Rediscovered parasitism of Andrena savignyi Spinola (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) by Stylops (Strepsiptera, Stylopidae) and revised taxonomic status of the parasite

Abstract

Parasitism of Andrena (Suandrena) savignyi Spinola (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) by Stylops Kirby (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae) has been recorded only once, and from an individual collected in Egypt almost a century ago, with the parasite described as Stylops savignyi Hofeneder. The recent rediscovery of this Stylops from an individual of Andrena savignyi permits a reinterpretation of the species and its affinities among other Stylops. The bee was collected at flowers of Zilla spinosa (Turra) Prantl. (Brassicaceae) in Amariah, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Based on DNA barcode sequences from material sampled across Africa, Asia, and Europe, it is apparent that Stylops savignyi is conspecific with Stylops nassonowi Pierce, and we accordingly synonymize this name (syn. n.), with the latter representing the senior and valid name for the species. A differential diagnosis is provided for Stylops nassonowi and the morphology of the female is described, as well as the first instars.

Phylogenomic species delimitation of the twisted‐winged parasite genus Stylops (Strepsiptera)

“…However, the present study does not find justification for the reinstatement of those species. Based on our results, there is only one Stylops species with A. vaga as a principal host, S. ater (following the nomenclature of Straka, Alqarni, et al (2015). Another host of S. ater is A. cineraria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Smit et al, 2020).…”

“…The Stylops species within this clade is probably one of the best studied WP species (e.g., Fraulob et al, 2015; Löwe et al, 2016; Peinert et al, 2016). Ironically, it is also one with the most controversial nomenclature, detailed in Straka, Alqarni, et al (2015). Currently, two names are in use for the Stylops parasitizing A. vaga Panzer, 1799: S. ater Reichert, 1914 (e.g., Smit et al, 2020; Straka et al, 2015) and S. ovinae Noskiewicz & Poluszynski, 1928 (e.g., Fraulob et al, 2015; Jandausch et al, 2022; Löwe et al, 2016).…”

“…The Stylops species within this clade is probably one of the best studied WP species (e.g., Fraulob et al, 2015;Löwe et al, 2016;Peinert et al, 2016). Ironically, it is also one with the most controversial nomenclature, detailed in Straka, Alqarni, et al (2015). Currently, two names are in use for the Stylops parasitizing A. vaga Panzer, 1799:…”

“…The specimen from A. varia (Truncandrena) surprisingly also ended up in this clade and not together with the specimen from the second included Truncandrena (A. truncatlilabris) in clade D. Stylops specimens from host subgenera Lepidandrena Hedicke, 1933, and Hamandrena are probably undescribed species. The identities of the other unidentified specimens need to be further inspected before drawing any conclusions of their relatedness to the putative species.Stylops aterrimusNewport, 1851, and S. nassonowi Pierce, 1909, are closely related species, which are nearly indistinguishable morphologically(Straka, Alqarni, et al, 2015). Geographically, S. aterrimus represents the Northern lineage, and S. nassonowi the Southern lineage.Host sharing is likely to occur between these closely related species in the contact zone.…”

Strepsiptera of Canada

“…It is estimated that 19 more species of Strepsiptera will eventually be found in Canada, either by discovery of overlooked species, expansion of species in the northern United States of America into adjacent parts of southern Canada, or recognition of sibling species within currently known species. The detection of cryptic sibling species will be enhanced by DNA barcoding and application of phylogenetic reconstructions based on DNA (Jůzová et al 2015, Straka et al 2015a, b). Three Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) are assigned for Canadian species (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2013).…”