DNA barcodes identify 99 per cent of apoid wasp species (Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae,Crabronidae, Sphecidae) from the Western Palearctic

The apoid wasps have traditionally been regarded as a paraphyletic assemblage of four families (Ampulicidae, Crabronidae, Heterogynaidae and Sphecidae) that are closely related to the bees (Anthophila). The present study covers the three families of apoid wasps known to occur in Europe, that is, the Ampulicidae, Crabronidae and Sphecidae. DNA barcode sequences of 3,695 specimens of apoid wasps were analysed for the present study, including 21 specimens of Ampulicidae, 3,398 Crabronidae and 276 Sphecidae. The sequences of the dataset represent 661 species of apoid wasps, including two species of Ampulicidae, 613 of Crabronidae and 46 species of Sphecidae. The dataset includes DNA barcodes of 240 species of German apoid wasps, representing 88% of the German fauna, and 578 European species, representing 65% of the European apoid wasp fauna. The study demonstrates that virtually all species of the three examined families can be reliably identified by DNA barcodes. The implications of highly congruent results between traditional taxonomy and DNA barcoding for the reliable application of DNA‐based identifications are discussed.     

The phylogenetic position of the enigmatic wasp family Heterogynaidae based on molecular data, with description of a new, nocturnal species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract.  The wasp family Heterogynaidae is described and previous phylogenetic hypotheses on its position within the Apoidea are discussed. The higher level phylogeny of the Apoidea based on sequence data of a nuclear gene, long-wavelength (LW) opsin, is analysed for the first time. Although preliminary because of limited taxon sampling and use of a single gene, the analysis reveals some significant results. Monophyly of the Apoidea, including the Heterogynaidae, is supported strongly, as is monophyly of Heterogynaidae. The monophyly of the bees is also confirmed, but support is rather weak. Monophyly of the Ampulicidae + Sphecidae, which is the sister group to the remaining Apoidea (Crabronidae + Anthophila + Heterogynaidae), is confirmed. Our results imply that Sphecidae may be paraphyletic with respect to Ampulicidae, and Crabronidae with respect to bees and Heterogynaidae. Remarkably, Heterogynaidae is well nested within the Crabronidae + Anthophila clade, which is in conflict with the morphological data. This result implies that Heterogynaidae may not have originated from a basal node within Apoidea, as previously considered, and that the character states presumed to be plesiomorphies may instead be homoplasies. Our analysis confirms the value of LW opsin in resolving deeper nodes within Apoidea. A new species, Heterogyna nocticola Ohl, from the Sultanate of Oman is described based on both sexes, with a diagnosis, information on distribution and collecting period. A key to the Palaearctic species of Heterogynaidae is presented.     

A preliminary detective survey of hymenopteran insects at Jazan Lake Dam Region,Southwest of Saudi Arabia

A preliminary detective survey for the hymenopteran insect fauna of Jazan Lake dam region, Southwest Saudi Arabia, was carried out for one year from January 2018 to January 2019 using mainly sweep nets and Malaise traps. The survey revealed the presence of three hymenopteran Superfamilies (Apoidea, Vespoidea and Evanioidea) representing 15 species belonging to 10 genera of 6 families (Apidae, Crabronidae, Sphecidae, Vespidae, Mutillidae, and Evaniidae). The largest number of species has belonged to the family Crabronidae is represented by 6 species under 2 genera. While the family Apidae, is represented by 2 species under 2 genera. Family Vespidae is represented by 2 species of one genus. While, the rest of the families Sphecidae, Mutillida, and Evaniidae each is represented by only one species and one genus each. Eleven species are predators, two species are pollinators and two species are parasitics. Note for each family was provided, and species was provided with synonyms and general and taxonomic remarks and their worldwide geographic distribution and information about their economic importance are also included. All species were photographed with dorsal and lateral views.     

Identifying the sister group to the bees: a molecular phylogeny of Aculeata with an emphasis on the superfamily Apoidea

Debevec, AH., Cardinal, S & Danforth, BN. Identifying the sister group to the bees: a molecular phylogeny of Aculeata with an emphasis on the superfamily Apoidea. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 527–535. The hymenopteran superfamily Apoidea includes the bees (Anthophila) as well as four predatory wasp families (Heterogynaidae, Ampulicidae, Sphecidae and Crabronidae) collectively referred to as the “sphecoid” or “apoid” wasps. The most widely cited studies suggest that bees are sister to the wasp family Crabronidae, but alternative hypotheses have been proposed based on both morphological and molecular data. We combined DNA sequence data from previously published studies and newly generated data for four nuclear genes (28S, long‐wavelength rhodopsin, elongation factor‐1α and wingless) to identify the likely sister group to the bees. Analysis of our four‐gene data set by maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods indicates that bees most likely arise from within a paraphyletic Crabronidae. Possible sister groups to the bees include Philanthinae, Pemphredoninae or Philanthinae + Pemphredoninae. We used Bayesian methods to explore the robustness of our results. Bayes Factor tests strongly rejected the hypotheses of crabronid monophyly as well as placement of Heterogynaidae within Crabronidae. Our results were also stable to alternative rootings of the bees. These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis that bees arise from within Crabronidae, rather than being sister to Crabronidae, thus altering our understanding of bee ancestry and evolutionary history.     

Digger wasps (Hymenoptera,Apoidea: Ampulicidae,Sphecidae, Crabronidae) of the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory,Abkhazia, and adjacent areas

A list of 208 digger-wasp species (Hymenoptera, Apoidea: Ampulicidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae) from the Black Sea coast and adjacent areas within Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia, and Adygea is given. Gorytes schmiedeknechti Handlirsch, 1888, Miscophus albufeirae Andrade, 1952, Psenulus fulvicornis (Schenck, 1857), and Passaloecus pictus Ribaut, 1952) are new to the Russian fauna, and 47 species are recorded for the first time from Abkhazia. Ectemnius guttatus (Vander Linden, 1829) does not occur in the Western Caucasus; the record of the species from this region was based on a misidentified female of E. lituratus Pz. Tachysphex gibbus Kohl, 1885, stat. n. is considered a distinct species based on its ecological and morphological features.     

Alpha–beta diversity in trap-nesting wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) in Southern Brazil

This study was carried out at the Parque Municipal das Araucárias, in the municipality of Guarapuava, state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The aims of the present study were to access the spectrum of wasp species inhabiting trap-nests in three habitats, to record their richness and diversity and elucidate the process responsible for their composition and abundance and to investigate if there is difference in their diversity between Brazilian tropical and subtropical regions. A total of 1097 nests, belonging to 21 species of solitary wasps, were collected. Of these, nine belonged to the family Vespidae (42.86%), six to Pompilidae (28.57%), four to Crabronidae (19.05%) and two to Sphecidae (9.52%). Crabronidae was the most abundant family in the samplings, with a total of 927 collected nests (84.3%). The environment that presented the greatest species diversity, richness and evenness was the grassland areas. Using the Bray–Curtis coefficient (beta diversity), the greatest similarity, in relation to species abundance, occurred between swamp and grasslands. In contrast, the araucaria forest was the habitat with the greatest dissimilarity, a result corroborated by the correspondence analysis.     

西双版纳不同经济作物环境泥蜂物种多样性研究

泥蜂是一类重要的捕猎性天敌昆虫和传粉昆虫。本研究于2018年6月-2019年11月对西双版纳地区观赏经作区、柚林区、古茶林区和农田区(样地Ⅰ-Ⅳ)4个调查区采用马氏网诱捕方法定期定点调查,每月调查一次。结果如下：西双版纳调查区域分布有泥蜂类群3科15族27属110种;其中,泥蜂科包括3族5属7种;蠊泥蜂科包括2族3属8种;方头泥蜂科包括10族19属95种,为该地区的优势科。脊短柄泥蜂属Psenulus、小唇泥蜂属Larra和短翅泥蜂属Trypoxylon为优势属,刻臀小唇泥蜂Larra fenchihuensis、磨光小唇泥蜂红腿亚种Larra polita luzonensis为优势种。4个作物区的优势科均为方头泥蜂科,但不同作物区泥蜂的优势属种存在差异,观赏经作区(样地Ⅰ)优势属为脊短柄泥蜂属和短翅泥蜂属,优势种为普氏脊短柄泥蜂指名亚种Psenulus pulcherrimus pulcherrimus(17.4%)和岩田隆痣短柄泥蜂Carinostigmus iwatai(15.6%);柚木林区(样地Ⅱ)优势属为脊短柄泥蜂属和短翅泥蜂属,优势种为普氏脊短柄泥蜂指名亚种(17.7%...     

A cladistic analysis of the cockroach wasps based on morphological data (Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae)

The Ampulicidae are one of the most basal groups within the apoid wasps, the paraphyletic assemblage of wasps previously known as Sphecidae. The morphology and taxonomy of the Ampulicidae are poorly studied, and there is no strict cladistic approach on their phylogeny yet. Here we assemble morphological characters of phylogenetic significance and submit them to parsimony analyses using modern cladistic methods. This produces a well-resolved and firmly supported phylogenetic hypothesis on the generic relationships within the group. Based on our phylogenetic results a revised classification is provided, subdividing the Ampulicidae into two monophyletic subfamilies, Ampulicinae ( Ampulex and Trirogma ) and Dolichurinae, the latter comprising two monophyletic tribes, Dolichurini ( Dolichurus and Paradolichurus ) and Aphelotomini, new tribe ( Aphelotoma and Riekefella ). Based on the resulting cladogram, the historical biogeography and the fossil record of Ampulicidae are briefly discussed.
© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.     

Artificial covering on trap nests improves the colonization of trap-nesting wasps

To evaluate the role that a trap‐nest cover might have on sampling methodologies, the abundance of each species of trap‐nesting Hymenoptera and the parasitism rate in a Canadian forest were compared between artificially covered and uncovered traps. Of trap tubes exposed at eight forest sites in six trap‐nest boxes, 531 trap tubes were occupied and 1216 individuals of 12 wasp species of four predatory families, Vespidae (Eumeninae), Crabronidae, Sphecidae and Pompilidae emerged over 2 years, and no bee species were found. Results indicated that artificial covering led to a significant increase in the number of nested tubes of Ancistrocerus adiabatus, Ancistrocerus antilope, Ancistrocerus campestris and Auplopus mellipes, and significant effects of covering were not found for the other species. No significant difference in the overall parasitism rate between covered and uncovered traps was noted. These suggested that the covering technique could provide more opportunities for some wasp species to colonize trap nests.     

The camerobiid mites (Acari, Camerobiidae) of Turkey

Three new species of Neophyllobius viz. N. demirsoyi, N. yunusi, N. bolvadinensis and male, protonymph and larvae of N. lachishensis Bolland, 1998 from Turkey are described and illustrated. Neophyllobius lachishensis is reported from Turkey for the first time.     

A review of the ticks (Acari: Ixodida) of Turkey: species diversity, hosts and geographical distribution

Ticks are important ectoparasites, causing a variety of serious infectious diseases in humans and domestic animals. There is very limited taxonomic information about the tick species of Turkey in the literature, even though Turkey has very suitable climate and vegetation for ticks. In the current study, species diversity, hosts and geographical distribution of the ticks present in Turkey are reviewed based on taxonomic data in the literature from 1915 to 2011 and our recent observations. The names of tick species are arranged according to the most recent check lists. The taxonomic records in the literature and our studies on actual tick samples indicated that the tick fauna of Turkey consists of 46 species; 38 species from Ixodidae and 8 species from Argasidae.     

A new species of the genus Herina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 from Iran and Turkey (Diptera: Ulidiidae)

A hitherto unknown species of the dipteran family Ulidiidae is described from Iran and Turkey: Herina rajabii n. sp. is similar to H. gyrans (Loew) and H. tristis (Meigen), differing from them by the yellowish-brown scutellum and presence of a very strong subcercal prensiseta on the surstylus. A key to the species of the Herina tristis-group of species is provided.     

Weissia multicapsularis,a rare moss species new to Turkey and Asia

The bryophyte flora of Karacabey (Bursa) Floodplain Forest in Turkey was investigated in 2017. Here, we report Weissia multicapsularis (Sm.) Mitt. from forest. This globally important moss species is a new record for Turkey and the continent of Asia. Illustrations, details of the location in Turkey and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa are provided.     

Ctenophthalmus harputus, a new Spalax flea from Turkey

ABSTRACT. Ctenophthalmus harputus sp.n. is described from the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi Nehring collected near Elaziǧ city in eastern Turkey. This new flea species is classified in the Ctenophthalmus (Palaeo-ctenophthalmus) fissurus Wagner group. A key is given to the six species of Spalax fleas (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmus spp.) recorded from Turkey.     

Grey-headed Woodpecker,Picus canus,in north-eastern Turkey

Abstract

A new record of the Grey-headed Woodpecker in north-eastern Turkey shows, together with published results, that the species apparently is distributed in low density over the whole Black Sea region of Turkey.     

Sublethal effect of brood parasitism on the grass-carrying wasp Isodontia mexicana

Abstract.  1. The nests of solitary, nest-provisioning wasps (Sphecidae and Crabronidae) are commonly attacked by brood parasites, including flies of the families Phoridae and Sarcophagidae. Larvae of the flies commonly kill the wasp offspring directly or starve it by consuming prey provided by the adult female wasps.
2. To determine whether brood parasitic flies can have a sublethal effect (i.e. reduced body size) on wasp offspring, nests of the wasp Isodontia mexicana were collected at two field sites in upstate New York, U.S.A. Nest diameter had no effect on the probability that a wasp cell would be inhabited by a brood parasite. Most offspring that developed in cells also containing phorids or sarcophagids managed to complete development and emerge as adults. Nevertheless, they had significantly smaller body size than conspecifics emerging from unparasitised cells in which the developing wasp did not have to compete for food (which in this species consists of tree crickets and katydids). Apparently, this is the first time that a sublethal effect of brood parasitism on offspring body size has been quantified for a solitary wasp species. Known effects of body size on the reproductive success of adult wasps suggest that sublethal consequences of the presence of brood parasites may have a significant effect on the fitness of adult I. mexicana .     

A new species of Acantholimon Boiss. sect Staticopsis (Plumbaginaceae) from North Anatolia, Turkey

A new species, Acantholimon yildizelicum (Plumbaginaceae) is described and illustrated. The species is found in Astragalus sp. and Festuca sp. steppe in Çamlibel Mountain around Yidizeli (B6 Sivas) in North Anatolia, Turkey. Diagnostic morphological characteristics from the closely related species are discussed and conservation statuses of the species is given. A revised key to Acantholimon species with scapes lacking or inflorescence borne at level of leaves and bracts pubescent is also given for the species found in Turkey.     

Pellet contents of the Barn Owl,Tyto alba,near Samandag,Turkey

Summary

Weights and standard measurements are given of 568 individuals of 52 bird species ringed in various localities in Turkey in July and August 1973. The Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta, was recorded in Turkey for the first time.     

A New Species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae) from Turkey

A new species, Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hopaensis sp. n. is described and Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hoberlandti Gentili, 1982 is recorded from Turkey for the first time. In addition, a list of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 species known from Turkey is presented.