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Dissertation
A REVISION OF NORTH AMERICAN MASARINAE AND EUPARAGIINAE (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2025
Abstract
Masarinae and Euparagiinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) are uncommon lineages of wasps with distinct natural histories. This dissertation integrates taxonomic revision, phylogenetic analysis, and ecological trait evolution to elucidate the diversity and morphological evolution of the North American Masarinae and Euparagiinae. The Euparagiinae are predatory wasps that provision their nests with weevil larvae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The one extant genus, Euparagia Cresson, is found exclusively in western North America. Although species relationships have been analyzed using morphology-based methods, reexamining these relationships using molecular, phylogenomic-level data, clarified the relationships between species, allowed the description of new species, and facilitated development of a fully illustrated identification key.
The Masarinae are solitary, pollen provisioning species with a global distribution but only one genus, Pseudomasaris Ashmead, occurs in North America. The genus has not undergone revisionary work since 1966 and the relationships between the species have never been examined in a formal phylogenetic context. Museum specimen and records from the literature were used to generate the first distribution maps for the genus and provide a modern identification key for the genus. Using phylogenetic and host-plant data, we also examined how floral morphology may have influenced body shape evolution. Results suggest at least two host-switching events within the genus, both associated with significant morphological change.
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Details
- Title
- A REVISION OF NORTH AMERICAN MASARINAE AND EUPARAGIINAE (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)
- Creators
- Nathaniel Green
- Contributors
- Elizabeth A Murray (Advisor)Silas Bossert (Committee Member)Richard S Zack (Committee Member)Eric Roalson (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Entomology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 184
- Identifiers
- 99901356784901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation