Qrocodiledundee 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 : 92

Qrocodiledundee Fernandez-Triana gen. n.

Type species.

Qrocodiledundee outbackense Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, here designated.

Diagnostic description.

Head with eyes relatively small, with relatively large malar line, and with gena bulging behind eyes (Fig. 33A, C ). Flagellomeres with two rows of placodes. Mesosoma relatively flattened dorso-ventrally. Pronotum enlarged dorsally, its median length (on a dorsal view) very large, much larger than width of flagellomeres, and clearly larger than propodeum in most Microgastrinae genera (Fig. 33C ). Pronotum with dorsal and ventral sulcus. Anteromesoscutum with relatively deep and close punctures centrally, smooth anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly (Fig. 33G ). Scutellar disc and most of mesopleuron smooth, metapleuron with coarse sculpture on posterior half. Propodeum with an apophysis laterally, near posterior margin (Fig. 33D-G ), which looks like a small tubercle. Propodeum with median carina clearly defined on anterior 0.6, and then obscured by partially defined areola on posterior 0.4 (Figs 33F, G ). Fore wing without areolet. Hind wing with vannal lobe straight and entirely setose. Metafemur relatively very small and thick, 2.0 × as long as its maximum width. Tarsal claws simple. T1 and T2 dull, T3+ mostly smooth. T2 relatively enlarged, almost as long as T3 (Fig. 33D, F ).

Putative autapomorphies and potentially related genera.

This new genus shares with Ohenri the pronotum enlarged dorsally and propodeum with a median carina and partially defined areola. However, Qrocodiledundee has flagellomeres with two rows of placodes, simple tarsal claws, and setose vannal lobe (flagellomeres with 3-4 rows of placodes, pectinate tarsal claws and setoseless vannal lobe in Ohenri ). Qrocodiledundee can be easily recognized on the account of its propodeal apophysis, unique among Microgastrinae , as well as its flattened mesosoma and short and stout metafemur. The relationships of Qrocodiledundee with other genera of Microgastrinae are not clear at present, although some morphological features are related to Sathon and Carlmuesebeckius and Ohenri (the latter two also described in this paper).

Biology.

Host unknown.

Distribution.

The only known species is found in the Australasian region (Australia).

Molecular data.

No molecular data available.

Etymology.

Named after the iconic Australian movie "Crocodile Dundee", one of the favorite movies of the first author (who at one point was even nicknamed as that because, as with the main character of the movie, he also caught crocodiles and was bitten by one). The first letter of the name is changed to a “Q” to guarantee the uniqueness of the name and avoid potential homonyms. The gender of the genus is neuter.

Species.

Only one species is known.

Figures

Figure 33. Qrocodiledundee outbackense male holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Head dorsal D Fore wing E Pronotum F Metasoma dorsal G Mesosoma dorsal. Red arrow shows the propodeal apophysis.