World Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera): A Key to Higher- Level Groups
Author
Buffington, Matthew L.
Systematic EntomologyLaboratory, ARS-USDAc / oNational Museumof NaturalHistory, SmithsonianInstitution, 10 th & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20013, USA,
matt.buffington@usda.gov
Author
Forshage, Mattias
Department of Zoology, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Box 50007, SE- 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden,
Author
Liljeblad, Johan
Swedish Species Information Centre, PO Box 7007, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden,
Author
Tang, Chang-Ti
Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, SEH, Suite 6300, 800 22 nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA,
Author
Noort, Simon van
Research and Exhibitions Department, South African Museum, Iziko Museums of South Africa, P. O. Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa,
text
Insect Systematics and Diversity
2020
2020-07-01
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4
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaa003
journal article
10.1093/isd/ixaa003
2399-3421
10833270
Synergini
Figs. 227
–232
The traditional composition of this tribe turned out to be polyphyletic, and included any cynipid that was known or presumed to be an inquiline. However,
Ronquist et al. (2015)
demonstrated that inquilinism has evolved numerous times, and as a result, some members of
Synergini
s.l. were moved to other tribes (see
Ceroptresini
,
Diastrophini
, above).
Synergus
is readily identified by the presence of a syntergum on the metasoma, and is by far the most readily collected and speciose genus in the tribe.
Biology. Mainly inquilines of gall-inducing
Cynipini
on
Fagaceae
. In some cases, inquilinism reaches a degree where gall inducers do not survive and hatch. It was recently discovered that
Synergus itoensis
Abe, Ide & Wachi (
Abe et al. 2011
)
is able to induce galls
de novo
. Further, this species is found alongside other undescribed species closely allied to
S. itoensis
from
Japan
, which lead to
Ide et al. (2018)
arguing that the
Synergini
gall inducers have independently arisen from other inquilines.
Rhoophilus
is wholly unique being an inquiline forming secondary cells in galls induced by
Scyrotis
moths (
Cecidosidae
) on
Searsia
(formerly
Rhus
) (
Anacardiaceae
) shrubs and trees. Larval cells expand into the hollow interior of the host gall resulting in death of the gall-inducing moth larva (
van Noort et al. 2007
).
Distribution. Mostly Holarctic, but single taxa present in all regions;
Rhoophilus
endemic to
South Africa
.
Relevant literature.
Ronquist (1999)
reviewed the data for and against the monophyly of
Synergini
s.l.; tribe recently treated in
Ronquist et al. (2015)
. The term
agastoparasitism
coined in
Ronquist (1994)
to describe some inquiline biology.
Van Noort et al. (2007)
thoroughly studied
Rhoophilus loewi
.
Pénzes et al. (2012)
reviewed the world oak associated inquilines.
Classification.
Synergini
Agastoroxenia
Nieves-Aldrey and Medianero, 2010
; 1 species NT
Lithosaphonecrus
Tang, Melika and Boszó, 2013
; 9 species OR plus
Papua New Guinea
Rhoophilus
Mayr, 1881
; 1 species
South Africa
Saphonecrus
Dalla Torre and Kieffer, 1910
; 40 species but taxonomy is uncertain; PA, NA, OR
Synergus
Hartig, 1840
; 137 species but taxonomy is uncertain and far from stable with many more or less dubious taxa; PA, NA, NT
Synophrus
Hartig, 1843
; 7 species wPA
Ufo
Melika and Pujade-Villar, 2005
; 5 species ePA, OR
Unplacable
Nomina dubia
Poncyia Kieffer, 1903
; 1 species