Distribution and habitats of Joppeicidae (Heteroptera)

Abstract: 1) The distribution of Joppeicus paradoxus Put., the only species of the family Joppeicidae, is reviewed and complemented. It occurs in S. Israel, Egypt, the Sudan and W. Ethiopia, all the localities not being far from the Main and Blue Niles. 2) The data on its habitats and probable natural prey are reviewed and discussed. It is concluded that Joppeicidae are non-specialized general predators feeding on small insects and living in diverse, often extreme habitats, particularly in such where little food competition occurs. This ecological niche is probably secondary. 3) The past distributional history of Joppeicidae is discussed. Their original range is supposed to have been in the Abyssinian Highlands, the Pleistocene climatic changes being responsible for the formation of present distributional patterns.

Key words: Heteroptera, Joppeicidae, distribution, biology