars: D–F, L, P = 0.5 mm; G–K, N, Q = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 10. Afrius (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837), male genitalia. A–F. Pygophore in dorsal (A, D), ventral (B, E) and posterior (C, F) views. G–H. Right paramere in lateral views, internal and external respectively. I. Right genital plate, dorso-posterior view. J–L. Phallus in anterior, posterior and lateral views, respectively. M. Detail of the vesica in lateral view, also represented in O. N. Phallus in lateral view. O. Drawing of the phallus. P–R. Phallus in dorsal view. Abbreviations: bf = basal foramen; bp = basal plates; bt = basal theca; cl = conjunctival lobes; db = dorsal border; ds = ductus seminis; er = ejaculatory reservoir; gp = genital plates; il = inferior layer; m = microsculptures; pa = posterolateral angles; par = parameres; ph = phallotheca; sg = secondary gonophore; sp = conjunctival process; ts = thecal shield; v = vesica; vb = ventral border; X = segment X. Scale bars: A–C = 0.5 mm; G–K, N, P–Q = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 4. Afrius (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861), female genitalia. A–B. Genital plates, ventroposterior view. C–D. Inner genitalia, ventral view. Abbreviations: cs = capsula seminalis; gcVIII = gonocoxites VIII; gcIX = gonocoxites IX; gpIX = gonapophyses IX; id = inner duct; laVIII = laterotergites VIII; laIX = laterotergites IX; md = median duct of vesicular area; od = outer duct of vesicular area; pi = pars intermedialis; tgIX = secondary thickening of gonapophyses IX; vi = thickening of vaginal intima; X = segment X. Scale bars: A–B = 1 mm; C–D = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 7. Afrius (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911, female genitalia. A–B. Genital plates, ventroposterior view. C–D. Inner genitalia, ventral view. Abbreviations: cs = capsula seminalis; gcVIII = gonocoxites VIII; gcIX = gonocoxites IX; gpIX = gonapophyses IX; laVIII = laterotergites VIII; id = inner duct; laIX = laterotergites IX; md = median duct of vesicular area; od = outer duct of vesicular area; pi = pars intermedialis; tgIX = secondary thickening of gonapophyses IX; vi = thickening of vaginal intima; X = segment X. Scale bars: A–B = 1 mm; C–D = 0.5 mm.

Fig.11.Afrius(Afrius)purpureus(Westwood, 1837),femalegenitalia.A–B.Genitalplates,ventroposterior view. C–D. Inner genitalia, ventral view. Abbreviations: cs = capsula seminalis; gcVIII = gonocoxites VIII; gcIX = gonocoxites IX; gpIX = gonapophyses IX; id = inner duct; laVIII = laterotergites VIII; laIX = laterotergites IX; md = median duct of vesicular area; od = outer duct of vesicular area; pi = pars intermedialis; tgIX = secondary thickening of gonapophyses IX; vi = thickening of vaginal intima; X = segment X. Scale bars: A–B = 1 mm; C–D = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 1. Geographic distribution of the genus Afrius Stål, 1870 throughout Africa. The species points of occurrence and their dispersion in different countries are represented with colours: purple = A. (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861); red = A. (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911; green = A. (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837). The countries highlighted for each species on the right part of the map are based on data from literature. The points marked for each species are from literature and labels information.

Fig. 2. Afrius (Subafrius) flavirostrum (Signoret, 1861), type specimens. A–C. Picromerus flavirostrum Signoret, 1861, syntype ³, labels, dorsal and ventral habitus, respectively (images courtesy of Herbert Zettel and Harald Bruckner, NHMW). D. Picromerus flavirostrum, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (image courtesy of Gunvi Lindberg, NHRS). E–F. Picromerus flavirostrum, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (images courtesy of Herbert Zettel and Harald Bruckner, NHMW). G–H. Cantheconidea migratoria Distant, 1913, syntype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (NHMUK). I–J. Afrius williamsi Miller, 1951, holotype ³, labels and dorsal habitus (NHMUK). K–L. Afrius williamsi, paratype ♀, labels and ventral habitus (NHMUK). Scale bars: 4 mm.

Fig. 5. Afrius (Afrius) kolleri Schouteden, 1911, types. A–B. Lectotype ³, labels and dorsal habitus (RMCA). C–D. Paralectotype ♀, labels and dorsal habitus (RMCA). Abbreviations: ac = corium adjacent to the scutellum constriction; sc = scutellum constriction. Scale bars: 4 mm.

Fig. 9. Afrius (Afrius) purpureus (Westwood, 1837), variation of the pronotum shape. Scale bars: 2 mm.