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Until now, the genus Robsonomyia was represented by two extant species: R. reducta Matile & Vockeroth, 1980 from North America and R. sciaraeformis (Okada, 1939) from Asia. This paper presents the first fossil members of the genus Robsonomyia, which is also the first record from Europe. Two new fossil species from Baltic amber are described: R. baltica Pełczyńska, Krzemiński & Blagoderov, sp. nov. and R. henningseni Pełczyńska, Krzemiński & Blagoderov, sp. nov.. The presence of fossil Robsonomyia spp. on the European continent suggests Holarctic distribution of the genus in the past. We also discuss possible pathways of its intercontinental dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Most comprehensive phylogeny of sawflies and woodwasps based on UCEs. • The diversification of early Hymenoptera started ∼249 Ma. • Independent intercontinental dispersals and re-colonisations shaped the evolutionary history of symphytan lineages. • African sawfly fauna shows heterogeneous historical biogeography. Phylogenomic approaches have recently helped elucidate various insect relationships, but large-scale comprehensive analyses on relationships within sawflies and woodwasps are still lacking. Here, we infer the relationships and long-term biogeographic history of these hymenopteran groups using a large dataset of 354 UCE loci collected from 385 species that represent all major lineages. Early Hymenoptera started diversifying during the Early Triassic ∼249 Ma and spread all over the ancient supercontinent Pangaea. We recovered Xyeloidea as a monophyletic sister group to other Hymenoptera and Pamphilioidea as sister to Unicalcarida. Within the diverse family Tenthredinidae, our taxonomically and geographically expanded taxon sampling highlights the non-monophyly of several traditionally defined subfamilies. In addition, the recent removal of Athalia and related genera from the Tenthredinidae into the separate family Athaliidae is supported. The deep historical biogeography of the group is characterised by independent dispersals and re-colonisations between the northern (Laurasia) and southern (Gondwana) palaeocontinents. The breakup of these landmasses led to ancient vicariance in several Gondwanan lineages, while interchange across the Northern Hemisphere has continued until the Recent. The little-studied African sawfly fauna is likewise a diverse mixture of groups with varying routes of colonization. Our results reveal interesting parallels in the evolution and biogeography of early hymenopterans and other ancient insect groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first comprehensive analysis of higher-level phylogeny of the order Hymenoptera is presented. The analysis includes representatives of all extant superfamilies, scored for 392 morphological characters, and sequence data for four loci (18S, 28S, COI and EF-1α). Including three outgroup taxa, 111 terminals were analyzed. Relationships within symphytans (sawflies) and Apocrita are mostly resolved. Well supported relationships include: Xyeloidea is monophyletic, Cephoidea is the sister group of Siricoidea + [Xiphydrioidea + (Orussoidea + Apocrita)]; Anaxyelidae is included in the Siricoidea, and together they are the sister group of Xiphydrioidea + (Orussoidea + Apocrita); Orussoidea is the sister group of Apocrita, Apocrita is monophyletic; Evanioidea is monophyletic; Aculeata is the sister group of Evanioidea; Proctotrupomorpha is monophyletic; Ichneumonoidea is the sister group of Proctotrupomorpha; Platygastroidea is sister group to Cynipoidea, and together they are sister group to the remaining Proctotrupomorpha; Proctotrupoidea s. str. is monophyletic; Mymarommatoidea is the sister group of Chalcidoidea; Mymarommatoidea + Chalcidoidea + Diaprioidea is monophyletic. Weakly supported relationships include: Stephanoidea is the sister group of the remaining Apocrita; Diaprioidea is monophyletic; Ceraphronoidea is the sister group of Megalyroidea, which together form the sister group of [Trigonaloidea (Aculeata + Evanioidea)]. Aside from paraphyly of Vespoidea within Aculeata, all currently recognized superfamilies are supported as monophyletic. The diapriid subfamily Ismarinae is raised to family status, Ismaridae stat. nov. © The Will Henning Society 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the cosmopolitan family Argidae based on both molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, we present a biogeographic scenario based on a dated phylogeny and interpret the evolutionary history of the family. Information from sequences of eight genes is analysed to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Argidae based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Total evidence Bayesian analyses are also conducted, combining the molecular dataset with data from adult and larval morphology. For the historical biogeographic reconstruction, divergence times are estimated using node dating with uncorrelated relaxed‐clock analysis, and ancestral biogeographical distributions are estimated applying a Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis model and a Bayesian binary model. Argidae s.s. is retrieved as monophyletic in all analyses and the clade Zenargidae + (Argidae + Pergidae) is better supported when combining molecular and morphological characters, and when excluding the saturated third codon position in the molecular analysis. Within Argidae, two large clades corresponding to the subfamilies Arginae and Sterictiphorinae sensu Benson are retrieved as monophyletic. The ancestral distribution of Arginae and Sterictiphorinae is estimated to be the Australian and Neotropical regions. Divergence of Argidae‐Pergidae and Arginae‐Sterictiphorinae is estimated to occur in the middle‐upper Jurassic before or during the east‐west Gondwana breakup. Diversification of Argidae may be associated with the radiation of angiosperms in the Early Cretaceous, especially for the Neotropical Sterictiphorinae after the separation of South America and Africa. Arginae were probably introduced to the northern hemisphere by dispersal to Africa and/or India and subsequent continental collision with Eurasia in the Cenozoic. The occurrence of Sterictiphorinae in the northern hemisphere is more difficult to explain. Maternal care and brood guarding behaviour evolved independently in Argidae and Pergidae, with a single origin in a subclade (Dielocerini) of Sterictiphorinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Argidae is the second most diverse family of the 'Symphyta' with more than 900 described species. Here we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic study for the family. We compare the adult skeleton anatomy of representatives of 57 described argid genera from different biogeographic regions. We score 223 characters for 117 terminal taxa, and apply maximum parsimony inference to reconstruct the phylogeny, using equal weights and implied weights analyses. The Argidae sensu stricto, i.e. all Argidae except Zenarge, are consistently retrieved as monophyletic. The position of Zenarge changes according to the implied weighting parameters: ((Zenarge+Pergidae)+Argidae) at low (1–3) k-values, (Zenarge+(Pergidae+Argidae)) at high (4–30) k-values. We describe in detail the skeletal anatomy of Zenarge turneri and propose to raise it to family status: Zenargidae stat. revis. We consider the ridge on the teloparameres (=harpes) of the male genitalia to be the main autapomorphy of adults of the Argidae sensu stricto. We recover two main clades within the family and suggest recognizing these as the subfamilies Arginae and Sterictiphorinae. We trace the evolution of characters on the preferred implied weights tree. The genera Arge, Didymia, Pampsilota, Ptenos and Sphacophilus were paraphyletic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larval stage remains unknown for many sawflies, making it difficult to explore the phylogenetic significance of larval morphology. Here, we assemble a data set from the larval anatomy of 22 genera of Argidae and Zenargidae. We scored 85 characters for 48 terminal taxa and use a maximum parsimony approach applying equal (EW) and implied weights (IW) for phylogenetic reconstruction. We describe in detail for the first time the final larval instar of Zenarge turneri to illustrate the character systems employed. We retrieve the topology Zenarge + (Argidae s. stricto + Pergidae) in both EW and IW analyses; however, the branch support is low. We explore the phylogenetic relationships and character optimization based on the k value = 15 IW tree. Argidae s. stricto and Pergidae are recovered only under IW analyses. Within Argidae, two main clades are retrieved; these are congruent with the subfamilies Arginae and Sterictiphorinae s. Benson (1963). The genera Arge and Didymia are not retrieved as monophyletic. In general, the relationships produced by analyzing the larval morphology are consistent with those derived from adult morphology. We identify some patterns in the evolution of larval morphology of the Argidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses several topics including appointment of Christiane Weirauch as the co-editor of the journal, resignation of Lars Vilhelmsen as co-editor of the journal, and submission of papers.

Insects have evolved complex sensory systems that are important for feeding, defence and reproduction. Parasitoid wasps often spend much time and effort in searching for concealed hosts with the help of specialized sensilla. However, the early evolution of such behaviour and sensilla is poorly known. We describe two fossil female wasps, †Tichostephanus kachinensis sp. nov. and †Tichostephanus longus sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological data retrieved †Tichostephanus as deeply nested within Evanioidea and closely related to extant Gasteruptiidae and Evaniidae. Both of these Cretaceous wasps possess features, e.g. coronal tubercles and flexible ovipositor sheaths, that indicate that they might have laid eggs in wood where their larvae possibly parasitized insect larvae. They have a peculiar and unique 'bottle brush' of sensilla close to the apex of their ovipositor sheaths, which has not been observed in any extant parasitoid wasps. These sensilla comprise many regularly arranged plate-shaped setae, attached in relatively large sockets and with rows of longitudinal ridges. Such specialized sensilla perhaps served to enhance the ability to detect hosts inside wood., (© 2024 Willi Hennig Society.)

Applying consistent terminology for morphological traits across different taxa is a highly pertinent task in the study of morphology and evolution. Different terminologies for the same traits can generate bias in phylogeny and prevent correct homology assessments. This situation is exacerbated in the male genitalia of Hymenoptera, and specifically in Ichneumonoidea, in which the terminology is not standardized and has not been fully aligned with the rest of Hymenoptera. In the current contribution, we review the terms used to describe the skeletal features of the male genitalia in Hymenoptera, and provide a list of authors associated with previously used terminology. We propose a unified terminology for the male genitalia that can be utilized across the order and a list of recommended terms. Further, we review and discuss the genital musculature for the superfamily Ichneumonoidea based on previous literature and novel observations and align the terms used for muscles across the literature., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no competing interests., (©2023 Dal Pos et al.)

Two species of Orussidae are described: Ophrynopus rufocephalus new species and Ophrynopus savinai new species. The new taxa are analyzed with an existing data set for the Orussidae of the world. The results of the analyses indicate that the generic classification within the ophrynopine clade needs to be adjusted. Argentophrynopus Vilhelmsen D.R. Smith, 2002 new synonym and Ophrella Middlekauff, 1985 new synonym are treated as junior synonyms of Ophrynopus Konow, 1897. This results in the following additional taxonomic changes: Ophrynopus amazonicus (Westwood, 1874) combination reestablished, Ophrynopus eldorado (Vilhelmsen, 2013) new combination, Ophrynopus enigmus (Vilhelmsen D.R. Smith, 2002) new combination, Ophrynopus gauldi (Vilhelmsen D.R. Smith, 2002) new combination, Ophrynopus seagi (Vilhelmsen, 2016) new combination. Furthermore, Ophrynopus andrei Konow, 1897 new synonym is regarded as a junior synonym of Ophrynopus fulvostigma (Westwood, 1874). A revised key to Ophrynopus spp. is presented.

A survey of the 'Symphyta' of Colombia is conducted, based on information from literature as well as on examination of over 2,000 specimens from the major Colombian entomological collections. A total of 127 species are recorded from Colombia, representing six families: Argidae (48 species), Tenthredinidae (37) Pergidae (37), Xiphydriidae (3 species), Siricidae (1 species) and Orussidae (1 species). 11 genera and 68 species are new records for Colombia, doubling the number of previously reported species. Heteroperreyia (Pergidae) is recorded for the first time in northern South America. Most records and species are concentrated in the Andean region. Four new species are described: Acrogymnidia catalina Malagón-Aldana, sp. nov., Ptenos amazonicus Malagón-Aldana, sp. nov. (Argidae), Heteroperreyia andina Malagón-Aldana, sp. nov. (Pergidae) and Derecyrta risaraldensis Malagón-Aldana, sp. nov. (Xiphydriidae). The following taxonomic changes are proposed, and lectotypes designated for all these nominal taxa: Dochmioglene suppar (Konow, 1903), comb. n., Plaumanniana parmata (Konow, 1903), comb. n., and Proselandria analis (Fabricius, 1804), comb. n.; Plaumanniana biclinia (Konow, 1899) = Stromboceros marcidus Konow, 1899, syn. n.; Proselandria analis (Fabricius, 1804) = Stromboceros brevispinis Konow, 1908, syn. n., Monophadnus trichiotomus Cameron, 1911, syn. n. and Romaniola amazonica Forsius, 1925, syn. n.

Directional evolution has played an important role in shaping the morphological, ecological, and molecular diversity of life. However, standard substitution models assume stationarity of the evolutionary process over the time scale examined, thus impeding the study of directionality. Here we explore a simple, nonstationary model of evolution for discrete data, which assumes that the state frequencies at the root differ from the equilibrium frequencies of the homogeneous evolutionary process along the rest of the tree (i.e., the process is nonstationary, nonreversible, but homogeneous). Within this framework, we develop a Bayesian approach for testing directional versus stationary evolution using a reversible-jump algorithm. Simulations show that when only data from extant taxa are available, the success in inferring directionality is strongly dependent on the evolutionary rate, the shape of the tree, the relative branch lengths, and the number of taxa. Given suitable evolutionary rates (0.1-0.5 expected substitutions between root and tips), accounting for directionality improves tree inference and often allows correct rooting of the tree without the use of an outgroup. As an empirical test, we apply our method to study directional evolution in hymenopteran morphology. We focus on three character systems: wing veins, muscles, and sclerites. We find strong support for a trend toward loss of wing veins and muscles, while stationarity cannot be ruled out for sclerites. Adding fossil and time information in a total-evidence dating approach, we show that accounting for directionality results in more precise estimates not only of the ancestral state at the root of the tree, but also of the divergence times. Our model relaxes the assumption of stationarity and reversibility by adding a minimum of additional parameters, and is thus well suited to studying the nature of the evolutionary process in data sets of limited size, such as morphology and ecology., (© The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists.)

Orussus melanosoma Lee & Wei, sp. nov. from South Korea is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses place the new species basally in Orussus, together with other species from the Far East. A key to species of Orussidae from the eastern Palaearctic is provided.

The Orussidae is a small and rare but phylogenetically important family of parasitoid wasps. The fossil record of the family is also very poor. Baltorussus velteni was described from Baltic amber from an allegedly female specimen. This and another recently discovered specimen are examined with microCT scanning and standard microscopy. We reveal that both the holotype and the new specimen are actually males. Furthermore, the results of the microCT scanning allow us to integrate the fossils in a morphological data set assembled for extant Orussidae. Phylogenetic analyses consistently retrieve Baltorussus as a separate basal lineage within the crown group, whereas two Cretaceous fossils are placed as stem group orussids and a Dominican amber fossil in an extant genus. Based on the positions of the fossils, we estimate that the extant Orussidae radiated in the mid-Cretaceous (approx. 100 Ma ago). This is considerably younger than a previously suggested Early Jurassic date (180 Ma ago), which was primarily based on biogeographic evidence.