Taxonomic problems with Gynaikothrips and related genera (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae): the ficorum/uzeli complex and taxa endemic to Australia

Abstract

Ten species from Australia in or related to the genus Gynaikothrips are discussed. Variation among specimens of the pest species on Ficus trees, the ficorum/uzeli complex, is examined with the conclusion that recognition of these two species remains questionable. Two species related to this complex are newly recorded from Australia, insulsus Priesner and luzonensis Priesner, and edentatus Priesner is placed as a syn.n. of ficorum. Two new Gynaikothrips are described, jasmini sp.n. and platypodae sp.n., and additamentus Karny is transferred from Gynaikothrips to Eilapinothrips gen.n. A new species of Agynaikothrips is described as the third known member of this genus, lorieni sp.n., and Liothrips umbratus Hood comb.rev. is returned to this original genus from Gynaikothrips. Two species described in Gynaikothrips from the Philippines, capitulatus Reyes and pedanus Reyes, are transferred to the genus Teuchothrips. The monobasic genus, Aiganothrips Bhatti, is considered a syn.n. of Gynaikothrips, and the monobasic genus, Jennythrips Bhatti, is considered a syn.n. of Liothrips.

Structural diversity among the leaf-feeding thrips of Australia in the genus Teuchothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) with 20 new species

“…Worldwide there are 25 species listed under this name (ThripsWiki 2023). However, two of the 25 were placed in Teuchothrips in error (Mound & Tree 2021). These are T. capitulatus (Reyes) and T. pedanus (Reyes) from Philippines, both of which have the metathoracic sternopleural sutures well developed, in contrast to the species of the genus in which they were originally described, Gynaikothrips (Mound & Tree 2021).…”

“…However, two of the 25 were placed in Teuchothrips in error (Mound & Tree 2021). These are T. capitulatus (Reyes) and T. pedanus (Reyes) from Philippines, both of which have the metathoracic sternopleural sutures well developed, in contrast to the species of the genus in which they were originally described, Gynaikothrips (Mound & Tree 2021). Neither species has a fore tarsal tooth, and, despite the heads being only about as long as wide, these species are better considered as Liothrips capitulatus (Reyes) comb.n.…”

Review of the genus Gigantothrips Zimmermann from China and Southeast Asia (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae)

“…The ‘ Phlaeothrips -lineage’ includes mainly fungus-feeding species that are found in dry or dead leaves and branches, leaf litter and dry grasses. The third group, the ‘ Liothrips -lineage’, is one of the most species-rich groups in Thysanoptera , with most species feeding on green leaves of trees or shrubs, and often associated with leaf rolls or galls ( Mound 1971 ; Ananthakrishnan 1972 ; Mound 1994 ; Mound 2020a , b ; Mound and Tree 2021a , b ). Found in tropic or subtropic regions of the Old World, species of the genus Gigantothrips Zimmermann are associated with leaf-galls on Ficus trees.…”

“…Before that a key to nine species, including six from Africa based on material in the Natural History Museum, London, was produced by Mound (1968) . A little further information on Gigantothrips was mentioned for Chinese and Southeast Asian species ( Dang et al 2014 ; Mound and Tree 2021b ). Here we present a review of Gigantothrips with a key to eight species from China and Southeast Asia.…”

A first record of the fungus-feeding genus Tylothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from Iran

“…Recognizing subgroups within Tubulifera is exceptionally difficult because much of their diversification has involved reduction or loss of characters and homoplasy is evident (Mound & Marullo, 1996). Therefore, classifying new species within Tubulifera is not an easy task and Thysanopterists often face challenges while working on this group (Mound & Tree, 2021a, 2021b. The Iranian thrips fauna includes 270 species, but only 22% of them are associated with Tubulifera (i.e.…”