Pseudoceraphron Dodd, 1924

Desjardins, Christopher A., 2007, Phylogenetics and classification of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Zootaxa 1647 (1), pp. 1-88 : 73-74

Pseudoceraphron Dodd

( Figs. 42–49 , 70–72 )

Pseudoceraphron Dodd 1924 . Type species: Pseudoceraphron pulex Dodd.

Dipareta Bouček 1988: 332 . Type species: Dipareta albifrons Bouček (orig. desig. and by monotypy). New synonymy. [Type specimen of genus examined]

Malinka Bouček 1988: 333 . Type species: Malinka nana (orig. desig. and by monotypy). New synonymy. [Type specimen of genus not examined]

Note: Dessart (1967) transferred Pseudoceraphron from Megaspilinae (Ceraphronidae) to Diparinae .

Diagnosis: Pseudoceraphron is most easily identified by the presence of 7 anelli in the female, the eye extended posteriorly beyond the occiput and obscuring the pronotum in lateral view, and a posteriorly concave metacoxa, all of which are unique among Diparinae . All other diparines have at most 5 anelli, an eye which is not extended posteriorly beyond the occiput (pronotum visible in lateral view), and a concave metacoxa.

Discussion: Pseudoceraphron as defined here is united by 7 synapomorphies, 6 of which are nonhomoplastic in the analysis: a carinate posterior genal margin, eye extended posteriorly, 7 female anelli, a wide, flat scutellum wide, a propodeum which is depressed lateral to the plicae, concave metacoxae, and an anteriorly pinched GT1. Historically, Bouček (1988) separated his genera Dipareta and Malinka from Pseudoceraphron Dodd based primarily on notaular structure and bristle patterns. While notaular structure supports monophyly of Malinka Bouček and Pseudoceraphron Dodd in the phylogenetic analysis, newly described species show variability in the bristle patterns within and between these groups. Dipareta Bouček is supported as paraphyletic in the analysis. Dipareta albifrons Bouček is sister-group to Pseudoceraphron Dodd + Malinka Bouček based on two synapomorphies: loss of the acropleuron expansion and the axillae. Therefore, Dipareta Bouček and Malinka Bouček are herein synonymized with Pseudoceraphron Dodd , based on the strong evidence for monophyly of the whole clade, reduced evidence for monophyly of Pseudoceraphron Dodd and Malinka Bouček , and evidence for the paraphyly of Dipareta Bouček.

Bouček (1988) diagnoses, but does not describe, a male specimen from the ANIC which he states does not belong to the species albifrons but does belong to Dipareta . This specimen resembles a small Dipara male but has a reduced number of flagellar segments (8 flagellar segments excluding the anellus compared to Dipara ’s 10). However, this specimen cannot be associated for certain with any female, and therefore remains undescribed.

Number of Species: 6 described species ( Australia: Queensland, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia), and many undescribed species from these areas.

Distribution: Queensland, Australia east New Caledonia and north to Papua New Guinea.

Hosts: Unknown.

Key to species: Given below.

Figures

FIGURES 41–46. Neapterolelaps sp.: 41, cercus. Pseudoceraphron burwelli: 42, antenna; 43, clava; 44, head (frontal view); 45, clypeus; 46, mesosoma including coxae (lateral view), inv = longitudinal invagination.

FIGURES 47–52. Pseudoceraphron burwelli: 47, mesosoma excluding coxae (lateral view); 48, mesosoma (dorsal view); 49, propodeum + metasternum (posterior view). Neapterolelaps viridescens: 50, mesosoma (dorso-lateral view). Neapterolelaps mitteri: 51, mesosoma (dorso-lateral view). Pondia sp.: 52, scrobe.

FIGURES 65–70. Lateral habitus views: 65, Dozodipara insularis; 66, Myrmicolelaps iridius 67, M. aurantius; 68, Lelaps noorti; 69, Nosodipara ferrana; 70, Pseudoceraphron regieri.

FIGURES 71–72. Lateral habitus views: 71, Pseudoceraphron fijensis; 72, P. burwelli.