Sehiridae stat. nov., the Highly-Supported Monophylum Within the ‘Cydnoid’ Complex of Pentatomoid Families (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea)

Previous molecular and morphological analyses have suggested that the family Parastrachiidae and the subfamily Sehirinae of the family Cydnidae may be more closely related than previously thought. However, no conclusive study has yet been conducted to support their recognition as a monophyletic group within the superfamily Pentatomoidea. Our analyses identified a strongly supported clade comprising species of the subfamily Sehirinae and the family Parastrachiidae. Based on the results of the present study, together with previous research on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, secondary and tertiary structures of 18S rRNA, and morphological characters, the subfamily Sehirinae is elevated to family status (Sehiridae stat. nov.), with two subfamilies (Sehirinae and Parastrachiinae). Furthermore, the subfamily Sehirinae is divided into two well-defined monophyletic tribes, Sehirini and Ochetostethini, and the subfamily Parastrachiinae is divided into Parastrachiini and Dismegistini trib. nov.