Paraulax Kieffer, 1904

Nieves-Aldrey, José Luis, Liljeblad, Johan, Nieves, María Hernández, Grez, Audrey & Nylander, Johan A. A., 2009, Revision and phylogenetics of the genus Paraulax Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) with biological notes and description of a new tribe, a new genus, and five new species, Zootaxa 2200, pp. 1-40 : 5-6

Type genus Paraulax Kieffer, 1904 .

Diagnosis. Differs from all other cynipids by the presence of the following autapomorphies: modified flagellomere of male antenna always F2, F3 or both (never F1 as in other Cynipidae ) ( Figs. 2 E, 4G, 4I & 5A); presence of a structure of 4–5 rows of sharp, closely spaced and deep costulae on swelling of basal one-third of profemur ( Figs. 3 B & 3C); presence of 5-9 vertical carinae in the ventral region of the gena ( Fig. 4 B). The tribe can also be distinguished by a combination of the following characters: female antenna with 10 flagellomeres, F10 clavate ( Figs. 2 C & 2D); ventral part of clypeus not or only slightly projecting over mandibles; dorsolateral margin of pronotal plate projecting laterally ( Figs. 2 H & 2I); genal occipital carina present; scutellar foveae almost absent ( Figs. 6 D & 9A) or, if present, always shallow or indistinct ( Figs. 2 I & 4C), while the area posterior to the transscutal fissure always is concave; round, distinctly margined posteromedian scutellar impression absent; mesopleural impression present ( Figs. 2 G, 4B & 5C).

Description. Predominantly black, sometimes brown to red-brown, with weakly shining or dull sculpture. Relatively small (1.7–2.9 mm). Female antenna with 10 flagellomeres, male with 13. Face usually with a distinct median vertical carina and facial strigae radiating from clypeus laterally ( Figs. 6 A & 8A). Pronotal plate conspicuous with dorsolateral margins projected laterally. Notauli complete. Scutellar foveae faint or indistinct. Mesopleural impression present, more or less extended. Claws bifid, with a relatively long basal lobe or tooth ( Figs. 3 D & 4D), or, if simple, sometimes with an acute tiny lobe ( Fig. 9 D). Forewing with radial cell closed along anterior margin; R1 tubular albeit slightly depigmented along radial cell ( Figs. 3 E & 4H); vein Rs+M and M, directed towards lower half of median vein ( Figs. 3 E, 4K, 7F & 8H). Female metasoma laterally compressed. Abdominal petiole smooth dorsally, ventrally with deep longitudinal grooves. T2 smooth and shining, covering about 2/3 of metasoma. Projecting part of hypopygial spine relatively short, 3–4 times longer than wide ( Fig. 3 G).

Diversity and distribution. Includes two genera occurring in the South of the Neotropical Region, in temperate Nothofagus forests of Argentina and Chile, one of them associated with galls of Aditrochus (Pteromalidae) on Nothofagus .

Remarks. A recent morphological phylogenetic study found Paraulax to be closely related to the Pediaspidini (Liljeblad et al. 2008). We justify the erection of a new tribe as follows: with several members, including a new genus, the new tribe itself is strongly supported by the molecular data of the present analysis (100% bootstrap) whereas the grouping with Pediaspis is only recovered with a 75% of bootstrap support; the new group is morphologically distinct and supported by several synapomorphies; the erection of a new tribe for the cynipids associated with Nothofagaceae is congruent with the traditional tribal classification of the Cynipidae , which to a large degree is based on biological associations such as higher level systematics of the host plants.

The tribe Paraulacini , as here defined, share with the Pediaspidini , among other character states, a relatively long pronotum medially, the pronotal plate being extended dorsally, a mostly smooth mesopleuron, usually with a visible mesopleural impression, and the scutellar foveae faint or absent. The two tribes can, however, be readily distinguished as follows:

1. Female antenna with 12 or more flagellomeres ( Fig. 1 A); last flagellomere not wider than the penultimate; male antenna with modified F1 ( Fig. 1 B). Ventral area of gena without vertical carinae. Ventral part of clypeus broadly projecting over mandibles ( Fig. 1 C); genal carina absent. Dorsolateral margin of pronotal plate not projecting laterally ( Fig. 1 D). Scutellar foveae absent ( Fig. 1 E); area behind transscutal fissure flat or convex. A round, distinctly margined posteromedian scutellar impression present ( Fig. 1 E). Mesopleural impression absent or faint ( Fig. 1 F). Profemur not modified. Includes one Palaearctic genus inducing galls on Acer and another genus from the Himalayan region with biology unknown ............................................................................................................ Pediaspidini

- Female antenna with 10 flagellomeres ( Fig. 2 C); last flagellomere wider than the penultimate; male antenna with either F2, F3 or both modified ( Figs. 2 F & 4G). Ventral area of gena with 5–9 vertical carinae ( Fig. 4 B); genal carina present. Ventral part of clypeus at most slightly projecting over mandibles ( Fig. 2 A). Dorsolateral margin of pronotal plate strongly projecting laterally ( Figs. 2 H & 2I). Scutellar foveae absent or present, always shallow or indistinct, while the area posterior to the transscutal fissure always is concave ( Figs. 2 G & 2I). Round, distinctly margined posteromedian scutellar impression absent ( Fig. 2 I). Mesopleural impression present ( Figs. 2 G & 7A). Profemur ventrally with a swelling composed of 4–5 rows of sharp, closely spaced, deep costulae ( Figs. 3 B & 3C). Includes two neotropical genera associated with galls of Aditrochus (Pteromalidae) on Nothofagus ........................... Paraulacini

Figures

FIGURE 1. Pediaspis aceris: (A) Female antenna. (B) Male antenna. (C) Head anterior view. (D) Pronotum anterior view. (E) Mesosoma dorsal view. (F) Mesosoma lateral view.

FIGURE 2. Paraulax perplexa: (A) Head anterior view. (B) Head posterior view. (C) Female antenna. (D) Detail of last flagellomeres. (E). Male antenna. (F) Detail of basal flagellomeres. (G) Mesosoma lateral view. (H) Pronotum anterior view. (I) Mesosoma dorsal view.

FIGURE 3. Paraulax perplexa: (A) Propodeum. (B) Fore leg, arrow pointing to swelling of profemur (C) Magnification of the structure of rows of sharp, closely spaced, deep costulae. (D) Metatarsal claw. (E) Forewing. (F) Female metasoma and (G) Detail of ventral spine of hypopygium. (H) Male metasoma.

FIGURE 4. Paraulax queulensis n. sp. and Cecinothofagus ibarrai n. sp.: (A – H) P. queulensis: (A) Habitus lateral view. (B) Head and mesosoma lateral view. (C) Mesosoma dorsal view. (D) Metatarsal claw. (E) Ventral spine of hypopygium. (F) Female antennae. (G) Male antenna. (H) Forewing. (I – K) Cecinothofagus ibarrai. (I) Male antenna. (J) Mesosoma dorsal view. (K) Forewing.

FIGURE 6. Cecinothofagus gallaecoihue n. sp.: (A) Head anterior view. (B) Head posterior view. (C) Pronotum anterior view. (D) Mesosoma dorsal view. (E) Female antenna. (F) Male antenna and (G) detail of basal flagellomeres. (H) Head lateral view showing vertical carinae on gena.

FIGURE 9. Cecinothofagus gallaelenga n. sp.: (A) Mesosoma dorsal view. (B) Mesosoma lateral view. (C) Propodeum (D) Metatarsal claw. (E) Female metasoma lateral view. (F) Male metasoma.