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ViewAttendees 2

10-Minute Paper

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

SysEB: Evolution and Phylogenetics 3

Assassins (re)classified: Combining phylogenomic and morphological data for a taxon- and data-rich phylogenetic hypothesis of Reduviidae (Hemiptera)

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
8:36 AM - 8:48 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor 10
In-Person
Assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) comprise one of the largest radiations of predatory animals (22 subfamilies; >6,800 spp.), but also include the medically important kissing bugs (Triatominae Jeannel). Reduviidae are morphologically diverse, engage in an astounding array of predatory strategies, and have evolved some of the most unique anti-predator and stealth techniques in the animal kingdom. While significant progress has been made to reveal the evolutionary history of assassin bugs and revise their taxonomy, the non-monophyly of the second largest assassin bug subfamily, Reduviinae Latreille, remains to be addressed. Leveraging phylogenomic data (2,286 loci) and 112 morphological characters, we performed the first data- and taxon-rich (195 reduvioid taxa) combined phylogenetic analysis across Reduvioidea and reconstruct morphological diagnostic features for major lineages. We corroborated the rampant polyphyly of Reduviinae that demands substantial revisions to the subfamilial and tribal classification of assassin bugs. Our new classification for Reduviidae reduces the number of subfamilies to 19 while describing four new subfamilies, treating seven as junior synonyms, and revising the concept of others.