Browsing by Author "Van Noort, Simon"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Megalyridia capensis (Hymenoptera: Megalyridae: Megalyridiini) a relict species endemic to South Africa
    (2009) Van Noort, Simon; Shaw, Scott
    Numerous further specimens of the monotypical megalyrid species Megalyridia capensis Hedqvist have recently been collected from diverse habitats encompassing a distributional range of more than 800 km in South Africa. The male of M. capensisis recorded for the first time. We provide high-quality Numerous further specimens of the monotypical megalyrid species Megalyridia capensis Hedqvist have recently been collected from diverse habitats encompassing a distributional range of more than 800 km in South Africa. The male of M. capensisis recorded for the first time. We provide high-quality images of both sexes and a key to genera of Megalyridae occurring in the Afrotropical region. Online keys are available at: http://www.waspweb. org/Megalyroidea/Megalyridae/Keys/index.htm. The biogeography of this relict species is discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Phylogeny and codivergence in the fig-fig wasp mutualism : sycoecine and agaondid fig wasps (Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) associated with Ficus section Galoglychia (Moraceae)
    (2008) Underhill, Jenny G; Tolley, Krystal A; Hedderson, Terry A; Van Noort, Simon
    The interaction between figs and figs wasps is idealised as a classic example of coevolution through codivergence and cospeciation. Traditionally, the mutualism has been distinguished by a one-to-one ratio of host-specificity, whereby each species of fig tree (Ficlls, Moraceae) is pollinated by a unique species of fig wasp (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera). Recent studies conclude, however, that extreme host-specificity is no longer as ubiquitous as previously considered. Nevertheless, there are many factors that are thought to constrain host-switching events and maintain, to some degree, the host specificity of both pollinating and non-pollinating fig wasps within the fig wasp community. This dissertation investigates the extent of codivergence between the host fig trees of Ficus section Galoglychia, associated agaonid pollinators and sycoecine non-pollinating fig wasps (Pteromalidae, Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) through cophylogenetic analysis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Review of Afrotropical Figitinae (Figitidae, Cynipoidea, Hymenoptera) with the first records of Neralsia and Lonchidia for the region
    (2014) Van Noort, Simon; Buffington, Matthew L; Forshage, Mattias
    The cynipoid subfamily Figitinae is poorly represented in the Afrotropical region with two genera (Figites Latreille and Xyalophora Kieffer) and six species currently known. Here we record an additional two genera (Neralsia Cameron and Lonchidia Thomson) for the region and describe three new species: Neralsia haddocki sp. n.; Xyalophora tedjoansi sp. n.; Xyalophora tintini sp. n. Benoit’s species described in 1956 are synonymized under Figites aciculatus (Benoit, 1956): Figites effossus syn. n.; Figites favonius syn. n.; Figites furvus syn. n.; Figites fraudator syn. n. Identification keys to the figitine genera and species occurring in the Afrotropical region are provided. Online interactive Lucid Phoenix and Lucid matrix keys are available at: http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Keys/index.htm
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Sneaky African fig wasps that oviposit through holes drilled by other species
    (2009) Compton, Stephen G; Van Noort, Simon; McLeish, Michael; Deeble, Mark; Stone, Victoria
    Watshamiella Wiebes species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae: Sycoryctinae) were observed to engage, monitor and subsequently use oviposition holes made by other parasitoid fig wasp genera (Apocrypta Coquerel and Sycoryctes Mayr) to oviposit into host figs (Moraceae, Ficus) through the fig wall. They may be inquilines, klepto-parasitoids, or hyper-parasitoids; however, further biological investigations of larval diet are required to establish their life history strategy. Watshamiella species are morphologically robust, with enlarged fore femora and tibia, and aggressively interact with other fig wasps and ants. Our observations contribute towards unravelling the complex suite of behavioural adaptations and interactions involved in the community ecology of the obligate mutualism that exists between fig wasps and their host figs.