Revision of Panaetius Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae) from Australia, including the description of two new species and phylogenetic analysis

The pentatomoid family Acanthosomatidae is best known for maternal care, and their behaviour is a favoured subject of evolutionary biologists. Despite this interest, knowledge of the taxonomy of Australian acanthosomatid is cursory and their biology has not been investigated. A significant taxonomic impediment exists for Australian acanthosomatids, and many new species await description, and when fully documented Australia will in all likelihood be the centre of diversity for this family.

In line with this, the Australian acanthosomatid genus Panaetius (Blaudusinae: Blaudusini) is revised, P. lobulatus Stål and P. trabifer Horváth are redescribed, and two new species are described: Panaetius eliasi sp. nov. and P. laevicornis sp. nov. A key to species is provided. The male and female genitalia are illustrated.

The plant associations of Panaetius are documented, and a fern host plant is documented for P. eliasi. A phylogenetic analysis of Panaetius establishes its monophyly, and the ingroup relationships are fully resolved, with P. laevicornis sister to all other species of Panaetius. Key words new species, plant association, phylogeny, taxonomy.