Silvaspinosus 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 : 93-94

Silvaspinosus Fernandez-Triana gen. n.

Type species.

Silvaspinosus vespa Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, here designated.

Diagnostic description.

Clypeus extremely long and thin (Figs 34B , 35B, F ). Malar line extremely short, almost nonexistent (0.01 mm long). Mandible base separate from head by a desclerotized area that looks almost like an opening (Figs 34B , 35F ). Mandibles relatively stout and large (Figs 34B , 35F ). Tentorial pits relatively very large (Figs 34B , 35F ). Anteromesoscutum mostly smooth, with shallow and sparse punctures (Fig. 34F ). Notauli not indicated by sculpture. Scutellar disc without posteromedian band of rugosity (Figs 34F, G , 35E ). Propodeum mostly with rugose sculpture and with median longitudinal carina complete (Figs 34G , 35D ). Fore wing with large, quadrangular areolet (Figs 34C , 35C ). Fore tarsus with a curved, spine-like seta. Metacoxa relatively short (its length not surpassing posterior margin of T2), metatibial spurs relatively short (less than half the length of first segment of metatarsus). T1 smooth and without median longitudinal sulcus (Fig. 34E ). T2 smooth and with central area slightly raised and poorly defined from lateral areas by weak sulcus (Figs 34E , 35D ).

Putative autapomorphies and potentially related genera.

The shape of clypeus, and mandible separation from head by desclerotized area are unique among Microgastrinae . Silvaspinosus seems to belong to the Microplitini group of genera (sensu Mason 1981), based on the relatively short metacoxa and metatibial spurs, fore wing with large areolet, as well as its DNA barcode sequence (see below under " Molecular data "). However, the spine-like seta on the fore tarsus and the absence of a median band of rugosity on the posterior margin of the scutellar disc would be unique and distinctive among Microplitini (those features tend to be present in some species of a few genera within Cotesini (sensu Mason 1981)).

Biology.

Host unknown.

Distribution.

The only known species is found in the Afrotropical region (Madagascar).

Molecular data.

One of the female paratypes (CNCH3044) rendered a partial barcode (427bp), which is 8.3% different from the closest Microgastrinae (several Microplitis species).

Etymology.

From “silva” (in Latin “forest”) and “spinosus” (in Latin "spinous, thorny"), referring to the famed Madagascar spiny forests, where the wasp is found, apparently as an endemic taxon from that ecoregion. The gender of the genus is neuter.

Comments.

This genus seems to be related to the Microplitis group of genera ( Microplitini sensu Mason 1981), based on fore wing areolet size, metacoxa size, length of metatibia spurs, and shape of T2. However, other characters are highly unusual (shape of clypeus) or not previously known from Microplitini (spine on fore tarsus). The spiny forests of Madagascar are considered by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the "Global 200" ecoregions, a list that includes those areas of the planet with higher value and priority for conservation. Thus, the description of this new genus and species of Microgastrinae wasp as endemic to those forests reinforces the unique biodiversity values of that region.

Species.

Only one species is known. We have seen four additional male specimens which have a different and lighter coloration pattern, and might represent a different species, but because they are no associated females, we prefer not to describe them for the time being.

Figures

Figure 34. Silvaspinosus vespa female holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing D Head dorsal E Metasoma dorsal F Mesosoma dorsal F Propodeum.

Figure 35. Silvaspinosus vespa female CNC 644540 (A-E) and male CASENT 8402171 (F) paratypes. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing D Metasoma dorsal E Head and mesosoma, dorsal F Head frontal, male.