Filogenia de Conura (Conura) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae, Conura Spinola)

Abstract

Only one phylogenetic study addressed the relationships of Conura. The proposed classification presented three subgenera, with Conura (Conura) being one of them, composed of 62 species encompassed by 10 species groups and based on four synapomorphies. Those synapomorphies occur only in Conura (Conura) minus incongrua and there is a polytomy inside the subgenus. In the present study, 122 morphological characters for a total of 71 species of Co. (Conura), and 24 outgroup were scored. All species groups of Co. (Conura) were represented. Phylogenetic search analysis used maximum parsimony with TNT. Six topologies were found, none of them recovered Co. (Conura) as a monophyletic group. The maculata species group was always paraphyletic, the remaining groups were almost always monophyletic. Results suggest a close relationship between the groups bouceki + philippia + toluca, and the groups incongrua + oiketicusi + nigricornis, and the groups “maculata” + steffani + dares + vau. Based on the results, the classification of the species group of the subgenus is discussed and some proposals of reclassification are considered. Head capsule and mesosoma articulation, mandibles, and epicnemial and transverse carinae of mesopleuron were briefly discussed.