The Phlesirtes complex (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini) reviewed: integrating morphological,molecular, chromosomal and bioacoustic data

The tettigoniid genus Phlesirtes Bolivar and its allies are reviewed. Morphological, ecological and molecular data prompt the erection of the new genus Chortoscirtes gen.n. with type species Xiphidion meruense Sjöstedt. The genera Phlesirtes, Chortoscirtes, Karniella and Naskreckiella are characterized by morphological characters supported by molecular, acoustic, ecological and chromosomal data. Four species, Chortoscirtes pseudomeruensis sp.n. , C. masaicus sp.n. , C. puguensis sp.n. and C. serengeti sp.n. , are described from localities in northern and coastal Tanzania and one Karniella, K. crassicerca sp.n. , is described from Uganda. The following comb n. are proposed: Phlesirtes kibonotensis (Sjöstedt) and Phlesirtes kilimandjaricus (Sjöstedt). Subtribal status is proposed for the four investigated African genera. A key to the Chortoscirtes species is provided.     

A new genus of mantidflies discovered in the Oriental region,with a higher‐level phylogeny of Mantispidae (Neuroptera) using DNA sequences and morphology

A remarkable new genus and two new species of Mantispidae (Neuroptera) are described from the Oriental region. Allomantispa Liu, Wu, Winterton & Ohl gen.n. , currently including A. tibetana Liu, Wu & Winterton sp.n. and A. mirimaculata Liu & Ohl sp.n. The new genus is placed in the subfamily Drepanicinae based on a series of morphological characteristics and on the results of total evidence phylogenetic analyses. Bayesian and Parsimony analyses were undertaken using three gene loci (CAD, 16S rDNA and COI) combined with 74 morphological characters from living and fossil exemplars of Mantispidae (17 genera), Rhachiberothidae (two genera) and Berothidae (five genera), with outgroup taxa from Dilaridae and Osmylidae. The resultant phylogeny presented here recovered a monophyletic Mantispidae with ?Mesomantispinae sister to the rest of the family. Relationships among Mantispidae, Rhachiberothidae and Berothidae support Rhachiberothidae as a separate family sister to Mantispidae. Within Mantispidae, Drepanicinae are a monophyletic clade sister to Calomantispinae and Mantispinae. In a combined analysis, Allomantispa gen.n. was recovered in a clade comprising Ditaxis McLachlan from Australia, and two fossil genera from the Palaearctic, ?Promantispa Panfilov (Kazakhstan; late Jurassic) and ?Liassochrysa Ansorge & Schlüter (Germany; Jurassic), suggesting a highly disjunct and relictual distribution for the family. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:464B06E8‐47E6‐482E‐8136‐83FE3B2E9D6B .     

Phylogenetic analysis of the family Telothelepodidae Nogueira,Fitzhugh & Hutchings, 2013 (Annelida: Terebelliformia)

Members of the 12 known species of the family Telothelepodidae, plus individuals of three additional undescribed species, were examined to infer phylogenetic relationships within the family and evaluate the status of genera. The outgroups include members of three species of Polycirridae and three of Thelepodidae. Members of 21 species, including both in- and outgroups, were coded for 47 subjects (‘characters’) and 109 characters sensu stricto (subject-predicate relations or ‘states’). The results, based on 15 minimum-length trees, each 103 steps long, suggest that telothelepodids should be divided into four genera, according to the morphology of the lower lip, presence or absence of eyespots, and visibility of segment 1. By necessity two of these genera are monotypic and plesiomorphic to two monophyletic genera; the latter two genera with five and eight species, respectively. Telothelepus, Parathelepus and Rhinothelepus are redefined, and the new genus Mesopothelepus gen. nov. is erected, all to accommodate the phylogenetic hypotheses presented. The problem of properly defining monotypic supraspecific taxon names as representative of phylogenetic hypotheses is discussed in relation to the inherent limitations of Article 13.1.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8C05DBD2-8226-4738-BF4A-E623A97ACB75     

Ecological adaptations of grassland‐inhabiting flightless Orthoptera: Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes,two new genera of African Karniellina (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini)

Two new genera, Fulvoscirtes n.gen. and Acanthoscirtes n.gen. , are established within the subtribe Karniellina of Conocephalini. Fulvoscirtes is based on Xiphidion kilimandjaricum Sjöstedt, 1909 and Acanthoscirtes on Phlesirtes kevani Chopard from northern Kenya. The majority of Fulvoscirtes spp. are confined to open grasslands in the submontane zone of mountains. Fulvoscirtes contains eight species, seven of which are newly described in this paper. Three species and one subspecies occur on Mt Kilimanjaro. These are F. kilimandjaricum (Sjöstedt) constricted to the southern slopes, F. legumishera n.sp. confined to the northern side and F. sylvaticus n.sp. occurring on the western side of Kilimanjaro and on the eastern slopes of Mt Meru. Fulvoscirtes fulvus n.sp. is divided into two subspecies, F. fulvus fulvus n.ssp. found in the submontane zone of east Kilimanjaro and F. fulvus parensis n.ssp. in submontane to montane localities of the North and South Pare mountains. Fulvoscirtes fulvotaitensis n.sp. occurs in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya. Fulvoscirtes viridis n.sp. is described from savannah habitats between Mts Longido and Meru. Fulvoscirtes laticercus n.sp. is found in the Kenyan highlands, while the most southerly occurring species, Fulvoscirtes manyara n.sp. , is found on Mt Hanang and the Mbulu highlands of northwestern Tanzania. Acanthoscirtes contains three species, of which A. albostriatus n.sp. is described newly from savannah habitas of eastern Kilimanjaro. Information is given on the ecology and the acoustic behaviour of some of the species together with keys to the genera of the Karniellina and the species of Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes. The genera of Karniellina probably evolved at a time when grasslands spread in East Africa due to an increasing aridification of the climate. The earliest lineage, the genus Karniella, is adapted to more forested habitats while the majority of the genera of Karniellina prefer open grasslands. Major splits within Karniellina probably occurred with the emergence of savannah grasslands due to the ongoing fragmentation of forest habitats several millions years ago, but most species within the genera are geologically young, their radiation being boosted by climatic fluctuations of the past 1–2 Ma.     

A new genus of schizomids (Arachnida: Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) from Mexico,with notes on its systematics

During the systematic revision of Mayazomus, the third most diverse genus of micro whip-scorpions in North America, we found three species with peculiar morphological variation, which are different from those diagnostic characters for Mayazomus. These species share with Mayazomus the large body size and the unusual development of the male pedipalps; however, these three species share the shape of the female spermathecae with Stenochrus rather than with Mayazomus. Therefore, their phylogenetic placements create a dilemma. Here we perform analyses with morphological evidence, using two different methodologies (Parsimony and Bayesian inference) in order to hypothesize the phylogenetic relationships of the three species mentioned with each other and with respect to other North American and/or Central American genera. The results confirm our initial hypothesis that the species belong to a different genus, Olmeca gen. nov., which is recovered as the sister group of all hubbardiine genera included in these analyses, except for the genus Hubbardia. The results also indicate that despite sharing some morphological similarities, it is distantly related with Mayazomus. Three species are described herein: Olmeca brujo sp. nov., Olmeca cruzlopezi sp. nov., and Olmeca santibanezi sp. nov. Additionally, we provide a hypothesis of the relationships and biogeography of Olmeca gen. nov. with other genera.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F64CE801-7D82-4827-A5B9-0C0B41F58043     

Molecular phylogeny and generic‐level taxonomy of the widespread palaeotropical ‘Heteropsis clade’ (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Mycalesina)

The mycalesine butterfly genus Heteropsis Westwood, 1850 (Satyrinae: Mycalesina) has recently been conceived to be represented in three major palaeotropical regions (Madagascar, Africa and Asia), but there has been no formal taxonomic treatment covering this entire group. Studies aimed at understanding the evolutionary success of Mycalesina in the Old World tropics have been hampered by the lack of both a robust phylogeny and a stable nomenclature for this satyrine subtribe. Here, we present a well‐supported molecular phylogeny based on 10 genes and 133 exemplar taxa, representing almost all known species groups of Heteropsis (s.l.), and including all but four known species in Madagascar. We also combine sequences of the exemplars with a morphological matrix of 428 characters. The widespread ‘Heteropsis clade’ is confirmed as monophyletic, but lineages in different geographic regions also form endemic and well‐supported clades with deep divergences among them. Here we establish this group as comprising three genera, Heteropsis (Malagasy region only), Telinga Moore, 1880 (Asia), and Brakefieldia gen.n. (Africa). We recover the genera Telinga and Brakefieldia as sisters with high support. Each genus is taxonomically characterized and a revised synonymic checklist is appended with new combinations and some changes in rank. With a well‐resolved topology and updates to the taxonomy of the group, researchers are now in a position to explore the drivers of the spectacular radiation of the group, notably in Madagascar, where the highest phenotypic and species diversity occurs. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AAF9F440‐A2D6‐4483‐BF35‐9BC074D9D29B .     

Molecular phylogeny and morphological analysis resolve a long‐standing controversy over generic concepts in Ecdyonurinae mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)

Heptageniidae is a species‐rich mayfly family (Ephemeroptera), whose taxonomy and phylogeny have been based almost exclusively on traditional morphological studies. Inconsistent use of diagnostic characters and the general lack of molecular studies have led to vague generic concepts, and the phylogenetic relationships among taxa in the family remain unclear. Afronurus Lestage is an Old World heptageniid genus of 66 species. The generic assignment of two species within this genus, A. kugleri Demoulin and A. zebratus (Hagen), has been the subject of much debate, because they share many apomorphic features that distinguish them from other congeners. We combined a thorough morphological study of all life stages of 28 representative heptageniid species with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four mitochondrial and nuclear markers to resolve the generic position of A. kugleri and A. zebratus as well as the integrity of Afronurus and related genera. Our results confirm the monophyly of Afronurus and Electrogena and support the assignment of A. kugleri and A. zebratus to a newly described genus, Anapos Yanai & Sartori gen.n . We provide clear, diagnostic morphological characters for the genus and discuss the need for a thorough revision of generic concepts in the subfamily Ecdyonurinae. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:075E40C6-BAFE-4184-A2C2-E3BCFBC0BC15 .     

Small but not ephemeral: newly discovered species of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Eocene amber

New species of fossil Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae are described from middle Eocene (Lutetian) Baltic amber (41.3–47.8 Ma). A new subfamily, two new genera and three new species of Aphelinidae are described, with comments on their placement: Phtuaria fimbriae gen.n. , sp.n. in Phtuariinae subf.n. , Glaesaphytis interregni gen.n. , sp.n. and Centrodora brevispinae sp.n. These represent the first described true fossil Aphelinidae. Four new species of Trichogrammatidae are described: Mirufens illusionis sp.n. , Palaeogramma eos gen.n. , sp.n. , Pterandrophysalis plasmans sp.n. and Szelenyia terebrae sp.n. , thus expanding our knowledge of fossil Trichogrammatidae beyond the single previously described species. The presence of recognizable extant genera of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae in the Eocene suggests that the morphology of these genera has been relatively invariant despite highly variable conditions during and since the Eocene. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9AD60B6‐3D56‐4E74‐AA54‐F7B91F4FDC79 .     

New fossils from China elucidating the phylogeny of Praesiricidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

A new subfamily of Praesiricidae (Pamphilioidea), Decorisiricinae subfam.n. , is erected based on three new genera: Decorisiricius gen.n. , Limbisiricius gen.n. and Brevisiricius gen.n. Two new species – Decorisiricius patulus gen. et sp.n. and D. longus sp.n. – from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation and three species –Limbisiricius aequalis gen. et sp.n. , Limbisiricius complanatus sp.n. and Brevisiricius partialis gen. et sp.n. – from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation, are described. Based on these well‐preserved new fossil specimens and previously published data, the nonmonophyly of Praesiricidae is confirmed and the phylogenetic relationships of species of Praesiricidae are analysed for the first time. Two main clades within Praesiricidae are recognized from the cladistic analysis: Decorisiricinae subfam.n. forms a monophyletic lineage, with the remaining members of Praesiricidae plus Megalodontes (Megalodontesidae) forming its sister group. The two subfamilies Archoxyelydinae and Praesiricinae are discarded with no strong supported synapomorphic characters based on phylogenetic research. A key to all genera of Praesiricidae is provided. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:38D703ED‐127A‐4DB0‐8153‐8D78AF4AC212 .     

Phylogeny and evolution of phytophagous ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Epilachnini), with recognition of new genera

Phytophagous ladybird beetles of the tribe Epilachnini are a cosmopolitan, species‐rich group of significant economic importance as pests of agricultural crops. The tribe is well characterized morphologically and clearly monophyletic, but very little is known about its internal phylogenetic relationships and their genus‐level taxonomy. In order to infer the evolutionary history of Epilachnini, test its monophyly and provide a phylogeny‐based classification, we assembled a comprehensive dataset, consisting of four DNA markers (18S and 28S rRNA and 16S, COI mtDNA) and a matrix of 104 morphological characters for 153 species of Epilachnini representing all previously recognised genera, ～11% of the known species, and 14 outgroup taxa. Molecular, morphological and combined datasets were analysed using maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian inference. Bayes factors and Approximately Unbiased tests (AU) were used to compare alternative phylogenetic hypotheses of unconstrained and backbone‐constrained analysis. Only 14 of the 25 included genera were recovered monophyletic, as originally defined. Afidentula Kapur, Afidenta Dieke, Afissula Kapur, Epilachna Chevrolat, Henosepilachna Li Toxotoma Weise and Mada Mulsant are shown to be poly‐ or paraphyletic; Chnootriba Chevrolat, Subafissa Bielawski, Lalokia Szawaryn & Tomaszewska and Papuaepilachna Szawaryn & Tomaszewska form monophyletic groups within larger clades of genus level. All of these genera are redefined here. The two largest genera of Epilachnini, Epilachna Chevrolat and Henosepilachna Li were represented by multiple monophyletic clades, which we described as new genera: Chazeauiana Tomaszewska & Szawaryn gen.n. ; Diekeana Tomaszewska & Szawaryn gen.n .; Fuerschia Tomaszewska & Szawaryn gen.n. and Ryszardia Tomaszewska & Szawaryn gen.n . The following new synonyms are proposed: Afissa Dieke (=Afissula Kapur); Henosepilachna Li in Li & Cook (=Subafissa Bielawski); Papuaepilachna Szawaryn & Tomaszewska (=Lalokia Szawaryn & Tomaszewska). This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:440E7FA4‐C859‐47E0‐8335‐30D478CBA8FA .     

The Neotropical Genus Notodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 (Calanoida: Diaptomidae): Redescription of the Type Species Notodiaptomus deitersi (Poppe, 1891) and Designation of a Neotype

Ribautia williamsi sp. nov., a new dwarf geophilomorph centipede from the Lower Urubamba Region, Peruvian Amazonia, is described and illustrated based on the holotype female. The new species is characterized by having the coxal organs grouped in clusters (three of these in each coxopleuron of the ultimate leg-bearing segment) and ventral pore-fields present along all the body; these two combined traits being shared by five other Neotropical species currently included in the genus Ribautia Brölemann, 1909, i.e. R. centralis (Silvestri, 1907) (from Colombia and Brazil), R. difficilis Pereira, Minelli &; Barbieri, 1995 (from Brazil), R. montana Kraus, 1954 (from Peru), R. peruana (Verhoeff, 1941) (from Peru), and R. titicacae (Turk, 1955) (from Peru). The new taxon is differentiated from the aforementioned species by the low number of leg-bearing segments and small body length; it is included in a key which will enable the identification of all known Neotropical members having coxal organs grouped in clusters. R. williamsi sp. nov. is the 14th species of Ribautia recorded from Peru.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D9FA5FAF-7652-4A5B-AC09-8783F05A694D     

Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Candalidini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): systematics,diversification and evolutionary history

The butterfly tribe Candalidini is geographically restricted to Australia and mainland New Guinea and its adjacent islands. With 60 species and subspecies, it represents a large radiation of Papilionoidea in the Australian region. Although the species-level taxonomy is relatively well understood, the number of genera is uncertain, varying from two to eight. We reconstructed the phylogeny of the Candalidini based on a 13-locus hybrid enrichment probe set (12.8 Kbp: COI, Thiolase, CAD, CAT, DDC, EF1-a, GAPDH, HCL, IDH, MDH, RPS2, RPS5, Wingless), including all previously recognized genera and 76% (28/37) of the species-level diversity of the tribe. Maximum likelihood analysis recovered the Candalidini as a strongly supported monophyletic group. In conjunction with morphological characters, the phylogeny provided a robust framework for a revised classification in which we recognize four genera, 37 species and 23 subspecies. The genus Nesolycaena Waterhouse & R.E. Turner is considered in synonymy with Candalides Hübner, and four other genera are not recognized, namely, Holochila C. Felder, Adaluma Tindale, Zetona Waterhouse and Microscena Tite. Of the four valid genera, the absimilis group (23 species) is placed in the newly described genus Eirmocides Braby, Espeland & Müller gen. nov. (type species Candalides consimilis Waterhouse). The erinus group (six species) is assigned to Erina Swainson, which is reinstated. Chrysophanus cyprotus Olliff is assigned to Cyprotides Tite, which is also reinstated as a monotypic genus. The remaining seven species are placed in Candalides sensu stricto. Overall, we propose 47 new nomenclatural changes at the species and subspecies levels, including the synonymy of Holochila biaka Tite as Eirmocides tringa biaka (Tite) syn. nov. et comb. nov. and recognition of Candalides hyacinthinus gilesi M.R. Williams & Bollam as a distinct species Erina gilesi (M.R. Williams & Bollam stat. rev. et comb. nov. A dated phylogeny using Bayesian inference in BEAST2 and biogeographical and habitat analyses based on the DEC model in BioGeoBEARS indicated that the ancestor of the Candalidini most likely evolved in rainforest habitats of the mesic biome in situ on the Australian plate of Southern Gondwana during the Eocene (c. 43 Ma). A major period of diversification occurred in the Miocene, which coincided with aridification of the Australian continent, followed by a further episode of radiation in montane New Guinea during the Plio-Pleistocene. This published work has been registered on ZooBank by the authors: Michael Braby: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:4D3A7605-EBD0-40F6-A5F2-7F67F59E3D60 ; Marianne Espeland: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:00D6F9F9-3902-4A8B-846F-720AB32922A6 ; Chris Müller: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:15FE5F26-7596-46C2-9697-1FD92A692D0D ; http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:47D5CA34-C294-4FBD-84B6-1C2A82B7CADF .     

Remarkable Rhinophoridae in a growing generic genealogy (Diptera: Calyptratae,Oestroidea)

Four new genera (Apomorphyto gen.n. from Costa Rica, Bixinia gen.n. from Australia, Rhinodonia gen.n. from New Caledonia, Rhinopeza gen.n. from Papua New Guinea) and nine new species (Apomorphyto inbio sp.n. , Bixinia collessi sp.n. , B. solitaria sp.n. , B. spei sp.n. , B. variabilis sp.n. , B. winkleri sp.n. , Rhinodonia antiqua sp.n. , R. flavicera sp.n. , Rhinopeza gracilis sp.n.) of Rhinophoridae (Diptera: Calyptratae, Oestroidea) are described. All new species were included in a morphology‐based phylogenetic analysis to provide arguments for the justification and monophyly (when nonmonotypic) of the new genera and for including these in the Rhinophoridae. The New Caledonian Rhinodonia is a candidate sister taxon to all other rhinophorids, and the Australasian ‘axiniine’ species emerge inside a clade of all Neotropical taxa thus suggesting migration from South America across Antarctica into Australia. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:51C1F448‐DDD0‐4F14‐8173‐B8C687F7E841 .     

Diverse oxyporine rove beetles from the Early Cretaceous of China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Two new genera and species, Protoxyporus grandis gen. et sp.n. and Cretoxyporus extraneus gen. et sp.n. , are described and figured on the basis of two well‐preserved impression fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China. The two genera display a combination of traits that are diagnostic of the extant staphylinid subfamily Oxyporinae: large and prominent mandibles, distinctly separated mesocoxae, abdominal tergites III–VII each with a pair of basolateral ridges, and abdominal intersegmental membranes with ‘brick‐wall’ pattern. Protoxyporus differs from extant Oxyporus in retaining the following plesiomorphic features: an elongate intercoxal process (or longitudinal carina) between metacoxae, relatively narrowly separated mesocoxae, less developed metaventral anterior process, and long infraorbital ridges. Cretoxyporus is morphologically very similar to Oxyporus, but retains distinct elongate infraorbital ridges. The discovery of two new oxyporine genera suggests that the early oxyporines were more diverse and their evolutionary history more complicated than previously documented. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11503976‐D577‐45D2‐ACCB‐8226782EF817 .     

A surprisingly derived hydrometrid (Hemiptera,Gerromorpha) from the Crato Formation,Early Cretaceous of Brazil

In the present paper, we review the fossil record of the Hydrometridae (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) and present a new species from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of Northeastern Brazil, Christometra paradoxa gen. et sp. nov. This species is based on a new specimen (a female), as well as a previously figured one (a male), providing a rare case of preservation of sexually dimorphic features in the fossil record. This is the third species coming from this deposit, which is Aptian-Albian in age and the oldest deposit to have yielded hydrometrids so far. Only five other Mesozoic species are known, being slightly younger in age (Cenomanian). So far, phylogenetic analyses have recovered Cretaceous hydrometrids as basal relative to Cenozoic genera but, Christometra paradoxa exhibits several advanced characteristics that unite it in a clade together with the extant genera Hydrometra and Bacillometroides, in a more derived position than any previously known fossil hydrometrid.

The present publication is registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (Zoobank), under the registration number http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3CFA88AB-3CBC-4CCC-8196-698ECC863947. The registration number for the nomenclatural act of the genus is http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:84744426-1259-4864-8E3F-E43E0DAB2021, and that of the species is http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:23700AB2-F7AD-4F50-A5E7-CB28868079B2.     

Succinapion telnovi n. gen. et n. sp. of the tribe Kalcapiini (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Apioninae) in Baltic amber

A new genus and species, Succinapion telnovi n. gen. et n. sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae: Apioninae: Kalcapiini) is described and illustrated from Upper Eocene Baltic amber. The new genus is similar to the genus Melanapion Wagner, 1930 but differs from it in having femora ventrally with spine at distal 1/3, simple claws, a longer rostrum, elytra weakly widened towards apex, longer antennae and slightly narrower elytral striae.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2A95C49D-5589-4ACA-8A87-0DDF635BA25E     

Early lineages of Vespidae (Hymenoptera) in Cretaceous amber

Three wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) fossils in Cretaceous amber (Late Albian) of northern Myanmar are described. Two are new species of the Mesozoic genus Curiosivespa (Rasnitsyn): C. zigrasi sp.n. and C. striata sp.n. The third species, Protovespa haxairei gen.n. et sp.n. , has a combination of features unique among Mesozoic Priorvespinae and the extant subfamilies. These well preserved fossils provide new morphological data for a cladistic analysis of the basal lineages of Vespidae. Results suggest that Euparagiinae is the sister group of all other Vespidae. The new genus Protovespa appears more closely related to extant Masarinae, Eumeninae and social wasps than to Priorvespinae. We assign it to a new subfamily: Protovespinae. Finally, fossil information combined with a phylogenetic tree shows that the main groups of Vespidae probably evolved during the Early Cretaceous. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1E7E4796‐6E70‐4D81‐BB34‐0FEEA765DC25 .