Molecular and morphological phylogeny of the parasitic wasp genus Yelicones (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae)

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships of the braconid wasp genus Yelicones Cameron are studied using the D2-D3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene, both alone and simultaneously with morphology. The results support a morphology-based phylogeny, presented elsewhere, with Yelicones being divided into two major groups corresponding to the New and Old World faunas. The African and Asian species largely form separate clades except for Yelicones wui Chen & He from China which is associated with the Afrotropical species. Potential molecular synapomorphies are illustrated.

Keywords

• molecular phylogeny
• braconidae
• rogadinae
• yelicones
• 28s rrna
• combined analysis
• biogeography