Altitudinal effects on diversity of Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Southeast Brazil and description of new species

Abstract

Abstract In this study the diversity of Pimplinae at three different altitude zones in the Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi Jundiaí, SP, Brazil was investigated with a total of 18 genera and 91 morphospecies collected by Malaise traps. Highest abundance and richness of Pimplinae were found in low and high altitudes, respectively. In the intermediate altitude occurred greater diversity and equitability, with greater similarity to high altitude. The genera Pimpla and Neotheronia were the most abundant; Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 was the most frequent species. A new species of the genus Acrotaphus and two new species of the genus Polysphincta were found. Descriptions of the new species and identification keys are presented.

Keywords

• diversity
• altitude
• Pimplinae
• Acrotaphus
• Polysphincta