Ovidiu Alin Popovici

Systematics and biology of the aberrant intertidal parasitoid wasp Echthrodesis lamorali Masner (Hymenoptera : Platygastridae s.l.): a parasitoid of spider eggs

Abstract. The platygastroid wasp Echthrodesis lamorali has been of considerable interest since its description in 1968, primarily because of its highly modified, densely pilose, wingless body, its distribution and unusual biology. The species is endemic to the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, where it is an endoparasitoid of eggs of the marine spiders Desis formidabilis (Desidae) and Amaurobioides africanus (Anyphaenidae) in the intertidal region. Although a highly aberrant monospecific genus, the phylogenetic relationships of Echthrodesis are confused, in part due to convergence in body form across numerous unrelated platygastroid genera. We used sequence data from the nuclear 28S rRNA and 18S rDNA genes, and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene, to determine the phylogenetic affinities of E. lamorali. We present a revised taxonomic description for the genus and species, as well as new morphological information on the structure of its mouthparts and ovipositor system. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular data place E. lamorali within one of two independent clades of platygastroid wasps that use spider eggs as hosts. Echthrodesis is sister to a group of three genera: Neobaeus (New Zealand; host unconfirmed); Mirobaeoides (Australia; spider eggs); and Embidobia (near cosmopolitan; embiid eggs). Details on the biology, behaviour and morphological adaptations of E. lamorali are provided.

Triteleia peyerimhoffi comb. n., a remarkably variable circum-Mediterranean scelionid (Hymenoptera, Platygastroidea)

Abstract Triteleia peyerimhoffi comb. n. (Kieffer, 1906) is redescribed taking into account its great variability and is considered the senior synonym of Triteleia dubia (Kieffer, 1908), Calliscelio lugens (Kieffer, 1910) and Triteleia striolata Kononova & Petrov, 2000, syn. n. Neotypes are designated for Triteleia dubia and Triteleia peyerimhoffi. Triteleia peyerimhoffi is a new record for Greece, France and Croatia and was reared for the first time from eggs of Orthoptera laid in the dead wood of Quercus sp. and Tilia sp. in Romania.

First report of chromosomes of the parasitoid wasp Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae: Telenominae)

Here we present the first data on the chromosome complement of Trissolcus basalis gathered in conjunction with the ongoing whole genome sequencing efforts for this species. The cytogenetic investigation revealed a diploid karyotype with 20 chromosomes, comprising one pair of large metacentrics and nine pairs of acrocentrics that gradually decrease in length.

Gross Anatomy of the Malpighian Tubules and Internal Male Genitalia of Scelioninae (Hymenoptera; Platygastroidea; Platygastridae) with Phylogenetic Implications

Abstract.— The gross morphology of the male internal genitalia of 16 scelionid genera and Malpighian tubules of 17 scelionid genera were studied for the first time. The number of Malpighian tubules is likely to he correlated to the body size, therefore is not informative for further phylogenetic analyses. Analysis of internal male genitalia in scelionids reveals that they are relatively uniform in both Teleasinae (only type IV (Trimorus-type)) and Telenominae (only type V (Trissolcus-type)), but are more diverse in Scelioninae with type I (Sparasion-type), type II (Scelio-type), type III (Apegus-type), and type IV (Trimorus-type) observed.

Maxillolabial complex in scelionids (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea): morphology and phylogenetic implications

The Platygastroidea is a highly diverse group of small to minute parasitoid wasps. Despite the reduced size, the morphology of the maxillolabial complex of scelionids is very diverse and phylogenetically informative. 81 characters are scored for 129 genera (representing 75% of the total number of known extant genera of scelionids), as well as for seven outgroup taxa. All taxa examined are illustrated with images, SEM micrographs and/or line drawings. Phylogenetic trees resulting from analyses conducted in TNT under various settings were not fully resolved, but some relationships were repeatedly retrieved. The Platygastroidea are usually corroborated. Nixoniini, Sparasionini, Plaumannion and Huddlestonium are frequently retrieved as the most basal platygastroid lineages. Psix and Paratelenomus often form a monophyletic group close to Gryonini. The Scelioninae, Teleasinae and Telenominae are not supported as monophyletic. However, some major scelionid clades are frequently retrieved, but these are not recognized in the current classification of Platygastroidea. The evolution of the palpal formula, highly variably in scelionids, and previously used in platygastroid systematics, is explored. The number of maxillary palpomeres in the ground plan of platygatroids is probably five, that of labial palpomeres two or three, given the variation among basal scelionids. Our study provides relevant information for resolving the phylogeny of the Platygastroidea, but additional character sources have to be explored to obtain a robust phylogenetic hypothesis.

Complex Risks from Old Urban Waste Landfills: Sustainability Perspective from Iasi, Romania

Landfills continue to represent the most frequent managerial practice for municipal solid wastes and an increasing and complex problem globally. In certain countries, a transition to an open society and free market is superimposed on the transition to sustainability, resulting in even higher complexity of management. This paper proposes an approach for problem-structuring of landfills in complex transitions: sustainability or unsustainability of a management approach is determined by a set of sustainability filters that are defined by sets of indicators and prioritized according the systemic concept of sustainability, which says that economy is embedded in society, which is embedded in nature. The writers exercise this approach with an old landfill in Iasi, Romania, and conclude for unsustainability, because the ecological sustainability filter is not successfully passed. Social and economic sustainability filters are also discussed in relation with the ecological sustainability indicators. The described approach allows a coherent, transdisciplinary synthesis of knowledge scattered across various disciplines, a pervasive problem in landfill management. The case study helps distinguish between generally true and context- dependent aspects. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000090.

Figures 18–24 In New Distribution Data For Some Charismatic Tramp Species Of Platygastroidea (Hymenoptera)

FIGURES 18–24. Tetrabaeus americanus, FEMALE (SEM): 18. HEAD, FRONTAL VIEW; 19. BACK OF THE HEAD; 20. FORE-TIBIAL SPUR; 21. MESOSOMA,DORSAL VIEW;22. MESOSOMA,LATERAL VIEW;23. METASOMA,DORSAL VIEW;24. METASOMA,VENTRAL VIEW.