Oxyscelio galeri Burks

Burks, Roger A., Masner, Lubomir, Johnson, Norman F. & Austin, Andrew D., 2016, Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s. l.), part III: African fauna, ZooKeys 565, pp. 29-71 : 39

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Platygastridae

Oxyscelio galeri Burks sp. n. Figures 12-15; Morphbank 16

Description.

Male. Body length 3.95-4.1 mm (n = 5).

Radicle color: same as scape. A5 tyloid: carina-like, not expanded. A11: longer than broad. Upper frons: hood-like, protruding over pedicel when antenna at rest. Frontal depression sculpture: without transverse or oblique carinae below submedian carina. Median longitudinal elevation in frontal depression: absent. Major sculpture of gena anteroventrally: umbilicate-foveate. Major sculpture of gena posteroventrally: umbilicate-punctate. Microsculpture of gena anteroventrally: granulate. Microsculpture of gena posteroventrally: granulate. Hyperoccipital carina: complete as a sharp carina. Median carina extending posteriorly from hyperoccipital carina: absent. Lateral connection between hyperoccipital and occipital carinae: absent. Area between vertex and occipital carina: umbilicate-foveate; rugose. Occipital carina medially: sinuate with a more strongly arched median portion. Lateral corners of occipital carina: absent.

Mesoscutum anteriorly: not steep. Mesoscutal median carina: present and complete. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: umbilicate-foveate. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: umbilicate-foveate; transversely rugose; obliquely rugose. Microsculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: granulate. Microsculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: granulate. Major sculpture of mesoscutellum: umbilicate-foveate; obliquely rugose. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum medially: granulate. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum laterally: granulate. Number of carinae crossing femoral depression: 4 or more. Mesepimeral sulcus pits: more than 5. Setae along anterior limit of femoral depression: arising from rows of foveae. Metascutellum dorsally: concave. Metascutellar sculpture centrally: with longitudinal carinae. Metascutellar apex: sharply acuminate. Metapleuron above ventral metapleural area: foveate or rugose. Lateral propodeal carinae antero-medially: strongly diverging. Metasomal depression setae: absent. Anterior areoles of metasomal depression: absent. Anterior longitudinal carinae in metasomal depression: absent. Postmarginal vein: present. Hind wing vein (Sc+R): not interrupted.

Carinae between T1 midlobe and T1 lateral carina: absent. T1 midlobe: with 4 longitudinal carinae. Metasomal apex: with no distinct corners.

Diagnosis.

Both sexes: Frontal depression forming hood-like structure (deep and with strongly protruding submedian carina that overhangs pedicels). Hyperoccipital carina present and sharp, not connected to occipital carina laterally; median carina between hyperoccipital carina and occipital carina absent. Gena with granulate sculpture anteroventrally and posteroventrally. Mesoscutellum with granulate sculpture. Metascutellum acuminate apically. Metasomal depression without median carina; lateral propodeal carinae strongly diverging. Hind wing Sc+R complete.

Etymology.

Latin noun, genitive case, referring to a kind of helmet.

Link to distribution map.

[http://hol.osu.edu/map-full.html?id=309293]

Material examined.

Holotype, female: CAMEROON: Centre Prov., Mbalmayo, VII– 1993, malaise trap, P. Eggleton, OSUC369356 (deposited in BMNH). Paratypes: CAMEROON: 5 males, OSUC369353-369355 (CNCI), 369357-369358 (BMNH).

Comments.

The other members of the cuculli group are widespread in Asia, including China and India. Oxyscelio galeri is distinct within this group due to its acuminate metascutellum.