Couples in phoretic copulation, a tool for male-female association in highly dimorphic insects of the wasp genus Dissomphalus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)

It is difficult to make reliable sex associations in several species of Hymenoptera due to sexual dimorphism. Only a few species of the flat wasp genus Dissomphalus Ashmead, 1893 have had their sexes associated, since females are rarely collected and differ morphologically from their conspecific males. Collecting couples during their phoretic copula is difficult, but it is the most reliable way to associate the sexes in Dissomphalus . Herein, we associate the sexes and discuss the mating system based on couples of six Dissomphalus species collected during copulation: D. bisserratus Azevedo, 1999, D. connubialis Evans, 1966, D. rettenmeyeri Evans, 1964, D. simulatus (Evans, 1969), comb. nov., D. mendicus Evans, 1969, and D. firmus Redighieri & Azevedo, 2006. The females of the latter three are described for the first time. The distribution of two species is expanded. Apenesia simulata Evans, 1969 is transferred to Dissomphalus and is now D. simulatus comb. nov. Finally, we briefly discuss the genital structures used during phoretic copulation, analyzing the male and female genitalia in copulation. During copulation, the mating female is attached to the male only by the genitalia and is apparently grasped by muscles attached to the male's metasoma.

Couples in phoretic copulation, a tool for male-female association in highly dimorphic insects of the wasp genus Dissomphalus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)

It is difficult to make reliable sex associations in several species of Hymenoptera due to sexual dimorphism. Only a few species of the flat wasp genus Dissomphalus Ashmead, 1893 have had their sexes associated, since females are rarely collected and differ morphologically from their conspecific males. Collecting couples during their phoretic copula is difficult, but it is the most reliable way to associate the sexes in Dissomphalus . Herein, we associate the sexes and discuss the mating system based on couples of six Dissomphalus species collected during copulation: D. bisserratus Azevedo, 1999, D. connubialis Evans, 1966, D. rettenmeyeri Evans, 1964, D. simulatus (Evans, 1969), comb. nov., D. mendicus Evans, 1969, and D. firmus Redighieri & Azevedo, 2006. The females of the latter three are described for the first time. The distribution of two species is expanded. Apenesia simulata Evans, 1969 is transferred to Dissomphalus and is now D. simulatus comb. nov. Finally, we briefly discuss the genital structures used during phoretic copulation, analyzing the male and female genitalia in copulation. During copulation, the mating female is attached to the male only by the genitalia and is apparently grasped by muscles attached to the male's metasoma.(AU)

Sinopse das espécies neotropicais do grupo nitida do gênero Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Two species are described and illustrated: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. and A. trivisa sp. nov. New geographic records and data on morphostructural variation of A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002, e A. williamsi Evans, 1966 are provided. Two species are synonymyzed: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 as junior synonym of A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) as junior synonym of A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. The female of A. quadrata is described and illustrated for the first time. Key to the species of the nitida species-group based on males is provided.

São descritas e ilustradas duas espécies: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. e A. trivisa sp. nov. São fornecidos registros geográficos novos e dados sobre variações morfoestruturais de A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 e A. williamsi Evans, 1966. Duas espécies são sinonimizadas: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 como sinônimo júnior de A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) como sinônimo júnior de A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. A fêmea de A. quadrata é descrita e ilustrada pela primeira vez. É fornecida chave de identificação para as espécies do grupo nitida, baseada em machos.

Sinopse das espécies neotropicais do grupo nitida do gênero Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Two species are described and illustrated: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. and A. trivisa sp. nov. New geographic records and data on morphostructural variation of A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002, e A. williamsi Evans, 1966 are provided. Two species are synonymyzed: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 as junior synonym of A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) as junior synonym of A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. The female of A. quadrata is described and illustrated for the first time. Key to the species of the nitida species-group based on males is provided.

São descritas e ilustradas duas espécies: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. e A. trivisa sp. nov. São fornecidos registros geográficos novos e dados sobre variações morfoestruturais de A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 e A. williamsi Evans, 1966. Duas espécies são sinonimizadas: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 como sinônimo júnior de A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) como sinônimo júnior de A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. A fêmea de A. quadrata é descrita e ilustrada pela primeira vez. É fornecida chave de identificação para as espécies do grupo nitida, baseada em machos.

Sinopse das espécies neotropicais do grupo brasiliensis do gênero Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Apenesia longa sp. nov., A. peccata sp. nov., A. magna sp. nov., A. permaxima sp. nov., A. perconcava sp. nov., and A. recta sp. nov., from Neotropical region are described and illustrated. Additional material of A. transversa Evans, 1963, A. spinipes Evans, 1969, A. tlahuicana Evans, 1963, A. triangula Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. megaventris Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. venezuelana Evans, 1963, A. acia Lanes & Azevedo, 2004 and A. ventosa Azevedo & Batista, 2002 had their structural variations and known distribution broadened. Two new synonyms are proposed: A. peruana Evans, 1963 as junior synonym of A. brasiliensis (Kieffer, 1910); A. subangulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 as junior synonym of A. fulvicollis (Westwood, 1874), and the latter considered in the nitida group. An identification key to species of the group based on males is provided.

São descritas e ilustradas Apenesia longa sp. nov., A. peccata sp. nov., A. magna sp. nov., A. permaxima sp. nov., A. perconcava sp. nov. e A. recta sp. nov. da região Neotropical. São adicionados dados novos de variações estruturais e distribuição geográfica de A. transversa Evans, 1963, A. spinipes Evans, 1969, A. tlahuicana Evans, 1963, A. triangula Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. megaventris Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. venezuelana Evans, 1963, A. acia Lanes & Azevedo, 2004 e A. ventosa Azevedo & Batista, 2002. Duas sinonímias novas são propostas: A. peruana Evans, 1963 como sinônimo junior de A. brasiliensis (Kieffer, 1910); A. subangulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 como sinônimo junior de A. fulvicollis (Westwood, 1874), esta ultima considerada dentro ao grupo nitida. É fornecida uma chave de identificação para as espécies do grupo, baseada em machos.

Sinopse das espécies neotropicais do grupo brasiliensis do gênero Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Apenesia longa sp. nov., A. peccata sp. nov., A. magna sp. nov., A. permaxima sp. nov., A. perconcava sp. nov., and A. recta sp. nov., from Neotropical region are described and illustrated. Additional material of A. transversa Evans, 1963, A. spinipes Evans, 1969, A. tlahuicana Evans, 1963, A. triangula Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. megaventris Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. venezuelana Evans, 1963, A. acia Lanes & Azevedo, 2004 and A. ventosa Azevedo & Batista, 2002 had their structural variations and known distribution broadened. Two new synonyms are proposed: A. peruana Evans, 1963 as junior synonym of A. brasiliensis (Kieffer, 1910); A. subangulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 as junior synonym of A. fulvicollis (Westwood, 1874), and the latter considered in the nitida group. An identification key to species of the group based on males is provided.

São descritas e ilustradas Apenesia longa sp. nov., A. peccata sp. nov., A. magna sp. nov., A. permaxima sp. nov., A. perconcava sp. nov. e A. recta sp. nov. da região Neotropical. São adicionados dados novos de variações estruturais e distribuição geográfica de A. transversa Evans, 1963, A. spinipes Evans, 1969, A. tlahuicana Evans, 1963, A. triangula Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. megaventris Azevedo & Batista, 2002, A. venezuelana Evans, 1963, A. acia Lanes & Azevedo, 2004 e A. ventosa Azevedo & Batista, 2002. Duas sinonímias novas são propostas: A. peruana Evans, 1963 como sinônimo junior de A. brasiliensis (Kieffer, 1910); A. subangulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 como sinônimo junior de A. fulvicollis (Westwood, 1874), esta ultima considerada dentro ao grupo nitida. É fornecida uma chave de identificação para as espécies do grupo, baseada em machos.

Taxonomy of Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Estação Biológica de Santa Lúcia, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Apenesia aurita sp. nov., from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Apenesia angusticeps Evans, 1963, A. tenebrosa Evans, 1963, A. pallidicornis Evans, 1963, A. quadrimera Leal & Azevedo, 2001 and A. crenulata Kieffer, 1910 are recorded for the first time to the State of Espírito Santo.

Taxonomy of Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Estação Biológica de Santa Lúcia, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Apenesia aurita sp. nov., from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Apenesia angusticeps Evans, 1963, A. tenebrosa Evans, 1963, A. pallidicornis Evans, 1963, A. quadrimera Leal & Azevedo, 2001 and A. crenulata Kieffer, 1910 are recorded for the first time to the State of Espírito Santo.

Taxonomy of Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Estação Biológica de Santa Lúcia, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Apenesia aurita sp. nov., from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Apenesia angusticeps Evans, 1963, A. tenebrosa Evans, 1963, A. pallidicornis Evans, 1963, A. quadrimera Leal & Azevedo, 2001 and A. crenulata Kieffer, 1910 are recorded for the first time to the State of Espírito Santo.

Taxonomia de Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) na Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brasil

The new species Apenesia stricta,A. concavata,A. unipilosa,A. distincta and A. fusilis, from Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Additional specimens of A. transversa Evans, 1963 are examined, species variation analyzed and new distribution data added.

Taxonomia de Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) na Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brasil

The new species Apenesia stricta,A. concavata,A. unipilosa,A. distincta and A. fusilis, from Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Additional specimens of A. transversa Evans, 1963 are examined, species variation analyzed and new distribution data added.

Taxonomia de Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) na Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brasil

The new species Apenesia stricta,A. concavata,A. unipilosa,A. distincta and A. fusilis, from Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, Espírito Santo, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Additional specimens of A. transversa Evans, 1963 are examined, species variation analyzed and new distribution data added.