Molecular phylogeny and systematics of the Polysphincta group of genera (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae)

The phylogenetic relationships between genera of the Polysphincta group of Pimplinae (Ichneumonidae) were surveyed using molecular markers, partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), 28S rRNA and elongation factor 1α, and maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches to obtain a robust phylogenetic hypothesis to understand the evolution of the group. The Polysphincta group was recovered as monophyletic, although relationships between genera were different from previous hypotheses based on morphological data. Within the Polysphincta group, three major clades were recognized and phylogenetic relationships among them were well resolved as (Schizopyga subgroup + (Acrodactyla subgroup + Polysphincta subgroup)). The Schizopyga subgroup consisted of the genera Piogaster, Schizopyga, Zabrachypus and Brachyzapus. As the genus Schizopyga was found to be polyphyletic, the genus Dreisbachia, which had been synonymized under Schizopyga, was resurrected and Iania gen.n. is proposed for Dreisbachia pictifrons, to maintain monophyletic genera. Species of the Schizopyga subgroup utilize spiders constructing egg‐laying chambers or funnel webs as hosts. The genus Piogaster was not recovered as the sister to all other members of the genus group, unlike previous hypotheses, but was nested in this clade as (Zabrachypus + ((Brachyzapus + Schizopyga) + (Dreisbachia + (Iania + Piogaster)))). Members of the Acrodactyla and Polysphincta subgroups attack spiders that weave aerial webs. The host range of the former is centred on tetragnathid and linyphiid spiders, the host range of the latter seems to centre mainly on orb‐weaving araneids and partly on theridiids weaving three‐dimensional (3D) irregular webs. Based on the obtained phylogeny of the group, the evolution of larval and cocoon morphology, and the mode of parasitism are discussed. Acrodactyla varicarinata Uchida & Momoi and A. inoperta Kusigemati are transferred to the genus Megaetaira ( comb.n.). This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0AB1086F‐9F23‐4057‐B7ED‐3A3943E19C61 .     

Manipulation of araneid spider web architecture by the polysphinctine parasitoid Zatypota picticollis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae)

We found that the koinobiont ectoparasitoid wasp Zatypota picticollis is exclusively associated with three orb weaving spiders Cyclosa conica, Mangora acalypha and Zilla diodia from the family Araneidae. Under the influence of the parasitoid's final instar larva the spiders built a specific web architecture, which differed considerably from the capturing orb web. Manipulated webs of C. conica and M. acalypha lacked the spiral, stabilimentum and central hub, and the radials were reduced in number. The manipulated web of Z. diodia consisted of one strong horizontally oriented thread.     

Cladistics of the genera of Mesochorinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Abstract. A cladistic analysis is presented for the genera of the ichneumonid subfamily Mesochorinae. Nine genera are recognized as valid. Previous work on larval morphology is reviewed and a number of larvae are newly illustrated and discussed. Four new synonyms are proposed: Oncocotta, Piestetron, Plectochorus and Rhaibaspis are all synonymized with Mesochorus , and Stictopisthus is placed back as a synonym of Mesochorus. Four new genera are described: Artherola from South Africa, Chineater from Chile, Thamester from Japan, and Varnado from Morocco. A new key is provided to the mesochorine genera of the world.     

The suprageneric groups ofthe Pimplinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): a cladistic re-evaluationand evolutionary biological study

The phylogenetic relationships of the suprageneric groupsof the ichneumonid subfamily Pimplinae (Hymenoptera) are re‐assessedusing 166 morphological and biological characters for 162 species,representing all of the available described genera and subgenera.The cladistic analysis was repeated using abstracted genera, re‐codedfrom the ­initial set of species, as terminal taxa. Thetopology of the resulting cladograms was similar. In the first (primary) analysisseveral genera (including Neotheronia, Itoplectis, Dolichomitus, Dreisbachia, Polysphincta, Oxyrrhexis and Zonopimpla)were not retrieved as monophyletic groups; however, all except thelast were found to be monophyletic in the second analysis. Theseresults suggest that using abstracted taxa may force a ‘falsemonophyly’ on the preselected groups. Thus we reject theuse of such abstractions, preferring instead to use exemplar speciesthat together show much of the variation that occurs within a hypothesizedgenus. Within the Pimplinae three major groupings were recognized,the Delomeristini (including the Perithoini syn. nov.) , thePimplini and the Ephialtini. Within the Pimplini, two generic groupswere recovered, the Xanthopimpla and Pimpla genus‐groups,but a third postulated group, the Theronia genus‐group, wasfound to be paraphyletic. Within the Ephialtini five groups wererecognized, the Pseudopimpla, Alophosternum, Camptotypus, Ephialtes and Sericopimpla genus‐groups.The spider parasitizing complex of genera (the Polysphincta genus‐complex)was found to nest within the Sericopimpla genus‐group confirmingthe placement of Polysphinctini as a synonym of Ephialtini. Problemswith the status of some existing genera are highlighted, but formalnomenclatural changes are not proposed. The ancestral Pimplinaeare hypothesized to have been solitary ectoparasitic idiobiontson weakly concealed immature Hymenoptera. The major radiations withinthe Pimplinae are shown as: (1) a progressive exploitation of cocooned,then weakly cocooned, lepidopterous pupae in the Pimplini leadingto idiobiont endoparasitism; (2) increasing specialization to attackhosts deeply concealed in wood in the Ephialtes genus‐group,and (3) specialization on a variety of cocooned hosts, includingspider egg sacs, leading to koinobiont ectoparasitism of spiders.A brief synopsis of the distribution of the group is given, and somebiogeographical inferences drawn. The group is presumed to haveoriginated and radiated on Laurasia; no evidence for trans‐Antarcticrelationships can be found. © 2002 The LinneanSociety of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,2002, 136 , 421?485     

中国无脊姬蜂属一新记录种

记述中国无脊姬蜂属Alophosternum Cushman 1新记录种:黑基无脊姬蜂A.nigricoxis Zwakhals,1987,分布吉林省;提供了种的形态特征描述、分布以及特征图.     

A revision of Benjaminia (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae)

Abstract The campoplegine genus Benjuminia is herein revised, with ten species being described as new, in addition to the five previously known species. Phylogenetic relationships of Benjuminia to other genera are discussed, and a cladogram presented for the species. Two monophyletic species groups are recognized, one being confined to the Palearctic and the other to the Nearctic. Examination of larval morphology not only fails to reveal larval characters for distinguishing Benjuminia but leads to the conclusion that use of larval morphology to identify campoplegine species is a dubious practice.     

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of all genera of Conopidae (Diptera) based on morphological data

All global genera of the fly family Conopidae are revised here. A cladistic analysis of 117 morphological characters recorded from 154 species, including representatives of 59 genera and subgenera, recovers a phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. This hypothesis is used as the basis of a new classification for the family. Both Sicini and Zodionini are removed from Myopinae and elevated to subfamilial status. A new tribe, Thecophorini, is proposed within Myopinae to accommodate Thecophora, Scatoccemyia, and Pseudoconops. Two genera, Pseudomyopa and Parazodion, are removed from Dalmanniinae and placed in Myopinae and Zodioninae, respectively. Conopinae is divided into 11 tribes, seven of which are newly described (Asiconopini, Caenoconopini, Gyroconopini, Microconopini, Neoconopini, and Siniconopini). Some examined species are transferred to different or new genera and subgenera. A new genus, Schedophysoconops gen. nov. , and subgenus Asiconops (Aegloconops) subgen. nov. within Conopinae are described. A review of character evolution and phylogeography is included in light of the new classification. A catalogue of all genus‐group names is included with new emendations noted.     

Life history of the spider parasitoid Zatypota percontatoria (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The life history of polysphinctine parasitoids is poorly understood. As a result, their effect on their host has not been evaluated. Here, we present the phenology of Zatypota percontatoria, an ectoparasitoid wasp of theridiid spiders, using rich field, semi‐field and laboratory investigations of selected life‐history parameters. The wasps overwintered as larva attached to the spider abdomen and the imagos of the first generation emerged at the beginning of May. The sex ratio (F/M) of overwintered wasp larvae was 1.4. The wasp spent an average of 6.4 days in the egg stage, 27.67 days in the larval stage and 9.6 days in the pupal stage. Adult longevity was on average 14.34 days. Oviposition occurred on average 8.44 days following maturity. The wasp laid on average 0.35 eggs/day. The total fecundity was on average 7.4 eggs per wasp and decreased with age (data from unmated females). The developmental rate increased with experimental temperature up to 28 °C. The lower developmental threshold for pupae was estimated at 6.6 °C. The sum of effective temperatures for pupae was estimated at 157.8 degree days. Using daily temperature records from the Czech Republic over the last 41 years, we estimated an average of 3.5 generations of Z. percontatoria per year. Mortality was 48% in semi‐field conditions and 23% in the laboratory. The incidence of mortality was highest during egg and larval stages caused by the detachment of eggs or larvae during spider molting, the mortality of the spider‐host and egg deposition on the spider prosoma.     

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Heteropachylinae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptidae)

Heteropachylinae Kury, 1994 is currently considered an early lineage of Gonyleptidae Sundevall, 1833 and includes small harvestmen that occur in the Atlantic Forests, mainly in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The species of Heteropachylinae were spread in different subfamilies until the establishment of the group. As a result of that, until now there were no comparative works on the subfamily in the literature. In this study, the first systematic review for Heteropachylinae was carried out and the first phylogenetic hypothesis for their taxa is proposed, by means of a cladistic approach. A total of 102 morphological characters was coded for 21 terminal taxa: 11 species of Heteropachylinae, two species from the genus Mangaratiba Mello‐Leitão, 1940 (considered as Heteropachylinae before this paper), seven other gonyleptids, and one cosmetid. The data were analysed using heuristic search algorithms, resulting in one most parsimonious tree (280 steps, consistency index = 0.47, retention index = 0.63). A parsimony analysis under implied weights was also performed, resulting in three trees. According to the results, Heteropachylinae is a monophyletic and well‐supported group if Mangaratiba is excluded. This genus should be returned to where it was originally described – Pachylinae. The subfamily distribution is restricted from Ceará to Espírito Santo Brazilian states. Pseudopucrolia Roewer, 1912 is considered a senior synonym of Melloa Roewer, 1930, Thaumatoleptes Roewer, 1930, and Tribunosoma Roewer, 1943. Two species of Heteropachylus Roewer, 1913, Heteropachylus ramphonotus sp. nov. and Heteropachylus gracilis sp. nov. , from Bahia and Espírito Santo Brazilian states, are newly described. Heteropachylus is considered a senior synonym of Chavesincola Soares & Soares, 1946 and Aesotrinoma H. Soares, 1977. A new genus is also described for a new species from Bahia and Espírito Santo Brazilian states, Magnispina neptunus gen. et sp. nov. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Pseudopucrolia incerta (Mello‐Leitão, 1928) comb. nov. , Pseudopucrolia discrepans (Roewer, 1943) comb.nov. , Pseudopucrolia rugosa (Roewer, 1930) comb. nov. , Heteropachylus inexpectabilis (Soares & Soares, 1946) comb. nov. and Heteropachylus spiniger Roewer, 1913. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 437–483.     

枣镰翅小卷蛾的一种寄生蜂——突尼斯埃姬蜂

本文简要记述了枣镰翅小卷蛾Ancylis sativa Liu的1种寄生蜂--突尼斯埃姬蜂Itoplectis tunetarta(Schmiedeknecht)成虫的形态特征、寄主以及分布.     

Phylogeny of Agriotypinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), with comments on the subfamily relationships of the basal Ichneumonidae

Abstract. Agriotypinae is a small clade of aquatic parasitoid wasps with uncertain affinities. Its phylogeny was examined in a cladistic analysis of larval and adult morphological characters. The analysis found that Agriotypinae belongs within Ichneumonidae as sister group of Labeninae and related to Xoridinae and Cryptinae. All sixteen species in the subfamily should be assigned to Agriotypus Curtis. Two species groups were found, the Palaearctic armatus species group and the Oriental himalensis species group. Agriotypus chaoi sp.n. and Agriotypus masneri sp.n. are described from Vietnam and Atopotypus Chao is synonymized with Agriotypus forming Agriotypus succinctus (Chao) comb.n. A key and revision of the world species is provided, and the evolution of aquatic behaviour in Ichneumonidae is discussed.     

High local species richness of parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae and Rhyssinae) from the lowland rainforests of Peruvian Amazonia

Abstract.  1. The parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) is of great interest because it has been claimed that its species richness does not increase with decreasing latitude.
2. No extensive studies of the family have been conducted in South American localities.
3. Arthropods were sampled using 27 Malaise traps in the Allpahuayo–Mishana National Reserve (56 000 ha) in the north-eastern Peruvian Amazonian lowland rainforest. The total duration of the sampling programme was 185 Malaise trap months.
4. Altogether, 88 species were collected. This is one of the highest local pimpline and rhyssine species numbers ever recorded. A comparison with results from Mesoamerica revealed that at equal numbers of individuals sampled, the number of Pimplinae and Rhyssinae species in Peruvian Amazonia is at least twofold compared with lowland locations in Mesoamerica and somewhat higher than in the most species-rich Costa Rican higher altitude localities.
5. Non-parametric methods of estimating species richness were applied. These suggest that additional sampling would yield a considerable number of new Pimplinae and/or Rhyssinae species.     

Two new species of the genus Chablisea Gauld et Dubois (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) from Vietnam

Two new species of the genus Chablisea Gauld et Dubois, 2006 are described from Vietnam based on ichneumonid material collected from 2002 to 2008. Chablisea condimenta sp. n. differs from other species of the genus by the absence of the second abscissa of hind wing vein Cu1, narrower hind femur (5.2 times as long as wide), and yellow subapical, lateral spots on metasomal tergites 2–5. Chablisea khuatdanglongi sp. n. is characterized by its face as high as wide, yellow with a median black stripe extending to a black transverse band at the base of the clypeus. One species, C. albifacialis (Kusigemati, 1984) is a new combination.     

Behavioral manipulation of the orb‐weaver spider Argiope argentata (Araneae: Araneidae) by Acrotaphus chedelae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

We observed the first case of host‐behavioral manipulation of an orb‐weaver spider Argiope argentata induced by a parasitoid wasp of the genus Acrotaphus. The modified web is similar of those constructed by other orb weavers attacked by wasps of the close related genus Hymenoepimecis. The stick spirals and radii are absent and the web is composed of a three‐dimensional structure of non adhesive threads. The discovery of the ability to induce changes in host's web‐building behavior in Acrotaphus is indicative that this trait may be primitively present in the clade that includes the genus Hymenoepimecis.     

A revision of the Haplocheira group of genera (Amphipoda: Aoridae)

The Southern hemisphere aorid amphipod genera Haplocheira Haswell and Kuphocheira Barnard are revised and Anonychocheirus gen. nov. is described from Antarctica. A key is provided to distinguish the three genera and six species currently known. Material attributed to H. barbimana (Thomson, 1879) from Antarctica, South Georgia, Australia, lies de Kerguelen, New Zealand and Auckland Is. has been re-examined. The Antarctic material proves to be separate on the basis of antennal peduncle proportions, shape of lateral cephalic angle and shape and setation of peraeopod bases. Stebbing's species plumosa is re-established for this entity. Haplocheira robusta Barnard is synonymized with H. barbimana and three subspecies are described, viz. H.b. barbimana (Thomson) from New Zealand and Auckland Is., H.b. typica Haswell from Australia and lies de Kerguelen (shallow water) and H.b. robusta Barnard from Magellanic South America and the Falkland islands. Haplocheira balssi Schellenberg remains a separate species. Kuphocheira setimanus Barnard is re-assessed and K. emancipata sp. nov. described from Antarctica. The new genus Anonychocheirus is presently known only from the type species A. richardsoni sp. nov. described herein.     

A revision of the genera Dirphys Howard and Encarsiella Hayat (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract. Dirphys and Encarsiella are revised for the world, and include four and six species respectively. Three Dirphys and two Encarsiella species are described as new. Generic diagnoses and keys to world species of Dirphys and Encarsiella are provided, and their biology is reviewed. These genera are related to the large and economically very important genera Coccophagus and Encarsia , which between them contain about 400 currently valid species. Encarsiella was recently synonymized with Dirphys , and both have previously been confused with Coccophagus and Encarsia , adding to the difficulty surrounding the taxonomy of the latter genera. Computerized character analysis based on parsimony supports the reinstatement of Encarsiella as a valid genus and shows relationships between Dirphys, Encarsia and Encarsiella.