Ophrynon (Hymenoptera: Orussidae) in California: diversity, distribution and phylogeny

Abstract

AbstractThree new species of Ophrynon Middlekauff, 1983, O. dominiqueae, O. martini and O. patricki, are added to the only species known previously, O. levigatus Middlekauff, 1983. All species are described, illustrated and keyed. Cladistic analyses under different weighting conditions retrieved Ophrynon as monophyletic, but the topologies produced for the higher ophrynopine taxa are quite variable. The possible closest relatives of Ophrynon are Argentophrynopus Vilhelmsen & D.R. Smith, 2002 and Kulcania Benson, 1935. The internal phylogeny of Ophrynon is O. martini + (O. levigatus + (O. dominiqueae + O. patricki)). The distribution of Ophrynon is restricted to central and southern California. Supposedly, the species belong to the californo-eremial distribution type and are the result of a comparatively recent speciation process.