Abstract
Phylogenetic analysis of 96 morphological features and 1 biological feature reveal that the Gronotoma group of genera, as originally defined, is paraphyletic with respect to the remaining eucoiline genera. Thus, three new genus groups are proposed: the Gronotoma group s.s., the Paradiglyphosema group and the Zaeucoila group, all of which were found to be monophyletic (with varying support). Due to the present confusion regarding the identity of genera in the Gronotoma group s.l., all 18 genera comprising each of the three newly recognized genus groups are redescribed, generic circumscriptions (based on synapomorphies revealed through phylogenetic analysis) are presented, one new genus is described, based on two species previously included in other genera, and a key to all the genera is provided. A phylogeny of these three groups is presented, followed by a discussion on the evolution of parasitism within the eucoilines and general distribution patterns of the analyzed genera.
Buffington, Matthew Louis (2000). The phylogeny and classification of the Gronotoma group s.l. of genera (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae). Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2000 -THESIS -B829.