Research Article |
Corresponding author: Terry Reynolds Berry ( treynolds@iziko.org.za ) Academic editor: Bernardo Santos
© 2016 Terry Reynolds Berry, Simon van Noort.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Reynolds Berry T, van Noort S (2016) Review of Afrotropical Cryptopimpla Taschenberg (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae), with description of nine new species. ZooKeys 640: 103-137. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.640.10334
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The Afrotropical banchine fauna (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) comprises 12 genera. One of these, Cryptopimpla Taschenberg, 1863, is a predominately northern hemisphere genus represented by 47 described species of which only one is known from the Afrotropical region. We describe nine new species of this rare Afrotropical genus: C. elongatus sp. n., C. fernkloofensis sp. n., C. goci sp. n., C. hantami sp. n., C. kogelbergensis sp. n., C. neili sp. n., C. onyxi sp. n., C. parslactis sp. n., and C. zwarti sp. n. All the Afrotropical species are only known from South Africa. Online interactive Lucid keys to the nine Cryptopimpla species are available at: http://www.waspweb.org.
Afrotropical region, Hymenoptera , Ichneumonoidea , Lucid identification keys, Atrophini , rubrithorax species-group, goci species-group, South Africa, systematics, taxonomy
The Afrotropical Banchinae are represented by 12 genera: Apophua Morley, Atropatopsis Sudheer & Narendran, Atropha Kriechbaumer, Cryptopimpla Taschenberg, Exetastes Gravenhorst, Glyptopimpla Morley, Himertosoma Schmiedeknecht, Lissonota Gravenhorst, Sjostedtiella Szépligeti, Spilopimpla Cameron, Syzeuctus Förster, and Tossinola Viktorov (
Over the last 25 years, the temperate winter rainfall region of South Africa encompassing the Cape Floral Kingdom has been fairly extensively sampled by the second author, and large numbers of ichneumonids, including new species of Cryptopimpla, have been collected from previously poorly sampled habitats. Sampling inventories have also been conducted in the summer rainfall region of South Africa as well as in other African countries including Central African Republic, Gabon, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. However, no Cryptopimpla species were recorded from these surveys. To our knowledge there are no additional specimens present in historical world collections. In this paper, we describe nine new species from South Africa and provide interactive Lucid identification keys that are available online at http://www.waspweb.org.
The new species were compared and analyzed in the context of the Afrotropical fauna. Where possible species delimitation was assessed in a world context, but many of the descriptions of species from other regions are not comprehensive in their character assessment. These types were not examined and hence strict comparison to species from other regions was not performed, but this should not compromise the taxonomic results since almost all species of Cryptopimpla are exclusive of a single biogeographic region (
Specimens were point mounted on black, acid-free cards for examination (using a Leica M205C stereomicroscope with LED light source), photography and long-term preservation. Images were acquired using either the EntoVision® multiple-focus imaging system or the Leica LAS 4.4 imaging system. The EntoVision® system comprised a Leica® M16 microscope with a JVC® KY–75U 3–CCD digital video camera attached that fed image data to a notebook computer. The program Cartograph® 5.6.0 was used to manage image acquisition using an automated Z-stepper and merging of the image series into a single in-focus image. The Leica LAS 4.4 system comprised a Leica® Z16 microscope with a Leica DFC450 Camera with a 0.63× video objective attached. Leica Application Suite V 4.4 software was installed on a desk top computer. Lighting was achieved using techniques summarized in
BMNH
The
The morphological terminology mainly follows
Body length: from toruli to metasomal apex (mm).
Antenna length: from base of scape to flagellar apex (mm).
Fore wing length: from anterior end of tegula to wing apex (mm).
CT (clypeal transversality index): maximum width of clypeus : length between base of tentorial pit to apex of clypeal edge.
ML (malar line index): shortest distance between eye and mandible : basal width of mandible.
IO (inter-ocellar index): shortest distance between posterior ocelli : ocellus diameter.
OO (oculo-ocellar index): shortest distance between eye and posterior ocellus : ocellus diameter.
Fl1 (length index of flagellomere 1): length : width of flagellomere 1.
OT (ovipositor sheath-hind tibia index): length of ovipositor sheath : length of hind tibia.
The first three measurements (an absolute measure) were measured on all specimens in the type series, with measurements from the primary type reported separately in brackets if necessary.
Cryptopimpla Taschenberg, 1893. Zeitschrift für die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften, 21:292. Type-species Phytodietus blandus Gravenhorst, 1914.
(updated from
The Afrotropical species cluster in two morphological species-groups:
rubrithorax species-group (C. elongatus, C. fernkloofensis, C. hantami, C. neili, C. onyxi, C. parslactis, C. rubrithorax, and C. zwarti) is defined by the presence of a weakly convex clypeus with a curved lip on the ventral margin, small tentorial pits, absence of the pleural carinae, and absence of the posterior transverse carina on the propodeum.
goci species-group (C. goci and C. kogelbergensis) is defined by the presence of a convex and bulbous clypeus with large tentorial pits, pleural carinae, and a distinct and well-defined posterior transverse carina on propodeum.
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1 | Clypeal profile distinctly convex and bulbous (A). Pleural carinae of propodeum present, but may be weak; posterior transverse carina present and well-defined (B) | 2 |
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– | Clypeal profile weakly convex with a curved lip on ventral margin (a). Pleural carinae and posterior transverse carina of propodeum absent (b) | 3 |
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2 | Head smooth, impunctate (A). Dorsolateral carinae on tergum 1 substituted with longitudinal wrinkles (B) | C. kogelbergensis sp. n. |
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– | Head finely punctate (a). Dorsolateral carinae on tergum 1 present as a carina ventrad of spiracle, with a secondary carina leading from the ventral carina to the spiracle (b) | C. goci sp. n. |
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3 | Mesosoma with scutellar and metanotal margins not strongly tapered towards medial area (A). Propodeal anterior margin without defined medial tooth, but may have a blunt medial projection (B) | 4 |
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– | Mesosoma with scutellar margin and metanotal margin tapered towards medial area (a). Propodeal anterior margin with medial tooth (b) | C. fernkloofensis sp. n. |
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4 | Wings hyaline (A). Mesoscutum moderately punctate (B) | 5 |
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– | Wings slightly infuscate, venation darker (a). Mesoscutum with fewer punctures inward of wing bases (b) | C. parslactis sp. n. |
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5 | Eye in anterior view narrow to moderately-sized: eye maximum width in anterior view 0.4–0.66 times shortest inter-ocular distance (A). Spiracle of tergum 2 situated at basal 0.25–0.32 of tergum (B) | 6 |
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– | Eye in anterior view larger, bulbous: eye maximum width in anterior view 0.73 times shortest inter-ocular distance (a). Spiracle of tergum 2 situated at basal 0.36 of tergum (b) | C. elongatus sp. n. |
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6 | Scuto-scutellar excavation shallow, without deep indentations laterally (a). Metasomal tergum 2 with gastrocoeli small to indistinct (b) | 7 |
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– | Scuto-scutellar groove broad with deep lateral indentations (A). Metasomal tergum 1 with gastrocoeli moderately large and distinct (B) | 8 |
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7 | Head and mesosoma subpolished, sparsely covered in short setae (A). Metasomal tergum 1 with posterior margin medially tapered to a point (B) | C. neili sp. n. |
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– | Head and mesosoma matt, moderately covered in short setae (a). Metasomal tergum 1 with posterior margin weakly convex (b) | C. hantami sp. n. |
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8 | Eye maximum width in anterior view 0.6–0.66 times shortest inter-ocular distance (B). Clypeus 1.9–2 times broader than high. Mesosoma predominantly rufous with black markings (C) | 9 |
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– | Eye narrower, its maximum width in anterior view 0.4–0.56 times shortest inter-ocular distance (B). Clypeus 1.6–1.8 times broader than high. Mesosoma black with white pronotal collar (C) | C. onyxi sp. n. |
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9 | Malar space 0.6 times as long as basal mandibular width (A). Second tergum posteriorly 1.25 times broader than long (B) | C. zwarti sp. n. |
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– | Malar space 0.9–1.3 times as long as basal mandibular width (a). Tergum 2 posteriorly no more than 1.1 times broader than long (b) | C. rubrithorax Morley |
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Northern Cape, Hantam National Botanical Garden, 31°24.274'S, 19°09.164'E, 755m, 22 May–12 June 2008, S. van Noort, GL07-DOL1-M39, Malaise trap, Nieuwoudtville-Roggeveld Dolerite Renosterveld,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head black, clypeus and mouthparts dark brown. Body mostly rufescent apart from the mesonotum, black at the wing bases, mesopleuron ventrally black, submetapleural lobe black, fore and mid coxae black (remaining parts of front leg missing), trochanters and trochantellus of mid and hind legs black and terga 5–8 black.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Eye large and bulbous, maximum width in anterior view 0.73 times shortest inter-ocular distance, maximum width in lateral view 0.79 times maximum length. Tentorial pits small and indistinct. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex.
Mesosoma. Mesoscutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar groove broad, with deep lateral indentations. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum without carinae, its anterior margin with a blunt median projection. Mid coxa posteriorly glossy and smooth. Wings hyaline, base of stigma brown. Fore wing with two bullae close together appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Tergum 1 longer than the hind coxae, terga 2 and 3 longer than wide; tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted by longitudinal wrinkles, densely punctate and with posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 1.26 times longer than wide posteriorly, spiracle situated at basal 0.36 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli moderately large and circular; terga 4–8 slightly compressed; tergum 6 half as wide as tergum 5. Hypopygium strongly sclerotized. Ovipositor upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 2.1; ML 0.9; IO 1.9; OO 1.7; Fl1 5; OT 0.5; body length 6.7 mm; antenna length 8.4 mm; fore wing length 7.0 mm.
Cryptopimpla elongatus can be distinguished from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla by having a more elongated metasoma, where terga 1–3 are longer than wide with the spiracle on tergum 2 situated at basal 0.36 of tergum (measured in lateral view). There are a few species with a rufescent/black colour combination, but C. elongatus is the only species to have rufescent legs (trochanter and trochantellus black) and a mostly rufescent metasoma (terga 5–8 black). The eye in anterior view is large, its maximum length 0.73 times the shortest inter-ocular distance, separating the species from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla whose eye length in anterior view is 0.38–0.66 times the shortest inter-ocular distance. A broad scuto-scutellar groove with deep lateral indentations distinguishes C. elongatus from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. hantami, C. neili, and C. parslactis. The metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles distinguishes C. elongatus from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis and C. neili. Gastrocoeli on tergum 2 are moderately large and circular, separating C. elongatus (and C. fernkloofensis) from the remaining closely-related species in the rubrithorax species-group.
The name refers to the rather elongated metasoma of this species. Noun in apposition.
South Africa (Northern Cape).
This is a rare species known only from one female specimen collected in Nieuwoudtville-Roggeveld Dolerite Renosterveld. Intensive sampling in other areas of the Cape Floral Kingdom has produced no further specimens. The female metasoma is depressed (not slightly compressed) distinguishing C. elongatus from the closely-related species C. onyxi, C. zwarti, C. hantami, and C. rubrithorax. However, no female specimens are available for closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. parslactis, and C. neili, so no comparisons could be made with these species.
HOLOTYPE ♂: South Africa, Western Cape, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, 33°39.941'S, 21°53.505'E, 300–340m, 13 May 1995, S. van Noort, Sweep, Mesic Mountain Fynbos,
Body subpolished. Colour. Body mostly fulvous, mesosoma ventrally black. Head black. Clypeus fulvous. Mandibles fulvous to black at apex. Mesoscutum and mesonotum dorsolaterally black. Submetapleural lobe black with various dark markings on legs. Metasomal terga 6–8 and male genitalia brown.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Tentorial pits small and indistinct. Eye in lateral view 0.67 times as wide as long, moderately sized in anterior view with maximum width 0.54 times the shortest inter-ocular distance. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth.
Mesosoma. Mesoscutum moderately punctate. Scutellar and metanotal margins tapered towards medial area. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum with carination reduced to medial area, its anterior margin with medial tooth. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six (left wing) to seven (right wing) distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Depressed; tergum 1 with a single carina ventrad of spiracle, densely punctate with posterior margin weakly convex; tergum 2 as long as it is broad posteriorly, spiracle situated at basal 0.24 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli moderately large and circular.
CT 2.0; ML 0.9; IO 1.7; OO 1.4; Fl1 3.5; body length 9.4 mm; antenna length 9.9 mm; fore wing length 7.2 mm.
Cryptopimpla fernkloofensis can be distinguished from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species by having a mostly fulvous body with the mesosoma black ventrally, the head is black and the clypeus and mouthparts are fulvous in colour; the species is the largest of the Cryptopimpla species in the Afrotropical region with a body length of 9.4 mm, compared to other species that have body sizes less than 8.7 mm; the anterior propodeal margin of the species has a medial tooth; the scuto-scutellar groove is narrow, without deep lateral indentations; and the scutellar and metanotal margins distinctly taper towards the medial area. The gastrocoeli on the metasomal tergum 2 are moderately large and circular, which distinguishes C. fernkloofensis (and C. elongatus) from all other closely-related species in the rubrithorax species-group. The presence of a single carina ventrad of the spiracle on the metasomal tergum 1, without wrinkles, separates C. fernkloofensis from closely-related species in the rubrithorax species-group.
Named after the type locality. Noun in apposition.
South Africa (Western Cape).
This is a rare species known only from one male specimen collected in Mesic Mountain Fynbos. Intensive sampling in other areas of the Cape Floral Kingdom, including Mesic Mountain Fynbos at various other localities, has produced no further specimens.
HOLOTYPE ♂: South Africa, Western Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33°37.622'S, 18°24.259'E, 741m, 3 - 31 October 1997, S. van Noort, KO97-M12, Malaise trap, West Coast Strandveld,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head white with a median black band on the face, frons, reaching around ocelli and occiput black, not reaching the eyes. Body mostly fulvous, mesoscutum black anteromedially, extending about 0.8 length of mesoscutum.
Head. Finely punctate. Frons unarmed. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Clypeus profile convex, bulbous. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Tentorial pits large and distinct. Eye in lateral view 0.69 times as long as wide, narrow in anterior view with maximum width 0.4 times shortest inter-ocular distance.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar groove broad. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum with anterior margin medially straight, carination include pleural carinae and a well-defined posterior transverse carina. Wings hyaline; fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and seven distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Depressed; tergum 1 impunctate with distinct dorsolateral carinae present as a carina ventrad of spiracle, with a secondary carina leading from the ventral carina to the spiracle, posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 1.21 times longer than broad, spiracle situated at basal 0.35 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli elongate.
CT 1.8; ML 0.75; IO 1.6; OO 1.1; Fl1 3.9; body length 7.5 mm; antenna length 7.2 mm; fore wing length 5.3 mm.
Cryptopimpla goci is immediately distinguishable from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species by having a colour combination of a largely fulvous body, with a white head. A short distinct carina leads to the spiracle from the base of a single carina ventrad of the spiracle which is unique in this species. Cryptopimpla goci is closely-related to C. kogelbergensis as both species (goci species-group) share a truly distinctive and well-defined posterior transverse carina, possess pleural carinae, a convex and bulbous clypeus without a curved lip on the ventral margin, and large tentorial pits distinguishing them from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species in the rubrithorax species-group. The head is finely punctate, the maximum width of the eye in anterior view 0.38 times the shortest inter-ocular distance; the malar space 0.75 times the basal mandibular width; the length of the first flagellomere 3.9 times longer than wide; 2m-cu on the fore wing is sinuate; metasomal tergum 1 with a short distinct carina that leads to the spiracle from the base of a single carina ventrad of the spiracle; the second tergum 1.21 times longer than wide with elongate gastrocoeli separates C. goci from C. kogelbergensis where the head is smooth, the maximum width of the eye is much broader at 0.6–0.63 times the shortest inter-ocular distance; the malar space is 1.2 times the basal mandibular width; the length of the first flagellomere is 6.1–6.8 times longer than wide; vein 2m-cu on the fore wing is straight; dorsolateral carinae on the metasomal tergum 1 are substituted with longitudinal wrinkles and the second tergum is 1.0–1.04 times as long as wide with the gastrocoeli small and indistinct.
Named after the late Nosiphiwo Goci who worked as a research assistant in the Natural History Department of the Iziko South African Museum for over 17 years and whose immense contribution to the curation and digitization of the
South Africa (Western Cape).
A rare species known only from one specimen collected in West Coast Strandveld in the Koeberg Nature Reserve as part of a continuous 13 month sampling inventory of the reserve using a variety of methods including Malaise traps, yellow pan traps and sweeping. Similar intensive sampling in other areas of the Cape Floral Kingdom, including sampling West Coast Strandveld at numerous other localities, produced no further specimens.
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Northern Cape, Hantam National Botanical Garden, 31°24.182'S, 19°08.587'E, 741m, 17 March - 21 April 2008, S. van Noort, GL07-REN3-M24, Malaise trap, Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld,
Body moderately covered in short setae. Colour. Head black, clypeus testaceous; mesosoma dark fulvous; pronotal collar and anterior corner of mesopleuron slightly lighter, propleuron ventrally black, metanotum black at the wing bases, sternum of mesothorax with small black spot; metasoma black, terga 6–8 white at the posterior margins; middle and hind legs black to dark brown with medial dark fulvous longitudinal bands on the coxae, front leg black to testaceous toward apex.
Head. Matt. Frons unarmed. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Head densely punctate. Eye in lateral view 0.73 times as broad as long, maximum width in anterior view half the shortest inter-ocular distance. Tentorial pits small and indistinct. Malar space 0.8–1.0 times basal mandibular width. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex.
Mesosoma. Matt. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar excavation shallow. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum without carinae, its anterior margin with a blunt median projection. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae close together appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Subpolished. Terga 4–8 slightly compressed in female; tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, densely punctate, posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 1.06–1.32 times longer than wide, spiracle situated at basal 0.27 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli small and indistinct; tergum 6 half as wide as tergum 5; hypopygium in female strongly sclerotized. Ovipositor upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 2–2.1; ML 0.8–1; IO 2.3–2.4; OO 1.8–2.1; OT 0.5 (single female); Fl1 3.7–5.6; body length 8.1–8.9 mm; antenna length 7.9 mm (males antennae intact); fore wing length 5.8–6.2 mm.
Male: Propleuron and pronotum completely black, clypeus testaceous rather than dark brown; colouration of the legs as in female except fulvous bands on mid and hind coxae are lacking and terga 6–8 not white at the posterior margins. Males are more setose; metasoma depressed, tergum 6 half as wide as 5.
Cryptopimpla hantami is distinguishable from all species in the rubrithorax species-group by having a matt head and mesosoma, with the body moderately covered in short setae, rather than possessing a subpolished body sparsely covered in setae. The presence of a shallow scuto-scutellar excavation and small and indistinct gastrocoeli on the metasomal tergum 2 distinguishes C. hantami (and C. neili) from other species in the rubrithorax species-group where a broad groove with or without deep lateral indentations may be present and the gastrocoeli are moderately large and distinct. The metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles distinguishes C. hantami from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis and C. neili.
South Africa (Northern Cape).
Named after the type locality. Hantam National Botanical Garden. Noun in apposition.
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Western Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, 34°16.481'S, 19°01.033'E, 118m, 16 May – 16 June 1999, S. van Noort, KO98-M23, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, last burnt c. 1988,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head white with a median brown band on the face and brown spots at tentorial pits. Mesoscutum brown dorsolaterally and anteromedially; medially fulvous basad of black colouration; grey or cream stripes medially, extending about 0.8 length of mesoscutum. Mesosoma colour combination brown, white and black; dorsally mostly brown, ventrally black, laterally white. Scutellum and mesonotum black dorsolaterally, testaceous medially. Propodeum mostly brown to yellowish testaceous, black anteriorly. Legs, antennae and metasoma yellowish testaceous with variable dark markings on terga.
Head. Smooth, impunctate. Frons unarmed. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Clypeus profile distinctly convex and bulbous. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Tentorial pits large and distinct. Eye in lateral view 0.74–0.76 times as broad as long, maximum width in anterior view 0.6–0.63 times shortest inter-ocular distance.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar groove broad. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum with anterior margin medially straight, but may have a blunt medial projection; carination include pleural carinae and a well-defined posterior transverse carina. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one or separated; vein 2m-cu straight; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one or two basal hamuli and six to seven distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Depressed; tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, impunctate, posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 0.96–1 times as long as wide, spiracle situated at basal 0.21–0.23 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli small to indistinct; tergum 6 half as wide as tergum 5; hypopygium moderately sclerotized. Ovipositor upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 1.9–2.0; ML 1.2; IO 2.0; OO 1.3; Fl1 5.1–6.1; OT 0.5–0.7; body length 4.2–5.6 mm; antenna length 6.3–6.5 mm; fore wing length 4.6–5.1 mm.
Cryptopimpla kogelbergensis is immediately distinguishable from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species by the distinctive colour combination of the mesopleuron, which is three-banded in brown, white and black; possession of a smooth head; and vein 2m-cu is straight on the fore wing. The maximum width of the eye in anterior view 0.6–0.63 times the shortest inter-ocular distance; the length of the first flagellomere 6.1–6.8 times longer than wide; the metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles; and the metasomal tergum 2 as long as wide with small and distinct gastrocoeli distinguishes C. kogelbergensis from C. goci where the maximum width of the eye in the anterior view is much narrower at 0.38 times the shortest inter-ocular distance; distinct dorsolateral carinae are presented as a short carina leading from a single carina ventrad of the spiracle; the length of the first flagellomere is 3.9 times longer than wide; vein 2m-cu on the fore wing is sinuate; and the second tergum is 1.21 times longer than wide with the gastrocoeli elongate.
Named after the type locality. Noun in apposition.
South Africa (Western Cape & Northern Cape).
HOLOTYPE ♂: South Africa, Western Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, 34°16.481'S, 19°01.033'E, 118m, 16 March 1999 - 16 April 1999, S. van Noort, KO98-M18, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, last burnt c. 1988,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head black, clypeus and mandibles white to brown; white markings on either side of toruli. Body mostly fulvous with dark markings on metanotum and metasomal terga 5–8, pronotal collar white.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Eye in lateral view 0.74 times as wide as long. Shortest inter-ocular distance 1.94 times maximum eye width in anterior view. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Tentorial pits small or indistinct.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Shallow excavation separates mesoscutum from scutellum. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Anterior propodeal margin with a blunt median projection; carination absent. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet anteriorly truncate-shaped. Hind wing with two basal hamuli and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Tergum 1 densely punctate, lacking dorsolateral carinae, posterior margin medially tapered to a point; second tergum 1.07 times longer than broad, spiracle situated at basal 0.28 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli small and elliptic; terga 4–8 strongly compressed.
CT 2.0; ML 1.0; IO 2.3; OO 1.6; Fl1 5.0; body length 7.5 mm; antenna length 8.5 mm; fore wing 6.9 mm.
Cryptopimpla neili is closely-related to C. hantami because both species exclusively possess a shallow excavation separating the mesosocutum from the scutellum and the presence of small elliptic gastrocoeli on the second tergum, whereas a groove is present and the shape of the gastrocoeli is large or elongate in the other species in the rubrithorax species-group. Cryptopimpla neili is immediately distinguishable from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species, including C. hantami, by having a unique colour combination of a fulvous body, white pronotal collar and a clypeus distinguished by two colours; and the metasomal tergum 1 lacking dorsolateral carinae with the posterior margin medially tapered to a point.
Named after the first author's father. Noun in the genitive case.
South Africa (Western Cape).
A rare species known only from one specimen. Intensive sampling in other areas of the Cape Floral Kingdom produced no further specimens. The metasomal terga 4–8 of the male are strongly compressed and this separates the species from the closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. hantami, C. parslactis, C. rubrithorax, and C. onyxi. However, no male specimens are available for the remaining species C. elongatus and C. zwarti within the rubrithorax species-group. Thus, no comparisons could be made with those species.
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Western Cape, Walker Bay Nature Reserve, 34°27.414'S, 19°21.393'E, 57m, 14 May –14 June 1997, S. van Noort, WB97-M01, Malaise trap, South coast Strandveld,
Body subpolished. Body black. Pronotal collar white.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Tentorial pits small or indistinct. Eye in lateral view 0.7–0.72 times as long as wide, maximum width in anterior view 0.4–0.56 times shortest inter-ocular distance.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar groove broad with deep lateral indentations. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum with carination reduced to medial area or absent, its anterior margin with a blunt median projection. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one or two basal hamuli and six to seven distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Tergum 1 punctate with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 1.09–1.25 times longer than wide, spiracle situated at basal 0.25–0.26 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli elongate; terga 4–8 moderately compressed in females, no dorsolateral compression in males; female metasomal tergum 5 as wide as tergum 6; hypopygium strongly sclerotized. Ovipositor weakly upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 1.6–1.8; ML 0.9–0.96; IO 2.1; OO 1.9; Fl1 4.2; OT 0.5 (
Cryptopimpla onyxi is immediately distinguishable from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species by having a unique colour combination of a black body and a white pronotal collar. The clypeus is 1.6–1.8 times broader than high, distinguishing C. onyxi from all other species in the rubrithorax species-group where the clypeus is more than 1.8 times broader than high. The scuto-scutellar groove in C. onyxi is broad with deep lateral indentations, distinguishing the species from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. parslactis, C. hantami, and C. neili. The metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles distinguishes the species from C. fernkloofensis and C. neili. Gastrocoeli on tergum 2 are elongate, separating C. onyxi from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. elongatus, C. neili, and C. hantami.
Etymology. The species epithet refers to the black colouration of this species. Noun in apposition.
Occurs in Strandveld and Mountain Fynbos vegetation types in South Africa (Western Cape).
The female metasomal tergum 5 as wide as tergum 6 separates the species from closely-related species C. hantami, C. zwarti, C. elongatus, and C. rubrithorax where tergum 5 is half as wide as high. However, no female specimens are available for C. fernkloofensis, C. parslactis, and C. neili. Thus, no comparisons could be made with those closely-related species.
HOLOTYPE ♂: South Africa, Northern Cape, Hantam National Botanical Garden, 31°23.802'S, 19°08.799'E, 752m, 23 July–23 Aug 2008, S. van Noort, GL07-REN1-M43, Malaise trap, Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head and mesosoma mostly black, with the exception of the medial region of the mesopleuron and the propodeum that is orange. Legs with fore and mid coxae, trochanters and trochantellus black. Terga 2–8 mostly black, tergum 2 medially orange and terga 7–8 white posteriorly. Femora 1–2 black to light orange. Tibia and tarsus of front leg light orange. Tibia 2 light orange, tarsus 2 brown. Femora 3 orange, tibia and tarsus of hind leg brown.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Tentorial pits small and indistinct. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Eye in lateral view 0.7 times as long as wide, maximum width in anterior view 0.46 times shortest inter-ocular distance.
Mesosoma. Scuto-scutellar groove broad. Mesoscutum with fewer punctures inward of wing base. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum without carinae, its anterior margin with a weak and blunt medial projection. Wings slightly infuscate, venation dark. Fore wing with two bullae close together appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Depressed. Tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, densely punctate, with posterior margin weakly convex; tergum 2 of metasoma 1.09 times as long as wide posteriorly, spiracle situated at basal 0.28 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli elongate; tergum 6 as wide as tergum 5.
CT 2.3; ML 0.92; IO 2.6; OO 2.0; body length 7.4 mm; fore wing length 7.0 mm.
Cryptopimpla parslactis is immediately diagnosable from other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla by being the only species to have slightly infuscate wings with darker venation. Cryptopimpla parslactis is distinguishable from closely-related species in the rubrithorax species-group that have a rufous and black colour combination, by having a completely black mesoscutum and a combination of a mostly black metasoma with tergum 1 completely rufescent. In addition, while punctuation on the mesoscutum in the dorsal view is common amongst all the species, fewer punctures on the mesoscutum exist inward of the wing bases of C. parslactis. The metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles distinguishes C. parslactis from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis and C. neili. Gastrocoeli on tergum 2 are elongate separating C. parslactis from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. elongatus, and C. hantami.
So named because the wings are not quite hyaline, but rather slightly infuscate with a creamy-brown colour, “pars” meaning wing and “lactis” meaning cream. Noun in apposition.
South Africa (Northern Cape).
A rare species known only from one specimen. Intensive sampling in other areas of the Cape region produced no further specimens.
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Western Cape, Elsenberg, 11 October 1914, Mally and Petty,
(updated from Morley, 1916). Body subpolished. Colour. Head and metasoma black, posterior margins of terga 6–8 white. Clypeus rarely distinguished by colour to the rest of the face. Mesosoma rufescent, black ventrally; mesonotum black at the wing bases.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex. Tentorial pits small or indistinct. Maximum eye width in anterior view 0.6–0.66 shortest inter-ocular distance, eye large in lateral view with maximum width 0.7–0.75 times maximum length.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Scuto-scutellar groove broad with deep lateral indentations. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum lacking carinae, its anterior margin medially straight but may have a blunt medial projection. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae closely situated appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Tergum 1 densely punctate with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 0.8–1.09 times as broad as long, spiracle situated at basal 0.25–0.32 of tergum (measured in lateral view), gastrocoeli elongate; terga 4–8 slightly compressed; female metasomal tergum 6 half as wide as tergum 5; hypopygium strongly sclerotized. Ovipositor straight or slightly upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 1.9–2.2; ML 0.9–1.3; IO 1.9–2.4; OO 1.4–2.1; Fl1 4.3–5.4; OT 0.6; body length 7–8.6 mm; antenna length 7.9–9.7 mm; fore wing length 6.3–6.9 mm.
Reduction of the dorsolateral carinae to longitudinal wrinkles on the first metasomal tergum distinguishes this species from the closely-related species C. fernkloofensis and C. neili. Elongate gastrocoeli on tergum 2 separate the species from the closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. elongatus, C. hantami, and C. neili. The malar space and basal mandibular width are more or less equal in length with the malar space 0.91–1.3 times as long as the basal mandibular width, as opposed to the malar length index being much shorter in the closest related species C. zwarti, where the malar space is 0.6 times as long as the basal mandibular width. The shortened malar space in C. zwarti produces a more globular head shape, compared to a more lenticular head shape in C. rubrithorax due to the longer malar space. Cryptopimpla rubrithorax can be further separated from C. zwarti by the length of tergum 2 relative to its width. In C. rubrithorax tergum 2 is 0.8–1.09 times broader than long compared to 1.25 times as broad as long in C. zwarti.
The species epithet is likely to refer to the rufescent colour of the metasoma of this species (Morley 1916).
South Africa (Northern and Western Cape).
This species occurs in three vegetation types, Strandveld, Mesic Mountain Fynbos and Renosterveld, and exhibits corresponding intra-specific variation in terms of colouration. The specimen sampled from mesic mountain fynbos, which has a white pronotal collar and tegula as per Morley's original description, whereas the specimens from the Renosterveld have a black pronotal collar and tegula. Molecular sequencing demonstrated that there is no genetic divergence between specimens associated with the two different habitats (0% sequence divergence for COI, 28S, and 18S), with two site changes on the COI gene sequence (Reynolds Berry, Matthee and van Noort unpubl. data). Strandveld specimens also have black pronotal collars and tegulae, but are slightly darker in colour and are blacker ventrally on the mesosoma.
HOLOTYPE ♀: South Africa, Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, Faraway Farm 33.19'S, 19°26.31'E, April 1990, I. Crampton, Malaise trap,
Body subpolished. Colour. Head black, clypeus and mouthparts brown. Mesosoma rufescent, small black spot on underside; mesoscutum black only at the wing bases. Front legs: mostly light brown; coxa, trochanter and trochantellus black. Middle and hind legs: coxa to femora mostly black with shades of light brown on the coxa; remaining parts of leg light brown. Metasoma black, terga 6–8 posteriorly white.
Head. Densely punctate. Frons unarmed. Clypeus profile weakly convex with a curved lip on the ventral margin. Clypeus edge convex. Upper tooth of mandible longer than the lower tooth. Setae on head and clypeus short and sparse. Tentorial pits small and indistinct. Eye in lateral view 0.71 times as wide as long, maximum width in anterior view 0.66 times shortest inter-ocular distance. Flagellum tapered to a slender apex.
Mesosoma. Mesosocutum moderately punctate. Broad scuto-scutellar groove with deep lateral indentations. Epicnemial carinae present ventrally and dorsally, dorsally converging toward anterior edge of mesopleuron. Propodeum without carinae, its anterior margin with a blunt median projection. Wings hyaline. Fore wing with two bullae close together appearing as one; vein 2m-cu sinuate; areolet truncate-shaped. Hind wing with one basal hamulus and six distal hamuli.
Metasoma. Slightly compressed. Tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles, densely punctate with posterior margin weakly convex; second tergum 1.25 times broader than long, spiracle situated at basal 0.3 of tergum, gastrocoeli elongate; tergum 6 half as wide as tergum 5; hypopygium strongly sclerotized. Ovipositor slightly upcurved; sheath striations present.
CT 2; ML 0.6; IO 2.2; OO 1.6 OT 0.6; Fl1 4.9; body length 8.3 mm; antenna length 9.4 mm; fore wing length 6.9 mm.
Cryptopimpla zwarti is distinguishable from all other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species by having a malar space 0.6 times as long as the basal mandibular width, whereas all the other Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species have a ML index of 0.8 or more. A broad scuto-scutellar groove with deep lateral indentations distinguishes C. zwarti from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. neili, C. hantami, and C. parslactis. The metasomal tergum 1 with dorsolateral carinae substituted with longitudinal wrinkles distinguishes C. zwarti from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis and C. neili. Gastrocoeli on tergum 2 are elongate separating the species from closely-related species C. fernkloofensis, C. elongatus, and C. hantami.
Named after the retired agricultural entomologist, K. W. Robert Zwart (Wageningen Agricultural University) who first recognized it as a potentially new species in 1994. Noun in the genitive case.
South Africa (Eastern Cape).
By having a malar space much shorter than the basal mandibular width (malar index of 0.6), the shape of the head is more globular, which in combination with a second tergum that is broader than long, separates C. zwarti from its closely-related species C. rubrithorax, which have a malar space 0.91–1.3 times as long as the basal mandibular width, creating a more lenticular-shaped head, and a second tergum that is 0.92–1.2 times as long as broad (i.e. no more than 1.09 times broader than long).
The review of Cryptopimpla in the Afrotropical region allowed for a comparative morphological assessment of these species with Cryptopimpla species from other biogeographical regions, highlighting differences in regional suites of character states. The presence of a posterior transverse carina on the propodeum is common in world Cryptopimpla species (
Our morphological species-group delimitation is supported by molecular results based on the mitochondrial COI gene (~23% sequences divergence) and the nuclear 28S gene (~4% sequence divergence). Strong support for monophyly of the genus was obtained from a supermatrix analysis using both molecular (18S, 28S, COI) and morphological data (Reynolds Berry, Matthee & van Noort, unpubl. data).
The species C. fernkloofensis, C. goci, C. neili, and C. parslactis are described based on a single male specimen. Without the presence of the diagnostic female character of a shortened ovipositor sheath, male Cryptopimpla are sometimes confused and incorrectly described as the cosmopolitan banchine genus Lissonota (e.g.
Cryptopimpla is only known from South Africa in the Afrotropical region. The genus was previously represented by a single species in the region and the present study has yielded an additional nine species endemic to temperate areas of South Africa. This is unlikely to be a sampling artifact, given the numerous sampling inventories carried out in other African countries, and the absence of additional specimens in international museum collections. Cryptopimpla is a predominately northern hemisphere genus, with highest species richness in the temperate regions (
Terry Reynolds Berry was funded by the NRF PDP scholarship. Simon van Noort was funded by South African NRF (National Research Foundation) grants: GUN 2068865; GUN 61497; GUN 79004; GUN 79211; GUN 81139; GUN 98115. Part of the South African field work conducted by Simon van Noort was funded by the National Science Foundation under PlatyPBI grant no. DEB-0614764 to N.F. Johnson and A.D. Austin. Cape Nature; the Eastern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and the Northern Cape Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation provided collecting permits for South Africa. We thank the reviewers for their valuable critique of the paper.