Growth-inhibitory effects of the chemopreventive agent indole-3-carbinol are increased in combination with the polyamine putrescine in the SW480 colon tumour cell line

BACKGROUND: Many tumours undergo disregulation of polyamine homeostasis and upregulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, which can promote carcinogenesis. In animal models of colon carcinogenesis, inhibition of ODC activity by difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been shown to reduce the number and size of colon adenomas and carcinomas. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) has shown promising chemopreventive activity against a range of human tumour cell types, but little is known about the effect of this agent on colon cell lines. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of ODC by I3C could contribute to a chemopreventive effect in colon cell lines. METHODS: Cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was determined by liberation of CO(2 )from (14)C-labelled substrate, and polyamine levels were measured by HPLC. RESULTS: I3C inhibited proliferation of the human colon tumour cell lines HT29 and SW480, and of the normal tissue-derived HCEC line, and at higher concentrations induced apoptosis in SW480 cells. The agent also caused a decrease in ODC activity in a dose-dependent manner. While administration of exogenous putrescine reversed the growth-inhibitory effect of DFMO, it did not reverse the growth-inhibition following an I3C treatment, and in the case of the SW480 cell line, the effect was actually enhanced. In this cell line, combination treatment caused a slight increase in the proportion of cells in the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle, and increased the proportion of cells undergoing necrosis, but did not predispose cells to apoptosis. Indole-3-carbinol also caused an increase in intracellular spermine levels, which was not modulated by putrescine co-administration. CONCLUSION: While indole-3-carbinol decreased ornithine decarboxylase activity in the colon cell lines, it appears unlikely that this constitutes a major mechanism by which the agent exerts its antiproliferative effect, although accumulation of spermine may cause cytotoxicity and contribute to cell death. The precise mechanism by which putrescine enhances the growth inhibitory effect of the agent remains to be elucidated, but does result in cells undergoing necrosis, possibly following accumulation in the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

A Many-analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

The taxonomic revision of the genus thaumastocoris and the biology and chemical control of the eucalypt pest thaumastocoris peregrinus (heteroptera : thaumastocoridae)

The dramatic infestation of Sydney’s eucalypts by Thaumastocorisperegrinus in 2001 and its subsequent invasion of South African and South American eucalypt plantations highlighted the paucity of, and the need for, taxonomic and biological information on this enigmatic group of land bugs. This species had been repeatedly misidentified as T. australicus which narrowed attention of the species taxonomy of the type genus Thaumastocoris. As a consequence my thesis provides the first modern systematic revision of this genus. This includes the redescription of the five previously described species of Thaumastocoris and the description of an additional nine new species. A diagnostic key to all these species is provided, supported with illustration of the key character systems and maps depicting their distributional range. Their host plants as we know them are tabulated and these associations are discussed. Laboratory studies were undertaken to elucidate life history parameters such as instar duration, adult longevity and reproductive potential of the two most pestiferous species, T. peregrinus and T. safordi n. sp. At 17-22 °C the eggs of both species hatched in approximately six days. The duration of stadia was similar in both species, with T. peregrinus taking 4.6, 3.5, 3.3, 3.7 and 5.3 days, whereas T. safordi took 4.7, 3.4, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.2 days. Adult males and females of both species can live for approximately 40 days and females can produce at least 60 eggs during that lifetime. xv The abundance and distribution of T. peregrinus on three specimens of Eucalyptus nicholii trees were examined and explained in terms of vertical stratification and aspect. This species prefers vegetation on the middle to upper canopy and on the northern aspect of these trees, with ovipositional preference for the midvein of leaves. The chemical control of T. peregrinus was also investigated. Mature E. scoparia street trees growing in a southern Sydney suburb were micro-injected with the insecticide imidacloprid at three concentrations and monitored for three years. The abundance of T. peregrinus on treated eucalypts declined significantly compared to untreated trees over this time. It was found that at the lowest concentration of this insecticide T. peregrinus was effectively controlled for two years. The thesis concludes with a combined summary and discussion of my findings, and an outline for future research outlining the difficulties to be overcome when working with these insects

Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy 1908

<i>Thaumastocoris</i> Kirkaldy, 1908 <p> <i>Thaumastotherium</i> Kirkaldy, 1908: 768; Type species: <i>Thaumastotherium australicum</i> Kirkaldy, 1908, by monotypy. <i>Thaumastocoris</i> Kirkaldy 1908: 768 [corrigenda] justified emendation of <i>Thaumastotherium</i> Kirkaldy, 1908; Type species: <i>Thaumastocoris australicus</i> Kirkaldy, 1908, by monotypy; Drake and Slater 1957: 365 (description); Cassis and Gross 1995: 393 (catalogue).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris</i> is recognized by the following character states: body strongly dorsoventrally compressed and elongate (Figure 3–9); small, with most species between 2–3.5 mm in length (Table 2); dorsum moderately polished, with shallow to deep setose punctures (Figure 3–9; 15A,D; 10D); head broad; eyes pedicellate; elongate conspicuous mandibular plates (Figure 10 A; 11A; 15A; 16A); pronotum weakly to strongly constricted medially (Figure 15 D; 14D; 17D); femora incrassate (Figure 11 A,B; 13B; 15B); tibial teeth conspicuous (Figure 13 F; 17F); and fossula spongiosa elongate (Figure 12 F; 13F).</p> <p> <b>Redescription. Colouration.</b> Dorsum variable, but typically yellowish brown with contrasting brown to fuscous markings (Figure 3–9). <i>Head</i>: mostly cream to light brown with vertex and mandibular plates often darker; lateral aspects of mandibular plates and genae frequently with brown to fuscous stripe. <i>Antennae</i>: straw to yellowish brown often with brown to fuscous regions on subapical AII–AIV. <i>Labium</i>: straw to brown, apex LIV darker. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly yellowish brown, midline of callosite region sometimes darker; pronotal disc cream to yellowish brown. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: typically yellowish brown to dark brown, pleura often darker dorsally; prosternum cream to fuscous. <i>Scutellum</i>: yellowish brown to dark brown, posterior half of midline lighter. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish brown, clavus lighter; membrane cream to light yellowish brown often apically infused with dark brown to fuscous. <i>Legs</i>: straw-coloured, with distal margin of second tarsomere brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: light to dark brown. <b>Texture.</b> Dorsum moderately polished, with scattered shallow to deep setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex mostly impunctate, with transverse puncticulate rows often visible, epicranial suture with shallow to moderately deep irregular punctures; areas of vertex adjacent to eyes, medial to ocelli impunctate; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, often denser posteriorly (Figure 15 A; 16A; 10A; 12A; 14A). <i>Pronotum</i>: callosite region sparsely punctate, punctures shallow, often denser along midline and anterolateral angles; pronotal disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, posterolateral angles impunctate (Figure 10 D; 14D; 15D; 16E). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: pleura variously punctated with fine to deep punctures (Figure 11 E; 13D; 15E); sterna mostly with sparse, irregular, shallow punctures; mesosternum often polished. <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform distribution of deep punctures (Figure 11 F; 14F; 15F). <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate, moderately to highly polished. <b>Vestiture.</b> Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae short erect straw-coloured. Lateral and ventral aspects of body irregularly to uniformly clothed with erect to decumbent setae (Figure 11 E; 13E; 14E), often more densely distributed on ventral aspect of mandibular plates, adjacent to bucculae and gula (Figure 11 B; 14B). Antennae with uniform distribution of decumbent setae intermixed with fine erect setae; AIII–AIV often with dorsal and ventral margins bare (Figure 10 C; 11C; 12C; 15C). Femora with short decumbent setae (Figure 15 B); tibia with longer denser setae distally. <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: transverse weakly declivent; mandibular plates elongate and broad, surpassing clypeus by clypeal length or more, briefly to completely contiguous along medial margin (Figure 3–9; 14A; 16A,B; 11A), weakly to strongly flared anteriorly, weakly to strongly excavate dorsally (Figure 15 A; 12A; 11A), lateral margins rounded to strongly recurved; genae sometimes swollen and truncate anteriorly; vertex weakly swollen, epicranial suture obvious; bucculae, weakly to strongly arcuate (Figure 16 B; 15B), posterior margin sometimes strongly explanate so as to be reinform (Figure 13 B; 14B); gula flat to distinctly excavate. <i>Eyes</i>: weakly to strongly pedicellate (Figure 5 A; 7C,D; 4C,D). <i>Antennae</i>: AI short, cylindrical; AII approximately double length of AI, cylindrical to dorsoventrally compressed, often weakly expanded distally, sometimes with ‘antennal pit’ visible on subanterolateral margin (Figure 16 D); AIII approximately same length as AII, cylindrical to dorsoventrally compressed, sometimes weakly expanded distally; AIV slightly shorter than AII and AII, dorsoventrally compressed and weakly lanceolate (Figure 10 C; 15C). <i>Labium</i>: short, not surpassing anterior margin of prosternum to long, reaching subposterior margin of prosternum. <i>Pronotum</i>: weakly to strongly constricted medially; callosite region subequal to shorter than disc, disc often broader; callosite region often depressed along midline; calli weakly swollen; anterolateral angles rounded to distinctly tuberiferous (Figure 15 D; 16E); lateral margin of disc weakly arcuate; disc sometimes slightly raised. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: propleuron sometimes moderately to strongly ventrally expanded, approaching midline of body (Figure 10 B; 15B), posteroventral angle rounded, weakly swollen, to distinctly tuberiferous (Figure 10 B,E); metapleuron sometimes weakly swollen posteroventrally; prosternum flat (Figure 10B), swollen (Figure 12 B), or excavate anteriorly, sometimes bipartite and posteriorly reduced subcardiform (Figure 15 B), often with posterior lateral margins rounded, flared or truncate. <i>Hemelytra</i>: typically submacropterous (Figure 3–4; 6–9), extending to submarginal TIX or basal half of pygophore, sometimes macropterous (Figure 5 A); medial margin of corium typically convex medially becoming weakly excavate distally, apex of corium at membrane usually narrowed, medial margin typically less than 45° to costal margin. <i>Legs</i>: fore and mesofemora moderately to strongly incrassate (Figure 11 B; 15B); tibia slightly swollen subapically, fossula spongiosa elongate, reaching distal half or third of second tarsomere (Figure 13 F; 12F); tibial teeth on inner apical margin, conspicuous and variable in number (Figure 13 F; 17F). <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophore ovoid sometimes ellipsoid (Figure 19 F); pygophoral lock elongated and variously modified apically, typically narrowing to point (Figure 19 B,C) or concave (Figure 19 E,F) or rounded (Figure 18 A) or oblique angle (Figure 19 A), often weakly trapezoid with angles flared and pointed (Figure 18 C) or flared with rounded angles (Figure 18 G,H), others subrectangular and recurved (Figure 18 B) or with a medial notch (Figure 18 D); paramere heavily sclerotized, usually subquadrate (Figure 19 A,B,C) to subquadrangular (Figure 18 B) or ovoid (Figure 18 A; 19F), others more elongate and apically spatulate (Figure 18 D,G,H) or recurved (Figure 18 C; 19E), sometimes with a medial keel (Figure 19 D) or ovate with a horn like projection apically (Figure 18 E,F).</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris</i> is endemic to Australia. <i>Thaumastocoris peregrinus</i> has been accidentally introduced to southern Africa and South America.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> Key characters that differentiate the four genera of the Thaumastocorinae are summarized in Table 1. <i>Thaumastocoris</i> is best recognized by the flat to strongly excavated mandibular plates, which are often anterolaterally flared and recurved. In contrast the mandibular plates of <i>Baclozygum</i> Bergroth, <i>Onymocoris</i> Drake & Slater and <i>Wechina</i> Drake & Slater are convex. Additionally, the mandibular plates of <i>Thaumastocoris</i> are usually contiguous medially, often for their entire length. However, mandibular plate contiguity is slight in the monotypic genus <i>Wechina,</i> only contiguous in one of the four species of <i>Baclozygum</i> (<i>B. bergrothi</i> Drake & Slater), and nonexistent in all species of <i>Onymocoris</i>. The labium of <i>Thaumastocoris</i> is generally shorter than those of the other three thaumastocorine genera, being short to moderate in length, and never reaching beyond the posterior margin of the prosternum, with the labium of most species just reaching the anterior margin of the forecoxae. The length of the labium in <i>Baclozygum</i>, <i>Onymocoris,</i> and <i>Wechina</i> is generally longer than the posterior margin of the prosternum.</p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 16-17, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt

Thaumastocoris roy Noack, Cassis & Rose, n.sp.

<i>Thaumastocoris roy</i> Noack, Cassis & Rose n.sp. <p>(Figures: 8A,B; 19D)</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> This species is named in honour Roy Frederick Noack, father of the first author, who passed away before the completion of this project.</p> <p> <b>Holotype:</b> 3, QUEENSLAND: Mt Glorious, 27°19’S 152°45’E, Y Basset site, 700m, II 1988, Y. Basset, ex <i>Argyrodendron actinophyllum,</i> 6091, T169567 (QM). Paratypes: 13 West Normanby R., 40 ml W of Cooktown, 12 xi 1965, G Monteith T169570 (QM); 2Ƥ same data as holotype T169568, T169569 (QM).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris roy</i> is distinguished by the following combination of characters: body with dense distribution of setae; mandibular plates moderately expanded laterally; strongly pedicellate eyes; elongate labium, reaching posterior margin of prosternum; expanded abdomen, visible from above (Figure 8 A,B); paramere keeled (Figure 19 D). This species can be distinguished from <i>T. hackeri</i> by the paramere and the proximity of forecoxae to each other. The paramere of <i>T. hackeri</i> is hornlike apically and not keeled (cf. Figure 18 E,F). The forecoxae are inserted at a distance less than the forecoxal width, whereas in <i>T. roy</i> they are inserted at a distance equal to or slightly more than coxal width. <i>Thaumastocoris roy</i> is also much smaller than <i>T. hackeri</i>.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Submacropterous. Male length 2.37–2.41, width 0.96–0.98; female length 2.57–2.69, width 0.98–0.98. Females darker in colouration, slightly larger in size, with the abdomen more expanded (Figure 8 B). <b>Colouration</b>. Dorsum yellowish brown with contrasting dark brown to fuscous markings (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Head</i>: mostly yellowish brown; vertex medium brown; genae with fuscous area medially; genae, gula and bucculae light brown. <i>Antennae</i>: mostly light brown; AII with subapical margin dark brown; subapical third of AIII and apical two-thirds of AIV dark brown to fuscous. <i>Labium</i>: LI–LIII straw-coloured; LIV fuscous. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly yellowish brown; pronotal disc yellowish cream medially, posterior margin dark brown. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: proepisternum yellowish brown; proepimeron dark brown posteriorly; prosternum fuscous. <i>Scutellum</i>: dark brown anteriorly, posterior half of midline straw-coloured. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish brown, with clavus more creamcoloured; membrane cream, medially infused with brown (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: mostly yellowish brown, second tarsomere light brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: mostly dark brown, fuscous medially. <b>Texture</b>. Dorsum moderately polished, with shallow to deep setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex mostly impunctate, with transverse puncticulate rows sometimes visible; epicranial suture with irregular distribution of shallow to moderately deep punctures; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, denser posteriorly, punctures shallow. <i>Pronotum</i>: callosite region irregularly punctate, punctures shallow, denser along midline and anterolateral angles; pronotal disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, posterior margin and posterolateral angles impunctate (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: pleura with regular distribution of shallow punctures; prosternum finely reticulate medially; mesosternum strongly polished medially. <i>Scutellum</i>: densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, midline polished posteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform and moderate distribution of deep punctures, larger than on pronotal disc (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate, moderately polished. <b>Vestiture</b>. Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae short, erect, straw-coloured. Lateral aspects of body with elongate, shiny, straw-coloured, decumbent setae. Ventral aspects of body with short sparse setae. <i>Antennae</i>: AII–AIII with uniform distribution of decumbent setae, intermixed with fine, erect setae; AIV with same setae on lateral margins, otherwise bare. <i>Male genitalia</i>: pygophore with sparse distribution of fine setae; pygophoral lock with larger, denser setae medially; paramere with setae along margins, denser posteriorly, medially and apically bare (Figure 19 D). <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: mandibular plates elongate, surpassing clypeus by less than clypeal length, contiguous medially, moderately flared anteriorly, weakly concave dorsally, lateral margins weakly recurved; bucculae arcuate. <i>Eyes</i>: strongly pedicellate (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Antennae</i>: AI and AIII cylindrical; AII slightly distally expanded, AIV weakly dorsoventrally flattened. <i>Labium</i>: long, attaining posterior margin of prosternum. <i>Pronotum</i>: weakly constricted medially; callosite region shorter than disc, disc broader; anterolateral angles weakly tuberculate; lateral margins of disc weakly arcuate; disc slightly raised above callosite region. <i>Thoracic sterna</i>: prosternum concave medially. <i>Hemelytra</i>: extending to submarginal abdominal TIX at rest; corium expanded beyond claval commissure; medial margin of corium straight to weakly excavate distally; apex of corium at membrane narrowed, inner margin more than 45° to costal margin; (Figure 8 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: forecoxal separation subequal to or slightly wider than coxal width; fore and mesofemora incrassate; fossula spongiosa short, not reaching distal half of second tarsomere; 12–13 foretibial teeth, 12–13 mesotibial, 5–6 metatibial teeth. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophoral lock moderately long, tapering to gently rounded apex; paramere with large, broad keel (Figure 19 D).</p> <p> <b>Measurements.</b> See Table 2.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris roy</i> is restricted to the tropical northeast coast of Queensland, from two widely separated localities (Figure 21 B).</p> <p> <b>Host plant.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris roy</i> has only been recorded from <i>Argyrodendron actinophyllum</i>, a large rainforest tree native to eastern Australia (Table 3).</p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 48-49, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt

Thaumastocoris slateri Noack, Cassis & Rose, n.sp.

<i>Thaumastocoris slateri</i> Noack, Cassis & Rose n.sp. <p>(Figures: 9A,B; 17A–H; 19F)</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> This species is named in honour of the late Professor James A Slater, who has been one of the most significant heteropterists of all time, had a special interest in Australian true bugs, and published significant works on the Thaumastocoridae.</p> <p> <b>Holotype:</b> 3, QUEENSLAND: St Lucia, university of Queensland campus, nr city cat dock, 27.4938S 153.0166E, 10 July 2004, HA Rose, ex <i>Corymbia variegata</i> (AM). Paratypes: 13 3Ƥ, same locality data as holotype, 22 August 2004, AE Noack, ex <i>Corymbia variegata</i> (AM; UNSW); 4Ƥ, same locality data as holotype, 19 August 2004, AE Noack, ex <i>Corymbia variegata</i> (AM; UNSW).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris slateri</i> can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: body large; eyes strongly pedicellate; anterolateral angle of pronotum with conspicuous tubercle; abdomen expanded beyond costal margins of hemelytra (Figure 9 A,B). This species can be distinguished from <i>T. safordi</i>, which also has a distinctive pronotal tubercle, by its expanded abdomen and pygophore. <i>Thaumastocoris safordi</i> is quite slen- der, having a subparallel body shape, and the abdomen not expanded (cf. Figure 8 C,D). In addition, the pygophoral lock of <i>T. slateri</i> is elongate and weakly concave apically (Figure 19 F), whereas in <i>T. safordi</i> the lock is stout and strongly concave apically (cf. Figure 19 E). Further, the hemelytra of <i>T. slateri</i> are relatively short, not reaching the genital capsule, whereas the hemelytra of <i>T. safordi</i> cover almost the entire dorsum.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Submacropterous. Male length 3.08–3.20, width 0.98–1.05; female length 2.96–3.16, width 0.84–1.11. Females are darker in colouration, abdomen more expanded. <b>Colouration</b>. Dorsum straw to golden yellow with contrasting dark brown to fuscous markings. <i>Head</i>: mostly straw-coloured to golden yellow; vertex and clypeus golden yellow (Figure 9 A,B); lateral aspect of mandibular plates and genae with fuscous stripe; genae, gula and bucculae straw-coloured. <i>Antennae</i>: mostly straw-coloured; subapical third of AIII and apical half of AIV dark brown to fuscous. <i>Labium</i>: LI–LIII straw-coloured; apex of LIV dark brown. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly golden yellow, pronotal disc cream-coloured medially. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: mostly golden yellow; propleura golden yellow, cream ventrally; prosternum straw. <i>Scutellum</i>: golden yellow anteriorly, posterior half of midline strawcoloured. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish cream, with clavus more cream; membrane cream-coloured, medially infused with light brown (Figure 9 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: mostly straw-coloured, distal half of second tarsomere dark brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: uniformly golden yellow. <b>Texture</b>. Dorsum moderately polished, with scattered shallow to deep setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex mostly impunctate, with transverse puncticulate rows sometimes visible, punctures shallow; epicranial suture with irregular distribution of shallow to moderately deep punctures; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, denser posteriorly, punctures shallow (Figure 17 A). <i>Pronotum</i>: callosite region polished, sparsely punctate, punctures shallow, denser along midline and anterolateral angles; disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, posterolateral angles impunctate (Figure 17 D). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: dorsoposterior area of propleuron with fine punctures submarginally; metapleural suture marked by single row of fine punctures (Figure 17 E); thoracic sterna impunctate, mesosternum strongly polished medially. <i>Scutellum</i>: densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, midline polished posteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform and moderate distribution of deep punctures, as on pronotal disc (Figure 9 A,B). <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate, moderately polished. <b>Vestiture</b>. Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae short erect straw-coloured. Lateral and ventral aspects of body, with elongate, straw-coloured, decumbent setae, most densely distributed on ventral mandibular plates, gula and prosternum (Figure 17 B); mesosternum with irregular distribution of setae, sparse medially. <i>Antennae</i>: uniform distribution of decumbent setae intermixed with fine, erect setae; AIII–AIV with similar setae on lateral margins, otherwise bare (Figure 17 C). <i>Male genitalia</i>: pygophore clothed in fine seta; pygophoral lock covered with fine setae, longer and thicker medially; paramere beset with irregular setae, denser medially, sparse apically (Figure 19 F). <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: mandibular plates elongate, surpassing clypeus by more than clypeal length, contiguous posteromedially, flared anteriorly, moderate to strongly concave dorsally, lateral margins strongly recurved (Figure 17 A); bucculae strongly arcuate, explanate posteriorly (Figure 17 B); gula weakly excavate. <i>Eyes</i>: moderately pedicellate. <i>Antennae</i>: AI and AII cylindrical; AII slightly expanded distally; AIV weakly lanceolate. <i>Labium</i>: short, reaching anterior margin of prosternum (Figure 17 B). <i>Pronotum</i>: Strongly constricted medially; callosite region and disc subequal in length, disc a little broader; callosite region depressed along midline; anterolateral angles with distinctive tubercle; lateral margins of disc weakly arcuate (Figure 17 D). <i>Thoracic sterna</i>: prosternum weakly swollen anteromedially. <i>Hemelytra</i>: at rest extending to abdominal TIX; medial margin of corium straight to weakly excavate; apex of corium at membrane weakly narrowed, inner margin less than 45° to costal margin (Figure 9 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: forecoxal separation subequal to slightly wider than coxal width; fore and mesofemora weakly incrassate; fossula spongiosa elongate, reaching distal half of second tarsomere (Figure 17 F); 3–4 foretibial teeth, 2–3 mesotibial teeth, without metatibial teeth. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophore elliptical; pygophoral lock broad basally, elongated and concave apically; paramere ovate (Figure 17 G; 19F).</p> <p> <b>Measurements.</b> Table 2</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris slateri</i> is only known from the type locality (Figure 21 B), on the University of Queensland campus in suburban Brisbane.</p> <p> <b>Host plant.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris slateri</i> is known only from <i>Corymbia citriodora</i> ssp. <i>variegata</i> (Table 3), having been collected from the University of Queensland campus, along the river shore.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris slateri</i> is the largest species in the genus.</p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 52-54, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt

Thaumastocoris freomooreae Noack, Cassis & Rose, n.sp.

<i>Thaumastocoris freomooreae</i> Noack, Cassis & Rose n.sp. <p>(Figures: 4A,B; 11A–H; 18C)</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Named in honour of Jennifer Moore for her substantial support in field and laboratory investigations of <i>Thaumastocoris</i> species. The suffix, freo, reflects her passion for the Fremantle Football Club.</p> <p> <b>Holotype</b>: 3, VICTORIA: 27 km W of Hattah, Murray Sunset National Park, -34.73835 142.01, 45 m, 3 November 2002, RT Schuh, G Cassis, MD Schwartz and R Silveira, locality code TAS02-L5-H11, ex <i>Eucalyptus costata</i> Behr and Muell. ex F. Muell. Royal Bot. Gard., (NSW staff NSW 658091) (AM). Paratypes: 53, 5Ƥ same data as holotype (AM; UNSW). SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1Ƥ, 1 nymph, Billiatt Conservation Park, 32 km S Alawoona, 34°59’29”S 140°28’22”E, 27–28 March 2000, ex pitfall traps, JA Forrest (SAMA); 13, Monarto, approx 4 km E Callington, 35°07’S 139°05’E, 16 November 1984, ex <i>Eucalyptus porosa</i> woods and forests (SAMA); 23, 3Ƥ, 1 nymph, Ngarkat Conservation Park, 8 km S of Bews, 60 m, 35°33’07”S 140°25’59”E, 9 November 1998, RT Schuh, G Cassis and R Silveira, locality code 98-L36H76, ex <i>Eucalyptus calycogona</i> Turcz. (NSW 427496) (AM); Ngarkat Conservation Park, border track SSE Pinnaroo 30 Mar 2000, vehicle net, J.A. Forrest 1Ƥ (SAMA); 33, 5Ƥ, 1 nymph, Scorpion Springs Conservation Park. 35°29’14”S 140°51’58”E, 120 m, 10 November 1998 RT Schuh, G Cassis and R Silveira, locality code L42 H90, ex <i>Eucalyptus costata</i> (AM; UNSW). VICTORIA: 2Ƥ, Murray Sunset National Park, Lost Hope Track, 34.79166S 141.8357E, 55 m, November 4 2002, G Cassis, RT Schuh, MD Schwartz and R Silveira, locality code TAS02-L7-H18, ex <i>Eucalyptus leptophylla</i> F.Muell. (NSW staff NSW 6580980) (AM); 13, 1Ƥ, 1 nymph, 27 km W of Hattah, Murray Sunset National Park, 34.73835S 142.01E, 35 m, November 3 2002, RT Schuh, G Cassis, MD Schwartz and R Silveira, locality code TAS02-L5-H11, ex <i>Eucalyptus costata</i> Behr and Muell. ex F. Muell. Royal Bot. Gard. (NSW staff NSW 658091) (AM); 23, 3Ƥ, 13 km S of Kaniva 36.50001S 141.2167E, 150 m, 3 November 1995 RT Schuh and G Cassis, locality code NSW 95-L49- H81, ex <i>Eucalyptus costata murrayana</i> Behr. and Muell. Ex F. Muell. Royal Bot. Gard., K.D. Hill 1996 NSW 395980 (AM; UNSW). WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 23, 2Ƥ, 23 km ESE of Cocklebiddy 32°08’S 126°18’E 12 October 1981, ID Naumann and JC Cardale (ANIC); 23, 1Ƥ, Highbury, 33°00.811’S 117°14.577’E, 323 m, 1 July 2008, ML Moir, ex <i>Eucalyptus longicornis</i> (MMPC); 13, 2Ƥ, 1 nymph, Highbury, 33° 00.828S 117° 13.838E, 329 m, 2 July 2008, ML Moir, ex <i>Eucalyptus sideroxylon</i> (MMPC); 43, 9Ƥ, 3 nymphs, Highbury, 33°00.828’S 117°13.838’E, 329 m, 1 July 2008, ML Moir, ex <i>Eucalyptus wandoo</i> (MMPC); 2Ƥ, 1 nymph, Highbury, 33°00.811’S; 117°14.577’E, 323 m, 1 July 2008, ML Moir, ex <i>Eucalyptus astringens</i> (MMPC); 13 Swan River, AM Lea (WAAD); 13, 4Ƥ, Westonia 16 April 2003, JD Majer, chemical knockdown, ex <i>Eucalyptus salubris</i> (MMPC); 13, Westonia 16 April 2003, JD Majer, chemical knockdown, ex <i>Eucalyptus woodwardi</i> (MMPC); 1Ƥ, Westonia 16 April 2003, JD Majer, chemical knockdown, ex <i>Eucalyptus sargentii</i> (MMPC).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris freomooreae</i> is recognised by the following combination of characters: body narrow, costal margins subparallel (Figure 4 A,B); mandibular plates gently and evenly rounded (Figure 11 A); labium moderately long (Figure 11 B); pronotal constriction weak, with truncate to rounded anterolateral angles (Figure 4 A,B; 11A); pygophoral lock weakly trapezoidal; paramere subrectangular, apically recurved. (Figure 18 C). This species is distinguished from <i>T. majeri</i> and <i>T. ohallorani</i> by its longer labium. The labium of <i>T. freomooreae</i> reaches the anterior margin of the forecoxae, whereas the labium of <i>T. majeri</i> and <i>T. ohallorani</i> is shorter, just extending past the anterior margin of the prosternum in both the last two species. In addition, the paramere of <i>T. freomooreae</i> is recurved apically, whereas the paramere of both <i>T. majeri</i> and <i>T. ohallorani</i> is spatulate apically (cf. Figure 18 D,G,H).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Submacropterous. Male length 2.45–3.00, width 0.62–0.93; female length 2.77–3.12, width 1.01–1.17. Females larger in size, abdomen greatly expanded beyond costal margins. <b>Colouration</b>. Dorsum yellowish brown with contrasting dark brown to fuscous markings (Figure 4 A,B). <i>Head</i>: mostly yellowish brown; vertex golden yellow to medium brown; lateral aspects of mandibular plates and genae with fuscous stripe; genae, gula and bucculae straw-coloured. <i>Antennae</i>: mostly yellowish brown; subapical half to two-thirds of AIII and apical two-thirds of AIV dark brown to fuscous; female AIII and AIV sometimes less darker. <i>Labium</i>: LI–LIII strawcoloured; apex LIV fuscous. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly yellowish brown; pronotal disc cream-coloured medially (Figure 4 A,B). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: mostly yellowish brown; prosternum fuscous, paler at anterior margin; mesosternum fuscous medially becoming paler laterally. <i>Scutellum</i>: dark brown anteriorly, posterolateral margins paler, posterior half of midline straw-coloured. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish brown, with clavus more cream-coloured; membrane cream, medially infused with brown (Figure 4 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: mostly straw-coloured, with distal half of second tarsomere dark brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: uniformly yellowish brown. <b>Texture</b>. Dorsum moderately polished, with scattered shallow to deep setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex mostly impunctate, with transverse puncticulate rows; epicranial suture with irregular distribution of moderately deep punctures; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, denser posteriorly, punctures shallow (Figure 11 A). <i>Pronotum:</i> callosite region sparsely punctate, punctures shallow, denser along midline and at anterolateral angles; disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, posterolateral angles impunctate (Figure 11 A). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: proepimeron finely punctate posteriorly; metapleuron with irregular distribution of fine punctures posteriorly (Figure 11 E); thoracic sterna impunctate, mesosternum strongly polished medially. <i>Scutellum</i>: densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, midline polished posteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform distribution of deep punctures, larger than on pronotal disc (Figure 11F). <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate moderately polished. <b>Vestiture</b>. Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae, short, erect, straw-coloured. Ventral surface of body with fine, straw-coloured, decumbent setae, most densely distributed on ventral aspect of mandibular plates, gula, and prosternum (Figure 11 B); mesosternum with irregular distribution of fine setae medially, sparse laterally. <i>Antennae</i>: uniform distribution of decumbent setae, intermixed with fine, erect setae; AIII and AIV with same setae on lateral margins, otherwise bare (Figure 11 C). <i>Legs</i>: dorsal surface of femora and tibia with short, erect setae. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophore with irregular distribution of fine setae; pygophoral lock irregularly setose medially, margins mostly bare; paramere evenly beset with setae medially, becoming sparse apically (Figure 18 C). <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: mandibular plates elongate, surpassing clypeus by less than length of clypeus, contiguous medially, moderately flared anteriorly, concave dorsally, with lateral margins moderately recurved (Figure 4 A,B; 11A); bucculae strongly arcuate, weakly explanate posteriorly (Figure 11 B); genae swollen, truncate anteriorly; gula concave. <i>Eyes</i>: moderately pedicellate (Figure 4 A,B: 11A). <i>Antennae</i>: AI cylindrical; AII slightly expanded distally; AIII and AIV dorsoventrally flattened; AIV weakly lanceolate (Figure 11 C). <i>Labium</i>: moderately long, reaching beyond anterior margin of forecoxae (Figure 11 B). <i>Pronotum</i>: weakly constricted medially; callosite region and disc subequal in length, disc a little broader; callosite region weakly depressed along midline; anterolateral angles rounded to weakly tuberculate; lateral margin of disc weakly arcuate (Figure 11 A). <i>Thoracic sterna</i>: prosternum weakly concave medially (Figure 11 B). <i>Hemelytra</i>: at rest extending to basal third of pygophore; medial margin of corium convex medially, weakly excavate distally; apex of corium at membrane narrowed, medial margin less than 45° to costal margin (Figure 4 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: forecoxal separation equal to slightly wider than coxal width; fore and mesofemora strongly incrassate (Figure 11 B); fossula spongiosa elongate, reaching distal third of second tarsomere (Figure 11 B,D); 3–8 foretibial teeth, 0–6 mesotibial teeth, metatibiae bare. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophoral lock moderately elongate, subtrapezoidal, with apical angle strongly flared, medial angles weakly pointed; paramere subrectangular, apical angle recurved (Figure 18 C).</p> <p> <b>Measurements.</b> See Table 2.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris freomooreae</i> is distributed through southern Australia; collected from northwest Victoria (Figure 2 B), south eastern South Australia, and Cocklebiddy on the southeast coast of Western Australia, and northeast of Perth, Western Australia (Figure 20 A).</p> <p> <b>Host plants.</b> This species is known from fifteen species of <i>Eucalyptus</i> (Table 3).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris freomooreae</i> is known from drier environments. From one collecting event in Highbury, Western Australia, this species was taken in conjunction with <i>T. nadeli</i> on <i>Eucalyptus wandoo</i>. The specimens collected from the goldfields district in Western Australia (Westonia), are slightly smaller and paler than other populations of <i>T. freomooreae.</i></p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 29-32, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt

Thaumastocoris macqueeni Rose 1965

<i>Thaumastocoris macqueeni</i> Rose, 1965 <p>(Figure: 5A)</p> <p> <i>Thaumastocoris macqueeni</i> Rose, 1965: 144 (description); Cassis and Gross 1995: 393 (catalogue); Cassis, Schuh and Brailovsky 1999: 31 (taxonomy)</p> <p> <b>Holotype:</b> 3, QUEENSLAND: Tibrogargan Creek, via Caboolture, 30 viii 1963, A Macqueen, <i>Thaumastocoris macqueeni</i> HA Rose, T6511 (QM).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris macqueeni</i> is recognised by the following characters: macropterous; ovoid body shape; light brown colouration; mandibular plates weakly concave dorsally; moderately pedicellate eyes (Figure 5 A). It can be distinguished from <i>T. petilus,</i> which has weakly pedicellate eyes, by the macropterous wing condition and ovoid body shape. In addition, <i>T. petilus</i> is narrow in shape, with the hemelytra just extending to TIX, resulting in the abdomen being visible caudally. <i>Thaumastocoris petilus</i> is also straw-coloured with cream markings (Figure 7 C,D), and not dark brown as in <i>T. macqueeni</i> (Figure 5 A).</p> <p> <b>Redescription.</b> Macropterous. Male length 2.94, width 1.19. <b>Colouration</b>. Dorsum light brown with contrasting dark brown to fuscous markings. <i>Head</i>: mostly light yellowish brown; vertex medium brown; clypeus dark brown; lateral margins of mandibular plates and genae with dark brown stripe; gula and bucculae fuscous. <i>Antennae</i>: mostly light brown; AIII and AIV darker brown. <i>Labium</i>: mostly light brown; apex of LIV fuscous. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly light yellowish brown; midline of callosite region dark brown; disc yellowish brown medially (Figure 5 A). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: pleura mostly dark brown; proepimeron paler posteriorly; sterna uniformly dark brown. <i>Scutellum</i>: mostly fuscous, light yellowish brown posteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish brown; corium becoming dark brown to fuscous distally; membrane light yellowish brown, apically infused with medium brown (Figure 5 A). <i>Legs:</i> femora dark brown; tibiae light yellowish brown, distal half of second tarsomere dark brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: uniformly dark brown, lateral margins light brown. <b>Texture</b>. Dorsum moderately polished, with scattered shallow to moderately deep, setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex impunctate; epicranial suture with shallow irregular punctures; genae sparsely punctate, punctures fine; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, punctures shallow. <i>Pronotum</i>: callosite region polished, irregular distribution of shallow punctures along midline and anterolateral angles; disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures moderately deep, humeral angles impunctate. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: proepimeron with regular distribution of shallow punctures; thoracic sterna mostly with irregular distribution of sparse, shallow punctures. <i>Scutellum</i>: densely and regularly punctate, punctures moderately deep, midline polished posteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform and moderate distribution of deep punctures, larger than on pronotal disc (Figure 5 A). <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate, moderately polished. <b>Vestiture</b>. Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae short, erect, straw-coloured. Lateral aspects of body with uniform, fine, light straw-coloured, decumbent setae. Ventral surface of body with shorter decumbent setae, most densely distributed on mandibular plates and medially on prosternum. <i>Antennae</i>: uniform distribution of decumbent setae intermixed with fine, erect setae; AIII–AIV with same setae on lateral margins, otherwise bare. <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: mandibular plates elongate, surpassing clypeus by less than clypeal length, contiguous medially, flared anteriorly, weakly concave dorsally, anterolateral margins weakly recurved; vertex weakly swollen; genae swollen; bucculae weakly arcuate; gula weakly concave. <i>Eyes</i>: moderately pedicellate. <i>Antennae</i>: AI and AII cylindrical; AIII and AIV weakly dorsoventrally flattened; AII weakly distally expanded. <i>Labium</i>: elongate, reaching midpoint of forecoxae. <i>Pronotum</i>: weakly constricted medially; callosite region longer in length than disc, disc broader; callosite region depressed along midline; anterolateral angles oblique; lateral margins of disc weakly arcuate. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna:</i> metapleuron weakly swollen posteroventrally; prosternum broad anteriorly. <i>Hemelytra</i>: covering abdomen; medial margin of corium convex, apex of corium at membrane blunt, medial margin more than 45° to costal margin (Figure 5 A). <i>Legs</i>: forecoxal separation greater than coxal width; fore and mesofemora strongly incrassate; fossula spongiosa elongate, reaching distal margin of second tarsomere; tibial teeth not observable. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: paramere subrectangular.</p> <p>Female unknown.</p> <p> <b>Measurements.</b> See Table 2.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> The single specimen of <i>T. macqueeni</i> was collected at Tibrogargan Creek, near Caboolture, in southeast Queensland (Figure 20 B).</p> <p> <b>Host plant.</b> Unknown.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> The macropterous hemelytra of <i>T. macqueeni</i> are unique to this species. The paramere was illustrated by Rose (1965) and is subrectangular, similar to that of <i>T. nadeli</i> or <i>T. slateri</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 35-36, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt

Thaumastocoris nadeli Noack, Cassis & Rose, n.sp.

<i>Thaumastocoris nadeli</i> Noack, Cassis & Rose n.sp. <p>(Figures: 6A,B; 13A–H; 19A)</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> This species is named in honour of Ryan Nadel, from the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, who collected the type series and many additional specimens.</p> <p> <b>Holotype:</b> 3, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Swan River, Perth, 16 m. 31°57.998’S 115°50.732’E, 30 May 2008, R Nadel, ex <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> (WAM). Paratypes: 53, 5 Ƥ, same data as holotype (AM; UNSW); 23, Cape Naturaliste National Park, 50 m, 33°32’25”S 115°00’44”E, 14 December 1997, RT Schuh, G Cassis, H Brailvosky, locality code WA97-L49-H89, ex <i>Dryandra sessilis</i> (Knight) Domin (PERTH 05055288) (AM); 23, 2Ƥ, South West Hwy, Boyanup, December 2010, A.E. Noack, ex <i>Eucalyptus nicholii</i>; 1Ƥ, Conspicuous Beach, Walpole-Nornalup National Park, 10 km E of Nornalup, 30 m, 35°02’14”S 116°5’39”E, 17 December 1997, RT Schuh, G Cassis, H Brailovsky and A Asquith, locality code WA97-L58-H116, ex <i>Agonis flexuosa</i> (Wild.) Sweet (PERTH 05055423) K157158 (AM); 23, 2Ƥ, South West Hwy, Donnybrook, December 2010, A.E. Noack, ex <i>Eucalyptus scoparia</i>; 23, 3Ƥ, Exmouth, Truscott Crescent, opposite Pony Club, 21.94606S 114.1358E, 31 October 2004, G Cassis, MA Wall, C Weirauch, N Tatarnic and C Symonds, locality code PBI-WA04-L29-H195, ex <i>Acacia</i> sp. (AM; UNSW); 183, 16Ƥ, 1 nymph, Forest Grove Road, 0.9 km E of Caves Road, 60 m, 30°04’20”S 115°02’46”E, 15 December 1997, RT Schuh, G Cassis, H Brailovsky and A Asquith, locality code WA97-L51-H97, ex <i>Kunzea glabrescens</i> (PERTH 05056330) (AM; UNSW); 13 Highbury, 33° 00,828S; 115° 13,838E, 329 m, ML Moir, 1 July 2008, ex <i>Eucalyptus wandoo</i> MLM 0 0 687 (MMPC); 13 Highbury, 329 m, 33° 00,828S; 117° 13,838E, 0 2 July 2008; M.L. Moir, (beat) ex <i>Eucalyptus sideroxylon</i> MLM00677 (MMPC); 133, 6Ƥ, 6 nymphs Mosman Park, Perth 32°01’33”S 115°45’57”E sea level, 7 August 1999 G. Cassis (L2) <i>Eucalyptus</i> sp. (AM); 53, 3Ƥ, 3 nymphs Mosman Park, Perth 32°01’33”S 115°45’57”E 20 m 5 December 1998 G. Cassis [98-L22] <i>Eucalyptus</i> sp. (PERTH 05227313) Host/98-31, (AM); 23 Mosman Park, Perth 32°01’33”S 115°45’57”E 20 m, 24 November 1998 G. Cassis [98-L1] <i>Agonis flexuosa</i> (Wild.) Sweet (PERTH 05227410) Host/98-1 (AM); 1Ƥ Mosman Park, Perth 32°01’33”S 115°45’57”E 20 m, 30 November 1998, G Cassis [98-L10] <i>Hemiandra glabra</i> Benth. (PERTH 05227348) Host/98-21 (AM); 53, 4Ƥ Perth: Coles store on Falkirk and Morrison St. Alt. 20 m, S31°55.784’; E115°53.830’ 30 May 2008, R. Nadel, <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis,</i> (AM; UNSW); 33, 3Ƥ Perth: Cnr. Fyfe and Bullcreek St., Alt. 28 m, S32°03.073’; E115°51.431’ 31 May 2008, R. Nadel, <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i>, (AM; UNSW); 33, 3Ƥ Perth: Thomas Oval, Medina Park, Alt. 8 m, S32°13.974’; E115°47.938’ 31 May 2008, R. Nadel, <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> (AM).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris nadeli</i> is recognised by the following characters: body elongate (Figure 6 A,B); mandibular plates strongly recurved laterally (Figure 13 A); bucculae weakly arcuate, strongly explanate distally (Figure 13 B); pronotum strongly constricted medially.(Figure 6 A,B; 13A); pygophoral lock is triangulate, weakly concave medially, narrowing apically to an oblique sharp angle; paramere subquadrate (Figure 19 A). It can be distinguished from <i>T. peregrinus</i> by the apical margin of the pygophoral lock which is rounded and not obliquely angled (cf. Figure.19 B). The females of the two species can be distinguished by the colouration of the pronotal disc. The disc of female <i>T. nadeli</i> is fuscous and strikingly darker than the cream disc of the males (Figure 6 A,B), whereas the disc of both male and female <i>T. peregrinus</i> is cream (cf. Figure 7 A,B).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Submacropterous. Male length 2.37–2.88, width 0.74–0.92; female 2.53–2.92, width 0.89–1.05. Females larger and darker in colouration, especially hemelytra and pronotum. <b>Colouration</b>. Dorsum cream to yellowish brown with contrasting dark brown to fuscous markings. <i>Head</i>: mostly cream-coloured; vertex and clypeus yellowish brown; lateral aspect of mandibular plates and genae with brown to fuscous stripe; genae, gula and bucculae cream-coloured. <i>Antennae</i>: mostly yellowish brown; subapical half of AIV dark brown to fuscous (Figure 6 A,B). <i>Labium</i>: straw-coloured; apex of LIV fuscous. <i>Pronotum</i>: mostly yellowish brown, pronotal disc cream medially. <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: mostly yellowish brown; propleura posterior margin more cream-coloured; prosternum cream. <i>Scutellum</i>: dark brown, posterior two-thirds of midline straw-coloured. <i>Hemelytra</i>: yellowish brown, with clavus cream-coloured; medial margin of corium dark brown; membrane cream, medially infused with brown (Figure 6 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: mostly straw-coloured, with distal half of second tarsomere dark brown. <i>Abdomen</i>: uniformly yellowish brown. <b>Texture.</b> Dorsum moderately polished, with scattered shallow to deep setose punctures. <i>Head</i>: vertex mostly impunctate, with transverse puncticulate rows sometimes visible, punctures shallow; epicranial suture with irregular distribution of shallow to moderately deep punctures; mandibular plates irregularly punctate, denser posteriorly, punctures shallow (Figure 13 A). <i>Pronotum</i>: callosite region sparsely punctate, punctures shallow, denser along midline and anterolateral angles; disc densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, posterolateral angles impunctate (Figure 13 A). <i>Thoracic pleura and sterna</i>: propleuron with regular distribution of fine punctures posteroventrally (Figure 13 D); thoracic sterna mostly with sparse, irregular distribution of shallow punctures; mesosternum strongly polished. <i>Scutellum</i>: densely and regularly punctate, punctures deep, midline polished (Figure 6 A,B). <i>Hemelytra</i>: clavus and corium with uniform distribution of deep punctures, larger than on pronotal disc. <i>Abdomen</i>: impunctate, moderately polished. <b>Vestiture</b>. Dorsum with uniform distribution of setose punctures, setae short, erect, straw-coloured. Lateral aspects with irregular distribution of fine, straw-coloured, decumbent setae, most densely distributed posteroventral on propleura and ventrally mesopleura (Figure 13 E). Ventral surface with irregular distribution of fine setae, most densely distributed on mandibular plates (Figure 13 B). <i>Antennae</i>: uniform distribution of decumbent setae intermixed with fine, erect setae; AIII–AIV with same setae on lateral margins, otherwise bare (Figure 13 C). <i>Male genitalia</i>: pygophore with irregular distribution of fine setae, more elongate and dense near genital opening, pygophoral lock with sparse and distribution of irregular setae; paramere evenly beset with setae, becoming sparse apically (Figure 19 A). <b>Structure.</b> <i>Head</i>: mandibular plates elongate, surpassing clypeus by length of clypeus, contiguous medially, flared anteriorly, concave dorsally, anterolateral margins strongly recurved (Figure 13 A); bucculae weakly arcuate, strongly explanate posteriorly (Figure 13 B). <i>Eyes</i>: moderately pedicellate. <i>Antennae</i>: AI to AIII cylindrical; AII weakly distally expanded; AIV weakly lanceolate (Figure 13 C). <i>Labium</i>: short, reaching past anterior margin of prosternum (figure 13B). <i>Pronotum</i>: strongly constricted medially; callosite region and disc subequal in length, disc a little broader; anterolateral angles strongly tuberculate; lateral margins of disc weakly arcuate (Figure 13 A). <i>Thoracic sterna</i>: prosternum weakly swollen medially, lateral margins rounded (Figure 13 B). <i>Hemelytra</i>: at rest extending to abdominal TIX; medial margin of corium straight to weakly convex, apex of corium at membrane strongly narrowed medial margin less than 45° to costal margin (Figure 6 A,B). <i>Legs</i>: forecoxal separation equal to slightly wider than coxal width (Figure 13 B); fore and mesofemora strongly incrassate; fossula spongiosa elongate, reaching distal half of second tarsomere (Figure 13 B); 3–4 foretibial teeth, 3–4 mesotibial teeth, without metatibial teeth. <i>Male Genitalia</i>: pygophoral lock triangulate, weakly concave medially, narrowing apically to oblique sharp angle; paramere subquadrate (Figure 19 A).</p> <p> <b>Measurements.</b> Table 2</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris nadeli</i> is known from southwestern Australia, suburban Perth, and Exmouth, north of Perth (Figure 20 B).</p> <p> <b>Host plants.</b> <i>Thaumastocoris nadeli</i> has been collected from four different plant families, with most of the records from the family Myrtaceae (Table 3). It has been collected on numerous species of <i>Eucalyptus</i> spp, particularly <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis.</i> It is also known from the myrtle species, <i>Agonis flexuosa</i> and <i>Kunzea glabrescens</i> in southwest Western Australia. East of Perth it has been collected on <i>Eucalyptus sideroxylon</i> and <i>E. wandoo</i>, and with the latter record it was found in association with <i>T. freomooreae</i>. Some 1000 km north of Perth, at Exmouth, it was collected on an unidentified species of <i>Acacia</i> (Fabaceae). The records of <i>Hemiandra glabra</i> (Lamiaceae) and <i>Dryandra sessilis</i> (Proteaceae) are possibly sitting records, with two specimens taken from each plant.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> This species is the only known species <i>Thaumastocoris</i> where the female is easily recognised from conspecific males by colouration alone. Typically, females of <i>Thaumastocoris</i> are slightly darker in colouration, but in this species the pronotal disc is strikingly fuscous to black, whereas in males it is cream-coloured. This sexual dimorphism in colouration is consistent in all populations.</p>Published as part of <i>Noack, Ann E., Cassis, Gerasimos & Rose, Harley A., 2011, Systematic revision of Thaumastocoris Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 3121</i> on pages 38-41, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/279374">10.5281/zenodo.279374</a&gt