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Phylogeny, evolution and classification of gall wasps: the plot thickens.

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Gall wasp evolution may have involved multiple origins of gall induction and inquilinism, challenging previous theories. This study proposes a revised classification of gall wasps (Cynipidae) into twelve tribes based on molecular and morphological data.

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Area of Science:

  • Entomology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Insect Systematics

Background:

  • Gall wasps (Cynipidae) are a diverse group of insects known for inducing plant galls.
  • Previous research suggested gall wasps originated in the Northern Hemisphere as herb gallers, with inquilines evolving once from gall inducers.
  • The evolutionary history and higher-level relationships within Cynipidae have been largely unresolved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first comprehensive molecular and total-evidence analyses of higher-level gall wasp relationships.
  • To investigate the origins of gall induction and inquilinism within the Cynipidae family.
  • To propose a revised classification of gall wasps based on phylogenetic analyses.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular phylogenetic analyses using approximately 5 kb of nucleotide data from mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S, LWRh, EF1alpha F1, EF1alpha F2) markers.
  • Total-evidence analyses combining molecular data with morphological and life-history data.
  • Inclusion of over 100 taxa, representing outgroups and a broad sampling of cynipid genera, excluding the densely sampled oak gall wasps (Cynipini).

Main Results:

  • Phylogenetic analyses suggest gall wasps may have originated associated with woody host plants, with multiple independent origins of gall inducers and/or inquilines.
  • This challenges the previous hypothesis of a single origin for inquilines from gall inducers.
  • The study confirms host-plant conservatism and repeated radiations of herb-galling lineages onto similar host plants, and proposes a revised classification into twelve strongly supported monophyletic tribes, including four new ones.

Conclusions:

  • The evolutionary origins of gall wasps, particularly the emergence of gall induction and inquilinism, likely involved multiple independent events.
  • The proposed revised tribal classification provides a robust framework for understanding gall wasp diversity.
  • Further resolution of inter-tribal relationships is needed to fully elucidate the early evolution of gall wasps.