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Cryptalyra

Scott Richard Shaw
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taxon links [down<--]Megalyridae Interpreting the tree
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Containing group: Megalyroidea

Introduction

Cryptalyra is a small genus with three rare species known only from South America.  Cryptalyra plaumanni was described by Shaw (1987) from southern Brazil.  Cryptalyra colombia was described from Colombia by Shaw (2002).  Cryptalyra depressa, the most recently discovered species, was described by Azevedo and Tavares (2006).

Shaw (1990) inferred a sister-group relationship of Cryptalyra with the Oriental/Australasian genus Carminator, and placed both in the tribe Cryptalyrini.  Three synapomorphies support this relationship: compact flagellomeres, loss of the forewing metacarpus vein, and loss of the hind wing RS vein.

Characteristics

Cryptalyra species can be distinguished from other megalyrids by their minute body size (4.6 mm or less), very short antenna, and exceptionally short ovipositor sheath (barely protruding beyond the apex of the metasoma).  The ovipositor can be retracted into the body.

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Cryptalyra depressa Azevedo and Tavares. © 2006 . 1. Dorsal view of head and mesosoma.  2. Lateral view of head.  3. Anterior view of head and antenna.  4. Lateral view of metasoma with ovipositor fully extended.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

Azevedo and Tavares (2006) suggested that Cryptalyra plaumanni and Cryptalyra depressa are sister-species because both species have the occipital carina curved toward the mandible, and the antenna only as long as the head.

References

Azevedo, C. O. and M. T. Tavares. 2006. A new species of Cryptalyra (Hymenoptera, Megalyridae) from Brazil with a key to the species of the genus. Zootaxa 1259:55-59.

Shaw, S. R. 1987. Three new megalyrids from South America (Hymenoptera: Megalyridae). Psyche 94(1-2):189-199.

Shaw, S. R. 1990. Phylogeny and biogeography of the parasitoid wasp family Megalyridae (Hymenoptera). Journal of Biogeography 17:569-581.

Shaw, S. R. 2003. A new Cryptalyra species from Colombia (Hymenoptera: Megalyridae). Zootaxa 248:1-4.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Cryptalyra colombia
Location Colombia
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Sex Female
Life Cycle Stage Adult
Size 4.3 mm
Copyright © 2003 Scott Richard Shaw
About This Page

Scott Richard Shaw
University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Scott Richard Shaw at

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Shaw, Scott Richard. 2007. Cryptalyra. Version 20 February 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Cryptalyra/28843/2007.02.20 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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Cryptalyra

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