Phylogeny of Eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), with a reclassification of Eulophinae and the recognition that Elasmidae are derived eulophids

Abstract

Summary Eulophidae is a large and biologically varied family of parasitoid wasps, traditionally split into four subfamilies; Elasmidae is a uniform (single genus) and morphologically distinct family of wasps that are thought to be related to Eulophidae. The D2 region of the 28S rDNA gene (≈ 560 bp) of eighty‐seven species of eulophid, three species of elasmid and sixteen outgroup species in five families was sequenced. Cladograms were constructed, and the results compared with conclusions drawn from morphological studies. The gene was most informative at the level of subfamily and tribe. The monophyly of both Eulophinae and Tetrastichinae is supported; that of Entedoninae and Euderinae is less clear. Results indicate that Eulophinae is a derived group within Eulophidae, rather than an ancestral group as previously thought, and that Elasmus, the sole genus of Elasmidae, belongs within this subfamily. The tribes of Eulophinae are reassessed and only three accepted: Eulophini (including Euplectrini and Elachertini), Elasmini and Cirrospilini LaSalle trib.n. for Bouček's Ophelimini with Ophelimus and Australsecodes excluded. Three small Australian tribes, Anselmellini, Ophelimini and Platytetracampini, are removed from Eulophinae and Entedoninae, respectively, but their exact relationships and subfamily status cannot as yet be decided. Another tribe, Keryini, known from a single Australian genus, is excluded from both Eulophinae and Eulophidae.

Phylogenetic relationships of egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and correlated life history characteristics of their Neotropical Cassidinae hosts (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

“…However, Boucek (1988) considers Entedoninae (to which Emersonella and Horismenus belong) as the most derived subfamily of Eulophidae. Molecular data (Gauthier et al, 2000) supported Eulophinae as a derived group and suggests that Euderinae may be the most primitive. Euderinae and Tetrastichinae appear closely related to each other (Graham, 1987;Gibson et al, 2000).…”

“…There was no autapomorphy characterizing the genus, suggesting that its taxonomy should be reviewed, and that the Horismenus genus should probably be split into several monophyletic genera. The only study addressing phylogenetic relationships among Eulophidae on a large scale (Gauthier et al, 2000) included only one Horismenus species, thereby leaving monophyly of that genus totally unresolved. On the other hand, monophyly of the genus Emersonella is well supported by molecular data, except in the ITS2 tree, where Horismenus sp.…”

“…As the largest family of Chalcidoidea, containing an estimated 3980 species in 283 genera (Gibson et al, 2000), the Eulophidae comprise four subfamilies: the Euderinae, Eulophinae, Tetrastichinae and Entedoninae (Cox, 1994). All four subfamilies are characterized by both molecular and morphological synapomorphies (Gauthier et al, 2000). Due to the diversity of their biology as well as the wealth of literature on the group, the Eulophidae are a valuable model system for investigating a variety of questions in ecology and evolution (Godfray, 1994;Gauthier et al, 2000).…”

“…All four subfamilies are characterized by both molecular and morphological synapomorphies (Gauthier et al, 2000). Due to the diversity of their biology as well as the wealth of literature on the group, the Eulophidae are a valuable model system for investigating a variety of questions in ecology and evolution (Godfray, 1994;Gauthier et al, 2000). The goal of this study was to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of an assemblage of Eulophidae parasitoids and to investigate how they are related to Cassidinae of different taxonomic ranks (tribes and genera), diet and ovipositional behaviour.…”

Composition of the Family of Parasitoids Wasps in the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…The eulophids comprise the largest family of Chalcidoidea (nOyeS 2013), and their biology is also extremely diverse, including ecto-or endoparasitoids of many families and orders of insects (MelO et al 2012). There are also phytophagous and predatory species (gautHier et al 2000). Platygastrids are widely represented in all regions of the globe.…”