Rampant host switching and multiple female body colour transitions in Philotrypesis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Agaonidae)

Abstract

Figs (Ficus, Moraceae) and their associated fig waSPS (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea and Agaonidae) have attracted much attention and have been used as a model system for many studies. Fig waSPS belonging to the genus Philotrypesis are very common in most figs but their taxonomy, ecology and biology are currently poorly explored. A previous study on African Philotrypesis showed that their host association is phylogenetically conserved at subsection level. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny with extended sampling from seven sections of figs. Our study suggested that the diversification of Philotrypesis is less constrained by host figs. Host switching is rampant between figs at species level and even at section level. We also investigated the evolution of the body colour forms in female Philotrypesis. Our study first suggested that female body colour is not evolutionarily stable and that there have been multiple transitions. Possible mechanisms for multiple colour transitions are expected to be determined in the near future.

Systematics and biology of Cotesia typhae sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), a potential biological control agent against the noctuid Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides

“…Regarding mean parasitism rates, about 20% of S. nonagrioides larvae were successfully parasitized by C. typhae . The same mean value or range of parasitism rates were observed in stem borers parasitized by C. sesamiae , and by C. flavipes , in maize and sorghum in Kenya (Mailafiya et al 2010), and by C. chilonis in rice in China (Lou et al 2014), but lower values were also observed (Jiang et al 2006). This mean value is much lower than that observed in laboratory conditions.…”

Rapid Evolution of the Mitochondrial Genome in Chalcidoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Driven by Parasitic Lifestyles

“…This pattern indicated that the mitochondrial genomes of Philotrypesis either evolved rapidly or that the species diverged long ago. The former explanation seemed more likely because: 1) some of the genes were similar or even identical between the two species; 2) previous phylogenetic results based on the combination of mitochondrial ( cob ) and nuclear ( ITS2 ) markers indicated that the two species may be sister taxa [23]; 3) morphological comparisons show that the two species were similar (Figure S2). …”

Speciation in fig wasps

“…Several studies have compared the phylogenies of regional NPFW radiations with phylogenies of their Ficus or insect hosts (Machado et al , 1996; Lopez‐Vaamonde et al , 2001; Weiblen & Bush, 2002; Jackson, 2004; Jousselin et al , 2004; Jiang et al , 2006; Jousselin et al , 2006; Marussich & Machado, 2007; Jousselin et al , 2008; Silvieus et al , 2008). Most of these involve wasps from one or two fig sections, but one study of Asian Philotrypesis wasps, most of which are parasitoids/inquilines of pollinators, found little correspondence between Philotrypesis phylogeny and Ficus sections and the authors argue that ‘rampant host shifting’ has occurred (Jiang et al , 2006). Further studies of both parasitoid and galler taxa across fig sections are needed to test if, for example, host switching is more common for parasitoids than gallers.…”