Epyrinae
Epyrinae is a of within the (). The subfamily contains the tribe Sclerodermini, which has been subject to recent taxonomic revision due to phylogenetic analyses revealing paraphyly and polyphyly in several . Members of this subfamily are characterized by specific morphological traits used in , with 72 female characters documented for Sclerodermini alone. The group has a worldwide distribution with 13 genera currently recognized in Sclerodermini, though generic boundaries remain under investigation.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Epyrinae: /ɛˈpaɪrəˌni/
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Images
Distribution
Worldwide distribution. The tribe Sclerodermini, contained within Epyrinae, has 13 distributed globally. Specific geographic records include from Japan (Discleroderma yakushimensis), Yemen (Discleroderma yemenensis), India (Discleroderma indiensis), and Brazil (Nothepyris brasiliensis).
Ecological Role
, presumably contributing to of organisms through . Specific host relationships and ecological impacts have not been documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- CephalonomiiniCephalonomiini was retrieved as and nested well within Sclerodermini in phylogenetic analyses, indicating that Sclerodermini (and by extension Epyrinae as currently constituted) is with respect to this group. Taxonomic revision may be required to resolve these relationships.
More Details
Taxonomic instability
The Epyrinae and its constituent tribe Sclerodermini are undergoing significant taxonomic revision. Recent phylogenetic work has identified polyphyletic (Discleroderma, Glenosema) and required generic transfers and reinstatements. The paraphyly of Sclerodermini with respect to Cephalonomiini suggests further taxonomic changes may be necessary.
New taxa described
Recent taxonomic work has described two new (Platepyris, Tuberepyris) and five new (Discleroderma yemenensis, Discleroderma indiensis, Glenosema denteata, Glenosema elevata, Platepyris sepalus, Tuberepyris basibrevis) within this .