On the Structure of the Aedeagus in Shield Bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae): 1. Subfamilies Discocephalinae and Phyllocephalinae

摘要

The paper starts a series of publications on the structure of the aedeagus Pentatomidae and its possible taxonomic significance. The structure of the aedeagus in the entire family is discussed in brief. The structure of the aedeagus in 14 species of Discocephalinae and 13 species of Phyllocephalinae is described. The Discocephalinae strongly differ from other subfamilies in the absence of differentiation in the vesica and conjunctiva and in their strong sclerotization. In Discocephalinae, the structure of the aedeagus is a valuable taxonomic character at the generic and suprageneric levels. In Phyllocephalinae, by contrast, all the species possess the common basic plan of the structure of the aedeagus. It can be treated as an autapomorphy of the group, but makes the use of this character insufficient for the phylogenetic reconstruction of the subfamily.