Molecular phylogeny, subgeneric classification and cryptic speciation of the European species of genus Ephedrus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

Rod Ephedrus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) jedan je od brojnijih rodova unutar potfamilije Aphidiinae, sa više od 40 opisanih vrsta širom sveta, od kojih je 18 zabeleţeno u Evropi. Kao i ostali ĉlanovi potfamilije Aphidiinae, vrste ovog roda predstavljaju primarne parazitoide biljnih vaši. Iz tog razloga, vrste roda Ephedrus mogu imati znaĉajnu ulogu u biološkoj kontroli. Rod se smatra bazalnim unutar potfamilije Aphidiinae, na osnovu pleziomorfnih morfoloških karaktera, nekoliko molekularnih analiza na nivou potfamilije i dve fosilne vrste. I pored ĉinjenice da su pojedine vrste roda Ephedrus bile ukljuĉene u molekularne analize na nivou potfamilije Aphidiinae i familije Braconidae, do danas ne postoji molekularna studija koja se bavila iskljuĉivo ovim rodom. U cilju rasvetljavanja filogenetskih odnosa i taksonomskog statusa podrodova i vrsta roda Ephedrus, korišćen je integrativno taksonomski pristup, kombinacija molekularnih markera i morfometrije. Odabrani molekularni markeri koji su se pokazali pouzdanim u prethodnim studijama potfamilije Aphidiinae bili su barkoding citohrom c oksidaza subjedinica I (COI) i jedarni faktor elongacije (EF1α). Analizirane jedinke su sakupljene u poslednje dve decenije, na teritoriji većeg broja evropskih zemalja. U ovoj studiji ukupno 15 evropskih vrsta roda Ephedrus je analizirano. Rezultati molekularne i morfološke analize nisu podrţale tradicionalnu klasifikaciju vrsta u tri opisana podroda (Breviephedrus, Ephedrus i Lysephedrus). Vrste su se razdvojile u tri klade sa najvišim genetiĉkim distancama zabeleţenim na subgeneriĉkom nivou potfamilije Aphidiinae. Vrsta E. brevis se odvojila od persicae i plagiator grupe vrsta sa genetiĉkim distancama 19,6 % i 16,3 %, dok je proseĉna genetiĉka distanca izmeĊu persicae i plagiator grupa vrsta iznosila 20,7%...Genus Ephedrus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) is represented with more than 40 species worldwide from which 18 are distributed in Europe. As all members of the subfamily Aphidiinae, species from this genus are primary parasitoids of aphids. Because of that, Ephedrus species have a role in biological control. It is generally considered that the genus has basal position within subfamily Aphidiinae, due to plesiomorphic morphological characters, several molecular studies and two fossil species findings. Besides the fact that the several species of the Ephedrus genus were included in molecular analysis on the family or subfamily level, there is no study that dealt with the molecular analysis of this genus. In order to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among subgenera and species of genus Ephedrus, the combination of molecular methods and morphometry was used. The molecular markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear elongation factor (EF1α) were used. These markers proved to be reliable in previous studies of Aphidiinae subfamily. Fifteen out of eighteen currently known species were analyzed, representing three subgenera: Breviephedrus Gärdenfors, 1986, Lysephedrus Starý, 1958 and Ephedrus Haliday, 1833. The results of molecular and morphological studies did not support this classification. Three clades separated with the highest genetic distances reported for subfamily Aphidiinae. Ephedrus brevis separated from persicae and plagiator species groups with the genetic distances of 19.6% and 16.3% respectively, while the distance between persicae and plagiator groups was 20.7%..

PAUESIA QUILIS, 1931 (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE; APHIDIINAE) IN SERBIA: THREE SPECIES NEW TO SERBIAN FAUNA WITH AN IDENTIFICATION KEY

Pauesia is a diverse genus within the Aphidiinae subfamily, comprising about 80 species across the Holarctic region. Despite their diversity and distribution, a comprehensive modern revision of the species has yet to be undertaken. So far, six species have been recorded in Serbia. Our study identified three species new to the Serbian fauna: Pauesia similis Starý, 1966, P. juniperorum (Starý, 1960), and P. silvestris (Starý, 1960). Data on the location and tritrophic associations of the collected material are provided, as well as an identification key for Pauesia females in Serbia. We present two new trophic associations, both involving Pinus peuce Griseb. (Macedonian pine): P. similis and P. piceaecollis reared from Cinara aphids

Phylogeny of the Subtribe Monoctonina (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

Abstract: Members of the Monoctonina subtribe have long been neglected in applied studies of the subfamily Aphidiinae, due to their low economic importance, as they do not parasitize pests of cultivated plants. Consequently, data about this group are scarce, including its taxonomy and phylogeny. In the present study, we explore inter- and intraspecific genetic variation of Monoctonina species, including genera Monoctonus Haliday 1833, Monoctonia Starý 1962, Falciconus Mackauer 1959 and Harkeria Cameron 1900. We employ two molecular markers, the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the D2 region of the 28S nuclear gene (28S rDNA), to analyze genetic structuring and phylogeny of all available Monoctonina species, and combine them with morphological data for an integrative approach. We report one new species, and three potentially new species which can be formally described when further specimens are available. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the subtribe shows a basal position for the genera Falciconus and Monoctonia, and the close relatedness of Harkeria and Monoctonus

Resolving the taxonomic status of potential biocontrol agents belonging to the neglected genus lipolexis Förster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) with descriptions of six new species

Lipolexis is a small genus in the subfamily Aphidiinae represented by one species in Europe (Lipolexis gracilis Förster) and by four in Asia (Lipolexis wuyiensis Chen, L. oregmae Gahan, L. myzakkaiae Pramanik and Raychaudhuri and L. pseudoscutellaris Pramanik and Raychaudhuri). Although L. oregmae is employed in biological control programs against pest aphids, the last morphological study on the genus was completed over 50 years ago. This study employs an integrative approach (morphology and molecular analysis (COI barcode region)), to examine Lipolexis specimens that were sampled worldwide, including specimens from BOLD database. These results establish that two currently recognized species of Lipolexis (L. gracilis, L. oregmae) are actually a species complex and also reveal phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Six new species are described and a global key for the identification of Lipolexis species is provided.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trioxys ulmi Ckrkic & Tomanovic 2021, n. sp.

<p> <i>Trioxys ulmi</i> Čkrkić & Tomanović, n. sp.</p> <p>(Figs 2; 3)</p> <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: A6C5F36F-5CC4-4188-A5A9-1EC300CC562B</p> <p>TYPE LOCALITY. — Serbia, Belgrade, New Belgrade (44°28’47”N, 20°12’55”E).</p> <p> TYPE MATERIAL. — <b>Holotype</b>. <b>Serbia</b> • 1 ♀; Belgrade, New Belgrade 44°28’47”N, 20°12’55”E; 22.VI.2017; Korana Kocić leg.; reared from <i>T. takachihoensis</i> on <i>Ulmus</i> x <i>hollandica</i>, slide mounted; FBUB. <b>Paratypes</b>. <b>Serbia</b> • 21 ♀, 14 ♂; same data as holotype; preserved in alcohol and slide mounted (2 ♀, 2 ♂); FBUB (17 ♀, 9 ♂); MNHN (5 ♀, 5 ♂).</p> <p> DISTRIBUTION. — The current known distribution of the new species is Serbia, although we suspect a much broader distribution of this species in association with <i>T. takachihoensis</i> / <i>Ulmus</i> spp. Sequences of the COI gene identical to those from Serbian specimens are also registered in Canada and Germany.</p> <p> ETYMOLOGY. — The name of the new species is derived from the most common host of <i>T. takachihoensis</i>, <i>Ulmus</i> spp.</p> <p> DIAGNOSIS. — Morphologically most similar to <i>T. complanatus</i> (Tomanović & Kavallieratos 2002). Transverse carinae present on dorsal surface of propodeum (Fig. 2E), irregular postmedian carinae and the beginning of a closed central areola present in some specimens (in <i>T. complanatus</i> transverse carinae sometimes present, but discontinuous; no signs of a central pentagonal areola). Petiole with a slight constriction behind spiracular tubercles (almost parallelsided in <i>T. complanatus</i>).</p> <p> HOST. — <i>Tinocallis takachihoensis.</i></p> <p>REMARK</p> <p> Since the main diagnostic character, the sculpturing of the dorsal surface of the propodeum, varies to some extent in <i>T. ulmi</i> Čkrkić & Tomanović, n. sp., it is advisable to take aphid hosts (<i>T. ulmi</i> Čkrkić &Tomanović, n. sp. is a parasitoid of <i>Tinocallis takachihoensis</i> while <i>T. complanatus</i> mainly parasitizes aphids from the genus <i>Therioaphis</i> Walker, 1870 on legumes) and DNA data into account when identifying this new species.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION</p> <p> <i>Female</i></p> <p> <b>Head (Fig. 2A)</b>. Eyes oval, medium sized, sparsely setose. Malar space equal to 0.14-0.15 of longitudinal eye diameter, tentorial index 0.25. Clypeus oval with 4-5 setae. Maxillary palps with 4 palpomeres, labial palps with 2 palpomeres. Antenna with 11 antennomeres, filiform, setae on flagellomeres semierect, subequal to flagellomere diameter (Fig 2B). Flagellomere 1 (F1) 3.6 times as long as wide, with 0-1 longitudinal placodes. F2 2.6 times as long as wide, with 1-2 longitudinal placodes (Fig 2C). F1 1.2 times longer than F2. F3, F4 and F5 with 1-2, 0-3 and 0-4 longitudinal placodes, respectively.</p> <p> <b>Mesosoma.</b> Mesoscutum without notaulices, dorsal surface smooth (Fig. 2D). Head width/mesoscutum width ratio 1.2. Propodeum without closed central pentagonal areola (Fig. 2E). Antemedian carina very short; transverse carinae present, sometimes irregular. Postmedian carinae present and irregular in some paratypes.</p> <p> <b>Fore wing (Fig. 2F)</b>. Wing length 1 mm, width 0.4 mm. Stigma triangular, 2.6 times as long as wide and 1.7 times as long as distal abscissa of R1. Wing venation reduced, fused r and RS (r&RS) visible, reaching distally as far as R1 or shorter.</p> <p> <b>Metasoma.</b> Petiole 1.45 times as long as wide at spiracles. Dorsal disc smooth, with 2-3 long setae on each side (Fig. 2G). Ovipositor sheath slightly curved downwards, length/width ratio 2.6. Prongs straight, length 0.16 mm, with 2 dorsal hairs and one claw-like apical bristle (Fig. 2H).</p> <p> <b>Colour.</b> Head brown, eyes black, mouthparts yellow. Scapus, pedicel, F1 and F2 light brown, remainder of antenna brown. Mesonotum brown, propodeum and legs light brown. Wings hyaline with brown venation. Petiole light brown, rest of metasoma, including ovipositor sheaths, brown.</p> <p> <b>Body length.</b> 1.6 mm.</p> <p> <i>Male (Paratype)</i></p> <p> <b>Head (Fig. 3A)</b>. Eyes oval, medium sized, sparsely setose. Malar space equal to 0.2 of longitudinal eye diameter, tentorial index 0.3. Clypeus oval with 2-3 setae. Maxillary palps with 4 palpomeres, labial palps with 2 palpomeres. Antenna with 13 antennomeres, filiform, setae on flagellomeres semierect, subequal to half of flagellomere diameter (Fig. 3B). Flagellomere 1 (F1) 2.3 times as long as wide, with 2-4 longitudinal placodes (Fig. 3C). F2 2.2 times as long as wide, with 1-4 longitudinal placodes. F1 subequal to F2.</p> <p> <b>Mesosoma.</b> Mesoscutum without notaulices, dorsal surface smooth (Fig. 3D). Head width/mesoscutum width ratio 1.2. Propodeum in most specimens with closed central pentagonal areola (Fig. 3E), but some rare specimens lack the areola and have irregular transverse carinae.</p> <p> <b>Fore wing (Fig. 3F)</b>. Wing length 1 mm, width 0.4 mm. Stigma triangular, 2.6 times as long as wide and 2.1 times as long as distal abscissa of R1. Wing venation reduced, fused r and RS (r&RS) visible, reaching distally as far as R1 or shorter.</p> <p> <b>Metasoma.</b> Petiole with prominent spiracles, 1.5 times as long as wide at spiracles. Dorsal disc smooth, with 2 long setae on each side (Fig. 3G).</p> <p> <b>Colour.</b> Head brown, eyes black, mouthparts yellow. Scapus, pedicel, F1 and F2 light brown, remainder of antenna brown. Mesonotum and propodeum brown, legs light brown. Wings hyaline with brown venation. Petiole light brown, rest of metasoma brown (Fig. 3H).</p> <p> <b>Body length.</b> 1.5 mm.</p>Published as part of <i>Čkrkić, Jelisaveta, Petrović, Andjeljko, Kocić, Korana & Tomanović, Željko, 2021, Insights into phylogenetic relationships between Trioxys Haliday, 1833 and Binodoxys Mackauer, 1960 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae), with a description of a new species of the genus Trioxys, pp. 145-154 in Zoosystema 43 (8)</i> on pages 147-151, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2021v43a8, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4630671">http://zenodo.org/record/4630671</a&gt

Additional data on Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) fauna of Kyrgyzstan, with description of a new species

Here we present additional data on the Aphidiinae fauna of Kyrgyzstan. We identified 18 Aphidiinae species. One species new to science (Trioxys depressus sp. nov.) is described, while 11 species are reported for the first time: Aphidius avenae Haliday, A. ervi Haliday, A. matricariae Haliday, A. salicis Haliday, A. urticae Haliday, Ephedrus cerasicola Starý, E. niger Gautier, Bonnamour & Gaumont, Lysiphlebus cardui (Marshall), L. confusus Tremblay & Eady, Monoctonus crepidis (Haliday), and Praon yomenae Takada. Current knowledge of Kyrgyz Aphidiinae is summarized and discussed

Phylogenetic relationships and subgeneric classification of European Ephedrus species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

In this study two molecular markers were used to establish taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of Ephedrus subgenera and species distributed in Europe. Fifteen of the nineteen currently known species have been analysed, representing three subgenera: Breviephedrus Gärdenfors, 1986, Lysephedrus Starý, 1958 and Ephedrus Haliday, 1833. The results of analysis of COI and EF1α molecular markers and morphological studies did not support this classification. Three clades separated by the highest genetic distances reported for the subfamily Aphidiinae on intrageneric level. Ephedrus brevis is separated from persicae and plagiator species groups with genetic distances of 19.6 % and 16.3 % respectively, while the distance between persicae and plagiator groups was 20.7 %. These results lead to the conclusion that the traditional subgeneric classification of Ephedrus needs revision. Species from persicae species group are raised to subgenus level as Fovephedrus Chen, 1986 and Lysephedrus syn. nov. is assigned as a junior synonym of subgenus Ephedrus. Key for identification of Ephedrus subgenera is provided. Ephedrus hyadaphidis Kocić & Tomanović sp. nov. is described and several species are confirmed as valid species for the first time. Furthermore, two species are synonymised: E. dysaphidis syn. nov. as a junior synonym of E. cerasicola and E. blattnyi syn. nov. as a junior synonym of E. plagiator

Two new morphologically interesting species of the genus Ephedrus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

Here we describe two new Ephedrus species from the Biologiezentrum Linz´s collection: Ephedrus antennalis sp. nov., which possesses 12-segmented antennae, a unique character within the genus Ephedrus; and E. carinatus sp. nov., which represents an additional member of the root aphid parasitoid group within the genus Ephedrus