The species of the Neotropical genus Fractipons Townes, 1970 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae)

Abstract In this paper, two new species of the Neotropical genus Fractipons Townes, 1970 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) are described. A new diagnosis for the genus, a re-description of Fractipons cincticornis Townes, 1970 and a key to known species are provided. New distribution records for the genus now include Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru.


Introduction
Fractipons Townes, 1970 is a small, little known Neotropical genus of Ichneumonidae of the subfamily Cryptinae belonging to the Chiroticina sensu Townes (1970). Th is subtribe was considered by Townes to be the most 'natural' of the subtribes, but subtribes of Phygadeuontini are currently not recognised (Yu et al. 2005) and recent studies based on molecular methods discourage the use of the traditional subtribes of Townes (Laurenne et al. 2006). Nevertheless, no new regrouping of genera based on phylogenetic criteria has been proposed for Phygadeuontini, so we consider "Chiroticina" sensu Townes as a framework for the taxonomic position of Fractipons, based on the presence of an isolated mesopleural pit, which is the strongest single feature that characterizes this group (Townes 1970). Fractipons is close to Epelaspis Townes, 1970 andMamelia Seyrig, 1952, in having the genal portion of the occipital carina reaching the base of the mandible, the median lobe of the mesoscutum without a median longitudinal groove, and the posterior transverse carina of the mesosternum interrupted in front of the mid coxae, but Fractipons is easily distinguishable from them by the apical transverse carina of the propodeum, strong and abruptly interrupted in the centre and forming lateral fl at crests (Fig. 1). Th ere is only one described species, the type species Fractipons cincticornis Townes, 1970 from Brazil (Townes 1970), but Townes also mentioned two more species that remained undescribed. Nothing is known about the biology of this genus. Th e aim of this work is to describe these two new species and to provide a key to the known species.

Material and methods
In this work, sixty-fi ve specimens preserved in the American Entomological Institute (Gainesville, Florida, USA), in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida, USA) and in INBio (Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica), including type material of Fractipons cincticornis, have been studied. Morphological terminology follows Gauld (1991). Measurements used in descriptions were made as follows: head width is the maximum distance between the outline of the eyes in dorsal view; head length is measured from the anterior edge of the eye to the hind edge of the gena; body length is approximate because specimens are rarely in a natural position on pins (in females, ovipositor length is excluded). For the same reason we did not measure the length of the metasoma. Terminology used for describing body surface sculpture is based on Harris (1979). Townes (1970) described Fractipons based on his Lissaspis description, pointing out the diff ering characters. We provide a complete characterization of the genus based on Townes (1970) and new features.
Images were made with an Olympus M1060 digital camera attached to a Leica MZ12 stereomicroscope. Th e SEM images were taken using an Hitachi S-3000N (in low vacuum mode) in the University of Alicante, Spain.
Th e master map for distribution area was downloaded from http://picses.eu/ image/8730bd0d/ Type material is deposited in the entomological collections of the American Entomological Institute (AEIC), the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio), University of Alicante (Alicante, Spain, CEUA) and in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA).
Diagnosis. Mesopleural impression below speculum consisting of an isolated pit which is some distance in front of mesopleural suture. Occipital carina reaching base of mandible. Median lobe of mesoscutum without median longitudinal groove. Posterior transverse carina of the mesosternum interrupted in front of mid coxae. Apical transverse carina of propodeum strong, abruptly interrupted medially and forming lateral fl at crests (Fig. 1).
Description. Body moderately slender, 4.8-7.1 mm, mostly smooth and polished. Head transverse. Flagellomeres of female conspicuously thickened from third fl agel- lomere, slightly thin towards apex, from tenth to penultimate fl attened below; in this fl at area with conspicuous setiferous sensillae (Fig. 2). Lower face fi nely and densely punctate, with small central prominence. Clypeus rather wide, apical margin sharp, straight or slightly arcuate. Malar space forming wide and deep granulate area (Figs 16,18,20). Mandible moderately tapered to apex, lower tooth shorter than upper tooth. Maxillary palpus reaching to ventral part of epicnemial carina. Occipital carina joining base of mandible, nearly angular on mid-dorsal part. Pronotal transverse groove without median longitudinal ridge. Epomia absent. Median lobe of mesoscutum without median longitudinal groove. Notauli rather weak, about 0.3-0.7 as long as mesoscutum. Precutellar groove without traces of longitudinal carinae. Scutellum moderately convex, polished and smooth or very sparsely punctate, lateral carinae strong, extending about 0.8-0.9 its length. Mesopleuron completely smooth and polished. Mesopleural impression below speculum consisting of an isolated pit some distance in front of mesopleural suture. Sternaulus weak on anterior 0.3-0.5, nearly absent posteriorly. Epicnemial carina reaching 0.7-0.9 × height of mesopleuron, at upper margin weak or absent. Posterior transverse carina of mesosternum widely interrupted in front of each mid coxa, laterally elevated forming strong fl at crest. Areolet open. Ramulus absent. Vein 2m-cu weakly inclivous, with two bullae. Vein cu-a opposite Rs+M or slightly basal. Hind wing with M+Cu moderately curved at apical 0.5. Abscissa of M+Cu between M and Cu 1 longer than cu-a, strongly inclivous, cu-a reclivous. Propodeum with anterior transverse carina strong and complete. Apical transverse carina of propodeum strong and abruptly interrupted medially, forming lateral fl at crests (Fig. 1). Lateral longitudinal carina of propodeum only present apically, distad of crests. Lateromedian carina partially present in area basalis. Area superomedia absent. Pleural carina rounded and strong. Submetapleural carina forming anterior fl at crest. Juxtacoxal carina absent. Propodeal spiracle elongate. First metasomal tergite smooth and polished, sometimes with sparse setiferous punctures, dorsally, laterally, upper face weakly convex, median dorsal and lateral carinae absent. Spiracle at the apical 0.46. Postpetiole about 0.7-0.8 times as long as maximum width (measured dorsally). Tergites 2-7 smooth and shiny with fi ne setiferous punctures. Epipleura of tergites 2 and 3 separated by crease, of tergite 4 not separated. Gastrocoelus wider than long, thyridium fi nely granulate. Ovipositor straight, with nodus, upper valve with fi ve dorsal teeth, lower valve with three oblique notches and 4-5 small complete and transverse apical teeth (Fig. 3). Mesoscutum with very dense setae (Fig. 10). Malar space about 0.7-0.8 times width of mandible base (Fig. 16). Lower rim of mandible expanded at base with rounded translucent area (Fig. 16)  Head black, mesosoma and metasoma orange (Fig. 4). Occipital carina conspicuously elevated, at least in genal section (Fig. 18). Mesoscutum with moderately sparse, long setae (Fig. 14) .
Head: Transverse, 1.7-1.9 times as wide as long, mostly smooth and shiny, strongly constricted behind compound eyes. Antenna with 26-28 fl agellomeres, conspicuously thickened from third fl agellomere, slightly thin towards apex. First fl agellomere 4.7-6.0 times as long as maximum width; fl agellomeres from tenth to penultimate fl attened below; in this fl at area with conspicuous setiferous sensillae (Fig. 2). Gena Habitus of Fractipons spp., lateral view. 4-5 F. cincticornis 4 female 5 male. 6-7 F. glabriusculus sp. n. 6 paratype male 7 holotype female. 8-9 F. dasyscutum sp. n. 8 holotype female 9 paratype male. 0.2-0.3 times as long as eye (in dorsal view), with fi ne and dense setiferous punctures on lower half, upper part in lateral view nearly straight, strongly constricted. Occiput strongly depressed in centre. Lower face fi nely and densely punctate, with small central prominence, clypeus rather wide, almost fl at, apical margin straight or slightly arcuate. Malar space with wide granulate groove, about 0.5-0.6 times width of mandible base (Fig. 18). Posterior ocellus separated from eye by about 1.2-1.3 times its diameter. Space between posterior ocelli 0.6-0.8 times their diameter. Occipital carina reaching base of mandible, conspicuously elevated, at least in genal section (Fig. 18), nearly angular medially, dorsally. Mandible moderately tapered to apex, lower tooth shorter than upper tooth, fi nely granulate on basal half (Fig. 18). Maxillary palpus reaching to ventral part of epicnemial carina.
Colour: Mesosoma and metasoma entirely yellowish orange. Head dark brown to black (Fig. 4). Mandibles, except base and teeth, clypeus apically, scape and pedicel and usually two spots on frontal orbits yellow or orange. Flagellum brown to blackish with a white band on fl agellomeres 4-8. Sometimes lower face partially orange tinged. Wing membrane with fi ne yellowish tinge (Fig. 4).
Mesosoma: Marginal cell 2.8-3.1 times as long as deep. Abscissa of M+Cu between M and Cu 1 strongly inclivous, 1.3-1.6 times as long as cu-a, which is strongly reclivous. Hind femur about 5.5-5.7 as long as high.
Colour: Antenna entirely dark brown with white ring on fl agellomeres 7(8) -12(13). Head black, sometimes widely yellowish or orange on lower face and/or on scape and pedicel below and/or also with two orange spots on facial orbits and frontal orbits. Pronotum dorsally and meoscutum brown to dark brown. Metasoma sometimes from postpetiole to at least tergite 5 brown-orange. Wing membrane with fi ne yellowish tinge (Fig. 5).
Material examined. Type material. Holotype female with labels as follows: Brazil, Teresópolis Distribution. Brazil (Fig. 32). Head: Transverse, 1.9 times as wide as long, mostly smooth and shiny, constricted and slightly rounded behind compound eyes. Antenna with 25 fl agellomeres, conspicuously thickened from third fl agellomere, slightly thin towards apex. First fl agellomere 4.5-5.5 times as long as maximum width, fl agellomeres from tenth to penultimate fl attened below, in this fl at area with conspicuous setiferous sensillae. Gena 0.25-0.35 times as long as eye (in dorsal view), upper part in lateral view rounded (Fig. 23). Occiput moderately depressed in centre. Lower face fi nely, densely punctate, with small central prominence, clypeus rather wide, weakly convex, apical margin slightly arcuate. Malar space with wide granulate groove, about 0.5 times width of mandible base (Fig.  20). Posterior ocellus separated from eye by about 1.3-1.4 times its diameter. Space between posterior ocelli 0.6-0.7 times their diameter. Occipital carina joining base of mandible, not conspicuously elevated in genal region (Fig. 20), nearly angular medially, dorsally. Mandible moderately tapered towards apex, lower tooth shorter than upper tooth. Maxillary palpus reaching to ventral part of epicnemial carina.
Mesosoma: Pronotal transverse groove without median longitudinal ridge. Epomia absent. Mesoscutum smooth and shiny with very sparse and short setae (Fig. 12). Metasoma: First metasomal tergite smooth, polished with some sparse setiferous punctures dorsally. Median dorsal and lateral carinae absent. Postpetiole about 0.7 times as long as maximum width (measured dorsally). Second and remaining tergites polished, with very weak dense setiferous punctures. Gastrocoelus wider than long, thyridium fi nely granulate. Ovipositor straight, with nodus and fi ve dorsal apical teeth on upper valve, lower valve with three oblique notches and 4-5 small complete and transverse apical teeth. Ovipositor sheaths 0.9-1.0 times length of hind tibia.
Colour: Body yellowish orange. Flagellum brown to blackish with a white band on fl agellomeres 4-7. Sometimes mandibular teeth and hind tarsus slightly infuscated. Wing membrane with fi ne yellowish tinge (Fig. 7).
Mesosoma: Marginal cell 2.7-3.0 times as long as deep. Hind femur about 5.0-5.2 as long as high.
Variation. A male from Jujuy, Argentina (14-I-1966), has the hind half of the head, pronotum and anterior part of the mesoscutum dark brown and the mesoscutum more punctate.
Head: Transverse, 1.9-2.1 times as wide as long, mostly smooth and shiny, strongly constricted behind compound eyes. Antenna with 26-28 fl agellomeres, conspicuously thickened from third fl agellomere, slightly thin towards apex. First fl agellomere 4.6-5.4 times as long as maximum width, fl agellomeres from tenth to penultimate fl attened below, in this fl at area with conspicuous setiferous sensillae. Gena 0.1-0.2 times as long as eye (viewed from above), upper part in lateral view straight and abruptly reduced (Fig. 22). Occiput moderately depressed centrally. Lower face fi nely and densely punctate with small central prominence, clypeus rather wide, weakly convex, apical margin slightly arcuate. Malar space with wide granulate groove, about 0.7-0.8 times width of mandible base (Fig. 16). Posterior ocellus separated from eye about 1.3-1.5 times its diameter. Space between posterior ocelli 0.5-0.7 times their diameter. Occipital carina reaching base of mandible, moderately elevated ventrally, sligthly angulate medially, dorsally. Mandible moderately tapered towards apex, lower tooth shorter than upper tooth, base relatively concave ventrally, external lower rim forming fl at perpendicular extension, translucent at base (Fig. 16). Maxillary palpus reaching to ventral part of epicnemial carina.
Mesosoma: Pronotal transverse groove without median longitudinal ridge. Epomia absent. Mesoscutum smooth and shiny with very dense setae (Fig. 10). Median lobe of mesoscutum without median longitudinal groove. Notauli impressed, reaching level of tegula. Prescutellar groove without trace of longitudinal carinae. Scutellum moderately convex, polished and smooth or very sparsely punctate, lateral carinae strong, extending about 0.8-0.9 its length. Mesopleurom completely smooth and polished. Mesopleural impression below speculum consisting of an isolated pit which is some distance in front of mesopleural suture. Sternaulus present on anterior 0.5, evanescent towards hind half. Epicnemial carina reaching 0.7-0.9 times height of mesopleurum, at upper margin weak or absent. Posterior transverse carina of mesosternon widely interrupted in front of each mid coxa, laterally elevated as fl at low crest. Areolet of fore wing open. Marginal cell 3.1-3.4 times as long as deep. Ramulus absent. Vein 2m-cu arched, weakly inclivous, with two bullae. Vein cu-a opposite Rs+M or slightly basal. Abscissa of Cu 1 between 1m-cu and Cu 1a 1.4-1.6 times length of Cu 1b , both strongly inclivous. Hind wing with M+Cu moderately curved at apical 0.5; abscissa of M+Cu between M and Cu 1 strongly inclivous, 1.0-1.3 times as long as cu-a, which is strongly reclivous. Hind femur about 4.8-5.2 as long as high. Propodeum with anterior transverse carina strong and complete, posterior transverse carina absent centrally and forming strong, sub-triangular, fl at crest joining lateral longitudinal carina, which is only present distad of crest. Lateromedian carina partially present in area basalis. Area superomedia absent. Pleural carina rounded and strong. Submetapleural carina forming anterior strong fl at crest. Juxtacoxal carina absent. Propodeal spiracle elongate.
Metasoma: First metasomal tergite smooth, polished with some sparse setiferous punctures dorsally, laterally. Median dorsal and lateral carinae absent. Postpetiole about 0.7-0.8 times as long as maximum width (measured dorsally). Second and remaining tergites polished, with very weak dense setiferous punctures. Gastrocoelus wider than long, thyridium fi nely granulate. Ovipositor straight, with nodus and fi ve dorsal apical teeth on upper valve, lower valve with three oblique notches and 4-5 small complete, transverse apical teeth. Ovipositor sheath 0.8-1.2 times as long as hind tibia.
Similar to female except as follows: Head: Transverse, 1.7-2.0 times as wide as long, constricted and slightly rounded behind compound eyes. Antenna with 28-30 segments. Flagellum fi liform, strongly tapered from base to apex, fi rst fl agellomere 4.2-5.2 times as long as maximum width. Tyloids on fl agellomeres 10-14, laminar and widely expanded at base (Figs 30, 31),