The genera of Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera) of The world

Abstract A key is given to the world genera of the chalcidoid family Aphelinidae. Forty-four genera are accepted as valid, including three described as new, Encarsiella (type-species E.noyesi sp.n.), Hirtaphelinus (type-species H.smetanai sp.n.) and Samariola (type-species S.camerounensis sp.n.). The key is followed by a synopsis of the world genera, which includes: (1) citations of valid genera and their synonyms in chronological order; (2) total or approximate number of described species; (3) distribution in the six zoogeographical regions; (4) references mainly to major works and revisions; and (5) comments, especially on the new synonymies introduced in the present paper. The following new synonymies are proposed (the senior synonyms (valid names) are noted in parentheses): Aleurodiphilus DeBach & Rose ( Encarsia Foerster); Aneristus Howard, Ataneostigma Girault, Heptacritus De Santis ( Coccophagus Westwood); Artas Howard (Pteroptrix Westwood); Plastocharella Girault, Turmidiscapus Girault ( Centrodora Foerster); Encyrtophyscus Blanchard, Physculus Jasnosh, Physcus Howard ( Coccobius Ratzeburg); Mesidia Foerster ( Aphelinus Dalman); Paranthemus Girault ( Cales Howard); Primaprospaltella DeBach & LaSalle ( Coccophagoides Girault). The following genera are regarded as of doubtful position: Mesopirene Girault, Neocales Risbec, Paulianaphelinus Risbec and Verekia Risbec.     

Preliminary phylogeny of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) based on morphology and 28S rDNA

Species of Encarsia F?rster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae, Coccophaginae) are economically important for the biological control of whitefly and armored scale pests (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae, Diaspididae). Whereas some regional keys for identification of Encarsia species are now available, few studies have addressed relationships within this diverse and cosmopolitan genus because of unreliable morphological data. Nuclear sequences of the D2 expansion region of 28S rDNA were determined from 67 strains of 24 species representing 10 species groups of Encarsia, 2 strains of Encarsiella noyesi Hayat, and 1 strain of Coccophagoides fuscipennis Girault. Analysis of molecular data alone and combined with morphological data resolves many nodes not resolved by morphology alone and offer insights into which morphological characters are useful for supporting group relationships. All analyses that include molecular data reveal Encarsia to be paraphyletic with respect to Encarsiella. If monophyly of Encarsia is constrained, the relationships are the same but with a different root within Encarsia, and these trees are presented as an alternate hypothesis. The luteola and strenua species groups are shown by both morphological and molecular data to be monophyletic, whereas the inaron group, the E. nigricephala + luteola group, and the E. quericola + strenua group are supported only by molecular data. The aurantii and parvella species groups are not supported in any of the analyses. The utility of morphological characters for defining species group relationships is discussed.     

Encarsia or Encarsiella? – redefining generic limits based on morphological and molecular evidence (Hymenoptera,Aphelinidae)

Abstract.  The genus Encarsiella ( syn.n. ) (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae) is synonymized with Encarsia on the basis of molecular and morphological characters. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted of the D2 expansion region of the 28S ribosomal DNA including thirty-eight Encarsia species. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed a polyphyletic origin of Encarsiella and confirmed the results of earlier analyses indicating the paraphyly of Encarsia . Four species are described as new ( Encarsia bifasciata sp.n. , E. caelata sp.n. , E. obliqua sp.n. and E. pilosa sp.n. ). The following species are transferred from Encarsiella to Encarsia : Encarsia aleurodici ( Girault, 1916 ) comb.n. , E. amabilis ( Huang & Polaszek, 1998 ) comb.n. , E. boswelli ( Girault, 1915 ) comb.n. , E. magniclava ( Girault, 1915 ) comb.n. , E. narroi Gómez & García comb.n. , E. nepalensis ( Polaszek & Hayat, 1992 ) comb.n. , E. noyesi ( Hayat, 1983 ) comb.n. , E. pithecura ( Polaszek, 1999 ) comb.n. , E. tachii ( Polaszek & Hayat, 1992 ) comb.n. , E. taiwanensis ( Chou & Chou, 1994 ) comb.n. and E. tamaulipeca ( Myartseva & Coronado-Blanco, 2002 ) comb.n. The generic limits of Encarsia are re-defined based on a re-assessment of morphological characters, and the results are discussed with respect to the current classification of the aphelinid subfamily Coccophaginae.     

Living genera of sea pens (Goelenterata: Octocorallia: Pennatulacea): illustrated key and synopses

An illustrated dichotomous key and synopses of the 32 genera of living pennatulacean octocorals are presented, which incorporate new morphological and distributional data from the examination of recendy collected material. In addition, a key to the 15 extant families, lists of valid genera, synonyms, and a table of comparative characters are also included. Lasdy, a revised classification and phylogenetic considerations are presented. Preliminary investigations indicate that the traditional higher classification scheme of the Pennatulacea is inadequate for reasons of paraphyly and intermediate taxa, that tend to negate precise distinctions between some of the nominal higher taxa. Of the approximately 436 described species of sea pens worldwide, only 186 (or 43%) are estimated to be valid. In addition, several undescribed species have recently been discovered, and others will no doubt be discovered in the future. It is therefore estimated that the extant pennatulacean fauna of the world comprises approximately 200 species in 32 genera.     

中国寄生烟粉虱的三种恩角蚜小蜂28S rRNA系统发育分析(英文)

蚜小蜂Bemisia tabaci是烟粉虱的重要天敌, 其中双斑恩蚜小蜂Encarsia bimaculata, 丽蚜小蜂E. formosa以及浅黄恩蚜小蜂E. sophia是国内烟粉虱寄生蜂3个优势种。本研究以采自中国华南、 华东、 华北、 西南地区以及马来西亚、 埃及的E. bimaculata、 E. formosa和E. sophia 3个优势种的8个不同地理种群为研究对象, 对其28S rRNA D2和D3扩展区序列进行了测定和分析。结果表明： Encarsia属的恩蚜小蜂其28S rRNA D2和D3序列在种间水平上高度保守; 与丽蚜小蜂相比, 双斑蚜小蜂与浅黄恩蚜小蜂在遗传关系上更为接近。依据28S rRNA和D2序列的系统发育分析结果显示, 同一种的蚜小蜂其种内也存在一定的遗传分化, 比如中国广东的浅黄恩蚜小蜂种群与澳大利亚、 西班牙、 埃及和埃塞俄比亚的浅黄恩蚜小蜂种群接近, 而与泰国的种群的亲缘关系则较远。在系统发育树上, 来自不同国家的（苏丹、 埃及和危地马拉以及澳大利亚）的双斑蚜小蜂种群聚集在同一分支上; 同时, 来自中国衡水和昆明的丽蚜小蜂种群也与来自美国的丽蚜小蜂种群聚集在一起, 却与埃及的种群相距较远。对造成这种同种寄生蜂不同种群之间在遗传距离和地理距离不对称的原因进行了探讨。     

菜用大豆田害虫天敌资源调查初报

根据田间系统调查,共发现菜用大豆田害虫天敌83种,隶属于2个纲8个目34个科69属;另发现2种病原微生物。其中索非亚恩蚜小蜂、银纹夜蛾多胚跳小蜂等是主要的寄生性天敌;青翅蚁形隐翅甲、龟纹瓢虫、草间小黑蛛、齿螯额角蛛和八斑鞘腹蛛等是主要的捕食性天敌。     

Morphometric and molecular analysis of the Encarsia inaron species-group (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), parasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Several series of host-reared specimens of an Encarsia species, initially thought to be the cosmopolitan Encarsia inaron (Walker), were collected in the Azores Islands (Portugal). Subsequent morphometric analysis supported the presence of two species: E. inaron and a new species, described herein as Encarsia estrellae Manzari & Polaszek sp. n. Encarsia estrellae was reared from Aleyrodes singularis Danzig, A. ?singularis, and Bemisia sp. afer-group on several host plants. In addition, the D2 region of the 28S rDNA gene was sequenced in eight individuals belonging to these species, as well as single representatives of two closely related and one distantly related species. Phylogenetic analysis of these DNA sequences, together with 23 additional Encarsia sequences retrieved from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and GenBank databases, further supported the specific status of E. estrellae, and the placement of E. dichroa (Mercet) in the E. inaron species-group. Additionally, E. inaron is redescribed and some taxonomic problems in the E. inaron species-group are discussed.     

Competition, resource partitioning and coexistence of an endoparasitoid Encarsia perniciosi and an ectoparasitoid Aphytis melinus of the California red scale

Abstract. 1. Laboratory experiments and field studies were conducted to explain the coexistence of an endoparasitoid, Encarsia perniciosi Tower, and an ectoparasitoid, Aphytis melinus DeBach, both of which were introduced into California to control the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.).
2. Encarsia parasitized all scale stages but it preferred first and second instar scales. This is in contrast to Aphytis melinus , in which previous studies have shown that it parasitizes second and third instar females and second instar males but prefers third instar female scales. Encarsia developed most rapidly when it parasitized an early second instar and slowest when it parasitized the mature female scale. However, on early second instar scales it was about 80% as fecund as a wasp that emerged from a mature female scale.
3. Second instar scales parasitized by Encarsia were accepted by Aphytis as readily as unparasitized scales.
4. Encarsia did not distinguish between unparasitized hosts and those previously parasitized by Aphytis.
5. Encarsia always outcompeted by Aphytis when both species parasitize the same host.
6. Encarsia prefers scale on stems whereas Aphytis prefers those on leaves and fruits. This, too, may be a result of interspecific competition with Aphytis.
7. The partitioning of the scale resource by the two species explains why they coexist in coastal southern California but it does not explain why Encarsia disappeared from citrus groves in the inland valleys coincident with the introduction of Aphytis melinus into southern California.     

Catalogue of genera and species of the family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida) with notes on morphology

The status of subfamilies and genera within Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 has recently been revised. Forty four genera are currently recognised as valid for the Chondracanthidae and a comprehensive catalogue to the valid genera and species of the family is presented here. In addition, numerous supplementary observations are presented on existing taxa for which incomplete or inadequate data were previously available.     

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.     

A revision of the Encarsia longifasciata species group (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract.  The Encarsia longifasciata group is established and revised, and its relationship to other species groups of Encarsia is discussed with reference to biological, morphological and molecular evidence. Principal component analysis on all available specimens provided supporting evidence for the existence of five species, two of which are described herein as new: E. dewa Pedata & Polaszek, sp.n and E. prinslooi Pedata & Polaszek, sp.n. All species are either diagnosed or described, and illustrated, and information is given on their distribution and host range. Additional information on the biology and larval stages, and scanning electron micrographs of morphological details, are provided for E. arabica Hayat. A preliminary phylogenetic study using 28S D2 rDNA sequence data for E. arabica was inconclusive, but suggested possible affinities between the longifasciata and parvella species groups. An illustrated dichotomous key to all species of the E. longifasciata group is given.     

Parasitoids of whiteflies (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae,Eulophidae, Platygastridae; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from the Macaronesian archipelagos of the Canary Islands,Madeira and the Azores

Data on the whitefly parasitoid species known from the Macaronesian archipelagos of the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores are presented, based largely on recently collected material. A total of 26 species are treated, including six new species, six new records for the Canary Islands, two new records for Madeira, and two new records for the Azores. All species are fully described and illustrated. New species described are: Encarsia atlantica Polaszek & Hernández; Encarsia levadicola Polaszek & Hernández; Encarsia melanostoma Polaszek & Hernández; Encarsia noahi Polaszek & Hernández; Euderomphale gomer LaSalle & Hernández; Euderomphale insularis LaSalle & Hernández. A fully illustrated identification key based on females is provided for recognition of whitefly parasitoids in these archipelagos. Data on the known distribution and hosts are provided, as well as references to biology and use in biological control.     

Systematics of the grey mullets (Teleostei: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae): molecular phylogenetic evidence challenges two centuries of morphology-based taxonomy

The family Mugilidae comprises mainly coastal marine species that are widely distributed in all tropical, subtropical and temperate seas. Mugilid species are generally considered to be ecologically important and they are a major food resource for human populations in certain parts of the world. The taxonomy and systematics of the Mugilidae are still much debated and based primarily on morphological characters. In this study, we provide the first comprehensive molecular systematic account of the Mugilidae using phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence variation at three mitochondrial loci (16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I, and cytochrome b) for 257 individuals from 55 currently recognized species. The study covers all 20 mugilid genera currently recognized as being valid. The family comprises seven major lineages that radiated early on from the ancestor to all current forms. All genera that were represented by two species or more, except Cestraeus, turned out to be paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Thus, the present phylogenetic results generally disagree with the current taxonomy at the genus level and imply that the anatomical characters used for the systematics of the Mugilidae may be poorly informative phylogenetically. The present results should provide a sound basis for a taxonomic revision of the mugilid genera. A proportion of the species with large distribution ranges (including Moolgarda seheli, Mugil cephalus and M. curema) appear to consist of cryptic species, thus warranting further taxonomic and genetic work at the infra-generic level.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Scopulini moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Sterrhinae)

The phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the geometrid tribe Scopulini (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae) were examined using 141 characters of adult morphology and ecology. The study material included 92 species, representing all previously recognized genera and covering the morphological variation and full geographical range of the tribe. The cladistic analysis resulted in 20 equally parsimonious trees and a strict consensus cladogram based on these was well resolved. A majority of the recovered synapomorphic characters have been used previously in the taxonomy of the tribe. However, many novel characters were found in the sclerotized structures of the thorax. Many previously recognized genera were found to be nonmonophyletic and based on the present revised, synapomorphy-based classification, the number of recovered genera is reduced considerably. Twenty new generic synonyms and 90 new or revived species combinations are proposed. Seven genera are considered valid, with the large genus Scopula Schrank including over 85% of all species in the tribe. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed and the problems of earlier classifications are discussed. A key to the genera is presented, although an informal diagnosis is preferred. All recognized genera are illustrated and a revised world checklist of the Scopulini is presented.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 143 , 473−530.     

桑白蚧的重要寄生蜂——桑白蚧恩蚜小蜂的鉴别与利用

桑白蚧恩蚜小蜂Encarsia(=Prospaltella)berlesel(Howard)是寄生桑白蚧Pseudaulacaspls pentagona(Targioni-Tozzctti)的重要寄生蜂,许多国家进行了引进移植,对控制桑白蚧的为害取得明显的成效．本记述了桑白蚧恩蚜小蜂形态特征的鉴别。以及各国引进利用的概况．并讨论了利用寄生蜂防治桑白蚧的重要性．     

中国海鼓虾科阿莱鼓虾属分类研究(甲壳亚门,十足目)

阿莱鼓虾属 Arete Stimpson曾被多个研究者作为Athanas Leach角鼓虾属的异名处理(Banner and Banner,1960,1973;Chace,1988;Miya and Miyake,1968),作者认为Kemp(1915)描述Athanus polymorphus多形角鼓虾出现的第2胸足腕节4节为形态变异,第2胸足腕节分节情况完全可以将两属分开,阿莱鼓虾属应该做有效属处理.文中记述了中国海分布的3个种.borradailei,A.dorsdis,A.indicus,其中A.Borradailei为中国海首次报道.文中详细描述A.borradailei,并提供了世界阿莱鼓虾属种的检索表.所有研究标本保存在中国科学院海洋研究所.     

Molecular characterization of closely related species in the parasitic genus Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene

The genus Encarsia F?rster includes parasitoid species that are effective natural enemies of whitefly and armoured scale insect agricultural pests. Within this genus, several species groups have been recognized on the basis of morphological similarity, although their monophyly appears uncertain. It is often difficult to separate morphologically similar species, and there is evidence that some species could in fact be complexes of cryptic species. Their correct identification is fundamental for biological control purposes. Recently, due to unreliability of morphological characters, molecular techniques have been investigated to identify markers that differentiate closely related species. In this study, DNA variation in an approximately 900 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was examined by both sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Two pairs of species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically were analysed: Encarsia formosa Gahan and Encarsialuteola Howard, belonging to the luteola group, and two populations of Encarsiasophia (Girault & Dodd) from Pakistan and Spain, belonging to the strenua group, recently characterized as cryptic species. High sequence divergence and species-specific restriction patterns clearly differentiate both species pairs. Parsimony analysis of the nucleotide sequences was also performed, including Encarsiahispida De Santis (luteola group) and Encarsia protransvena Viggiani (strenua group). Two monophyletic clades supporting the two groups of species considered were resolved. The results of this study support the use of the COI gene as a useful marker in separating species of Encarsia, for which morphological differences are subtle. Moreover, the COI gene appears potentially useful for understanding phylogenetic relationships in this genus.     

Diversity of extinct and living actinistian fishes (Sarcopterygii)

Synopsis A total of 121 actinistian species belonging to 47 genera and 17 undetermined actinistians is reported from the literature. There are 69 valid species with fair assessment of their phylogenetic position; 21 valid species with poor assessment of their phylogenetic position; 31 actinistian incertae sedis; and 18 taxa that had been identified incorrectly as actinistians or are nomen nuda. The fossil record of the actinistians covers a history of approximately 380 million years. The greatest diversity occurred during the Scythian (Early Triassic).     

Melhania steudneri (Sterculiaceae) new record for Egypt,and a synopsis of the Sterculiaceae in Egypt

The cultivated and indigenous taxa of Sterculiaceae in Egypt are systematically revised. This revealed the presence of 15 species, belonging to 10 genera, accepted as cultivated taxa and 6 indigenous species, belonging to 4 genera, restricted to the southeastern corner of Egypt; of which Melhania steudneri Schweinf. is a new record to the flora of Egypt. For the investigated taxa valid name, synonyms, types, general distribution and representative specimens are given. Identification keys for the determination of all genera and species are also provided.