Phylogenetic relationships and subgeneric classification of European Ephedrus species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

By

Kocić, Korana
Petrović, Andjeljko
Čkrkić, Jelisaveta
Mitrović, Milana
Tomanović, Željko

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

878

Pages

1--22

Subjects

Ephedrus hyadaphidis sp. nov , Ephedrus subgenera , molecular phylogeny

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.878.38408

 

Abstract

In this study two molecular markers were used to establish taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships ofEphedrussubgenera and species distributed in Europe. Fifteen of the nineteen currently known species have been analysed, representing three subgenera:BreviephedrusGärdenfors, 1986,LysephedrusStarý, 1958 andEphedrusHaliday, 1833. The results of analysis of COI and EF1α molecular markers and morphological studies did not support this classification. Three clades separated by the highest genetic distances reported for the subfamily Aphidiinae on intrageneric level.Ephedrus brevisis separated frompersicaeandplagiatorspecies groups with genetic distances of 19.6 % and 16.3 % respectively, while the distance betweenpersicaeandplagiatorgroups was 20.7 %. These results lead to the conclusion that the traditional subgeneric classification ofEphedrusneeds revision. Species frompersicaespecies group are raised to subgenus level asFovephedrusChen, 1986 andLysephedrussyn. nov.is assigned as a junior synonym of subgenus Ephedrus. Key for identification ofEphedrussubgenera is provided.Ephedrus hyadaphidisKocić & Tomanovićsp. nov.is described and several species are confirmed as valid species for the first time. Furthermore, two species are synonymised:E. dysaphidissyn. nov.as a junior synonym ofE. cerasicolaandE. blattnyisyn. nov.as a junior synonym ofE. plagiator.