Jimwhitfieldius Fernandez-Triana, 2018

Fernandez-Triana, Jose L & Boudreault, Caroline, 2018, Seventeen new genera of microgastrine parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from tropical areas of the world, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 64, pp. 25-140 : 69

Jimwhitfieldius Fernandez-Triana gen. n.

Type species.

Jimwhitfieldius jamesi Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, here designated.

Diagnostic description.

Flagellomere with placodes arranged in three rows (females and males) (Figs 23F , 25G ). Head posteriorly with a deep depression, behind occiput (Fig. 26E ). Pale spot at base of mandible. Hypostomal carina with a projecting flange. Mesosoma mostly smooth (Figs 22E , 25E , 26E ). Propodeum entirely smooth, without any carina (Figs 22D, E ). Metatrochantellus with highly unusual shape (better illustrated in Fig. 23I ), anteriorly with rounded projections. Relatively very large and thick inner spur in hind leg (0.8 × as long as first segment of metatarsus) (Figs 22A , 23G, J , 24A, D , 25H , 26A ). Fore wing with large areolet (Figs 22C , 24A, C , 26C ). Hind wing with vannal lone fully setose. Metasoma mostly smooth. Ovipositor extremely short, almost invisible externally (Figs 23H, I , 24A , 26C ).

Putative autapomorphies and potentially related genera.

The strong depression of the head behind the occiput, the shape of the metatrochantellus, and the length and shape of the inner spur of metatibia are all highly unusual within Microgastrinae . The extremely short ovipositor and ovipositor sheaths are probably the shortest observed in the entire subfamily. The flagellomeres with three rows of placodes are rarely found among some species of a few unrelated Microgastrinae genera. The hypostomal flange is similar to some species of Prasmodon (see Fernandez-Triana et al. 2014d), although the two genera are not related at all.

Biology.

Host unknown.

Distribution.

The known species are found in the Oriental region (Thailand, Vietnam).

Molecular data.

A total of 19 sequences representing five BINs, BOLD:AAH1239, BOLD:AAV2073, BOLD:AAV2080, BOLD:AAV2083, and BOLD:ACE5642. Three of those BINs are only know from either one or two male specimens, whereas BOLD:AAH1239 (10 specimens) and BOLD:AAV2073 (5 specimens) are better represented.

Etymology.

The genus name refers to and honors the American braconid expert James B. Whitfield, in recognition of his significant contributions to the knowledge of parasitoid wasps of the world, especially Microgastrinae and their associated polydnaviruses. For the past 18 years, Jim has been a mentor for the first author, and his friendship and advice have always been very much appreciated. The gender of the genus is neuter.

Species.

All examined specimens are morphologically very similar, with minute differences in coloration (tergites 5+ with or without brown spots) and shape of T2 (more or less broadening towards posterior margin). Based on DNA barcoding, there could be up to 5 different species. However, three of those barcode-species are only represented by one or two male specimens each, and thus are not considered here (they will only be described if more material becomes available in the future). The two species described below differ slightly in morphology, their DNA barcodes have 14-18 bp different (2.1-2.8 %), and are found at different altitudinal ranges. They can be separate using the following key.

Figures

Figure 22. Jimwhitfieldius jamesi female holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing and hind wing D Metasoma dorsal E Head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 23. Jimwhitfieldius jamesi female holotype. F Antennal flagellomeres 1 to 4 G Hind leg H Hypopygium and ovipositor, lateral I Hypopygium and ovipositor, ventral J Inner and outer spines of metatibia.

Figure 24. Jimwhitfieldius jamesi female paratype CNC 878555. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing D Inner and outer spines of metatibia.

Figure 25. Jimwhitfieldius jamesi female paratype CNC 878555. E Head and mesosoma, dorsal F Metasoma dorsal G Antennal flagellomeres 1 to 5 H Inner spine of metatibia.

Figure 26. Jimwhitfieldius sydneyae female holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing D Metasoma dorsal E Head and mesosoma, dorsal F Hypopygium and ovipositor, lateral.