No abstract

Previously, the only published phylogenetic analysis of Dryinidae was a morphological analysis of just 32 characters. Herein, I present the first analysis of molecular sequence data examining the relationships among several of the major subfamilies of Dryinidae. A total of 77 specimens of Dryinidae from seven subfamilies, two specimens of Chrysis (Chrysididae), one specimen of Cleptes (Chrysididae), and one specimen of Sclerogibba (Sclerogibbidae) were examined utilizing molecular sequence data from nuclear 18S and 28S genes and mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) and Cytochrome b (Cytb) genes. Dryininae were rendered nonmonophyletic due to the placement of Thaumatodryinus, which was sister to the remainder of Dryininae and Gonatopodinae. To establish monophyly of Dryininae, Thaumatodryininae were resurrected for Thaumatodryinus.

We apply integrative taxonomy to solve a historical taxonomic impasse in a flat wasp group (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). The phylogeny of Epyrinae is inferred with parsimony analyses under equal and implied weights, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference using the nuclear markers 18S and 28S, the mitochondrial genes 16S, cytochrome oxidase subunit I and cytochrome B and 232 morphological characters. This is the first phylogenetic study to examine all 42 epyrine genera, including junior synonyms and extinct taxa, applying a combined molecular and morphological approach. This study considered 186 terminal taxa with 166 representing the ingroup taxa and 20 outgroup taxa. All resulting trees of the combined analyses recovered Anisepyris Kieffer, Aspidepyris Evans, Bakeriella Kieffer, Disepyris Kieffer, Laelius Ashmead and Trachepyris Kieffer as monophyletic; Chlorepyris Kieffer, Epyris Westwood, Formosiepyris Terayama and Holepyris Kieffer are nonmonophyletic. Calyozina Enderlein is recovered as an independent lineage in implied weights, Bayesian and maximum likelihood topologies. Here, we describe three new genera and revalidate six genera, five of them junior synonyms of Epyris and one of Holepyris. In addition, we analysed the presence/absence of a sulcus between the mesoscuto-scutellar foveae and the shape of mesoscuto-scutellar foveae as the most important taxonomic characters for Epyrinae using ancestral state reconstruction. Finally, we provide a checklist of all species of Epyrinae, compiled via direct observation of the type, illustrations, or literature and an updated and illustrated taxonomic key for all epyrine genera.

A new genus of Corioxenidae, Malagasyxenos, is erected for a new species of Strepsiptera, Malagasyxenos gymnostoma n.s.p., from the Majunga provinces of Madagascar. Malagasyxenos is morphologically closest to Floridoxenos, both of which have antennae with seven segments and flabela on segments 3–6. However, Malagasyxenos is the only corioxenid with no visible mouthparts as well as other character differences. The family Corioxenidae is reviewed and a key is provided for the 13 genera.

The types specimens of many taxa described by Chandy Kurian were considered lost for many years, which prevented the recognition of the species delimited by him. Fifty holotypes have been rediscovered in the National Forest Insect Collection of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Forty-five types belong to Bethylidae (Cephalonomia tritici, Chlorepyris biharina, C. mackenziei, C. pusana, C. sanctipauli, Epyris agraensis, E. agrensis, E. bombayensis, E. delhiensis, E. duni, E. duttai, E. indicae, E. manii, E. patnae, E. pusae, E. shishami, Goniozus ahmeadi, G. chatterjii, G. chowdhari, G. hybleae, G. lygropiae, G. madrassippattanami, G. marasmi, G. mori, G. morindae, G. nephoterycis, G. nilamburensis, G. pulveriae, G. salvadorae, G. sanctijohannis, G. thalasodi, Laelius agraensis, Odontepyris argyriae, O. batrae, O. cirphi, O. hypsipylae, O. indicus, Pristepyris agraensis, Pristocera govindrami, Sclerodermus delhiensis, Sc. hardwickiae, Sc. mori, Sc. raonis, Sulcomesitius bahaduri and Su. duni), one to Chrysididae (Lustrina assamensis), three to Dryinidae (Lestodryinus guptai, Neodryinus karnalensis and N. pusae) and one to Formicidae (Neoclystopsenella luffae). Six new combinations are proposed: Epyris mackenziei comb. nov. from Chlorepyris; Formosiepyris agraensis comb. nov. from Epyris; Holepyris raonis comb. nov. from Sclerodermus; Holepyris patnae comb. nov. from Epyris; Pristocera agraensis comb. nov. from Pristepyris; and Trachepyris sanctipauli comb. nov. from Chlorepyris. We also provide updated diagnoses, as well as detailed remarks and photographs for all types rediscovered. In addition, we provide researchers worldwide with valuable taxonomic information for the Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae and Formicidae described by Kurian. A review of Bethylidae from India and a tribute to Chandy Kurian has also been provided.