303 



autapomorphy of the respective Blattarian grouping, one would likewise have to accept 

 extensive parallel evolution - in an analogous way as described for rge. It is thus certainly 

 by far most parsimonious to regard all these elements or properties as ground-plan features 

 of Blattaria (like in 7.3.) and to assume secondary loss or change when any of these 

 elements or properties is missing in any of the Blattarian species investigated in this paper. 

 As regards (E) and (I), this view is additionally supported by arguments concerning the 

 functional intercorrelation of phallomere elements. (E): compare discussion in 7.5. (M), 

 (N). (I): The b4-muscles, which in Blattaria insert with s8 on tre, are probably elements 

 of the common ground-plan of Blattaria and Mantodea (6.7.1., 7.1.). When present all 

 together, tre, b4, and s8 are certainly functionally intercorrelated elements (and in this 

 case the function of the b4-muscles is certainly different from that of the b4-muscles of 

 Mantoida). If reduction occurs in such a situation, all three elements can be expected to 

 be concerned. Hence, the lack of b4 in Lamproblatta and subgroup 2.2.3. (there are no 

 muscles in a similar position as b4a and b4b are in Mantoida) might indicate that tre and 

 s8 were present in former times. 



(L) The presence or absence of muscle s7 



s7 (6.9.) has been assumed to be a ground-plan element of Blattaria (7.3.). s7 is present 

 in the subgroups 2.1. and 2.2.3., and vestiges are probably present in subgroup 2.2.2.1. 

 (Cryptocercus). In subgroup 2.2.2.2. and in Mantodea s7 is absent. Subgroup 2.2.1. 

 (Tryonicus) has not been investigated. Hence, s7 could be a synapomorphy of the 

 subgroups 2.1. and 2.2.3. and possibly Cryptocercus. However, since this assumption 

 would be inconsistent with the assumed autapomorphies of the subgroups 2.2. and 2.2.2., 

 it is assumed that s7 has been lost secondarily in Lamproblatta, Polyphaga, and Ergaida. 

 The lack of s7 in Blaberus (6.9.) is certainly a secondary loss since s7 is present in all 

 other investigated species of subgroup 2.2.3. (inclusive of Nauphoeta). 



The following discussions under (M) -i- (N) and (O) will be concerned with the polarity 

 of some characters of Blattaria for which an outgroup comparison with Mantodea is not 

 possible since the respective elements (hla-hook or dca-processes) are present in all 

 Blattaria (hla) or at least in the Blattarian ground-plan (dca, compare (F)) but not in 

 Mantodea. A result can be achieved in interdependence with the phylogenetic hypothesis 

 in 7.4., but, mainly in the case of (M) and (N), also independently of this hypothesis, if 

 correlations with other elements for which an outgroup comparison with Mantodea is 

 possible are considered. 



(M) The position of the hla-base 



(N) The extension of the membranous basal part 30 of hla 



The hla-hook and the L3-sclerite are present in all Blattaria (6.4.3.). In 7.3. it has been 

 stated that in the ground-plan of Blattaria the hla-base takes a position in the left anterior 

 ventral wall of the left complex, and that the introversible membranous basal part 30 of 

 hla is narrow (and hla is therefore - almost - non-retractable). These statements have to 

 be substantiated. 



