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
Author
Nieves-Aldrey, José Luis
Author
Liljeblad, Johan
Author
Nieves, María Hernández
Author
Grez, Audrey
Author
Nylander, Johan A. A.
text
Zootaxa
2009
2200
1
40
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.189597
acb81881-e081-4a44-ba62-8eb17cb79740
1175-5326
189597
AC41ACF9-2D19-45A2-96DE-16470E7D9C7F
Paraulax
Kieffer, 1904
Paraulax
Kieffer, 1904: 59
.
Type
species:
Paraulax perplexa
Kieffer, 1904: 60
, by original designation. Note. As was pointed out by
Rohwer & Fagan (1919)
, the description of
Paraulax
was duplicated in Kieffer, 1904b: 43, being impossible to determine which has priority. However
Neave (1940)
: 605, gave the first reference above as valid that is here accepted.
Diagnosis.
Similar to
Cecinothofagus
in general appearance, but separated by the following character states: face without a distinct median vertical carina (
Fig. 2
A); facial strigae radiating from clypeus laterally present also medially, reaching ventral margin of antennal socket (
Fig. 2
A). Ventral part of clypeus slightly projecting over mandibles (
Fig. 2
A). Last flagellomere of the female antenna 3 times longer than wide (
Fig. 2
D); more than 2.5 times as long as penultimate. F2 and F3 of male antenna modified (
Fig. 2
E). Dorsolateral margin of pronotal plate strongly projecting laterally (
Fig. 2
H). Notauli straight, strongly converging and close posteriorly, almost as wide as anteriorly (
Fig.
2
I). Separation of notauli at the meeting of the transcutal fissure relatively short 0.2–0.3 times compared to separation at anterior margin of mesoscutum. Scutellar foveae sometimes indicated, albeit shallow (
Fig.
2
I). Sculpture present dorsal to mesopleural impression (
Fig. 2
G). Claws with an acute basal lobe or tooth; about 1/3 to ¼ length of apical tooth (
Fig. 3
D). Projecting part of hypopygial spine relatively long, 4 times longer than wide (
Fig. 3
G).
Redescription.
Head. Some scattered setae along face, gena and occiput dorsally. Gena not expanded behind compound eye. Vertical median carina absent; strong facial strigae radiating from clypeus, laterally reaching ventral margin of eye, medially almost reaching torulus; Frons and vertex with coriaceous sculpture. Clypeus indistinct, ventral margin slightly projecting over mandibles. Subocular impression present though not well marked (
Fig. 1
A). gena with 5–7 regular vertical carinae present ventrolaterally (
Fig. 4
B). Anterior tentorial pits visible; epistomal sulcus and clypeo-pleurostomal lines indistinct. Occiput without dorsal occipital carina (
Fig. 2
B); some strong longitudinal rugae present on lateral margin of head, but without a distinct genal carina. Hypostomal sulci meeting slightly before hypostoma.
Antenna. Female with 10 flagellomeres; flagellum widening towards apex (
Fig. 2
C); Placodeal sensilla visible on F7–F10 (
Fig. 2
D). Apical flagellomere spindle-shaped, not apically truncate. Male with 13 flagellomeres. Flagellum not widening towards apex. F1 cylindrical, F2 and F3 excavated and curved in basal third (
Fig. 2
F). Placodeal sensilla present on all flagellomeres except F1.
Pronotum. Pronotal plate distinct, dorsal part distinctly set off, with anterolateral margins marked and moderately projecting laterally. Admedian pronotal depressions widely separated (
Fig. 2
H). Lateral surface of pronotum coriaceous, some strong, short rugae running from the lateral margin of pronotal plate (
Fig. 2
G).
Mesoscutum with weak coriaceous sculpture, more marked on lateral lobes. Mesoscutal pubescence comprised of some sparse setae. Median mesoscutal impression absent. Notauli complete, straight and narrow, converging posteriorly (
Figs.
2
I & 4C). Anteroadmedian signa visible. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum separated by a narrow transscutal fissure. Scutellar foveae indistinct, visible only as a shallow depression with some rugae (
Figs.
2
I & 4C). Scutellum, in dorsal view with strong rugae. Posterodorsal and posterior margins of axillula distinct. Mesopleuron ventrally of mesopleural triangle with a marked longitudinal mesopleural impression, more or less complete, ending at margin of mesopleural triangle (
Fig. 2
G). Above furrow with some irregular longitudinal striae and coriaceous sculpture (
Figs. 2
G & 4B). Mesopleuron smooth below mesopleural impression. Metascutellum distinctly constricted medially.
Metapectal-propodeal complex. Metapleural sulcus meeting posterior margin of mesopectus at about mid height of metapectal-propodeal complex (
Fig. 2
G). Lateral propodeal carinae narrow, parallel (
Fig. 3
A). Lateral and median propodeal areas smooth, pubescent. Nucha dorsally with some irregular longitudinal rugae.
Legs. Profemur with a ventral swelling in basal third, with 4–5 rows of sharp closely spaced, deep costulae (
Figs. 3
B & 3C). Metatarsal claws with a basal acute lobe or tooth (
Figs. 3
D & 4D).
Forewing. Radial cell closed along anterior margin; R1 slightly depigmented along radial cell (
Figs. 3
E & 4H); areolet absent; vein Rs+M and M almost invisible, directed towards lower half of median vein. Fringe of long setae along apical margin of wing.
Female metasoma laterally compressed (
Fig. 2
F). Abdominal petiole smooth dorsally, ventrally with deep longitudinal grooves, about as long as high. T2 smooth and shining, covering about 2/3 of metasoma; anteromedian area of T2 with only 4–5 long setae (
Figs. 2
F & 4A). Projecting part of hypopygial spine 4 times as long as high; apical pubescence projecting beyond apex, subapical setae longer than apical ones, forming a small tuft (
Figs. 3
G & 4E).
Included species
Paraulax perplexa
Kieffer, 1904
.
Types
lost. A
neotype
here designated.
P. queulensis
sp. n.
P. ronquisti
sp. n.
Distribution.
Chile
, as far as we know, and as here defined, the species of
Paraulax
occur in the VI to X regions of
Chile
, in
Nothofagus
forest
habitats, mainly
N. obliqua
, roughly extending from Santiago to Villarrica (
Fig. 15
).
Biology.
Unknown. Adults were captured in
Nothofagus
forests, probably associated with galls induced by species of
Aditrochus
(Pteromalidae)
on
Nothofagus obliqua
.
Remarks.
Closely related to
Cecinothofagus
, the sister genus within the
Paraulacini
. Although many characters are shared with
Cecinothofagus
, the two genera are readily separated as detailed in the diagnosis and the key for identification.