New species based on the biological species concept within the complex of Lariophagus distinguendus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of household pests

The pteromalid parasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus (Foerster) belongs to the Hymenoptera, a megadiverse insect order with high cryptic diversity. It attacks stored product pest beetles in human storage facilities. Recently, it has been shown to consist of two separate species. To further study its cryptic diversity, strains were collected to compare their relatedness using barcoding and nuclear genes. Nuclear genes identified two clusters which agree with the known two species, whereas the barcode fragment determined an additional third Clade. Total reproductive isolation (RI) according to the biological species concept (BSC) was investigated in crossing experiments within and between clusters using representative strains. Sexual isolation exists between all studied pairs, increasing from slight to strong with genetic distance. Postzygotic barriers mostly affected hybrid males, pointing to Haldane's rule. Hybrid females were only affected by unidirectional Spiroplasma-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility and behavioural sterility, each in one specific strain combination. RI was virtually absent between strains separated by up to 2.8% COI difference, but strong or complete in three pairs from one Clade each, separated by at least 7.2%. Apparently, each of these clusters represents one separate species according to the BSC, highlighting cryptic diversity in direct vicinity to humans. In addition, these results challenge the recent 'turbo-taxonomy' practice of using 2% COI differences to delimitate species, especially within parasitic Hymenoptera. The gradual increase in number and strength of reproductive barriers between strains with increasing genetic distance also sheds light on the emergence of barriers during the speciation process in L. distinguendus.

The Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging in the Evaluation of Interim Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Objectives:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the frequently used treatment option for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). This study investigated the potential value of ¹⁸fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to estimate the pathological complete response (pCR) using maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) and change (ΔSUV_max) after 3-4 cycles of NAC. Additionally, it was established the relationship between PET/CT imaging findings and histopathological features in LABC patients whose treatment response was evaluated with interim PET/CT.

Methods:

Patients were evaluated with pretreatment and interim PET/CT scans and operated after on NAC. Data on the age of patients, menopausal status, tumor placement, histopathological and molecular subgroups were noted. SUV_max and ΔSUV_max of the primary tumor and axillary lymph node (ALN) were calculated from PET/CT review.

Results:

Pretherapy mean SUV_max of the primary tumor and ALNs were 8.13±4.25 and 7.22±3.58, respectively. The highest mean primary tumor ΔSUV_max and ALN ΔSUV_max values were observed to be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity (p<0.001). SUV_max-T, SUV_max-N, ΔSUV_max-T, and ΔSUV_max-N values were significantly correlated with the ki-67 index (p<0.001). ΔSUV_max-T and ΔSUV_max-N values of pCR (+) patients were statistically higher than the ΔSUV_max-T and ΔSUV_max-N values of pCR (-) patients (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

An earlier and more accurate response to NAC can be performed using interim ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging. ΔSUV_max levels of the breast tumor and ALNs may act as predictive for pCR in LABC patients receiving NAC.

Comparative Karyotype Analysis of Parasitoid Hymenoptera (Insecta): Major Approaches, Techniques, and Results

A comprehensive review of main approaches, techniques and results of the chromosome study of parasitic wasps is given. In this group, the haploid chromosome number ranges from n = 3 to 23. Distribution of parasitic wasp species by the chromosome number is bimodal, with two obvious modes at n = 6 and 11. Karyotype analysis based on routinely stained preparations of mitotic chromosomes can be used to identify members of taxonomically complicated parasitoid taxa and to distinguish between them. Morphometric study effectively reveals subtle differences between similar chromosome sets of parasitic wasps. If combined with meiotic analysis and/or cytometric data, information on mitotic karyotypes can highlight pathways of the genome evolution in certain parasitoid taxa. C- and AgNOR-banding as well as staining with base-specific fluorochromes detected important interspecific differences within several groups of parasitic wasps. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is successfully used for physical mapping of various DNA sequences on parasitoid chromosomes. These techniques demonstrate that heterochromatic segments are usually restricted to pericentromeric regions of chromosomes of parasitic wasps. Haploid karyotypes carrying one or two nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) are the most frequent among parasitoid Hymenoptera. In combination with chromosome microdissection, FISH could become a powerful tool exploring the genome evolution of parasitic wasps. Perspectives of the comparative cytogenetic study of parasitoid Hymenoptera are outlined.

Chromosome Evolution in the Genus Partamona (Apidae: Meliponini), with Comments on B Chromosome Origin

The genus Partamona includes 33 species of stingless bees, of which 11 were studied cytogenetically. The main goal of this study was to propose a hypothesis about chromosomal evolution in Partamona by combining molecular and cytogenetic data. Cytogenetic analyses were performed on 3 Partamona species. In addition, the molecular phylogeny included mitochondrial sequences of 11 species. Although the diploid number was constant within the genus, 2n = 34, B chromosomes were reported in 7 species. Cytogenetic data showed karyotypic variations related to chromosome morphology and the amount and distribution of heterochromatin and repetitive DNA. The molecular phylogenetic reconstruction corroborated the monophyly of the genus and separated the 2 clades (A and B). This separation was also observed in the cytogenetic data, in which species within each clade shared most of the cytogenetic characteristics. Furthermore, our data suggested that the B chromosome in the genus Partamona likely originated from a common ancestor of the species that have it in clade B and, through interspecific hybridization, it appeared only in Partamona rustica from clade A. Based on the above, Partamona is an interesting genus for further investigations using molecular mapping of B chromosomes as well as for broadening phylogenetic data.

Ant crickets and their secrets: Myrmecophilus acervorum is not always parthenogenetic (Insecta: Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae)

Previously considered as a thelytokous parthenogenetic species, the widespread ant cricket Myrmecophilus acervorum actually turns out to have a mixed reproductive system: our recent surveys in the central part of its distribution area has revealed the presence of both sexes. Detailed morphological and morphometric descriptions of the previously unknown males are here provided. New data on species distribution in south-eastern Europe are presented, including the first records of M. balcanicus in Bulgaria and of M. nonveilleri in Bulgaria and Hungary. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses have revealed several haplotypes of M. acervorum in Europe, with six of them forming a parthenogenetic clade in populations distributed west of the Carpathians. We tested our samples for bacterial infection by Wolbachia and, surprisingly, Wolbachia was identified only in populations with both sexes and no amplification was obtained from parthenogenetic populations. Phylogenetic analyses performed with sequences pertaining to five nominal species related to M. acervorum, yielded topological congruent trees with four well-supported groups: one group with M. acervorum samples, the second group with M. nonveilleri samples, the third group with M. fuscus and M. gallicus samples, and the fourth group with samples of M. balcanicus. We performed species delineation tests on our sequences, which delimited between four to seven putative species.

Revisión de las especies de Eupelmus (Macroneura) Walker, 1837 del ámbito iberobalear y Macaronesia (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eupelmidae)

Se presenta la revision y una lista anotada de ocho de las doce especies paleárticas de Eupelmus (Macroneura) que se conocen de la Península Ibérica, Islas Baleares y Macaronesia (Canarias, Madeira y Azores). Se aportan para cada especie las citas en cada ámbito geográfico, incluyendo nuevos datos biológicos, como los de sus insectos y plantas hospedadoras. Eupelmus (Macroneura) seculatus es nueva cita para las Islas Canarias y Eupelmus (Macroneura) vesicularis se cita por primera vez de Portugal. Como complemento a esta revisión, se presentan los resultados de las capturas de especies de Macroneura efectuadas con una trampa Malaise que se mantuvo operativa en primavera y verano de 2013 en una zona árida del sureste español (Mojácar, Almería). Se capturaron 358 ejemplares de seis especies, siendo Eupelmus (Macroneura) muellneri (43,5% del total) la especie más abundante en las muestras, seguida de E. (M.) barai (25,4%).

Chromosomes of parasitic wasps of the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera): An overview

An overview of the current knowledge of chromosome sets of the parasitoid superfamily Chalcidoidea is given. Karyotypes of approximately 240 members of this group, i.e. just above one percent of described species, are studied up to now. Techniques for obtaining and analyzing preparations of chalcid chromosomes are outlined, including the so-called "traditional" and "modern" methods of differential staining as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Among the Chalcidoidea, the haploid chromosome number can vary from n = 3 to n = 11, with a clear mode at n = 6 and a second local maximum at n = 10. In this group, most chromosomes are either metacentric or submetacentric, but acrocentrics and/or subtelocentrics also can predominate, especially within karyotypes of certain Chalcidoidea with higher chromosome numbers. The following main types of chromosomal mutations are characteristic of chalcid karyotypes: inversions, fusions, translocations, polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosome variation. Although karyotype evolution of this superfamily was mainly studied using phylogenetic reconstructions based on morphological and/or molecular characters, chromosomal synapomorphies of certain groups were also revealed. Taxonomic implications of karyotypic features of the Chalcidoidea are apparently the most important at the species level, especially among cryptic taxa.

Ophelimus mediterraneus sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae): a new Eucalyptus gall wasp in the Mediterranean region

We report here for the first time the presence of Ophelimus mediterraneus sp. n. in Mediterranean Europe. This species appears to be closely related to Ophelimus maskelli, a well-known invasive pest of Eucalyptus. Based on molecular (cytochrome oxidase I, 28S), morphological (multivariate ratio analysis) and bio-ecological investigations, our study gives unambiguous relevant criteria that allow the discrimination between these two species. A full description of O. mediterraneus sp. n. is also provided. The geographic distribution of O. mediterraneus sp. n. as well as its impact on Eucalyptus species needs to be more widely assessed since its presence may have been confused with O. maskelli in their sympatric introduced areas. Further investigations of potential parasitoids in the native area may thus be welcomed to evaluate classical biological control achievability.

Eupelmidae de Iberia y las Islas Canarias: Check list comentada de las especies, incluyendo la descripción de una nueva especie de <em>Calosota</em> Curtis, 1836 y de los machos previamente no reconocidos de algunas especies

Se presenta un listado taxonómico comentado de las ochenta y cuatro especies de Eupelmidae que se conocen de la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares, incluyendo nuevos datos de distribución y de especies hospedadoras. Se describe una nueva especie de Calosota, C. carmenae Askew & Nieves-Aldrey sp. n. Se describen también los machos, hasta ahora no reconocidos, de cuatro especies: Calosota bolivari Askew, 2006, C. nitens Askew, 2006, Anastatus oscari (Ruthe, 1859) and A. uromeni Ferrière, 1968. Neanastatus africanus Ferrière, 1938, Eupelmus confusus Al khatib, 2015, E. gemellus Al khatib, 2015, E. kiefferi De Stefani, 1898, E. martellii Masi, 1941 y E. stramineipes Nikol’skaya, 1951 se incorporan al listado de Eupelmidae de España, mientras que E. fulvipes Förster, 1860 se elimina de dicha lista. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A0A4215E-6718-4185-9C08-CFD22F51A2BD