Jordi Paretas-Martínez

Phylogeny of the parasitic wasp subfamily Charipinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae)

The Charipinae are a major group of hyperparasitoids of Hemiptera. Here, we present the first cladistic analysis of this subfamilys internal relationships, based on 96 morphological characters of adults. The data matrix was analysed using uniformly weighted parsimony. The effects of using alternative weighting schemes were explored by performing additional searches employing implied weights criteria. One of the caveats of implied weights analysis is that it lacks an objective criterion for selecting the value of the concavity function. In the present study, differential weighting was used to explore the sensitivity of our results to the alternative assumptions made in the analysis and to select one of the most parsimonious trees under equal weights, which we regard as being the hypothesis that minimizes the amount of ad hoc assumptions. The validity of the two existing tribes and the monophyly of all the genera of Charipinae were tested, in particular the cosmopolitan and highly species‐rich Alloxysta and Phaenoglyphis, which appear repeatedly in ecological and biochemical studies of host–parasitoid associations. The evolution of several major characters and the relationships between genera are discussed. On the basis of the phylogenetic results, we discuss a number of taxonomic issues. A new classification of the subfamily is proposed in which no tribes are maintained, Carvercharips is synonymyzed with Alloxysta, and the creation of a new genus from Nepal is justified. Our analysis points to the need for a world revision of the basal genus Phaenoglyphis, which is shown as paraphyletic.

Systematics of Australian Thrasorinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) with descriptions of Mikeiinae, new subfamily, two new genera, and three new species

Abstract The Australian Thrasorinae are revised and Mikeius is transferred to Mikeiinae Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, subfam. n., and Mikeius clavatus Pujade-Villar & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n., is described. Two new genera of Thrasorinae are erected: Cicatrix Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Cicatrix pilosiscutum(Girault), comb. n. from Amblynotus, Cicatrix schauffi (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, and Cicatrix neumannoides Paretas-Martínez & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n.; and Palmiriella Pujade-Villar & Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Palmiriella neumanni (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, Thrasorus rieki Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, sp. n., is also described. A phylogenetic analysis of 176 morphological and biological characters, including all these new taxa and all genera previously included in Thrasorinae, was conducted. All subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic, with the following relationships: Parnipinae (Euceroptrinae (Mikeiinae (Plectocynipinae (Thrasorinae)))). A worldwide key to the subfamilies of Figitidae is provided that includes the new subfamily, as well as a key to genera Thrasorinae.

Description of Lobopterocharips arreplegata gen. n. & sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) from Nepal, with notes on its phylogenetic position

Lobopterocharips arreplegata gen. n. and sp. n. from Nepal is described and illustrated. Its phylogenetic position within the subfamily Charipinae is discussed. This new genus is phylogenetically important because it shares some characters with the basal genus Phaenoglyphis and others with the rest of the Charipinae. A key to all the genera of Charipinae is given. A list and map of locations of all the records of Charipinae from Asia is provided.

Description of four new species of Dilyta Förster (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) from the Afrotropical region.

Four new species of Dilyta (D. australafricana sp. n., D. ghanana sp. n., D. kenyana sp. n. and D. somaliana sp. n.) are described from the Afrotropical region, and the only previously known species of this genus from this region, D. africana (Benoit), is redescribed. These five species have two small apical carinae on the apex of the scutellum, instead of the -shaped carina characteristic of the Dilyta species from the rest of the world. A key to the Afrotropical species of Dilyta and a checklist for all records of Afrotropical Charipinae are provided.

Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig 1841) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae): a complex of species or a single but very variable species?

Abstract The status of Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig 1841), the only species in this genus with the radial cell partially open along the wing margin, is discussed. A complete synonymy list, redescription, morphological variability and some biological peculiarities of P. villosa are given. After studying numerous specimens from different countries from all continents, we concluded that this species is either very variable or might be a complex of sibling species. Auloxysta tarsata Belizin 1973, is a new synonym of P. villosa and P. dolichocera (Cameron 1889) was re-established as a valid species.

Revision of the Species of Neralsia (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Figitinae) from North America

Abstract In North America, only two species of Neralsia Cameron can currently be considered valid: N. hyalinipennis Ashmead and N. incompleta Jiménez & Pujade-Villar. Claims that Neralsia nigriventris (Kieffer) and N. armata (Say) also should be considered as such are dubious. Here, four new species found in the United States and Canada are described: Neralsia ashmeadi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar sp. nov., Neralsia kiefferi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar sp. nov., Neralsia weldi Jiménez & Pujade-Villar sp. nov., and Neralsia readae Jiménez & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. Their main morphological characters are described and a key is provided so as to distinguish between these North American species.

Description of a new species of Neralsia Cameron with a wide distribution in the American continent: N. incompleta n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Figitinae)

Abstract In this study a new species of Neralsia is described, N. incompleta n. sp. The radial cell shape allows to distinguish it clearly from the rest of species of the genus. The distribution of Neralsia incompleta n. sp. is probably the entire American continent, having been collected from Canada to Paraguay. In spite of its abundance, the associated biology is unknown, although it should be related with parasitism of Diptera Cyclorrhapha.