Post by Admin on Aug 14, 2014 20:00:09 GMT
In 2013, Joseph Parker and Munetoshi Maruyama published this paper in the journal Zootaxa, in which they describe a remarkable new genus and species of Pselaphinae. Link and abstract below.
Link: www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03630p378.pdf
Abstract: Jubogaster towai gen. et sp. nov. is described from a colony of Pheidole xanthogaster Wilson (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
in the Peruvian Amazon. The new taxon is amongst the largest pselaphine species known. Its transverse head implies an
affinity with Trogastrini (Pselaphinae: Euplectitae), but J. towai lacks typical characters diagnostic for trogastrines and
possesses others, such as a Jubini-like pronotum and equally-sized tarsal claws, that obscure its systematic relationships.
To place J. towai phylogenetically, we sequenced a fragment of 28s rDNA for the new species and a range of other
pselaphines, including members of Trogastrini and other tribes of Euplectitae. The topology produced by this analysis
supports the inclusion of Jubogaster in Trogastrini, thereby indicating that morphology within this tribe can be more
malleable than previously thought. Many of the largest pselaphine taxa are guests of social insect colonies. We discuss
whether an evolutionary correlation (or causal relationship) exists between body enlargement and an inquilinous lifestyle
in Pselaphinae.
Link: www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03630p378.pdf
Abstract: Jubogaster towai gen. et sp. nov. is described from a colony of Pheidole xanthogaster Wilson (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
in the Peruvian Amazon. The new taxon is amongst the largest pselaphine species known. Its transverse head implies an
affinity with Trogastrini (Pselaphinae: Euplectitae), but J. towai lacks typical characters diagnostic for trogastrines and
possesses others, such as a Jubini-like pronotum and equally-sized tarsal claws, that obscure its systematic relationships.
To place J. towai phylogenetically, we sequenced a fragment of 28s rDNA for the new species and a range of other
pselaphines, including members of Trogastrini and other tribes of Euplectitae. The topology produced by this analysis
supports the inclusion of Jubogaster in Trogastrini, thereby indicating that morphology within this tribe can be more
malleable than previously thought. Many of the largest pselaphine taxa are guests of social insect colonies. We discuss
whether an evolutionary correlation (or causal relationship) exists between body enlargement and an inquilinous lifestyle
in Pselaphinae.