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The bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) is an antelope widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa that varies greatly in body size, horn length and coat patterning. Recent taxonomic work has suggested reclassification as two or more species. Molecular studies have shown a deep mitochondrial divergence between north-western (scriptus) and south-eastern (sylvaticus) bushbuck populations, and morphological assessments, based largely on coat patterning, have divided the bushbuck into as many as eight species and 32 subspecies. Molecular and morphological approaches have, to date, not been brought together in a single integrative study. Using 43 museum cranial specimens, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes and used three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to compare genetic and phenotypic divergence between the two main subclades of the T. scriptus species complex. We found a significant but weak relationship between phenotypic and genetic distances. Mean body size differed between males of each subclade, but morphological differences attributable to sexual dimorphism within subclades were greater than differences between subclades. Despite a mitochondrial divergence of nearly 3 Myr, cranial morphological differences between subclades were minor and could be accounted for largely by minor size differences between males (size–shape allometry). These results support the recognition of a single bushbuck species, as indicated by nuclear genetic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae are generally highly specialized and can be used as agents for biological control of arthropod pests. Psyttalia concolor, Psyttalia humilis and Psyttalia lounsburyi parasitize the larvae of the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), the most damaging pest of cultivated olives in the world. Psyttalia concolor is native to the Mediterranean, and P. humilis and P. lounsburyi are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their potential for agricultural pest control, these species have been poorly characterized at the genetic level. We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the three species and compared its organization with other Braconidae. Psyttalia had a unique gene rearrangement involving the positions of transfer RNA genes. We also present a phylogenetic reconstruction of the Braconidae and confirm the phylogenetic placement of Psyttalia in the subfamily Opiinae. The family Braconidae consists mostly of specialized parasitoids, some of which hold potential in biocontrol of agricultural pests. Psyttalia concolor, Psyttalia humilis and Psyttalia lounsburyi are parasitoids associated with Bactrocera oleae, a major pest of cultivated olives. The native range of Psyttalia concolor is the Mediterranean, and P. humilis and P. lounsburyi are native to sub-Saharan Africa. This study reports the mitochondrial genomes of the three species, thus laying the foundation for mitogenomic analyses in the genus Psyttalia. Comparative mitogenomics within Braconidae showed a novel gene arrangement in Psyttalia in involving translocation and inversion of transfer RNA genes. The placement of Psyttalia in the subfamily Opiinae was well-supported, and the divergence between Psyttalia and its closest relative (Diachasmimorpha longicaudata) was at ~55 MYA [95% highest posterior density (HPD): 34–83 MYA]. Psyttalia lounsburyi occupied the most basal position among the three Psyttalia, having diverged from the other two species ~11 MYA (95% HPD: 6–17 MYA). Psyttalia concolor and P. humilis were recovered as sister species diverged at ~2 MYA (95% HPD: 1.1–3.6 MYA). This phylogeny combining new sequences and a set of 31 other cyclostomes and non-cyclostomes highlights the importance of a comprehensive taxonomic coverage of Braconidae mitogenomes to overcome the lack of robustness in the placement of several subfamilies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]