Discovery of a new species of Synergus (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Synergini) based on morphology and molecular data

Abstract

A new species of gall inquiline, Synergus dilatatus sp. nov., is described from Hubei Province, China. Morphological descriptions, photographs and biological information are provided. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) sequences of the new species were newly obtained and a molecular species delimitation analysis of 12 species of Synergus performed using the ASAP method recovered 16 molecular operational taxonomic units, providing support for recognition of the new species. The results also highlight a few conflicts between morphological and molecular species delimitations in Synergus.