Paraulax Kieffer, 1904

Nieves-Aldrey, José Luis, Liljeblad, Johan, Nieves, María Hernández, Grez, Audrey & Nylander, Johan A. A., 2009, 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, Zootaxa 2200, pp. 1-40 : 7-8

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, 1904 b: 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. F 2 and F 3 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 F 7 –F 10 ( Fig. 2 D). Apical flagellomere spindle-shaped, not apically truncate. Male with 13 flagellomeres. Flagellum not widening towards apex. F 1 cylindrical, F 2 and F 3 excavated and curved in basal third ( Fig. 2 F). Placodeal sensilla present on all flagellomeres except F 1.

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 & 4 C). 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 & 4 C). 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 & 4 B). 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 & 3 C). Metatarsal claws with a basal acute lobe or tooth ( Figs. 3 D & 4 D).

Forewing. Radial cell closed along anterior margin; R 1 slightly depigmented along radial cell ( Figs. 3 E & 4 H); 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. T 2 smooth and shining, covering about 2 / 3 of metasoma; anteromedian area of T 2 with only 4–5 long setae ( Figs. 2 F & 4 A). 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 & 4 E).

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.