A Tale's blade: Understanding evolutionary features of oviposition behavior based on Tettigoniidae (Insecta, Orthoptera, Ensifera) ovipositor morphology.

A remarkable characteristic of katydids (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) is the elongated ovipositor, which is associated with oviposition behavior. The high degree of complexity of both sclerites and muscles arrangement of the ovipositor, is only similar to the ovipositor of Hymenoptera. Here we describe the morphology of the ovipositor within Tettigoniidae, and add descriptions of known oviposition behavior. Fifteen skeletal structures can be recognized, of these, three pairs of muscles are new while nine pairs were already described in the literature. The new muscles are ap2vf, anterior projection of second valvifer; bcov, blade complex of the ovipositor; and dbl, dorsal blade. The morphology of the ovipositor blade complex (bcov), the shape of the first valvifer (1vf), posterior intervalvular sclerite (piv), tergite IX (T9), anterior projection of the second valvifer (ap2vf), and the second valvifer (2vf), and their related muscles affect oviposition in Tettigoniidae. This contribution helps to understand katydid's oviposition behavior. Additionally, the new descriptions help in the search for new characters in Tettigoniidae.

Morphology of sting apparatus of Chrysidoidea (Hymenoptera, Aculeata).

The main synapomorphy for Aculeata is the sting apparatus, which allows the female to envenom potential prey or hosts. The sting is the modified ovipositor which is not used for laying eggs anymore. Here, we explore the morphology of the sting apparatus within the families of Chrysidoidea. 27 skeletal structures were recognized, including three (dp1vf, dorsal projection of first valvifer; ppa, projection of posterior area of the second valvifer; vl9, ventral lap of tergite 9) that have not been observed previously, and 13 pairs of muscles, including four (superior dorsal T9-2vf (M5); inferior dorsal T9-2vf (M6); postero-lateral T9-2vf/mbr (M9); anterolateral 2vf/bl-2vv/fu (M11)) that have not been observed previously. Very conserved morphological patterns were observed; character support in the sting apparatus was found at the subfamily level, and within three families at the genus level. In addition, we describe the variation within the sting apparatus structures and musculature, propose evolutionary hypotheses about the function and evolution of the structures, and summarize phylogenetic conclusions for Chrysidoidea.

Revision of Anisepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), with description of 135 new species.

The identity of many species of Anisepyris Kieffer is currently unknown, mostly because the available taxonomic data are not sufficiently accurate to allow for precise identifications. To solve this problem, all 121 described species were investigated, including the analyses of 115 holotypes and 26 allotypes. Almost all Neotropical species of Epyrinae and many from the Nearctic were also examined in order to recognize possible species of Anisepyris misclassified in other genera. The ten species-groups included in Anisepyris are redefined. And the female genital structures of the genus are investigated for the first time. Based on this, we recognize 119 previously described species as belonging to Anisepyris, one species is transferred to Laelius Ashmead, L. foveaticeps (Rosmann Azevedo) comb. nov., one is transferred to Chlorepyris Kieffer, C. nigerrimus (Evans) comb. nov., and 135 new species are described to science, so that the genus is now contains 254 species. They are recorded from 31 countries of the New World. Lectotypes are designated for A. aurichalceus (Westwood) and A. planiceps (Fabricius). The previously identified species-groups are re-organized into six, and seven additional species-groups are proposed are new. Identification keys for Anisepyris species-groups and species are provided.

Global guide of the flat wasps (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae).

The flat wasp family Bethylidae Haliday lacks global scale literature on their alpha taxonomy. The only world revision for the family was by Kieffer in 1914 and is fully out of date and somewhat useless; the only catalog for the family was made by Gordh Móczár in 1990 and does not include hundreds of changes made since then; and the most recent world genera keys were proposed by Terayama in 2003, but do not reflect the current knowledge we have for the family. Given this scenario, we present a global guide of Bethylidae with diagnoses, taxonomic evaluation, keys, and a checklist of all their extant genera and subfamilies. We visited the main collections around the world, analyzed about 2,000 holotypes, and examined at least 400,000 specimens. To eliminate homonymies, we add the prefix "neo" to the original specific epithet when possible. The family is now composed by 2,920 species allocated in 96 genera distributed in eight subfamilies: Bethylinae, Pristocerinae, Epyrinae, Mesitiinae, Scleroderminae, Lancepyrinae, Holopsenellinae and Protopristocerinae. The latter three are extinct. One new family-group synonym is proposed: Fushunochrysidae Hong syn. nov. of Bethylidae. Two incertae sedis genera are allocated into Bethylinae: Cretobethylellus Rasnytsyn and Omaloderus Walker. One new genus-group synonym is revalidated: Pristepyris Kieffer stat. rev. from Acrepyris Kieffer. Sixteen new genus-group synonyms are proposed: Fushunochrysites Hong syn. nov. and Sinibethylus Hong syn. nov. of Eupsenella Westwood; Messoria Meunier syn. nov. of Goniozus Förster; Acrepyris Kieffer syn. nov. of Pristepyris Kieffer; Apristocera Kieffer syn. nov. and Parapristocera Brues syn. nov. of Pristocera Klug; Usakosia Kieffer syn. nov. of Prosapenesia Kieffer; Isobrachium Förster syn. nov., Leptepyris Kieffer syn. nov., Neodisepyris Kurian syn. nov., Rhabdepyris Kieffer syn. nov. of Epyris Westwood; Codorcas Nagy syn. nov., Hamusmus Argaman syn. nov. and Ukayakos Argaman syn. nov. of Heterocoelia Dahlbom; Domonkos Argaman syn. nov. of Incertosulcus Móczár; Ateleopterus Förster syn. nov. of Sclerodermus Latreille. One new genus-group synonym is revalidated: Topcobius Nagy syn. rev. of Sulcomesitius Móczár. One new genus-group revalidation is proposed: Incertosulcus Móczár stat. rev. from Anaylax Móczár. The following species-group nomenclatural acts are established: 153 new or revalidated combinations, 16 new names to avoid secondary homonyms, 11 species with revalidated status, and one synonym. Keys to the subfamilies and genera are provided. The text is supported by 599 illustrations organized onto 92 plates.

The use of Proteinase K to access genitalia morphology, vouchering and DNA extraction in minute wasps.

Genitalia are rich source of characters in insect taxonomy. Usually, they are examined after dissection and cleaning with potassium hydroxide (KOH), procedure that may damage both genital morphological structures and intracellular molecular contents. Enzymatic procedure with Proteinase K has been used to clean muscle off the genitalia while extract DNA, but its damage to the genital structures has not been evaluated. Herein, we qualitatively compare the use of KOH and Proteinase K to prepare genital structures in minute insects (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). We show that Proteinase K is better to preserve the genital structure and provides quality DNA.

The use of Proteinase K to access genitalia morphology, vouchering and DNA extraction in minute wasps

ABSTRACT Genitalia are rich source of characters in insect taxonomy. Usually, they are examined after dissection and cleaning with potassium hydroxide (KOH), procedure that may damage both genital morphological structures and intracellular molecular contents. Enzymatic procedure with Proteinase K has been used to clean muscle off the genitalia while extract DNA, but its damage to the genital structures has not been evaluated. Herein, we qualitatively compare the use of KOH and Proteinase K to prepare genital structures in minute insects (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). We show that Proteinase K is better to preserve the genital structure and provides quality DNA.

Australomesitius gen. nov. (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae: Mesitiinae), an unexpected new genus from Australia.

Mesitiinae include 218 species classified in 21 genera. Hitherto all species are confined to Old World (Afrotropical, Oriental and Palaearctic Regions). However most of their species are reported from Mediterranean areas, and few species are recorded from Northern areas of Palaearctic Asia. While visiting Queensland Museum Daniele Mugrabi sort part of it wet collection and got a bizarre specimen, which represents an undescribed genus of Mesitiinae. Besides, this specimen has the body surface densely punctate, characteristic never recorded to Mesitiinae species, and a combination of characters which does not fit any of the known genera Mesitiinae. The primary aim of this work is to describe this new genus, as well as to compare it with the other genera of the Mesitiinae.

Axima nordestina (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae), a new stalk-eyed wasp from Brazilian savannah

A new stalk-eyed wasp Axima nordestina sp. n. is described from the Northeastern Brazilian savannah. Axima nordestina is the fourth species of stalk-eyed wasps (A. noyesi species group) and the second one known from Brazil. The head morphology of A. nordestina appears less derived than in the other known species. An updated key of the A. noyesi species group is provided.

Cryptalyra (Hymenoptera, Megalyridae) from Maranhão, Brazil: three new species discovered after a large collecting effort.

Cryptalyra is a small genus of megalyrid wasps with three described species confined to South America. Our main goal in this work is to record an increase in the known diversity, adding the three new species Cryptalyrahelenae sp. n., Cryptalyraichiroi sp. n. and Cryptalyralimeirai sp. n., from a single locality in Maranhão, Brazil that has been subjected to extraordinary collecting effort. We are providing a key for the species of the genus, as well as illustrations of the main structures for recognition of the new taxa.

Moczariella, a bizarre new genus of Mesitiinae (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Arab Peninsula.

Mesitiinae include 203 species classified in 22 genera and four tribes. In this work we proposed a new genus. Moczariella centenaria Barbosa & Azevedo gen. et sp. nov. are described from United Arab Emirates. The main diagnostic characteristics is body wholly unfoveolate, clypeus without lateral lobes, post-occipital depression present, propodeum with discal carinae incomplete, and without posterior one, propodeal spiracle placed laterally, claws single, and genital basal ring with dorsal half distinctly longer than ventral one.