Polynema (Dorypolynema) magniceps ( Ashmead, 1900 )

Aquino, Daniel A., Triapitsyn, Serguei V. & Huber, John T., 2016, Nomenclatural changes in Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), Zootaxa 4205 (6), pp. 581-592 : 587-588

Polynema (Dorypolynema) magniceps ( Ashmead, 1900)

( Figs 4a–e )

Polynema magniceps Ashmead 1900: 265 –266. Type locality: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Vincent Island, unspecified.

Polynema grenadensis Ashmead 1900: 266 . Type locality: Grenada, Mirabeau Estate (Windward side). Syn. n. Polynema (Dorypolynema) gaucho Triapitsyn & Aquino 2010: 63 –67. Holotype female [ MLPA], examined ( Triapitsyn & Aquino 2010). Type locality: Argentina, Formosa, Estancia Guaycolec (25 km N of Formosa), 25°59'S 58°12'W. Syn. n.

Type material examined. Holotype male of P. magniceps [ BMNH] on point labeled: 1, “ Leward side St. Vincent, W. I., H.H. Smith 200”; 2, “ Type H. T. ”; 3, “ Polynema magniceps ♂ Type Ashm ”; 4, “ B.M. Type Hym ”; 5, “1455”.

Holotype female of P. grenadensis [ BMNH] on point labeled: 1, “Mirabeau Est. (Windward side) Grenada, W. I. H. H. Smith ”; 2, “ Type H. T. ”; 3, “ W. Indies. 99-331.”; 4, “ Polynema grenadensis ♀ Type ”; 5, “B. M . TYPE HYM. 5. 1456”; 6, “NHMUK 010198633”.

Additional material examined. Argentina: FORMOSA: Estancia Guaycolec , 25 km N of Formosa, 25°59'S 58°12'W, 17–20.xii. 1998, 185 m, S.L. Heydon [1 non-type ♀, UCRC] . Chile: X REGIÓN, Isla Grande de Chiloé, Río Dongo , 19.i.2000, T. Cekalovic [1 ♀, UCDC] .

Diagnosis. The holotype male of Polynema (Dorypolynema) magniceps is characterized by the following combination of features: general body color dark brown with appendages yellowish brown except funicular segments and procoxa yellow; antennal scape with transverse striation on inner surface; pronotum divided mediolongitudinally, each lobe with 4 setae at posterior margin; mesoscutum and scutellum smooth; scutellar campaniform sensilla about in middle of scutellum; propodeum with complete median carina; fore wing hyaline, narrow, 5.2× as long as wide.

Redescription. Female (holotype of P. grenadensis ). Similar to male except for normal sexually dimorphic features: antenna with scape smooth, 1.2× longer than F2, the latter the longest funicular segment and 2.2× as long as F1; F4–F6 similar in length and width; clava a little shorter than 3 preceding segments; ovipositor strongly exserted; fore wing hyaline, about 4.2× as long as wide.

Comments. Ashmead (1900) described Polynema magniceps from Saint Vincent Island based on a single male, which is in a very poor condition, so a more detailed diagnosis or redescription cannot be provided. Ashmead (1900) also described Polynema grenadensis from the neighboring island of Grenada based on a single female. We consider P. grenadensis to be a synonym of P. magniceps because the types are similar in general morphological features except for the normal sexually dimorphic ones.

Polynema magniceps definitely belongs to Polynema ( Dorypolynema Hayat & Anis ) and is very similar to the widespread Neotropical species P. gaucho Triapitsyn & Aquino. The female described as P. grenadensis differs from the latter by the slightly shorter F2 relative to the length of F1 (about 2.0×), whereas in P. gaucho F2 is about 2.2× length of F1 ( Triapitsyn & Aquino 2010). However, it seems that this morphological character is subject to intraspecific variability in the specimens from Formosa, Argentina, which fit both these nominal species, so P. (Dorypolynema) gaucho is here synonymized under P. (Dorypolynema) magniceps .

Distribution. Grenada ( Ashmead 1900, as P. grenadensis ) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ( Saint Vincent Island), as well as Argentina ( Formosa), Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru ( Triapitsyn & Aquino 2010, as P. (Dorypolynema) gaucho), and Chile (new record).

Figures

FIGURES 4 a – e. Polynema (Dorypolynema) magniceps: a, ♀ habitus; b, ♂ habitus (holotype); c, ♀ antenna; d, ♂ head and antenna (holotype); e, ♀ mesosoma and antenna.