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Comparative anatomy of the larvae of argid sawflies (Hymenoptera: Argidae): a phylogenetic approach

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Abstract

The larval stage remains unknown for many sawflies, making it difficult to explore the phylogenetic significance of larval morphology. Here, we assemble a data set from the larval anatomy of 22 genera of Argidae and Zenargidae. We scored 85 characters for 48 terminal taxa and use a maximum parsimony approach applying equal (EW) and implied weights (IW) for phylogenetic reconstruction. We describe in detail for the first time the final larval instar of Zenarge turneri to illustrate the character systems employed. We retrieve the topology Zenarge + (Argidae s. stricto + Pergidae) in both EW and IW analyses; however, the branch support is low. We explore the phylogenetic relationships and character optimization based on the k value = 15 IW tree. Argidae s. stricto and Pergidae are recovered only under IW analyses. Within Argidae, two main clades are retrieved; these are congruent with the subfamilies Arginae and Sterictiphorinae s. Benson (1963). The genera Arge and Didymia are not retrieved as monophyletic. In general, the relationships produced by analyzing the larval morphology are consistent with those derived from adult morphology. We identify some patterns in the evolution of larval morphology of the Argidae.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are included in this manuscript, and the information is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We are especially grateful to the curators of the different entomological collections that contributed material and/or images to this project: Stephan Blank (SDEI), Andrew Liston (SDEI), Stefan Schmidt (ZSM), Derek Smith (AM), Andreas Taeger (SDEI), and Valentina Vergara (UNAB). Thanks to Sofia Argüello and Stefan Schmidt for providing the photographs of Scobina sp. and Antargidium sp. in the wild. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Funding

We thank COLCIENCIAS Institution of Colombia, which funded the first author’s PhD program at the University of Copenhagen. This research was funded by the Zoological Museum of the Natural History Museum of Denmark, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia, COLCIENCIAS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museo entomológico UNAB, Grupo Sistemática de Insectos Agronomía SIA, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Cra. 30 #45-03, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia

    Leonardo A. Malagon-Aldana

  2. Natural History Museum of Denmark, SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Leonardo A. Malagon-Aldana & Lars Vilhelmsen

  3. Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0005, Japan

    Akihiko Shinohara

  4. Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, c/o National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 168, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA

    David R. Smith

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  1. Leonardo A. Malagon-Aldana
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Contributions

This manuscript is based on results from the PhD thesis of the first author (Leonardo A. Malagón-Aldana). Lars Vilhelmsen and Leonardo A. Malagón-Aldana conceived and designed the study. Material preparation was performed by Leonardo A. Malagón-Aldana, David R. Smith, and Akihiko Shinohara. Data collection and analysis were performed by Leonardo A. Malagón-Aldana. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Leonardo A. Malagón-Aldana and Lars Vilhelmsen; David R. Smith and Akihiko Shinohara commented on later versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Leonardo A. Malagon-Aldana.

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Malagon-Aldana, L.A., Shinohara, A., Smith, D.R. et al. Comparative anatomy of the larvae of argid sawflies (Hymenoptera: Argidae): a phylogenetic approach. Org Divers Evol 21, 361–392 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-021-00485-0

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