Research Article |
Corresponding author: Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo ( peris.felipo@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Gavin Broad
© 2015 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo, Ali Ameri, Ali Asghar Talebi, Sergey A. Belokobylskij.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Peris-Felipo FJ, Ameri A, Talebi AA, Belokobylskij SA (2015) Review of the genus Aristelix Nixon, 1943 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae), with description of a new species from Iran and clarification of the status of Antrusa chrysogastra (Tobias, 1986). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 45: 97-111. https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.45.5313
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The species of the Western Palaearctic genus Aristelix Nixon, 1943 are reviewed. The new species Aristelix persica sp. n. is described from Iran. Redescriptions and illustrations of A. phaenicura (Haliday, 1839) and Antrusa chrysogastra (Tobias, 1986), comb. n. are presented. A key to the known Aristelix species is provided.
Braconidae , Alysiinae , Dacnusini , parasitoids, Antrusa , new species, new combination, redescriptions, Iran
Aristelix Nixon, 1943 is a rare, previously monotypic genus of the tribe Dacnusini (
The main diagnostic characters of Aristelix are as follows: at least mesosoma, but sometimes also temple, hind coxa and femur granulate; mandibles short, always with four distinct teeth, its median (second) tooth the longest; metasoma elongate, apical metasomal tergites usually with more than one row of setae; second metasomal tergite rugose-striate at least in basal half; radial (r) vein originating distinctly before middle of pterostigma (
Exotela (Antrusa) chrysogastra Tobias, 1986, described from Moldova by
According to
In this work, we describe a peculiar new species of Aristelix from Iran, as well as redescribe and illustrate the type species, and provide a key for determination of these two species. Additionally, Antrusa chrysogastra (Tobias, 1986) is redescribed and its taxonomic position redefined.
Two specimens of Aristelix were collected using Malaise traps in the single locality of Hormozgan Province of Iran (Fig.
Photographs were taken with a Digital Microscope VHX-2000 and with a Nikon® D700 mounted on a Leica® S8APO microscope, with images combined using Helicon Focus® and edited using Adobe Photoshop® imaging system. For terminology of morphological features and sculpture, measurements and wing venation nomenclature see
The types of new species are deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia (ZISP).
Alysia (Dacnusa) phaenicura
Alysia (Dacnusa) phoenicura:
Dacnusa phaenicura:
Dacnusa phoenicura:
Aristelix phaenicura:
Aristelix phoenicura:
1 female, Moldova, Tatareshty, steppe meadow in the forest, 6.vi.1967 (Tobias coll.), 1 male, Russia, Sochi, Lazarevskoe, terraced slope, forest, 8–9.v.1975 (Tobias coll.)
Female. Body length 2.6 mm; fore wing length 2.6 mm.
Head in dorsal view 1.7 times as wide as median length, 1.45 times as wide as mesoscutum, vertex smooth, with small groove between occiput and ocelli. Eye in lateral view 1.5 times as high as wide and 1.2 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.4 times OD; OOL 2.6 times OD. Face punctate, with scattered short setae, 1.4 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus slightly curved ventrally, 1.9 times as wide as high. Mandible 4-dentate, not widened towards apex, 1.1 times as long as maximum width. Upper tooth of mandible small, distinctly shorter than lower tooth, pointed apically; second (median) tooth longest, wide basally and distinctly narrowed towards apex, pointed apically; third tooth small, about as long as first tooth, pointed, arising from base of second tooth and situated above it; lower tooth rather large, pointed apically, distinctly separated.
Antenna longer than body, 27-segmented. Scape twice as long as pedicel. First flagellar segment 3.2 times as long as its apical width, 1.25 times as long as first segment; second segment 2.5 times as long as its maximum width. Penultimate segment 2.2–2.3 times as long as wide; apical segment 3.0 times as long as maximum width.
Mesosoma 1.7 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 0.95 times as long as its maximum width, with numerous scattered setae. Notauli shallow on posterior half of mesoscutum. Mesoscutal midpit present, distinctly elongate. Prescutellar depression smooth, with median carina but without lateral carinae. Precoxal suture present, weakly rugulose, reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate below. Lower part of mesopleuron and metapleuron with long whitish setae. Propodeum completely rugose-reticulate. Propodeal spiracle relatively small.
Wings. Length of fore wing 2.6 times its maximum width. Marginal cell short, ending before apex of wing, 3.7 times as long as its maximum width. Vein r arising distinctly before middle of pterostigma. Second submarginal cell closed, 2.5 times as long as its maximum width. Hind wing 5.3 times as long as maximum width.
Legs. Hind femur 3.5 times as long as maximum width. Hind tibia distinctly widened towards apex, 7.9 times as long as its maximum subapical width, 1.05 times as long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) 1.25 times as long as second segment.
Metasoma compressed. First tergite striate, with scattered setae, weakly widened towards apex, twice as long as apical width. Second tergite mainly striate, smooth on apical sides. Tergites from third to sixth with more them one row of setae. Ovipositor weakly projecting beyond apex of metasoma, 0.85 times as long as first tergite, 0.5 times as long as hind femur.
Colour. Head, antenna, mesosoma, hind tibia, first segment of hind tarsus and ovipositor sheaths dark brown. Legs brownish yellow. First and second metasomal tergite almost black, following tergites yellowish brown. Wings hyaline. Pterostigma brown.
Male. Body length 2.7 mm; fore wing 2.7 mm. Antenna 29-segmented. First flagellar segment 2.2 times and second segment twice as long as their maximum width. Hind femur 3.8 times as long as maximum width. All coxae, hind femur and tibia dark brown. Otherwise similar to female.
Differences between Aristelix phaenicura and A. persica sp. n. are described in the key below.
Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom (
Holotype: female, Iran, Hormozgan Province, Geno, 27°24'16.16"N, 56°08'51.80"E, 1274 m, 20.iii.2012 (Ameri leg.) (ZISP). Paratype: 1 male, same label as holotype (ZISP).
Female. Body length 2.8 mm, fore wing length 2.5 mm.
Head in dorsal view 1.4 times as wide as median length, 1.3 times as wide as mesoscutum; vertex smooth, with dark line between occiput and ocelli. Eye in lateral view 1.5 times as high as wide and as wide as temple medially. POL 1.4 times OD; OOL 2.8 times OD. Face smooth, with scattered short setae, 1.65 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus slightly curved ventrally, twice as wide as high. Anterior tentorial pit short, not reached middle half distance between clypeus and eye. Mandible 4-dentate, not widened towards apex, 1.2 times as long as maximum width. Upper tooth of mandible rather wide, longer than lower tooth, pointed apically; second (median) tooth longest, wide basally and distinctly narrowed towards apex, subpointed apically; third tooth about as long as first tooth, pointed, arising from base of second tooth and situated upper it; lower tooth shortest, pointed apically, distinctly separated.
Antenna longer than body, 26-segmented. Scape twice as long as pedicel. First flagellar segment 3.9 times as long as its apical width, 1.3 times as long as first segment; second segment 3.2 times as long as its maximum width. Penultimate segment about 2.2 times and apical segment 3.0 times as long as their maximum width accordingly.
Mesosoma 1.4 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 0.95 times as long as its maximum width, with numerous scattered setae. Notauli shallow on posterior half of mesoscutum. Mesoscutal midpit present, distinctly elongate. Prescutellar depression smooth, with median and lateral carinae. Precoxal suture present, wide and coarsely crenulate, reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate below. Lower part of mesopleuron and metapleuron with long whitish setae. Propodeum completely rugose-reticulate. Propodeal spiracle relatively small.
Wings. Length of fore wing 2.8 times its maximum width. Marginal cell short, ending before apex of wing, 3.5 times as long as its maximum width. Vein r arising distinctly before middle of pterostigma. Second submarginal cell closed, 2.8 times as long as its maximum width. Hind wing 5.6 times as long as maximum width.
Legs. Hind femur 4.15 times as long as maximum width. Hind tibia weakly widened towards apex, 10.8 times as long as its maximum subapical width, 0.9 times as long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) 1.6 times as long as second segment.
Metasoma compressed laterally. First tergite striate; weakly widened towards apex; 1.7 times as long as apical width; with scattered setae. Second tergite almost completely longitudinally rugose-punctate. Tergites third to sixth with only one row of setae on their apical halves. Ovipositor not projecting beyond apex of metasoma, 0.35 times as long as first tergite, 0.25 times as long as hind femur.
Colour. Body mainly light reddish brown and partly darker reddish. Antenna mainly, mesosoma in lateral furrows and depressions, tracks of notauli, prescutellar depression, propodeum, metapleuron and apical tergites of metasoma dark brown. Basal segments of antenna and legs yellowish brown, hind leg darkened. Wings hyaline. Pterostigma brown.
Male. Body length 2.5 mm; fore wing 2.4 mm. Antenna 26-segmented. First flagellar segment 4.2 times as long as its maximum width; second segment 3.0 times as long as its maximum width. Otherwise similar to female.
The name refers to the historical name of the country, Persia, where this new species was discovered.
Differences between Aristelix persica sp. n. and A. phaenicura (Haliday) are described in the following key.
1 | Hind tibia dark (Fig. |
A. phaenicura (Haliday) |
– | Hind tibia light reddish brown (Fig. |
A. persica sp. n. |
Exotela (Antrusa) chrysogastra
Antrusa chrysogastra:
Aristelix chrysogastra:
Holotype (ZISP; examined): male, Moldova (Moldavia) “Tatareshty [47°12'15.8"N, 28°32'19.0"E], ostepn[yonnyi] lug v lesu [= steppe meadow in the forest], Tobias [collector], 6.vi.[1]967”; “Holotypus Exotela (Antrusa) chrysogastra Tobias”.
Male. Body length 2.5 mm; fore wing length 2.85 mm.
Head in dorsal view twice as wide as median length, 1.3 times as wide as mesoscutum, vertex entirely smooth, with scattered setae. Eye in lateral view 1.5 times as high as wide and 1.2 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.85 times OD; OOL 3.0 times OD. Face punctate, with middle carina in upper half, with scattered long setae, twice as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus slightly curved ventrally, 2.9 times as wide as high. Mandible 3-dentate, widened towards apex, 1.25 times as long as maximum width. Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower tooth, rounded apically; middle tooth long, wide basally and narrowed towards apex, rounded apically; lower tooth pointed apically.
Antenna longer than body, 29-segmented. Scape about 1.7 times as long as pedicel. First flagellar segment 2.6 times as long as its apical width, 1.25 times as long as first segment; second segment 2.15 times as long as its maximum width. Penultimate segments 1.3 times as long as wide; apical segment 2.3 times as long as maximum width.
Mesosoma 1.25 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum as long as its maximum width, with numerous setae on its middle surface and scattered setae on lateral areas. Notauli shallow on horizontal surface of mesoscutum. Mesoscutal midpit present, distinctly elongate. Prescutellar depression smooth, with median and lateral carinae. Precoxal suture present, wide, rugose, reached anterior margin of mesopleuron and not reaching its posterior margin. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate below. Lower part of mesopleuron and metapleuron with long whitish setae. Propodeum completely rugose-reticulate. Propodeal spiracle relatively small.
Wings. Length of fore wing 3.0 times its maximum width. Marginal cell short, ending before apex of wing, 3.5 times as long as its maximum width. Vein r arising distinctly before middle of pterostigma. Second submarginal cell closed, 2.2 times as long as its maximum width. Hind wing 5.0 times as long as maximum width.
Legs. Hind femur 4.0 times as long as maximum width. Hind tibia weakly widened towards apex, 10.0 times as long as its maximum subapical width, 1.25 times as long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) 1.7 times as long as second segment.
Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite entirely striate, with scattered setae, weakly widened towards apex, 1.5 times as long as apical width. Second tergite striate in apical half and here with scattered setae, 0.4 times as long medially as basal its width. Fourth to sixth tergites each with single row of setae in apical half.
Colour. Head, antennal segments, mesosoma, first and second tergite black. Scape, pedicel and most part of metasoma yellowish brown, first and second metasomal tergites black. Legs yellow. Wings hyaline. Pterostigma brown.
Female. Unknown.
According to Tobias’ key (
Moldova.
The main characters of Antrusa Förster are vein 2-M usually merging with the submarginal cell; m-cu antefurcal; mandibles widened apically and with only three teeth; first metasomal tergite with a median longitudinal keel; metasoma and head without granulate sculpture; second metasomal tergite usually smooth; apical metasomal tergites each with a single transverse line of setae; and no sexual dimorphism in the pterostigma (
We are very thankful to Hannes Baur (Naturhistoriches Museum Bern, Switzerland) for his kindness and help during our work with the photosystem in the Museum. The second and third authors would like to thank the Department of Entomology, Tarbiat Modares University, for providing financial support for this research. This work was supported in part by grant given by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (projects No. 13-04-00026 and 15-29-02466) and the Russian state research project No. 01201351189 to the first and fourth authors.