Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5273 No. 1: 28 Apr. 2023
Type: Monograph
Published: 2023-04-28
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5273.1.1
Page range: 1-100
Abstract views: 369
PDF downloaded: 106

The morphological diversity of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera): an atlas of scanning electron micrographs. Part 1. General overview and structure of the head

Natural Resources Canada c/o Canadian National Collection of Insects; Arachnids and Nematodes; K.W. Neatby Building; 960 Carling Ave.; Ottawa; ON; K1A 0C6; Canada
Natural Resources Canada c/o Canadian National Collection of Insects; Arachnids and Nematodes; K.W. Neatby Building; 960 Carling Ave.; Ottawa; ON; K1A 0C6; Canada
Natural Resources Canada c/o Canadian National Collection of Insects; Arachnids and Nematodes; K.W. Neatby Building; 960 Carling Ave.; Ottawa; ON; K1A 0C6; Canada
Hymenoptera morphology terminolog fairyflies

Abstract

This is the first in a series of studies that aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the morphological diversity of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera), a monophyletic family of small parasitic wasps that are postulated as the sister group of other Chalcidoidea. The external cranial morphology of 65–75 genera and subgenera of Mymaridae (fairyflies) is described and illustrated with almost 430 scanning electron micrographs, including 73 micrographs of the anterior, 68 of the posterior, 75 of the dorsal, 75 of the lateral, and 67 of the ventral views of the head, plus 71 micrographs of the ventral view of the mouthparts. Twenty-one annotated figures illustrate the terms used for morphological structures. Two appendices list the 64 morphological terms and 5 measurements that are defined and illustrated, and the 116 currently recognized valid genera and subgenera of Mymaridae, including collection localities for those that are illustrated. Discussion of head morphology characteristic of Mymaridae is preceded by an overview that includes discussion of best practices for taxonomic descriptions and why these and accurate identifications require well preserved and imaged specimens. Aspects of intraspecific variation, colour, secondary sexual dimorphism, setation (chaetotaxy), surface sculpture and morphometrics are also treated as all of these are often important for describing and distinguishing species. Many of the features illustrated have not previously been used in Mymaridae systematics but may prove to be useful for helping to identify and describe genera and species.

 

References

  1. Allen, R.T. & Ball, G.E. (1980) Synopsis of Mexican taxa of the Loxandrus series (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Pterostichini). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 105, 481–506.
  2. Aquino, D.A., Triapitsyn, S.V. & Huber, J.T. (2016) Nomenclatural changes in Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Zootaxa, 4205 (6), 581–592. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4205.6.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4205.6.6
  3. Baaren, van, J., Boivin, G., Le Lannic, J. & Nénon, J.-P. (1999) Comparison of antennal sensilla of Anaphes victus and A. listronoti (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), egg parasitoids of Curculionidae. Zoomorphology, 119 (1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004350050076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004350050076
  4. Baaren, van, J., Boivin, G., Bourdais, D. & Roux, O. (2007) Antennal sensilla of hymenopteran parasitic wasps: variations linked to host exploitation behaviour. In: Méndez-Vilas, A. & Díaz, J. (Eds.), Modern Research and Educational Topics in Microscopy. Formatex, Badajoz, Spain, pp. 345–352.
  5. Basibuyuk, H.H. & Quicke, D.L.J. (1995) Morphology of the antennal cleaner in the Hymenoptera with particular reference to non-aculeate families (Insecta). Zoologica Scripta, 24 (2), 157–177. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6409.1995.tb00397.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6409.1995.tb00397.x
  6. Bolte, K.B. 1997 (1996) Techniques for obtaining scanning electron micrographs of minute arthropods. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 127, 67–87.
  7. Burks, R.A. & Heraty, J.M. (2015) Subforaminal bridges in Hymenoptera (Insecta) with a focus on Chalcidoidea. Arthropod Structure and Development, 44, 173–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.12.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.12.003
  8. Chiappini, E. & Mazzoni, E. (2000) Differing morphology and ultrastructure of the male copulatory apparatus in species-groups of Anagrus Haliday. Journal of Natural History, 34, 1661–1676. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222930050117549 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222930050117549
  9. Chiappini, E., Solinas, C. & Solinas, M. (2001) Antennal sensilla of Anagrus atomus (L.) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) female and their possible behavioural significance. Entomologica, Bari, 35, 51–76.
  10. Debauche, H.R. (1948) Étude sur les Mymarommidae et les Mymaridae de la Belgique (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea). Mémoires du Musée Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique, 108, 1–248, 24 pls.
  11. Cruaud, A., Delvare, G., Nidelet, S., Sauné, L., Ratnasingham, S., Chartois, M., Blaimer, B.B., Gates, M., Brady, S.G., Faure, S., van Noort, S., Rossi, J.-P. & Rasplus, J.-Y. (2020) Ultra-conserved elements and morphology reciprocally illuminate conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses in Chalcididae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea). Cladistics, 37 (1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12416 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12416
  12. Eady, R.D. (1968) Some illustrations of microsculpture in the Hymenoptera. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London (A), 43, 66–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1968.tb01029.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1968.tb01029.x
  13. Fernandez-Triana, J.L. (2022) Turbo taxonomy approaches: lessons from the past and recommendations for the future based on the experience with Braconidae (Hymenoptera) parasitoid wasps. ZooKeys, 1087, 199–220.
  14. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1087.76720 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1087.76720
  15. Gibson, G.A.P. (1997) Chapter 2. Morphology and Terminology. In: Gibson, G.A.P., Huber, J.T. & Woolley, J.B. (Eds), Annotated keys to the genera of Nearctic Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). NRC Research Press, Ottawa, pp. 16–44.
  16. Ghiradella, H. (2010) Chapter 4—Insect cuticular surface modifications: scales and other structural formations. Advances in Insect Physiology, 38, 135–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2806(10)38006-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2806(10)38006-4
  17. Gordh, G. & Hall, J. (1979) A critical point drier used as a method of mounting insects from alcohol. Entomological News, 90, 57–59.
  18. Goulet, H. & Huber, J.T. (Eds.) (1993) Hymenoptera of the world: an identification guide to families. Agriculture Canada Research Branch, Monograph No. 1894E. Agriculture Canada Publication, Ottawa, 668 pp.
  19. HAO (2021) Hymenoptera anatomy ontogeny portal. Available from: http://portal.hymao.org/projects/32/public/ontology_class/show_expanded/8210 (accessed 5 April 2022)
  20. Harris, R.A. (1979) A glossary of surface sculpturing. State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry—Laboratory Services, Occasional Papers in Entomology, 28, 1–31.
  21. Heraty, J. & Hawks, D. (1998) Hexamethyldisilazane—a chemical alternative for drying insects. Entomological News, 109, 369–374.
  22. Huber, J.T. (2015) World reclassification of the Gonatocerus group of genera (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Zootaxa, 3967 (1), 1–184. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3967.1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3967.1.1
  23. Huber, J.T. (2017) Eustochomorpha Girault, Neotriadomerus, gen. n., and Proarescon, gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), early extant lineages in evolution of the family. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 57, 1–87. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.57.12892 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.57.12892
  24. Huber, J.T. & Rajakulendran, V.K. (1988) Redescription and host-induced antennal variation in Anaphes iole Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg parasite of Miridae (Hemiptera) in North America. The Canadian Entomologist, 120, 893–901. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.57.12892 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent120893-10
  25. Huber, J.T. & Read, J.D. (2021) A new, remarkable species of Platystethynium (Platypatasson) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from New Zealand. Zootaxa, 5052 (2), 215–232. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5052.2.3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5052.2.3
  26. Huber, J.R. & Read, J.D. (2022) Three new genera of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) from the Neotropical Region. Zootaxa, 92, 1–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.92.81917
  27. Huber, J.T. & Thuróczy, C. (2018) Review of Anaphes Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) with keys to European species and a world catalogue. Zootaxa, 4376 (1), 1–104. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4376.1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4376.1.1
  28. Jackson, D.J. (1969) Observations on the female reproductive organs and the poison apparatus of Caraphractus cinctus Walker (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 48, 59–81. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1969.tb00705.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1969.tb00705.x
  29. Jin, X.-X. & Li, C.-D. (2014) First record of Eubroncus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) from China, with description of three new species. ZooKeys, 399, 29–41. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.399.6996 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.399.6996
  30. Kamp, T. van de, Mikó, I., Staniczek, A.H., Eggs, B., Bajerlein, D., Faragó, Hagelstein, L. Hamann, E., Spiecher, R. Baumbach, T., Janšta, P. & Krogmann, L. (2022) Evolution of flexible biting in hyperdiverse parasitoid wasps. Proceedings of the Royal Society, B, 289, 20212086. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2086 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2086
  31. Karlsson, D. & Ronquist, F. (2012) Skeletal morphology of Opius disitus and Biosteres carbonarius (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with a discussion of terminology. PLoS ONE, 7 (4), e32573. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032573
  32. King, P.E. & Copland, M.J.W. (1969) The structure of the female reproductive system in the Mymaridae (Chalcidoidea: Hymenoptera). Journal of Natural History, 3, 349–345. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222936900770311 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222936900770311
  33. Lin, N.-Q., Huber, J.T. & La Salle, J. (2007) The Australian genera of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Zootaxa, 1596 (1), 1–111. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1596.1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1596.1.1
  34. Noyes, J.S. & Valentine, E.W. (1989) Mymaridae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)—introduction, and review of genera. Fauna of New Zealand, 17, 1–95.
  35. Ogloblin, A.A. (1960) La estructura cefálica de los representantes de la familia Mymaridae (Hymenoptera). In: Actas y Trabajos del Primer Congreso Sudamericano de Zoología, La Plata, 12–14 Octubre 1959, Section 4, Entomología, pp. 109–115.
  36. Platner, G.R., Velten, R.K., Planoutene, M. & Pinto, J.D. (1999) Slide-mounting techniques for Trichogramma (Trichogrammatidae) and other minute parasitic Hymenoptera. Entomological News, 110 (1), 56–64.
  37. Pointel, J.-G. (1979) Une technique nouvelle de préparation d’insectes pour examen au microscope –électronique à balayage. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (nouvelle série), 15 (2), 415–418.
  38. Polilov, A.A. (2017) Anatomy of adult Megaphragma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), one of the smallest insects, and new insights into insect miniaturization, PLoS One, 12 (5), e175566. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175566 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175566
  39. Ronquist F. & Nordlander, G. (1989) Skeletal morphology of an archaic cynipoid, Ibalia rufipes (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae). Entomologica Scandinavica, Supplement 33, 1–60.
  40. Schiff, N.M., Goulet, H., Smith, D.R., Boudreault, C., Wilson, A.D. & Scheffler, B.E. (2012) Siricidae (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Siricoidea) of the Western Hemisphere. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification, 21, 1–305.
  41. Schindelin, J., Arganda-Carreras, I., Frise, E., Kaynig, V., Longair, M., Pietzsch, T., Preibisch, S., Rueden, C., Saallfeld, S., Schmid, B., Tinevez, J.-Y., White, D.J., Hartenstein, V., Eliceiri, K., Tomancak, P. & Cardona, A. (2012) Fiji: an open-source platform for biological-image analysis. Nature Methods, 9 (7), 676–682.[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22743772/] https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2019
  42. Triapitsyn, S.V., Adachi-Hagimori, T., Rugman-Jones, P.F., Barry, A., Abe, A., Matsuo, K. & Ohno, K. (2019) Egg parasitoids of the tea green leafhopper Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in Japan, with description of a new species of Anagrus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae). ZooKeys, 836, 93–112. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.836.32634 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.836.32634
  43. Triapitsyn, S.V. & Berezovskiy, V.V. (2007) Review of the Oriental and Australasian species of Acmopolynema, with taxonomic notes on Palaeoneura and Xenopolynema stat. rev. and description of a new genus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Zootaxa, 1455 (1), 1–68. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1455.1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1455.1.1
  44. Triapitsyn, S.V. & Fidalgo, P. (2006) Definition of Doriclytus, stat. rev. as a subgenus of Polynema and redescription of its type species, P. (Doriclytus) vitripenne (Hymenoptera : Mymaridae). Zootaxa, 1362 (1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1362.1.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1362.1.4
  45. Viggiani, G. (1970) Ricerche sugli Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea XXIV. Sul valore tassinomico dell’organo copulatore nei Mimaridi del genere Anagrus Hal. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria «Filippo Silvestri», 28, 10–18.
  46. Viggiani, G. (1973) Ricerche sugli Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea XXXIX. Notizie preliminari sulla struttura e sul significato dell’armatura genitale esterna maschile dei Mimaridi. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria «Filippo Silvestri», 30, 269–281.
  47. Viggiani, G. (1989 [1988]) A preliminary classification of the Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) based on the external male genitalic characters. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria «Filippo Silvestri», 45, 141–148.
  48. Viggiani, G. (1994) L’armatura genitale esterna maschile di alcune species di Anaphes Haliday. Memorie della Società Entomologica Italiana, 72, 469–483.
  49. Viggiani, G. (2004 [2003]) A further contribution to the knowledge of the male genitalia in the Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria «Filippo Silvestri», 59, 59–74.
  50. Yoder, M.J., Mikó, I. Seltmann, K.C., Bertone, M.A. & Deans, A.R. (2010) a gross anatomy ontology for Hymenoptera. PLoS One, 5 (12), e15991. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015991 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015991