The Eucerotinae: a Gondwanan origin for a cosmopolitan group of Ichneumonidae?

A new genus and species of the formerly monobasic and predominantly amphitropical, ichneumonid subfamily, Eucerotinae, is described from Chile. A phylogenetic analysis of the redefined Eucerotinae is undertaken. Barronia araucaria gen. et sp. n. has a sister-group relationship with Euceros. The southern hemisphere species of the latter genus were found to comprise a monophyletic clade, the sister group to all other Euceros species. Similarly all north temperate Euceros species form a monophyletic clade, the sister group of which occurs in Madagascar. Within the former clade, the North American species form a monophyletic group, the sister species of which is Palaearctic. Several other groups of Palaearctic taxa have a sister-group relationship to this lineage. These results suggest the Eucerotinae had an ancient origin on Gondwanaland in the lower Cretaceous, prior to the separation of the Indo-Madagascar terrane from the Australian-Antarctic-South American tectonic plate. We hypothesize the Palaearctic fauna colonized Eurasia following the impaction of India on to its southern margin, and that the North American fauna is derived from a single circum-polar dispersal from Eurasia. Our results do not support an earlier hypothesis that the Eucerotinae arose as hyperparasitoids of Symphyta. Evidence suggests the group arose as parasitoids of ophioniform ichneumonids attacking lepidopterous larvae feeding on gymnosperms or anemophilous angiosperm trees.     

A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the Sigalphinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), including Pselaphanus Szépligeti,based on 28S rDNA,with descriptions of new Afrotropical and Madagascan Minanga and Malasigalphus species

Minanga phoebea sp. n. Quicke, from Uganda, and Malasigalphus roa sp. n. Sharkey, from Madagascar, are described and illustrated. The new species of Minanga displays a distinct posterior metasomal carina and thus provides another example of the co‐occurrence of this feature with a metasomal carapace within the Braconidae. Malasigalphus roa is the second species of the genus recently described by Achterberg and Austin. A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the Sigalphinae is presented including the rare Neotropical genus Pselaphanus the placement of which has been debated. Sensitivity analysis to multiple alignment parameters was conducted and a single elided data set, based on the combined 21 separate alignments, was analysed. Strong support was obtained for the following relationships: Pselaphanus+(Malasigalphus+(other Sigalphinae)), (Minanga+(Sigalphus bicolor+(S. irrorator+S. gyrodontus))), and Earinini being basal (as a grade in these analyses) to other Agathidinae. The Mesocoelus group of genera (Mesocoelini in part) are shown to be derived agathidines rather than being associated with the Orgilini. The Microtypinae is shown be non‐monophyletic and Plesiotypus Achterberg is proposed as the sister group to the Agathidinae+Sigalphinae clade. The Acampsohelconinae does not appear as monophyletic; however, the placements of both of the two included genera, Afrocampsis and Canalicephalis, had less than 100% support in the elised analysis tree, and therefore monophyly of this recently redefined subfamily must be more rigorously tested.     

Seed-feeding beetles of the weevil tribe Mecysolobini (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae) developing in seeds of trees in the Dipterocarpaceae

Species comprising two monophyletic groups of Alcidodes sensu lato (crassus group and dipterocarpi group) feed on fruits of the ecologically and economically important tropical timber family Dipterocarpaceae. Fifteen Alcidodes species are newly described from several thousand specimens of seed-feeding beetles reared from south-east Asian dipterocarp hosts (Dipterocarpoidae) and four other species are revised. Morphological keys are provided for identifying these 19 taxa. Weevil associations are provided for 70 species of Dipterocarpaceae in five genera (16 Dipterocarpus spp., four Dryobalanops spp., six Hopea spp., 39 Shorea spp. and five Vatica spp.). These records relate primarily to specimens reared from seeds in Borneo and in Peninsular Malaysia, but all known previous host records are also included (from India, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines) and assessed. These validated and documented host associations refute general assertions that (1) seed-eating beetles are host-specific in the tropics and (2) seed-eating beetles found on dipterocarp hosts are broad generalists across species in several genera of mast-fruiting Dipterocarpaceae. Most Alcidodes species exploit seeds from several dipterocarp species. Some Alcidodes species occur across broad geographic regions with several host species from a dipterocarp genus, other species have been found only on Bornean Hopea or Dipterocarpus species. Others, such as the two previously undescribed species feeding on Vatica species, may be restricted to separate sections of the host genus. Within an extensively sampled and diverse interspecific mast-fruiting dipterocarp community, no Alcidodes species was observed to feed on sympatric species across genera within the Dipterocarpaceae. Additional host records and specimens of Alcidodes spp. throughout the range of the Dipterocarpaceae in south and southeast Asia are required to further define these clades and the tribe Mecysolobini in general as well as to resolve the complex host associations and distributions documented.     

Genus Baseodiscus (Nemertea: Heteronemertea): Molecular identification of a new species in a phylogenetic context

A new heteronemertean, Baseodiscus jonasii sp. nov., is described from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. It resembles B. delineatus in inner morphology but can be distinguished from this species by its different colour pattern and differences in the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The monophyletic status of the genus is investigated by reconstructing the phylogeny of six specimens from four species assigned to this genus, together with 22 specimens from nine other heteronemertean genera, using parsimony and Bayesian analysis. The results imply that Baseodiscus is a monophyletic group while several other heteronemertean genera are non‐monophyletic.     

Two new species of Hymenoepimecis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) with notes on their spider hosts and behaviour manipulation

The wasp genera included in the Polysphincta genus-group develop exclusively as koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders, an unusual pattern within Hymenoptera. All known species of Hymenoepimecis attack orb-web spiders and Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga was previously described inducing a sudden modification of its host's web-building behaviour. Information on parasitoid–host interactions and even on host identities for most members of the genus-group, however, remain scarce. In this study we describe two new species of Hymenoepimecis and present information on their hosts, spiders of the genera Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) and Manogea (Araneidae). Cocoon webs of both host species are distinct from their normal webs. The modified cocoon web of Leucauge roseosignata constructed under the influence of Hymenoepimecis japi sp. nov. is very similar to the cocoon web described for Leucauge argyra. It is composed of three axes, including several radial threads each, and a hub used by the larva to attach the cocoon's suspension line. Spiral viscous threads, present in normal webs and in webs of parasitized spiders carrying larvae in the initial instars, are absent in cocoon webs. In the cocoon web of Manogea porracea the horizontal sheet is poorly structured and the cocoon is attached far from the spider's normal resting position, in an area composed of a densely tangled structure.     

Meteorus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoids of Pyralidae: description and biology of two new species and first record of Meteorus desmiae Zitani, 1998 from Ecuador

Two new Ecuadorian wasp species attacking pyralid larvae are described: Meteorus albisericus and Meteorus pyralivorus, as well as a new Ecuadorian distribution record for Meteorus desmiae Zitani, another pyralid parasitoid, previously known from Costa Rica and Colombia. The hosts of M. albisericus were found feeding on Clibadium glabrescens S. F. Blake (Asteraceae), Diplazium costale var. robustum (Sodiro) Stolze (Dryopteridaceae), Brunellia tomentosa Bonpl. (Brunelliaceae) and Cavendishia sp. Lindl. (Ericaceae). Chusquea scandens Kunth (Poaceae) is the associated plant for M. pyralivorus hosts. Meteorus. albisericus is the first Neotropical Meteorus species with dorsopes whose biology is known. We hypothesize that the parasitism of pyraloid caterpillars has originated at least twice in Neotropical Meteorus.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B603F36B-4645-490D-AD4D-469088EEF36F     

The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) associated with Schinus (Anacardiaceae): systematics,biogeography and host plant relationships

The gall-forming psylloid fauna associated with the temperate Neotropical plant genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) is revised, and keys are provided for adults, larvae and galls. Fourteen species are recognized in the genus Calophya (Calophyidae), 10 of which are described as new; C. gallifex and C. schini are reinstated from former synonymy with C. rubra. An additional closely related new species, C. clavuligera sp. n., is described from Lithrea spp. In the genus Tainarys (Psyllidae, Rhinocolinae), six species are recognized and, for five of these, Schinus species are confirmed hosts. Two of them are described as new and one is recombined from Leurolophus. A new Leurolophus species is described from Lithrea molleoides. Based on a cladistic analysis Pelmatobrachia, Microceropsylla and Neocalophya are synonymized with Calophya, producing five new and one revised species combinations as well as one nomen nov. A list of the 59 currently recognized species is provided with information on synonymy, distribution and host plants. The cladistic analyses suggest that the Schinus inhabiting calophyids form two monophyletic groups, the C. rubra and C. hermicitae groups, respectively. A discriminant analysis of 15 variables for both males and females provides morphometric characters for separating the morphologically very homogenous adults of the C. rubra group. The phylogenetic relationships of the Rhinocolinae are re-evaluated, and the genera Tainarys and Leurolophus are redefined. Notophyllura is transferred from the Euphyllurinae to the Rhinocolinae. Tainarys forms the sister group of Leurolophus + Notophyllura. Based on mapped distributions four areas of endemism (distribution) are defined: A (Eastern temperate South America), B (Central and Southern Chile, including adjacent parts of Argentina), C (Central Argentina) and D (Peru, Far Northern Chile, and Eastern Bolivia). Cladistic biogeographical analyses with TAS, COMPONENT and an algorithm by Enghoff yielded the general area cladogram (A +(C +(B +D))); the one calculated with BPA differed in the position of D: (D +(A +(B +C))). The reconstruction of vicariant events using a protocol by Hovenkamp, corroborates the former general area cladogram, which is compared to competing hypotheses. The history of dispersal and vicariance events is reconstructed with the programme DIVA. Evidence for cospeciation of Schinus with its associated psylloids is evaluated with COMPONENT and TREE MAP. The likelihood for cospeciation is high in the Calophya hermicitae group, but low in the Calophya rubra group and in Tainarys. The gall shape depends partly from the psylloid, partly from the Schinus phylogeny.     

A re-assessment of the genera Holorusia Loew (=Ctenacroscelis Enderlein), Ischnotoma Skuse and Zelandotipula Alexander (Diptera: Tipulidae), with notes on their phylogeny and zoogeography

Summary

A short historical background to the genera considered is given. A review is made of a number of characters which had previously only been treated inconsistently, or not at all. As a result, the old-world genus Ctenacroscelis is merged with Holorusia sensu stricto, as represented by the isolated Californian type-species. All other species previously referred to Holorusia sensu lato are redistributed to two genera; the tropical South American and New Zealand forms are united into Zelandotipula; the Chilean element and the Australian species are united into Ischnotoma, the name Icriomastax Enderlein being resurrected as a subgenus to receive most of the Chilean species.

Tentative phylogenetic and zoogeographic observations are made. Holorusia and Ischnotoma are considered and discussed as sister-groups, whilst Zelandotipula is believed to be only distantly related. Zoogeographically Holorusia is seen as a successful Asiatic genus; Ischnotoma as a receding group, with extreme southern-continental distribution, having had a much wider distribution as indicated by the European Oligocene fossil Holorusia vasifera, transferred here to Ischnotoma. Zelandotipula is viewed as an essentially Neotropical genus, which has made one ‘invasion’ of New Zealand, probably in the geologically recent past.

Résumés of the principal features of the re-defined genera are given, together with systematic notes on certain species, and species catalogues giving distributions and all new name combinations.     

Phylogenetic relationships among genera of the tribe Cnephasiini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) based on morphological characters of adults

A phylogenetic analysis was conducted on the moth tribe Cnephasiini based on 83 morphological characters of adults (63 binary and 20 multistate). The analysis included 26 species representing 20 genera, plus two outgroup representatives of the tribe Tortricini. The cladistic analysis resulted in the 10 most parsimonious trees. The tribe Cnephasiini was recovered as monophyletic; the genus Cnephasia was not recovered as monophyletic; the New World Decodes clustered with the primarily Old World Cnephasia; Oxypteron is best treated as monotypic (with the single species palmoni), and Amphicoecia adamana, Oporopsamma dunaria and O. wertheimsteini should be assigned to a different genus; Propriomorpha and Xerocnephasia were the most basal groups; Exapate duratella and Epicnephasia mongolica were recognised as sister-groups; and Kawabeia was closest to Tortricodes.     

A revision of Vanneaugobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae), with description of a new species

The small eastern Atlantic-Mediterranean gobiid genus Vanneaugobius Brownell, 1978 (type-species: V. dollfusi Brownell, 1978) is redefined to include new skeletal and head lateral-line criteria. Provisionally, V. dollfusi is retained as distinct from V. pruvoti (Fage, 1907), the latter being now recorded from the Canary Islands, and a new species, V. canariensis, is described from the Canaries and Guinea. Originally associated with the Indo-Pacific Valenciennea and Asterropteryx, Vanneaugobius is actually synapomorphic with two other small eastern Atlantic genera, Wheelerigobius Miller, 1981, and Odondebuenia De Buen, 1930, in virtual separation of the pelvic fins and a trend for modification of upper and lower scales at the caudal fin origin. Vanneaugobius occupies an intermediate position between the two former genera in head lateral-line specialization. The genus-group shares a modal vertebral number of 28 with the north-eastern Atlantic-Mediterranean Gobius-Thorogobius complex.     

Systematics and biology of the Rhinocolinae (Homoptera: Psylloidea)

Based on a cladistic analysis, the subfamily Rhinocolinae is redefined to comprise 13 genera and 39 species, of which two genera and eight species remain unnamed. Four new genera and 14 new species are described; one subfamily and one genus are synonymized, and two species are recombined; one lectotype is designated. The subfamily is divided into two groups, one with a Gondwanan distribution comprising four genera in Australia, New Zealand, South America and Africa, and another with Laurasian distribution in the Palaeotropics, the Western Palaerctic and North America comprising nine genera. Twenty-one species develop on host plants in the Rutales, three on Asteraceae, three on Cistaceae and one on Zygophyllaceae. The genus Pistacia (Anacardiaceae) in particular hosts six species whose biology is discussed.     

Comparative morphology of the otolith of the triplefins (family: Tripterygiidae)

Otolith morphology may provide useful information about the triplefin fish family Tripterygiidae. A comparative study of the otolith of 40 tripterygiid species was conducted to identify the most appropriate taxonomical characters that can separate the species and genera of the family Tripterygiidae. Among other otolith characters, it is possible to distinguish characters that clearly define a taxonomic group (genus or species), and other characters that are shared by several genera, but may be only useful to define certain species within a genus. Ontogenetic changes in the otolith of the triplefin fishes studied are evident. The otolith of the juvenile Ucla xenogrammus was the most similar to the adult otolith, while otolith of the juvenile Blennodon dorsale was the least similar to the adult otolith.     

Redescription of Retilaskeya horrida (di Monterosato, 1874) comb. nov. and a re-evaluation of the taxonomic affinity of the genus Retilaskeya (Caenogastropoda: Triphoroidea)

The family Cerithiopsidae H. Adams and A. Adams, 1853 is distributed worldwide, and comprises around 800 extant species divided into ~40 genera. The most speciose genus within the family is Cerithiopsis Forbes and Hanley, 1850, a taxon currently used as a general receptacle rather than as a proper phylogenetic lineage. We hereby redescribe the rare species Cerithiopsis horrida di Monterosato, 1874, review its nomenclature, known material, and distribution as well as figure the entire protoconch, operculum, and radula for the first time. Our results highlight extreme differences between ‘Cerithiopsis’ horrida and the Cerithiopsis type species Cerithiopsis tubercularis (Montagu, 1803) and strong morphological and radular similarities with species belonging to the genus Retilaskeya Marshall, 1978. A wide discussion lists several taxa that might be ascribed to the same group of species, which presumably constitute a different worldwide lineage. Pending relevant molecular phylogenetic studies of the Triphoroidea Gray, 1847, for morphological conformity we suggest transferring ‘Cerithiopsis’ horrida to the genus Retilaskeya, and the same action is presumably appropriate for its possible sister species ‘Cerithiopsis’ leopardus Rolán and Gori, 2013. Finally, Retilaskeya better conforms to Newtoniellidae Korobkov, 1955 than Cerithiopsidae.     

Cichlid familial intrarelationships and the placement of the neotropical genus Cichla (Perciformes,Labroidei)

The current status of our understanding of cichlid intrafamilial relationships is investigated and novel data are presented resolving a basal trichotomy of the African and Neotropical radiations (Oliver, 1985). The claim that the African Cichlidae is non-monophyletic is supported and the little known Zairean genus Heterochromis is identified as the sistergroup of all other African and Neotropical Cichlidae combined. Throughout the study emphasis has been placed upon the resolution of the precise phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic Neotropical genus, Cichla; a taxon whose placement has been thought critical for successful intra-familial analyses. Analysis of the evidence currently available argues strongly in favour of a close phylogenetic relationship between Cichla and the sisterpair, Crenicichla and Teleocichla. Given this phylogenetic scheme one of the most interesting aspects to arise is the striking morphological parallels between Cichla and many of its distantly related percoid relatives.     

A new species of Syncoptozus Enderlein from Mexico with a redefinition of the subfamily Togepsyllinae Bekker-Migdisova (Insecta: Homoptera: Psylloidea)

Syncoptozus mexicanus sp.n. is described from larvae and adults collected off Magnolia in Mexico. The subfamily Togepsyllinae comprises two genera, the Old World Togepsylla Kuwayama and its probable sister group the New World Syncoptozus Enderlein. These taxa are formally diagnosed and the genus Hemipteripsylla Yang and Li is synonymised with Togepsylla. The host-plant of Syncoptozus belongs to the same plant order (Magnoliales) as the hosts of Togepsylla. Also, the morphology and biology of the larva further confirm the close relationship of Syncoptozus to Togepsylla and suggest a relationship between the Togepsyllinae and the Paurocephalinae.     

The parasitic wasp genera Skiapus,Hellwigia, Nonnus,Chriodes, and Klutiana (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae): Recognition of the Nesomesochorinae stat. rev. and Nonninae stat. nov. and transfer of Skiapus and Hellwigia to the Ophioninae

The ichneumonid wasp genera Skiapus Morley, Hellwigia Gravenhorst, Nonnus Cresson, Chriodes Förster, and Klutiana Betrem are each formally removed from the Campopleginae on the basis of morphological, molecular, and simultaneous analyses using PAUP* and the optimization alignment program POY. Skiapus and Hellwigia are shown to form a monophyletic group with the Ophioninae to which they are transferred. Nonnus is treated as comprising the Nonninae stat. nov. and Chriodes and Klutiana (sometimes treated as a junior synonym of Chriodes) are treated as comprising the Nesomesochorinae stat. rev. The status of Nesomesochorinae and Nonninae is not fully resolved as they are not consistently recovered as separate groups, forming a single clade in some analyses. We keep them separate because of this uncertainty. Molecular synapomorphies within the D2–3 expansion region of the 28S rDNA gene show the utility of this gene region in determining subfamily‐level placement within the higher Ophioniformes.     

Australian thrips of the Haplothrips lineage (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

Keys are presented to the 11 genera and 50 species, including 21 new species, of Thysanoptera in Australia that are related to the worldwide genus Haplothrips Amyot and Serville. These taxa belong to what, in recent literature, has been called the “Haplothrips‐lineage”, that is, one of the three major radiations among the 2700 species and 350 genera of Thysanoptera Phlaeothripinae. The group is redefined, and the available tribal name Haplothripini shown to be appropriate. The character states on which the definition is based are discussed, and a list given of the 34 genera worldwide that can be included. The Australian species in these genera exhibit a diversity of biologies. Three genera involve species that invade galls induced by other thrips: Androthrips monsterae (Moulton) from New Guinea is newly recorded from Australia; Mesothrips jordani Zimmermann from South‐East Asia is newly recorded from Australia, with two new synonyms; the Asia‐Pacific genus, Euoplothrips Hood, includes two species in northern Australia. Three haplothripine genera are associated with grasses: one widespread genus, Apterygothrips Priesner, considered polyphyletic, includes only one Australian species; the only known species of Dyothrips Kudo is Oriental but extends into tropical Australia; Podothrips Hood, a circum‐tropical genus of thrips predatory on grass‐living coccoids, has 11 Australian species, six newly described. One grass‐associated genus, Bamboosiella Ananthakrishnan, is excluded from the Haplothripini. An Oriental genus of leaf‐ and flower‐living species, Dolichothrips Karny, includes one species in northern Australia, D. reuteri (Karny); Membrothrips Bhatti in which this species has been placed is considered a synonym. Karnyothrips Watson includes two species introduced to Australia, both predators of coccoids. Priesneria Bagnall includes three species from Australia, of which one fungus‐feeding species is newly described. Xylaplothrips Priesner is a widespread but ill‐defined, polyphyletic genus that currently includes three little‐known Australian species. Haplothrips is the main focus of this study, and character state variation among the Australian species is discussed. In total 24 species of Haplothrips from Australia are recognised, 14 being new species. Also included are the following, one new generic synonym, four new species synonyms, and one new combination. The 250 species worldwide in the genus are usually associated with the flowers of Asteraceae and Poaceae. In Australia, several of the species are specific to flowers, particularly of Poaceae and Cyperaceae but not Asteraceae. Almost half of these Australian species are presumed to be predatory on other small arthropods, and two have unusual host associations—with salt marsh Chenopodiaceae, and with the sori of Dicksonia tree ferns.     

A thousand and one wasps: a 28S rDNA and morphological phylogeny of the Ichneumonidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) with an investigation into alignment parameter space and elision

Abstract

The internal phylogeny of the Ichneumonidae is investigated using parsimony analysis of a large data set including 1001 partial 28S ribosomal DNA sequences, 621 of which are newly reported, and a morphological data set of 162 characters scored variously at subfamily, tribe, genus group and genus levels and including only informative characters. The data set includes members of 630 named genera, representing all currently recognized subfamilies, all but four tribes and all but one of the taxa noted by Townes as being of uncertain placement. Sequences were aligned using clustal X, and a sensitivity analysis was performed varying gap-opening and gap-extension parameters. Alignments were appraised by reference to their ability to recover a range of traditional and morphologically recognized groups. Each alignment was analysed both independently and simultaneously with the morphological data set, and also with gap characters treated as both missing data and as informative. No single set of alignment parameters was found to be markedly better by this criterion, and different ranges of parameters led to the recovery of different recognized groups of taxa. Elision (combining all alignments into a single analysis) was therefore used, both with and without morphology and with both gap character treatments, to summarize the overall molecular signal. Analysis of the morphological matrix alone produced a number of results that are undoubtedly a consequence of convergence of morphological characters as the result of parallel evolution of similar life histories. Simultaneous analysis of the morphological data set with each of the 120 DNA alignments recovered most accepted subfamilies as monophyletic. Several currently recognized subfamilies are supported by most of the molecular analyses but some appear to be paraphyletic or polyphyletic. The Ctenopelmatinae are paraphyletic with respect to the Metopiinae. Robustly recovered results lead us to resurrect the Brachyscleromatinae to include Brachyschleroma and the Erythrodolius group of Phrudinae. The Neorhacodinae and the Phrudus group of Phrudinae are transferred to the Tersilochinae. Nonnus is transferred to the Nesomesochorinae. Hyperacmus is transferred to the Cylloceriinae. The major groupings of subfamilies that have recently been proposed (i.e. ichneumoniformes, pimpliformes and ophioniformes) were recovered as monophyletic, but their exact limits remain in question.     

Re-establishment of the Family Eumedonidae Dana, 1853 (Crustacea: Brachyura)

On the basis of a re-examination of all available data concerning the systematic position and status of the genus Eumedonus and allied genera it is concluded that these taxa form a separate family within the superfamily Xanthoidea (sensu Guinot, 1978). The family is characterized not only by particular morphological features but by the symbiotic mode of life of its members.