Tanyxiphium, Huber, 2015

Huber, John T., Read, Jennifer D. & Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2021, Illustrated key to the genera and catalogue of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) in the Afrotropical region, Zootaxa 5036 (1), pp. 1-166 : 48

TANYXIPHIUM Huber, 2015

( Figs 261–266 )

Tanyxiphium Huber, 2015: 57 . Type species: Tanyxiphium seychellense Huber, 2015 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. Tanyxiphium is distinguished from the other genera of Gonatocerini by the following combination: mandible small, shorter than maxilla, with teeth minute ( Fig. 261 ); pronotum entire but due to different colour of median area apparently with widely separated lateral lobes ( Fig. 264 ); dorsellum rhomboidal ( Fig. 264 ) ovipositor extremely long, extending well beyond gaster ( Fig. 266 ). Male head wider and relatively narrower than in female, apparently separated by a distinct “neck” from pronotum; mandibles large, crossing when closed, each with 3 normal teeth; pronotal lobes widely separated.

Discussion. Tanyxiphium belongs to the Gonatocerus group of genera, treated formally as Gonatocerini in Huber (2015). In the Afrotropical region the group also includes Cosmocomopsis , Gonatocerus , Heptagonatocerus , Lymaenon , Octomicromeris and Zeyanus . Tanyxiphium is the only genus of Gonatocerini that shows secondary sexual differences in structure of the head and mouthparts. Only Omyomymar , in a different genus group, has a similar, sexually dimorphic head. Tanyxiphium is most similar to Gonatocerus but differs by the mandibles being sexually dimorphic (not in Gonatocerus ), having 4 setae between the lateral ocelli (2 in Gonatocerus ), and the pronotum entire, though appearing divided, with widely separated lateral lobes (medially divided, with lateral lobes abutting at least ventrally in Gonatocerus ).

Afrotropical hosts. Unknown.

Important reference. Huber (2015).

Figures

FIGURES 261–263. Tanyxiphium sp. 261, female head, anterior; 262, antenna; 263, wings. Scale bars: 261 = 100 μm; 262, 263 = 200 μm.

FIGURES 264–266. Tanyxiphium sp. 264, mesosoma, dorsal; 265, gaster, lateral; 266, gaster, lateral, showing entire genitalia. Scale bars: 264, 265 = 100 μm; 266 = 500 μm.