Ovipositor internal microsculpture in the Braconidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) |
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| Authors: | M HABIBUR RAHMAN MIKE G FITTON DONALD L J QUICKE |
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| Institution: | Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum. London SW7 5BD. U.K. and Department of Biology, Chittagong University College, University ofChittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh.;Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, U.K.;Department of Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PY, U.K. and Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Variation in the microsculpture of the ovipositor egg canal, the morphology of the tip of the upper valve, the structure of the valvillus and the apex of the lower valve seals, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy is described for members of 52 genera representing 30 subfamilies of Braconidae. The possible phylogenetic implications of this variation are discussed. Characters supporting monophyly of the cyclostome clade, and of the non-cyclostome subfamilies Agathidinae, Pselaphaninae and Sigalphinae are reported. Functional and phylogenetic implications are discussed and possible convergent evolution of some features associated with endoparasitism are considered in the light of recent molecular systematics findings. © 1998 The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters |
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