A new subfamily of Figitidae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea) Author Fredrik Ronquist Author José Luis Nieves-Aldrey text Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 2001 133 483 494 journal article 10.1006/zjls.2001.0302 6e943786-8fa5-4afd-9d86-0c38025c43b1 269247 PARNIPINAE RONQUIST & NIEVES-ALDREY, SUBFAM. NOV. Based on Parnips new genus ( Fig. 2 ). Diagnosis. Differs from all other figitids by the combination of a dull mesoscutum and the lack of a horizontal mesopleural furrow ( Fig. 4 A,B). Differs from cynipids by having a prominent lateral pronotal carina (lpc, Fig. 4 A) (present only in Synergus among cynipids), a closed marginal cell ( Fig. 6 ) (usually open in cynipids), Rs+M issuing from the posterior end of the basal vein ( Fig. 6 ), and a basal flexion point in the ninth tergum of the female (flp, Fig. 8 ). The new subfamily also differs in a number of additional respects from cynipids, figitids and other cynipoids ( Ronquist, 1995 a , 1999 ; Liljeblad & Ronquist, 1998 ). Possible autapomorphies (see also discussion below) of the Parnipinae include the pronotal depressions being united medially with a shallow transverse furrow ( Fig. 5 A), the procoxa having a distinct anterolateral crest, and the median mesoscutal impression and notauli being indistinct anteriorly ( Fig. 4 B) ( Ronquist 1995 a , 1999 ; Liljeblad & Ronquist, 1998 ). However, none of these characters is uniquely derived within the Figitidae + Cynipidae . Figure 2. Habitus of Parnips nigripes . Description. Female antenna connate, not moniliform. Lower face without median frontal carina ( Fig. 3 A). Head not distinctly depressed posteriorly ( Fig. 3 B). Occipital carina missing. Anterior flange of pronotum short ( Fig. 4 A). Lateral pronotal carina (lpc, Fig. 4 A) prominent. Dorsal pronotal area (dpa, Fig. 4 B) short, pronotal crest missing. Mesoscutum with dull sculpture, without prominent transverse costae. Mesopleural triangle distinctly impressed ( Fig. 4 A). Posterior subalar pit present. Mesopleuron without horizontal furrow or carinae. Bulla in R 1 +Sc present ( Fig. 6 ). Submedian pits on articular bulb of petiole deep and distinct ( Fig. 7 ). Abdominal terga 3–8 free. Third abdominal tergum of female longer than the fourth along the dorsal curvature of the metasoma; posterior margin oblique in lateral view ( Fig. 7 A). Ovipositor coiled spirally almost 360 °, not elbowed ( Fig. 8 ). Ninth tergum of female with a distinct flexion point above the base of the third valvula. Dorsal process anterior to the flexion point absent. Basal part of terebra twisted 180 ° so that the first valvulae are in dorsal position at the apex. First valvula narrowing gradually, not broadened apically. Diversity and distribution. Includes a single genus and species occurring in the Mediterranean region.