A Multilocus Phylogeny of the World Sycoecinae Fig Wasps (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae)

Abstract

The Sycoecinae is one of five chalcid subfamilies of fig wasps that are mostly dependent on Ficus inflorescences for reproduction. Here, we analysed two mitochondrial (COI, Cytb) and four nuclear genes (ITS2, EF-1α, RpL27a, mago nashi) from a worldwide sample of 56 sycoecine species. Various alignment and partitioning strategies were used to test the stability of major clades. All topologies estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods were similar and well resolved but did not support the existing classification. A high degree of morphological convergence was highlighted and several species appeared best described as species complexes. We therefore proposed a new classification for the subfamily. Our analyses revealed several cases of probable speciation on the same host trees (up to 8 closely related species on one single tree of F. sumatrana), which raises the question of how resource partitioning occurs to avoid competitive exclusion. Comparisons of our results with fig phylogenies showed that, despite sycoecines being internally ovipositing wasps host-switches are common incidents in their evolutionary history. Finally, by studying the evolutionary properties of the markers we used and profiling their phylogenetic informativeness, we predicted their utility for resolving phylogenetic relationships of Chalcidoidea at various taxonomic levels.

Molecular phylogeny of bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) based on 18 molecular markers

“…CAD,ArgK,PEPCK and wingless), can be considered as 'common' markers used across several insect orders , Kim and Farrell, 2015, Riedel et al, 2016. Beside this limited number of well-characterized phylogenetic markers, other nuclear genes were implemented in different insect taxa, often following independent routes for marker selection and optimization (Cruaud et al, 2013, Senatore et al, 2014. Noticeably, several groups in Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera received much more attention in this perspective and as a consequence, these orders currently have the highest number of standardized protein coding genes (more than 20) that can be selected for phylogeny reconstruction at various ranks (Regier et al, 2013, Mutanen et al, 2010, Danforth et al, 2004, Hedtke et al, 2013, Wahlberg et al, 2016.…”

Torymidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) revised: molecular phylogeny, circumscription and reclassification of the family with discussion of its biogeography and evolution of life‐history traits

“…Most of these studies are based on morphology (Gibson, (Eupelmidae); Gibson, (Eupelminae); Grissell, (Toryminae); Heraty, (Eucharitidae); Lotfalizadeh et al., (Eurytominae)), and only a few have used molecular characters (Owen et al., (Trichogrammatidae); Cruaud et al., , (Agaonidae s.s . ); Cruaud et al., ,b (Agaonidae, Sycophaginae); Cruaud et al., (Pteromalidae, Sycoecinae); Burks et al., (Eulophidae); Segar et al., (Pteromalidae, Sycoryctinae); Murray et al., (Eucharitidae)).…”

Two novel venom proteins underlie divergent parasitic strategies between a generalist and a specialist parasite

“…Note that only representative taxa are listed in the tree; for insects, a total of 233 species from 20 orders were investigated (see “Methods”), while all the animal taxa listed in the NR database were subject to screening. Information within Hymenoptera (51 species) is shown with details in the context of hypothetical phylogeny 17 , 99 – 101 on the right. The numbers in brackets indicate the number of species in the corresponding family; the latter number after a slash indicates the number of species presenting homologs.…”