A molecular and morphological reassessment of the phylogeny of the subfamily Ophioninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The phylogeny of the subfamily Ophioninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is investigated using molecular markers and morphological characters. We analysed the mitochondrial DNA CO1 and the nuclear 28S D2–D3 gene fragments for 74 species of Ophioninae from 25 out of the 32 recognized genera, which collectively represent 98% of described species diversity of the subfamily. Molecular markers were analysed separately and combined, with or without the adjunction of a matrix of 62 morphological characters using Bayesian inference. Our results reveal three distinct lineages, each including one of most speciose genera: Ophion, Enicospilus and Thyreodon. The comparison of the molecular data, and combined molecular plus morphological data led to the definition of the three tribes: Ophionini stat. rev. (Ophion + Alophophion + Rhopalophion + Xylophion + Afrophion); Enicospilini stat. rev. (Enicospilus + Laticoleus + Dicamptus + Hellwigiella); and Thyreodonini tribe nov. (Thyreodon + Dictyonotus + Rhynchophion). The possible association of other genera to one or another of these lineages is discussed. Ophion is a polyphyletic assemblage and requires a further revision to define the delimitation with close genera. The enigmatic Old World genus Skiapus is strongly supported as belonging to the Ophioninae, although its placement within the subfamily is ambiguous as a result of its derived genotype and phenotype. Finally, we propose a biogeographical scenario supported by this phylogeny and based on the limited available fossil data.