Anochrostomus
Slater, 1992
Species Guides
1Anochrostomus is a of seed bugs ( Lygaeidae) established by Slater in 1992. The genus contains at least two described : Anochrostomus formosus, described by Blanchard in 1840, and Anochrostomus formosoides, described by Baranowski in 2005. Both species epithets suggest a connection to Formosa (Taiwan), though this may reflect type localities or morphological resemblance rather than geographic restriction. The genus is placed in the Lygaeinae within the lygaeoid group of true bugs.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Anochrostomus: /ænəʊkrɒstəməs/
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Identification
Anochrostomus can be distinguished from other Lygaeidae by genitalic characters, particularly male paramere structure, as is standard for lygaeine . The two described species, A. formosus and A. formosoides, are distinguished by subtle differences in body proportions and genitalic , with A. formosoides described as similar to but distinct from A. formosus. Accurate identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with .
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Distribution
The has been recorded from the Neotropical region. Anochrostomus formosus was described from Chile, and A. formosoides from Argentina. The specific epithets suggest potential confusion with Formosan (Taiwanese) , but this appears to be nomenclatural coincidence rather than indication of Asian distribution.
Similar Taxa
- Other Lygaeinae generaAnochrostomus shares the general lygaeine body plan and requires genitalic examination for definitive separation from related such as Lygaeus and Neacoryphus.
Misconceptions
The epithets 'formosus' and 'formosoides' may mislead readers into assuming a Taiwanese or East Asian distribution; these names instead appear to reference morphological beauty ('formosus' = beautiful) or similarity to A. formosus, with type localities in South America.
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Taxonomic history
The was erected by Slater in 1992 to accommodate previously placed in other lygaeine genera, with A. formosus as the type species. The 2005 description of A. formosoides by Baranowski represents the only subsequent addition to the genus.