Melaleucoides, Schuh & C. Weirauch, 2010

Schuh, R. T. & C. Weirauch, 2010, Myrtaceae-Feeding Phylinae (Hemiptera: Miridae) From Australia: Description And Analysis Of Phylogenetic And Host Relationships For A Monophyletic Assemblage Of Three New Genera, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2010 (344), pp. 3-94 : 12

Melaleucoides genus group

DIAGNOSIS: Recognized by fleshy lyriform parempodia (fig. 5C; character 23-1) and clawlike decurved apex of the right paramere (fig. 1; 61-0); other attributes found in the group include the dark spots at the bases of the tibial spines and the female genitalia with interramal sclerites and interramal lobes (fig. 6). The group is also diagnosed by the weakly arcuate and dorsally curving primary endosomal strap of the male genitalia (fig. 1; character 30-1) and the presence of a spinelike elongate process near the gonopore on the ventral surface of the endosoma that is recurved toward the base of the endosoma (fig. 1; 37-2), although these attributes do not occur in all species.

DISCUSSION: Lyriform parempodia occur in all species in the Melaleucoides genus group, whereas other Phylini in Australia and elsewhere possess setiform parempodia. Most species in the group possess the clawlike apex of the right paramere, but based on our observations and cladistic analyses, this character is secondarily modified in several species within the group.

KEY TO MELALEUCOIDES GENUS GROUP GENERA

1. Right paramere greatly elongate, reaching across entire width of pygophore in repose (fig. 5F), with apex in the shape of a claw; left

–

2.

– paramere not greatly elongate in dorsoventral perspective, covering about half of height of pygophore in lateral view (fig. 5D), with posterior process very long and curving ventrally (figs. 1–3); endosoma always with 2 appendages in region of secondary gonopore.................. Harpagophylus Right paramere short, broadly lanceolate, not traversing entire width of pygophore in repose (figs. 8F, 9, 12F, 17F, 19); posterior process of left paramere relatively short, never strongly curving toward venter... 2 Left paramere elongate in dorsoventral perspective, flattened, spoon shaped, and erect (figs. 12D, E, 13, 17E, 19, 23, 24E); apex of left paramere sometimes elongate........................... Melaleucoides Left paramere more quadrate, not erect and spoon shaped as above, always with apex elongate (figs. 7, 8E, F, 9), reaching across pygophore in repose (fig. 8F)............................ Thryptomenomiris