A GENERIC REVISION OF THE SUBFAMILY ASOPINAE, WITH CONSIDERATION OF ITS PHYLOGENETIC POSITION IN THE FAMILY PENTATOMIDAE AND SUPERFAMILY PENTATOMOIDEA (HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA)

The phylogenetic relationships within the superfamily Pentatomoidea, the family Pentatomidae, the subfamily Asopinae were studied and inferred from comprehensive character analyses at the various taxonomic levels. The proposed phylogenies for these levels are represented by five cladograms, together with a discussion of each character investigated. The Pentatomoidea, Pentatomidae, and Asopinae are shown to be holophyletic groups at their respective hierarchical levels. The families Urostylidae and Thaumastellidae are shown to be the most primitive and the family Pentatomidae the most advanced within the superfamily Pentatomoidea.;The proposed phylogeny of the family Pentatomidae deviates from currently established schemes of classification and suggests an alternative scheme based mainly on genitalic characters. The proposed phylogeny of the Asopinae shows five distinct tribes. The tribe Asopini is interpreted as a paraphyletic group which gave rise to the other tribes in four separate phyletic lines. The phylogenetic relationships of the genera are discussed under each tribe. An alternative classification of the Asopinae is proposed.;The zoogeography of the genera of Asopinae is discussed briefly, with suggestions on their possible routes of dispersal.;The tribes Asopini Amyot and Serville and Discocerini Schouteden are redelimited. Three new tribes are proposed. A new genus is described. Five subgenera are raised or restored to generic status. Six genera are redelimited. Synonymic changes are made at the generic, tribal, and subfamilial levels. New binominal combinations are established for 53 species of Asopinae.;The probable sister-group of the Asopinae is found within the Pentatominae. The Podopinae does not appear to be closely related to the Asopinae and is shown to be polyphyletic.