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| Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó, 2018
in Trietsch, Mikó, Notton & Deans, 2018.
DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.6.e22676
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Abstract
Background
A new species, Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae), is described here from male and female specimens captured in Costa Rica. This species is the only known ceraphronoid wasp with a straight mandibular surface and raised dorsal projections on the scutellum, called the mesoscutellar comb. It is hypothesised that the function of the mesoscutellar comb is to aid the emergence of the adult from the host, especially since the mandibles lack a pointed surface to tear open the pupal case. The authors also provide phenotypic data in a semantic form to facilitate data integration and accessibility across taxa and provide an updated phenotype bank of morphological characters for megaspilid taxonomic treatments. In updating this phenotype bank, the authors continue to make taxonomic data accessible to future systematic efforts focusing on Ceraphronoidea.
New information
A new species, Dendrocerus scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) Trietsch & Mikó, is described from both male and female specimens captured in Costa Rica.
Keywords: Ceraphronoidea, morphology, systematics, taxonomy, eclosion
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| Figure 1. Dendrocerus scutellaris habitus, with arrows pointing to the mesoscutellar comb. A. Male holotype (NHMUK010812028). B. Female paratype (NHMUK010812044). C. Dorso-lateral view of the mesoscutellar comb (female paratype NHMUK010812045). |
Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó, sp. n.
Diagnosis: Dendrocerus scutellaris belongs to the Dendrocerus halidayi species group (Dessart 1995, Dessart 1999), based on the branched male flagellomeres, bifid anteromedian projection of the metanoto-propodeo-metapectal complex and the presence of parossiculal projections with 3 parossiculal setae. This species is distinguished from all other ceraphronoid species by the presence of the mesoscutellar comb, an anatomical cluster that is composed of a row of spines medially on the mesoscutellar-axillar complex. This species is also unique amongst Ceraphronoidea in that the distal edge of mandible is flat and not pointed.
Etymology: This species is named for the presence of the mesoscutellar comb, which is unique to this species and is not found in any other known ceraphronoid species.
Distribution: This species is only known from Costa Rica.
Carolyn Trietsch, István Mikó, David G. Notton and Andrew R. Deans. 2018. Unique Extrication Structure in A New Megaspilid, Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae). Biodiversity Data Journal. 6: e22676 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.6.e22676
New parasitoid wasp likely uses unique saw-like spines to break out of i... http://bit.ly/2rVmEAN via @Pensoft @EurekAlert
