Main trends of karyotype evolution in the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera)

Abstract

Abstract. An overview of karyotype evolution in the superfamily Chalcidoidea is given, including new data on karyotypes of Eurytoma curculionum Mayr, 1878 (Eurytomidae; 2n=20) and Euderomphale chelidonii Erdös, 1966 (Eulophidae; n=6). Structural types of chromosome sets in the superfamily Chalcidoidea are listed. Main pathways of karyotypic change in the Chalcidoidea are outlined. The chromosome set containing eleven subtelo-or acrocentrics is considered as an ancestral karyotype for the superfamily. Multiple independent reductions in "n" values through chromosomal fusions presumably occurred in various groups of chalcid families.

A cytogenetic study of three parasitic wasp species (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae) from Brazil using chromosome morphometrics and base-specific fluorochrome staining

“…The karyotype structure of Palmistichus elaeisis is similar to that of many other members of the subfamily Tetrastichinae. Moreover, this structure is apparently the commonest in the family Eulophidae in general (Gebiola and Bernardo 2008; Gokhman 2009, Gokhman and Gumovsky 2009, Bolsheva et al 2012, Gokhman et al 2014b) which is, in turn, one of the best karyotypically studied chalcid families (see e.g. Gokhman 2009, Gebiola et al 2012).…”

Chromosomes of parasitic wasps of the genus Metaphycus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae)

“…The data obtained therefore indicate further blurring the border between the so-called "high-numbered" and "lownumbered" chalcid families. This phenomenon has recently been observed also in the Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae and Torymidae (Gokhman, Gumovsky, 2009).…”

“…Comparative Cytogenetics considered ancestral not only for the Encyrtidae, but also for the superfamily Chalcidoidea as a whole (Gokhman, Gumovsky, 2009), the closest n value found in Metaphycus fl avus and M. luteolus, n = 10, is likely to be ancestral for the genus Metaphycus. If this is true, chromosome numbers of M. angustifrons and M. stanleyi, n = 9 and 5 respectively, must be derived, and they have therefore originated through apparently subsequent chromosomal fusions.…”

First description of the karyotype of a eucharitid wasp (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eucharitidae)

“…Two groups of families used to be recognized within Chalcidoidea based on karyotypes: one group with species showing high chromosome numbers (n=9–11) and a second group with species showing low chromosome numbers (n=3–7) (Gokhman 2005, Gokhman and Gumovsky 2009). Recent studies, however, have revealed an even more complex pattern (Gokhman 2013).…”

“…However, it is difficult to analyze karyotype changes within a phylogenetic framework since despite recent progress (Munro et al 2011, Heraty et al 2013) phylogenetic relationships within Chalcidoidea are still largely unknown. It is noteworthy that depending on the outgroup used, one can arrive at different conclusions based on the same cytogenetic data, as in the case of Eupelmidae (Fusu 2008, Gokhman and Gumovsky 2009). …”