HYMENOPTERAN MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS: FROM APOCRITA TO BRACONIDAE (ICHNEUMONOIDEA)

Two separate phylogenetic studies were performed for two different taxonomic levels within Hymenoptera. The first study examined the utility of expressed sequence tags for resolving relationships among hymenopteran superfamilies. Transcripts were assembled from 14,000 sequenced clones for 6 disparate Hymenopteran taxa, averaging over 660 unique contigs per species. Orthology and gene determination were performed using modifications to a previously developed computerized pipeline and compared against annotated insect genomes. Sequences from additional taxa were added from public databases with a final dataset of 24 genes for 16 taxa. The concatenated dataset recovered a robust and well-supported topology; however, there was extreme incongruity among individual gene trees. Analyses of sequences indicated strong compositional and transition biases, particularly in the third codon positions. The use of filtered supernetworks aided visualization of the existing congruent phylogenetic signal that existed across the individual gene trees. Additionally, treeness triangle plots indicated a strong residual signal in several gene trees and across codon positions in the concatenated dataset. However, most analyses of the concatenated dataset recovered expected relationships, known from other independent analyses. Thus, ESTs provide a powerful source of information for phylogenetic analysis, but results are sensitive to low taxonomic sampling and missing data. The second study examined subfamilial relationships within the parasitoid family Braconidae, using over 4kb of sequence data for 139 taxa. Bayesian inference of the concatenated dataset recovered a robust phylogeny, particularly for early divergences within the family. There was strong evidence supporting two independent lineages within the family: one leading to the noncyclostomes and one leading to the cyclostomes. Ancestral state reconstructions were performed to test the theory of ectoparasitism as the ancestral condition for all taxa within the family. Results indicated an endoparasitic ancestor for the family and for the non-cyclostome lineage, with an early transition to ectoparasitism for the cyclostome lineage. However, reconstructions of some nodes were sensitive to outgroup coding and will also be impacted with increased biological knowledge

Multi-gene phylogeny and divergence estimations for Evaniidae (Hymenoptera)

Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) develop as predators of cockroach eggs (Blattodea), have a wide distribution and exhibit numerous interesting biological phenomena. The taxonomy of this lineage has been the subject of several recent, intensive efforts, but the lineage lacked a robust phylogeny. In this paper we present a new phylogeny, based on increased taxonomic sampling and data from six molecular markers (mitochondrial 16S and COI, and nuclear markers 28S, RPS23, CAD, and AM2), the latter used for the first time in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our intent is to provide a robust phylogeny that will stabilize and facilitate revision of the higher-level classification. We also show the continued utility of molecular motifs, especially the presence of an intron in the RPS23 fragments of certain taxa, to diagnose evaniid clades and assist with taxonomic classification. Furthermore, we estimate divergence times among evaniid lineages for the first time, using multiple fossil calibrations. Evaniidae radiated primarily in the Early Cretaceous (134.1–141.1 Mya), with and most extant genera diverging near the K-T boundary. The estimated phylogeny reveals a more robust topology than previous efforts, with the recovery of more monophyletic taxa and better higher-level resolution. The results facilitate a change in ensign wasp taxonomy, with Parevania, and Papatuka, syn. nov. becoming junior synonyms of Zeuxevania, and Acanthinevania, syn. nov. being designated as junior synonym of Szepligetella. We transfer 30 species to Zeuxevania, either reestablishing past combinations or as new combinations. We also transfer 20 species from Acanthinevania to Szepligetella as new combinations

Description Of Four New Species Of Eadya (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Parasitoids Of The Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle (Paropsis Charybdis) And Other Eucalyptus Defoliating Leaf Beetles

Eucalyptus L’Héritier, 1789 (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) plantations are a global economic resource with a wide array of uses. As this forestry crop grows in popularity around the world, the exotic introduction of pests such as the leaf beetles belonging to the genera Paropsis Oliver, 1807 and Paropsisterna Motschulsky, 1860 increases in frequency. These pest introductions have spurred a need to understand the natural enemies of these pests for use in classical biological control programs. One such enemy, Eadya paropsidis Huddleston & Short, 1978 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), has shown potential as a biological control agent against Paropsis charybdis, an exotic pest of New Zealand Eucalyptus plantations. However, observations made by biocontrol researchers have raised concerns that E. paropsidis is a complex of cryptic species. A comprehensive large-scale phylogenetic study utilizing both host and molecular data (Peixoto et al. 2018), as well as a morphological multivariate ratio analysis, was utilized to ensure accurate delimitation of the species of Eadya. Here we formally describe the three new species (Eadya annleckieae Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n., Eadya daenerys Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n., Eadya spitzer Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n.), and one additional new species discovered in the Australian National Insect Collection (Eadya duncan Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n.). All distributions and host associations for Eadya are listed as well as a redescription of the originally described E. paropsidis and E. falcata. An illustrated key to all known species is included to assist biological control researchers. The value of citizen science observations is discussed, along with the need for a further understanding of mainland Eadya populations given the recent spread of paropsine pests. Finally, we discuss the subfamilial placement of Eadya, and suggest it belongs within Euphorinae based on morphological characters

New Species Of Ancistrocerus (Vespidae, Eumeninae) From The Neotropics With A Checklist And Key To All Species South Of The Rio Grande

A new species of potter wasp from South America, Ancistrocerus sur sp. n., is described. A species key and checklist for all described Ancistrocerus that occur south of the Rio Grande are provided. New synonymy includes Odynerus bolivianus Brèthes = Ancistrocerus pilosus (de Saussure), while the subspecies bustamente discopictus Bequaert, lineativentris kamloopsensis Bequaert, lineativentris sinopis Bohart, tuberculocephalus sutterianus (de Saussure), and pilosus ecuadorianus Bertoni, are all sunk under their respective nominotypical taxa

Statistics file from Bayes-strategyE

Statistics file from Bayes run for all genes. See also "allgenes_8_partitions_strategy_E" nexus file with associated commands for MrBayes

Data from: Molecular phylogenetics of Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) based on multiple nuclear genes and implications for classification

This study examined subfamilial relationships within Braconidae, using 4kb of sequence data for 139 taxa. Genetic sampling included previously used markers for phylogenetic studies of Braconidae (28S and 18S rDNA) as well as new nuclear protein-coding genes (CAD and ACC). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference of the concatenated dataset recovered a robust phylogeny, particularly for early divergences within the family. This study focused primarily on non-cyclostome subfamilies, but the monophyly of the cyclostome complex was strongly supported. There was evidence supporting an independent clade, termed the aphidioid complex as sister to the cyclostome complex of subfamilies. Maxfischeria was removed from Helconinae and placed within its own subfamily within the aphidioid complex. Most relationships within the cyclostome complex were poorly supported, likely due to lower taxonomic sampling within this group. Similar to other studies, there was strong support for the alysioid subcomplex containing Gnamptodontinae, Alysiinae, Opiinae, and Exothecinae. Cenocoeliinae was recovered as sister to all other subfamilies within the euphoroid complex. Planitorus and Mannokeraia, previously placed in Betylobraconinae and Masoninae, respectively, were moved to the Euphorinae and may share a close affiliation with Neoneurinae. Neoneurinae and Ecnomiinae were placed as tribes within Euphorinae. A sister relationship between the microgastroid and sigalphoid complexes was also recovered. Within the helconoid complex was a well-supported lineage parasitic on lepidopteran larvae (macrocentroid subcomplex). Helconini was raised to subfamily status and was recovered as sister to the macrocentroid subcomplex. Blacinae was demoted to tribal status and placed within the newly circumscribed subfamily Brachistinae, which also contains the tribes Diospilini, Brulleiini, and Brachistini, all formerly in Helconinae

Rapid Viral Symbiogenesis Via Changes In Parasitoid Wasp Genome Architecture

Viral genome integration provides a complex route to biological innovation that has rarely but repeatedly occurred in one of the most diverse lineages of organisms on the planet, parasitoid wasps. We describe a novel endogenous virus in braconid wasps derived from pathogenic alphanudiviruses. Limited to a subset of the genus Fopius, this recent acquisition allows an unprecedented opportunity to examine early endogenization events. Massive amounts of virus-like particles (VLPs) are produced in wasp ovaries. Unlike most endogenous viruses of parasitoid wasps, the VLPs do not contain DNA, translating to major differences in parasitism-promoting strategies. Rapid changes include genomic rearrangement, loss of DNA processing proteins, and wasp control of viral gene expression. These events precede the full development of tissue-specific viral gene expression observed in older associations. These data indicate that viral endogenization can rapidly result in functional and evolutionary changes associated with genomic novelty and adaptation in parasitoids

Habitat Or Temporal Isolation: Unraveling Herbivore–Parasitoid Speciation Patterns Using Double Digest Radseq

Ecological speciation is often observed in phytophagous insects and their parasitoids due to divergent selection caused by host-associated or temporal differences. Most previous studies have utilized limited genetic markers or distantly related species to look for reproductive barriers of speciation. In our study, we focus on closely related species of Lygus bugs and two sister species of Peristenus parasitoid wasps. Using mitochondrial DNA COI and genomewide SNPs generated using ddRADseq, we tested for potential effects of host-associated differentiation (HAD) or temporal isolation in this system. While three species of Lygus are clearly delineated with both COI and SNPs, no evidence of HAD or temporal differentiation was detected. Two Peristenus sister species were supported by both sets of markers and separated temporally, with P. mellipes emerging early in June and attacking the first generation of Lygus, while P. howardi emerging later in August and attacking the second generation of their hosts. This is one of the few studies to examine closely related hosts and parasitoids to examine drivers of diversification. Given the results of this study, the Lygus-Peristenus system demonstrates temporal isolation as a potential barrier to reproductive isolation for parasitoids, which could indicate higher parasitoid diversity in regions of multivoltine hosts. This study also demonstrates that incorporating systematics improves studies of parasitoid speciation, particularly by obtaining accurate host records through rearing, carefully delimiting cryptic species and examining population-level differences with genomic-scale data among closely related taxa

allgenes_8_partitions_strategy_E

All genes with commands for MrBayes. This partitioning strategy was deemed the best using Bayes factors. The dataset has 8 partitions and is referred to as strategy E in the manuscript. Each gene or gene fragment is separated in its own block; protein-coding genes treated with Gblocks; rDNA aligned via secondary structure and with ambiguous regions excluded if the standard deviation of length in that region is > 1