A systematic revision of the genus Hypomicrogaster Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A phylogenetic approach

The faunistic compositions, delimitation, distribution and biology of the genus Hypomicrogaster and Parapanteles Ashmead are explored thought literature review, from the extensive caterpillar rearing projects of Janzen & Hallwachs in Costa Rica and Dyer and Gentry Ecuadorian rearing project. This faunistic review resulted in the identification of 40 new Hypomicrogaster spp. and 9 new synonymies plus the identification of 15 new Parapanteles spp.; Parapanteles rooibos was identified and described as the first record of its genus in Africa, expanding the distribution of the genus into a Gondwanan pattern.; The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Hypomicrogaster and Parapanteles were assessed using morphology (83 characters), resulting in the delimitation of 8 Hypomicrogaster spp. groups and 2 Parapanteles spp. groups. However, the monophyly of Parapanteles as a whole was not well supported by bootstrap analysis, contrasting with the findings for the genus Hypomicrogaster. The resulting internal polytomy for the Hypomicrogaster clade does not allow for any further inferences about which species group is the most basal.; The previous characterization of Hypomicrogaster as micro-lepidopteran parasitoids is refuted based on new host records. Similarly, the Parapanteles is now known from both macro and micro-lepidopteran hosts refuting previous assumptions about host use just based on the female genitalic structures.; The generic relationships within the subfamily Microgastrinae were explored by the use of the genes 16S, 28S and COI plus 53 morphological characters, resulting in the corroboration of the paraphyletic nature of Parapanteles and the monophyly of Hypomicrogaster, through implementation of a Bayesian Analysis using a mixed model approach and 3 million generations.; Re-description of the monotypic genus Pelicope Mason using female specimens was presented, including clarification of its biology. Description is also made of the first two species of the genus Austrocotesia Austin & Dangerfield for the New World (Austrocotesia croizatii and A. renei), with a comprehensive key for the world known species.