Solving nomenclatural problems of genus-group names of the cuckoo-wasps (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae): objectively invalid and unavailable names, new type-species designations, new names, a new genus and new synonymies.

Abstract

Information is provided for 143 objectively invalid or unavailable genus-group names used in Chrysididae; 34 are objectively invalid, of which 18 are junior homonyms (five of these are also currently junior subjective synonyms), 18 are junior objective synonyms (two of these are also junior homonyms) of which seven are unjustified emendations, and two are unnecessary replacement names. The remaining 109 names are unavailable; 96 are incorrect subsequent spellings, most of them were originally lapsus calami or misprints, one is hereby deemed to be an incorrect original spelling, eight are nomina nuda, three were originally published as junior synonyms and never adopted before 1961 as valid names of any taxa, and one is a vernacular name previously considered as valid. Gender, type species, taxonomic history and status are given for each name except for incorrect subsequent spellings and unjustified emendations. Some cases of homonymies with taxa currently classified as non-animal are discussed. For two such junior homonyms, denoting genus-group taxa considered as valid in the present work, new replacement names are proposed: Linsenmaierella Rosa & Pavesi nom. nov. for Chrysidella Linsenmaier, nec Pascher; and Rhipidochrysis Rosa & Pavesi nom. nov. for Pleurochrysis Bohart, nec Pringsheim. New generic synonymies are established: consequent on new type-species designations, Leptoglossa Klug becomes a junior objective synonym of Parnopes Latreille syn. nov., and Pyrochloris Klug becomes a junior objective synonym of Euchroeus Latreille syn. nov.; Pseudodichrysis Trautmann is a junior objective synonym of Dichrysis Lichtenstein syn. nov. and the latter is in turn a junior subjective synonym of Chrysis Linnaeus. Platycelia Dahlbom is selected by the authors, acting as First Revisers, as the correct original spelling, and the simultaneously published Platycoelia is therefore deemed to be an incorrect subsequent spelling. The validation of Philoctetes Abeille de Perrin, not available when originally proposed, is discussed. Morphochrysis Rosa & Pavesi gen. nov. (type species: Chrysis pulchella Spinola) is here described; it includes members of the Chrysis pulchella species group previously included in Gonodontochrysis Semenov-Tian-Shanskij & Nikol'skaya, an unavailable name. The Chrysis zaravshanica species group is merged with the pulchella species group. A new specific synonymy within this group is proposed: Chrysis zaravshanica Tarbinsky syn. nov. of C. personata Semenov-Tian-Shanskij.