- Systematic Entomology, Social insects, Cladistics, Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Hymenoptera, and 20 moreVespinae, Polistinae, Social Wasps, Eumeninae, Vespidae, Masarinae, STENOGASTRINAE, Epiponini, Apoidea, Hover wasps, Euparagiinae, Synoecoides, Biology, Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Evolution, Biogeography, Brazil, and Systematics (Taxonomy)edit
- Graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo, MA and PhD in Entomology from the University of Sã... moreGraduated in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo, MA and PhD in Entomology from the University of São Paulo and Post-doctorate from The Ohio State University. He is currently associate professor at the Júlio de Mesquita Filho State University. He has experience in zoology, with emphasis on phylogenetic systematics and behavior, working mainly on the following themes: Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini, Social insects.edit
The variability of the organisms living in a given area constitute what is referred to as biodiversity, one of nature’s fundamental properties, responsible for the balance and stability of ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity has been of... more
The variability of the organisms living in a given area constitute what is referred to as biodiversity, one of nature’s fundamental properties, responsible for the balance and stability of ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity has been of great concern to scientists, especially because of the role played by human activities in this regard, able to lead to irreversible circumstances. The São Paulo Research Foundation (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, FAPESP) plays a major role in supporting research efforts in the most diverse branches of science. In the late 1990´s, FAPESP launched a major program to promote research on biodiversity, named BIOTA/FAPESP. So far, this program has financed the conduction of 26 projects, involving research activities in most of Brazil, while focusing mainly the State of São Paulo. These projects have generated about 1140 publications in peer-reviewed journals of high standard, providing relevant information, including the original de...
24 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Electronic version available in portable document format (PDF).Includes bibliographical references (p. 21-24).Reproductive castes are compared in species of swarming wasps representing all currently recognized genera... more
24 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Electronic version available in portable document format (PDF).Includes bibliographical references (p. 21-24).Reproductive castes are compared in species of swarming wasps representing all currently recognized genera of Epiponini (Polistinae). New morphometric data for nine measures of body parts and ovarian data are presented for 13 species. These are integrated with all similarly conducted available studies, giving a total of 30 species. Analysis reveals several syndromes relating reproductive and nonreproductive individuals: no meaningful distinction, physiological differences only, reproductives larger than nonreproductives with intermediate individuals present, reproductives different in shape from nonreproductives with no intermediates, and reproductives smaller in some aspects than nonreproductives. Distribution of these syndromes among species is consistent with phylogenetic relationships derived from other data. Optimizing these syndromes on the cladogr...
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ABSTRACT- Morphometric studies performed in several species of Neotropical social wasps from the tribe Epiponini showed that in some species there are marked differences between castes, while other species present highly distinct castes... more
ABSTRACT- Morphometric studies performed in several species of Neotropical social wasps from the tribe Epiponini showed that in some species there are marked differences between castes, while other species present highly distinct castes with differences only in ovarian development. This work analyzed females from six colonies of the social wasp Leipomeles dorsata (Fabricius) in which queens (egglayers) and workers showed differences in ovarian development and coloration. We propose that wasps with developed ovaries (egglayers) and coloration similar to those of workers are possibly intermediates that obtained the status of queens in the colony. KEY WORDS: Epiponini, caste difference, multivariate analysis Theories for the evolution of eusociality (Hamilton 1964a,b, Alexander 1974) have greatly directed studies and discussions toward the potential contribution of females in the gene pool of the next generation. Worker sterility is now a paradigm (West-Eberhard 1975, Anderson 1984, Br...
ABSTRACT Morphological and physiological caste differences were compared from colonies of Dolichovespula maculata in middle and late phases of the colony cycle. The females showed three patterns of ovarian development and only females... more
ABSTRACT Morphological and physiological caste differences were compared from colonies of Dolichovespula maculata in middle and late phases of the colony cycle. The females showed three patterns of ovarian development and only females classified as queens were inseminated. In both phases, queens were larger than workers for most measures. Discriminant analyses showed high distinction of caste in both phases. We also found highly pronounced qualitative differences: workers had hairs covering the entire body whereas queens had no hair and also some colour differences in the gaster. These results indicate that D. maculata presents pre-imaginal differentiation as seen in other Vespinae, and that size variation occurs from colony to colony such that queens of one colony may be comparable to workers of a different colony although the castes are always distinguishable within colonies.
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Neotropical swarm‐founding wasps are divided into 19 genera in the tribe Epiponini (Vespidae, Polistinae). They display extensive variation in several colony‐level traits that make them an attractive model system for reconstructing the... more
Neotropical swarm‐founding wasps are divided into 19 genera in the tribe Epiponini (Vespidae, Polistinae). They display extensive variation in several colony‐level traits that make them an attractive model system for reconstructing the evolution of social phenotypes, including caste dimorphism and nest architecture. Epiponini has been upheld as a solid monophyletic group in most phylogenetic analyses carried out so far, supported by molecular, morphological and behavioural data. Recent molecular studies, however, propose different relationships among the genera of swarm‐founding wasps. This study is based on the most comprehensive epiponine sampling so far and was analyzed by combining morphological, nesting and molecular data. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis shows many of the traditional clades but still impacts the way certain behavioural characters, such as nest structure and castes, evolved, and thus requires some re‐interpretations. Angiopolybia as sister to the remaining Epiponini implies that nest envelopes and a casteless system are plesiomorphic in the tribe. Molecular dating points to an early tribal diversification during the Eocene (c. 55–38 Ma), with the major differentiation of current genera concentrated in the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
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Despite the outstanding diversity and ecological relevance of social insects in most terrestrial ecosystems, current knowledge of these insects in the Atlantic Forest is still somewhat dispersed in literature. In this chapter, we offer an... more
Despite the outstanding diversity and ecological relevance of social insects in most terrestrial ecosystems, current knowledge of these insects in the Atlantic Forest is still somewhat dispersed in literature. In this chapter, we offer an overview covering the origin, evolution, diversity, functional composition, and distribution of all the eusocial species of ants, bees, wasps (Hymenoptera), and termites (Blattaria, Isoptera) known to occur in the Atlantic Forest. We compiled a database consisting of 1401 species distributed in 189 genera of the two insect orders assessed here. A total of 1250 species of social hymenopterans and 151 species of termites were here recorded for the Atlantic Forest. Additionally, we update the information regarding the state of knowledge, diversity gaps, and prospects for the eusocial insects of the Atlantic Forest. Considering the impressive richness presented in this compilation and the crucial role of social insects in the main ecological processes on the Atlantic rainforest landscape, it became urgent to target those organisms in conservation actions and research. A thoughtful study on current, past, and future species distribution of social insects in the Atlantic Forest could indicate.
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Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic... more
Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic areas, the first is spread through western and eastern hemispheres. Studies have shown possible phylogenetic incongruence regarding this current division and even raised the possibility of paraphyly in the genus. To evaluate this classification, morphological pasimony analyses under implied weights was carried out, examining external morphology and male genitalia. Analyses showed paraphyly of the genus under various “k” values and paraphyly of two subgenera. Ischnocoelia and Ctenochilus are lowered to subgenera of Zethus. Zethus (Madecazethus) is no longer restricted to Malagasy species and now includes those of the African continent as well. Zethus (Zethastrum) subg. nov. is defined for Oriental representatives. Z. (Zethus) is subdivided into three...
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The genus Eumenes Latreille, 1802, from the New World, is revised based on external morphology and male genitalia. New synonymy is proposed as follows: E. aureus Isely, 1917 = E. americanus de Saussure, 1852; E. bollii oregonensis... more
The genus Eumenes Latreille, 1802, from the New World, is revised based on external morphology and male genitalia. New synonymy is proposed as follows: E. aureus Isely, 1917 = E. americanus de Saussure, 1852; E. bollii oregonensis Bequaert, 1838, and E. b. ehrenbergi Zavattari, 1912 = E. bollii Cresson, 1872; E. consobrinus pedalis Fox, 1894 = E. consobrinus de Saussure, 1855; E. crucifera bolliformis Viereck, 1908, E. c. nearcticus de Saussure, 1855 and E. c. stricklandi Bequaert, 1944 = E. crucifera Provancher, 1888; E. smithii belfragei Cresson, 1872 = E. smithii de Saussure, 1852; E. verticalis coloradensis Cresson, 1875, E. v. neoboreus Bequaert, 1944, E. v. tricinctus Isely, 1917 = E. verticalis Say, 1824. Eumenes flavitinctus Bohart, 1950, revised status, is no longer a subspecies of E. crucifera but elevated to specific level. Eumenes brunneus is elevated to the specific level and a new name is proposed because of homonymy, E. bequaerti Grandinete Carpenter nom. nov. An iden...
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The external morphology and genitalia of the males of Stenonartonia mimica (Kohl 1907), Sphaeromenes discrepatus Giordani Soika, 1978 and Gamma bolivianum flavior Giordani Soika, 1990 are described for the first time.
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Zethus wileyi Stange sp. nov. (Panama) is described and a cladistic analysis is carried in order to determine the relationship between the new species and the other species in the hilarianus species-group. The new species is assigned to... more
Zethus wileyi Stange sp. nov. (Panama) is described and a cladistic analysis is carried in order to determine the relationship between the new species and the other species in the hilarianus species-group. The new species is assigned to its own new species-group due to evident differences in the morphology.
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Three new species from the Neotropical region are described: Ancistroceroides soikai Grandinete & Carpenter,... more
Three new species from the Neotropical region are described: Ancistroceroides soikai Grandinete & Carpenter, sp. nov. (Costa Rica, Paraguay); Cephalastor huautla Grandinete & Carpenter, sp. nov. (Mexico), and Symmorphus centralis Carpenter & Grandinete, sp. nov. (Costa Rica).
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ABSTRACT The genera Pachymenes de Saussure and Santamenes Giordani Soika are revised and the phylogenetic relationships among their species, based on external morphology and male genitalia, are presented. The cladistics analysis, using 22... more
ABSTRACT The genera Pachymenes de Saussure and Santamenes Giordani Soika are revised and the phylogenetic relationships among their species, based on external morphology and male genitalia, are presented. The cladistics analysis, using 22 terminal species (19 ingroup and 3 outgroup species) and 44 characters, produced a single cladogram under implied weighting. Both genera were recovered as paraphyletic, althought two major clades were formed and were well supported by the re-sampling analysis. We propose the synonymy of Pachymenes with Santamenes, and the description of two new species: P. saussurei Grandinete n.sp. and P. riograndensis Grandinete n.sp.. New combinations are: Pachymenes novarae (de Saussure) n.comb., P. olympicus (Zavattari) n.comb., P. peregrinus (Zavattari) n.comb. and P. santanna (de Saussure) revised combination. We state the synonymy of P. obscurus orellanoides under P. obscurus consuetus, reviewing the status of the latter and raising P. consuetus to species level. Pachymenes orellanae vardyi is synonymized under P. orellanae; P. ghilianii olivaceus, P. ghilianii flavissimus and P. peruanus are proposed as synonyms of P. ghilianii; P. picturatus obscuratus is synonymized under P. laeviventris; P. picturatus nigromaculatus and P. picturatus var. intermedia are synonymized under P. picturatus and P. atra var. ornatissima get its lectotype designated and proposed as synonym of P. ater.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F1625D4F-B9D0-426D-9140-97E53A531F87.
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Knowledge about the species distribution ofEpipompilusKohl, 1884, is largely based on the records from the species description. Recent efforts in South American bodiversity studies indicate that knowledge about the distribution... more
Knowledge about the species distribution ofEpipompilusKohl, 1884, is largely based on the records from the species description. Recent efforts in South American bodiversity studies indicate that knowledge about the distribution ofEpipompilusspecies in the region is in an early stage. Two new records ofE. aztecuswere obtained for the semideciduous Atlantic Forest, in central Brazil, and one record for the Amazonian Forest in northern Brazil, indicating that its distribution extends between Central and South America. The new records ofE. excelsuswere obtained mainly from the Atlantic Forest highlands, indicating that this species is commonly found in the southeastern South American Central Plateau and restricted to forest ecosystem of this region.
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ABSTRACT Richards' gland is known for the majority of Epiponini wasps, and despite few experimental evidences, the taxonomic distribution in swarm-founder species and the function of this gland remain rather unclear. This work... more
ABSTRACT Richards' gland is known for the majority of Epiponini wasps, and despite few experimental evidences, the taxonomic distribution in swarm-founder species and the function of this gland remain rather unclear. This work presents a morphological description of Richards' gland in Protonectarina sylveirae. The gland is formed by a cluster of class 3 cells underneath the anterior margin of the fifth metasomal sternite, and a reservoir formed by the intersegmental membrane between the fourth and fifth metasomal sternites where the secretion can be stored. The secretory cells contain a branched end apparatus that carries the secretory products towards the duct cell. Externally, the cuticle of the sternite, where the duct cells penetrate, is characterized by modifications as scales with very numerous pores. The presence of Richards' gland according to the model proposed by Samacá et al. 2013 in Protonectarina corroborates the single origin of this gland in Epiponini. The occurrence of a Golgi apparatus and smooth endoplasmic reticulum suggests pheromone production.
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ABSTRACT AimThe aim of this study was to understand the biogeography of Brachygastra. As the spatial component of evolution is of fundamental importance to understanding the processes shaping the evolution of taxa, the known geological... more
ABSTRACT AimThe aim of this study was to understand the biogeography of Brachygastra. As the spatial component of evolution is of fundamental importance to understanding the processes shaping the evolution of taxa, the known geological history of the Neotropical region was used together with the current phylogeny and distribution of species to investigate questions concerning the biogeography of Brachygastra: the ancestral ranges of Brachygastra species; their areal relationships and their congruence with previously published hypotheses; the possible associated vicariance events and the influence of land bridges between North and South America, and the split between the Amazon and Atlantic forests.LocationNeotropical region, from Mexico to central Argentina and southern USA.Methods Statistical dispersal–vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) was used to reconstruct the possible ancestral ranges of Brachygastra species based on their phylogeny (divided into three groups, lecheguana, scuttelaris and smithii). A Brooks parsimony analysis (BPA) and component analysis were performed to reconstruct the areal relationships of these species within the Neotropics.ResultsS-DIVA suggested a widespread, South American ancestral region for Brachygastra. The ancestral B. azteca probably reached the Nearctic before a posterior vicariance event separated it from the species groups ((lecheguana (scutellaris + smithii))), that stayed in the Atlantic forest. The ancestral (scutellaris + smithii groups) possibly reached the Amazon by dispersal, and the subsequent vicariance event splitting the Atlantic forest and Amazon separated the groups into scutellaris in the Atlantic forest and smithii in the Amazon. BPA and component analyses suggested that the Nearctic was a sister area to other regions, the Andes and Mesoamerica was a sister area to the Neotropical regions and the Amazon was closely related to the Atlantic forest.Main conclusionsThe phylogeny and distribution of Brachygastra suggest the influence of a land bridge between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres affecting the cladogenesis of B. azteca and the importance of the formation of the two blocks of forests in South America to the cladogenesis of the main groups of Brachygastra. Future comparisons between the distribution patterns of other taxa should enable a more precise identification of the possible events and outcomes, adding robustness to the hypothesized areal relationships.
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ABSTRACT This study aimed at testing the utility of characters derived from chitinous structures of the sting apparatus for elucidating relationships among the genera of Epiponini. The characters were obtained from the spiracular and... more
ABSTRACT This study aimed at testing the utility of characters derived from chitinous structures of the sting apparatus for elucidating relationships among the genera of Epiponini. The characters were obtained from the spiracular and quadrate plates, gonostylus, and sting. The data matrix was analyzed using parsimony with equal and implied weighting. Sting characters were also optimized on the tree of Wenzel & Carpenter (1994). Consensus of analysis using equal weights parsimony resulted in a tree with low resolution, but the use of implied weighting improved the results and a consensus tree with a better resolution was obtained. Implied weighting analysis showed an interesting result with Vespinae and Epiponini (the taxa that present the highest degree of sociality) together in a clade. The overall uniformity in morphology of sting apparatus and a possible influence of sociality on morphology could explain these results. The evolution of some characters is discussed.
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all currently recognized genera. Data are coded according to whether females that were shown by dissection to be egglayers are larger, similar, or smaller for each dimension than non-egglayers. These data are analysed in a phylogenetic... more
all currently recognized genera. Data are coded according to whether females that were shown by dissection to be egglayers are larger, similar, or smaller for each dimension than non-egglayers. These data are analysed in a phylogenetic framework with primitively social Polistes and Mischocyttarus as outgroups. Representative mea-surements are illustrated to show that most genera of Epiponini appear to have ancestry in a lineage that has no queen caste comparable with either the primitively social outgroups, or the more derived species of the tribe. This analysis indicates that a conspiracy of workers that operates without a queen characterizes the societies of many
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The first checklist of the Peruvian Hymenoptera listed 1169 species and subspecies of aculeate wasps, including 173 species of Pompilidae, seven of Scoliidae, 39 of Sphecidae and 403 of Vespidae. Herein are reported 32 species as new for... more
The first checklist of the Peruvian Hymenoptera listed 1169 species and subspecies of aculeate wasps, including 173 species of Pompilidae, seven of Scoliidae, 39 of Sphecidae and 403 of Vespidae. Herein are reported 32 species as new for Peru based mainly on the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. The loss of the endemic status of two species is also reported: Entypus peruvianus (Rohwer) (Pompilidae: Pepsinae) and Omicron ruficolle schunkei Giordani Soika (Vespidae: Eumeninae).
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ABSTRACT Vespoidea are the most functionally diverse superfamily of Hymenoptera. Ecological studies involving this family are primarily based on eusocial groups, including ants and social paper wasps. In the present study, we examine... more
ABSTRACT Vespoidea are the most functionally diverse superfamily of Hymenoptera. Ecological studies involving this family are primarily based on eusocial groups, including ants and social paper wasps. In the present study, we examine stinging wasp (Vespoidea) faunal diversity in the Atlantic Rain Forest, which is one of the most diverse and threatened ecosystems in the World. Three conservation areas were sampled employing a standardized sample protocol. Families and functional groups of Vespoidea were collected in each area, with the exception ants (Formicidae), and analyzed using diversity analyses, to generate taxonomic diversity and distinctness indices. Results indicated Pompilidae was the most diverse family, and the idiobiont parasitoid type was the most diverse functional group in the three study areas. Núcleo Picinguaba of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar was taxonomically and functionally the most diverse and species rich area. Parque Estadual Intervales showed the highest number of dominant species and diversity of koinobiont parasitoids, while the Rebio Sooretama exhibited a decrease in several diversity parameters.
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Degree of morphological difference between queens and workers is an important characteristic used to infer the mechanism of caste determination and levels of reproductive conflict in insect societies. In the polistine wasps, the degree of... more
Degree of morphological difference between queens and workers is an important characteristic used to infer the mechanism of caste determination and levels of reproductive conflict in insect societies. In the polistine wasps, the degree of morphological caste difference varies widely, ranging from absent to highly distinct. A lack of obvious caste differences would indicate that most females are totipotent (Strassmann et al. 2002, Mateus 2005), which predicts that reproductive conflict will be higher than in species with well-defined caste roles. For Neotropical swarm-founding polistine wasps (tribe: Epiponini), West-Eberhard (1978, 1981) suggested that castes may be post-imaginally determined in some species. Indeed, female reproductives resemble non-reproductives in morphology in a number of species, and this pattern has been found in Parachartergus Ihering, 1904 (Mateus et al. 1997;
Knowledge about the species distribution ofEpipompilusKohl, 1884, is largely based on the records from the species description. Recent efforts in South American bodiversity studies indicate that knowledge about the distribution... more
Knowledge about the species distribution ofEpipompilusKohl, 1884, is largely based on the records from the species description. Recent efforts in South American bodiversity studies indicate that knowledge about the distribution ofEpipompilusspecies in the region is in an early stage. Two new records ofE. aztecuswere obtained for the semideciduous Atlantic Forest, in central Brazil, and one record for the Amazonian Forest in northern Brazil, indicating that its distribution extends between Central and South America. The new records ofE. excelsuswere obtained mainly from the Atlantic Forest highlands, indicating that this species is commonly found in the southeastern South American Central Plateau and restricted to forest ecosystem of this region.
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The Zethus mexicanus group sensu Bohart & Stange (1965) consists of four species in the subgenus Zethusculus: Zethus brasiliensis de Saussure, 1852, Z. mexicanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both subdivided into three subspecies each), Z. magnus de... more
The Zethus mexicanus group sensu Bohart & Stange (1965) consists of four species in the subgenus Zethusculus: Zethus brasiliensis de Saussure, 1852, Z. mexicanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both subdivided into three subspecies each), Z. magnus de Saussure, 1852 and Z. waldoi Zavattari, 1912. Color patterns and distribution have been used to differentiate the subspecies until now. However, these patterns may vary among individuals, and the distribution of specimens examined in this study showed overlap between subspecies. The analysis of external morphology did not show significant differences, making the subspecific division unnecessary. Thus, the following synonyms are proposed: Zethus brasiliensis fuscatus Boharth & Stange, 1965 n. syn. and Z. brasiliensis panamensis Boharth & Stange, 1965 n. syn. are junior synonyms of Z. brasiliensis brasiliensis; and Z. mexicanus erythrogena Boharth & Stange, 1965 n. syn. and Z. mexicanus lugubris Perty, 1833 n. syn. are junior synonyms of Zethus mexica...
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The polistine genus Asteloeca Raw is revised. Previously monotypic, three species are recognized in the genus: A. traili (Cameron), the type species; A. ujhelyii (Ducke), newly raised from synonymy with A. traili, revised status; and A.... more
The polistine genus Asteloeca Raw is revised. Previously monotypic, three species are recognized in the genus: A. traili (Cameron), the type species; A. ujhelyii (Ducke), newly raised from synonymy with A. traili, revised status; and A. lutea new species. New distributional records for A. traili and A. ujhelyii are provided from Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Asteloeca lutea is described from Bolivia, Brazil, and Ecuador, and probably occurs in French Guiana. The male genitalia of A. traili and A. ujhelyii are illustrated, the larvae ...
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Most the studies on the bee fauna of cerrado have shown incomplete approaches, focusing on species diversity or on a fraction of the assemblage. This work presents similarities among bee species based on visited plants and also shows... more
Most the studies on the bee fauna of cerrado have shown incomplete approaches, focusing on species diversity or on a fraction of the assemblage. This work presents similarities among bee species based on visited plants and also shows taxonomic diversity of bees for plant resource sets offered by species in a cerrado area (Pé-de-Gigante), one of the few conservation areas
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Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic... more
Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic areas, the first is spread through western and eastern hemispheres. Studies have shown possible phylogenetic incongruence regarding this current division and even raised the possibility of paraphyly in the genus. To evaluate this classification, morphological pasimony analyses under implied weights was carried out, examining external morphology and male genitalia. Analyses showed paraphyly of the genus under various “k” values and paraphyly of two subgenera. Ischnocoelia and Ctenochilus are lowered to subgenera of Zethus. Zethus (Madecazethus) is no longer restricted to Malagasy species and now includes those of the African continent as well. Zethus (Zethastrum) subg. nov. is defined for Oriental representatives. Z. (Zethus) is subdivided into three subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Didymogastra) and Z. (Wettsteinia). Zethus (Zethusculus) and Z. (Zethoides) are monophyletic and hold their status as subgenera. Three species-groups are Incertae sedis: Z. albopictus, Z. pallidus and Z. spinosus.
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This paper brings a series of contributions to the taxonomy of the Zethini: description of a new species, Zethus denticlypeus Lopes, sp. n.; description of the female of Z. anomalus Cooper, 1999; description of the males of Z. angustior... more
This paper brings a series of contributions to the taxonomy of the Zethini: description of a new species, Zethus denticlypeus Lopes, sp. n.; description of the female of Z. anomalus Cooper, 1999; description of the males of Z. angustior Bohart & Stange, 1965, Z. clypeolaris Bohart & Stange, 1965, Z. satanicus Bohart & Stange, 1965 and Argentozethus willinki Stange, 1979; synonymy of Discoelius argentinus Brèthes, 1905 under Z. dicomboda Spinola, 1851; and rearrangements for the species of Raphiglossoides Giordani Soika, 1936, with Raphiglossoides minutus (Gusenleitner, 2000) (= R. aethiopicus Giordani Soika, 1936) and R. gibbus (Gusenletiner, 2000) n. comb.
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Swarm-founding wasps are endemic and common representatives of neotropical fauna and compose an interesting social tribe of vespids, presenting both complex social characteristics and uncommon traits for a eusocial group, such as the... more
Swarm-founding wasps are endemic and common representatives of neotropical fauna and compose an interesting social tribe of vespids, presenting both complex social characteristics and uncommon traits for a eusocial group, such as the absence of castes with distinct morphology. The paper wasp Protonectarina sylveirae (Saussure) presents a broad distribution from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, occurring widespread in the Atlantic rainforest and arboreal Caatinga, being absent in the Amazon region. Given the peculiar distribution among swarm-founding wasps, an integrative approach to reconstruct the evolutionary history of P. sylveirae in a spatial-temporal framework was performed to investigate: the presence of genetic structure and its relationship with the geography, the evolution of distinct morphologic lineages and the possible historical event(s) in Neotropical region, which could explain the observed phylogeographic pattern. Individuals of P. sylveirae were obtained from popula...
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A morphological cladistic analysis of the Neotropical swarm-founding genus Angiopolybia Araujo is presented. A single cladogram resulted from the analysis, with the following ingroup topology: (A. pallens + A. zischkai) + (A. paraensis +... more
A morphological cladistic analysis of the Neotropical swarm-founding genus Angiopolybia Araujo is presented. A single cladogram resulted from the analysis, with the following ingroup topology: (A. pallens + A. zischkai) + (A. paraensis + A. obidensis). The monophyly of the genus is supported by four synapomorphies. A new identification key is presented for the genus.
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Recent studies have reported incipient morphological caste dimorphism in the Van der Vecht organ size of some temperate Polistes paper wasps. Whether species other than the temperate ones show a similar pattern remains elusive. Here, we... more
Recent studies have reported incipient morphological caste dimorphism in the Van der Vecht organ size of some temperate Polistes paper wasps. Whether species other than the temperate ones show a similar pattern remains elusive. Here, we have studied some Neotropical Polistes species. By comparing females collected through the year, we showed caste related differences in the size of the Van der Vecht organ in P. ferreri (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.45 ± 0.06, workers = 0.38 ± 0.07 mm2, p = 0.0021), P. versicolor (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.54 ± 0.11, workers = 0.46 ± 0.09 mm2, p = 0.010), but not P. simillimus (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.52 ± 0.05, workers = 0.49 ± 0.06 mm2, p = 0.238). Therefore, it seems that queens and workers of some Neotropical Polistes have diverged in their ontogenic trajectory of the Van der Vecht organ size, providing clear evidence for incipient morphological caste d...
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Despite the outstanding diversity and ecological relevance of social insects in most terrestrial ecosystems, current knowledge of these insects in the Atlantic Forest is still somewhat dispersed in literature. In this chapter, we offer an... more
Despite the outstanding diversity and ecological relevance of social insects in most terrestrial ecosystems, current knowledge of these insects in the Atlantic Forest is still somewhat dispersed in literature. In this chapter, we offer an overview covering the origin, evolution, diversity, functional composition, and distribution of all the eusocial species of ants, bees, wasps (Hymenoptera), and termites (Blattaria, Isoptera) known to occur in the Atlantic Forest. We compiled a database consisting of 1401 species distributed in 189 genera of the two insect orders assessed here. A total of 1250 species of social hymenopterans and 151 species of termites were here recorded for the Atlantic Forest. Additionally, we update the information regarding the state of knowledge, diversity gaps, and prospects for the eusocial insects of the Atlantic Forest. Considering the impressive richness presented in this compilation and the crucial role of social insects in the main ecological processes on the Atlantic rainforest landscape, it became urgent to target those organisms in conservation actions and research. A thoughtful study on current, past, and future species distribution of social insects in the Atlantic Forest could indicate.