Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Yelicones Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae) and revision of the genus from the New World

Abstract

Species of the braconid wasp genus Yelicones Cameron from North, Central and South America are revised and the first phylogenetic analysis of the world Yelicones fauna is presented. The results are considered from a biogeographical perspective and the effect of including and excluding colour characters is investigated. One hundred and twenty‐four species from throughout the world are recognised. Eighty‐five species are from the New World, 63 of which are new. A fully illustrated key to New World species is provided. A total of 116 characters were scored, of which 86 were morphological and 30 were based on the wasps’ colour pattern. All analyses show a near perfect diversion between New and Old World species. However, analyses excluding and including colour produced completely opposite results in terms of whether New or Old World species were basal. We found that in our data matrix colour characters performed at least as well as morphological characters in terms of their ensemble retention index, making it difficult to decide which phylogenetic hypotheses is correct. However, consideration of venom apparatus features leads us to prefer the hypotheses placing the New World taxa basally.