Morphometric and molecular analysis of the Encarsia inaron species-group (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), parasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).
Several series of host-reared specimens of an Encarsia species, initially thought to be the cosmopolitan Encarsia inaron (Walker), were collected in the Azores Islands (Portugal). Subsequent morphometric analysis supported the presence of two species: E. inaron and a new species, described herein as Encarsia estrellae Manzari & Polaszek sp. n. Encarsia estrellae was reared from Aleyrodes singularis Danzig, A. ?singularis, and Bemisia sp. afer-group on several host plants. In addition, the D2 region of the 28S rDNA gene was sequenced in eight individuals belonging to these species, as well as single representatives of two closely related and one distantly related species. Phylogenetic analysis of these DNA sequences, together with 23 additional Encarsia sequences retrieved from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and GenBank databases, further supported the specific status of E. estrellae, and the placement of E. dichroa (Mercet) in the E. inaron species-group. Additionally, E. inaron is redescribed and some taxonomic problems in the E. inaron species-group are discussed.
Manzari
S
S
Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK.
Polaszek
A
A
Belshaw
R
R
Quicke
D L J
DL
D000818:Animals; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005260:Female; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S; D014863:Wasps / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S