Gerromorpha

Gerromorpha
Hygrotechuis conformis (Gerroidea: Gerridae) feeding on a drowned hymenopteran
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Clade:Euarthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Hemiptera
Suborder:Heteroptera
Infraorder:Gerromorpha
Popov, 1971 [1]
Superfamilies

Gerroidea
Hebroidea
Hydrometroidea
Mesovelioidea

The Gerromorpha comprise an infraorder of insects in the "true bug" order Hemiptera. These "typical" bugs (suborder Heteroptera) are commonly called semiaquatic bugs or shore-inhabiting bugs. The Ochteroidea of the true water strider (infraorder Nepomorpha, a far more advanced lineage[2]) are also found in shore habitat, while the Gerromorpha are actually most often encountered running around on the water surface, being kept from sinking by surface tension and their water-repellent legs. Well-known members of the Gerromorpha are the namesake Gerridae (water striders).

Systematics

The eight family families usually recognized are arranged in four superfamilies. The two small or monotypic ones of these are basal lineages; the two larger ones form a more advanced clade. The phylogenetic sequence of superfamilies and families of the Gerromorpha is:[3]

  • Mesovelioidea – water treaders
    • Madeoveliidae (sometimes included in Mesoveliidae)
    • Mesoveliidae
  • Hebroidea – velvet bugs
    • Hebridae (Hyrcaninae might arguably be considered a good family as the superfamily is monotypic otherwise.)
  • Hydrometroidea
  • Gerroidea

References

  1. ↑ G. Thirumalai. "Checklist of Gerromorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of India" (PDF). Zoological Survey of India.
  2. ↑ ToL (2005)
  3. ↑ ToL (1995)

Further reading


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