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Revision of the genus Acanthoscelio
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 Acanthoscelio americanus, female |
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| The Neotropical genus Acanthoscelio Ashmead extends from Costa Rica to Paraguay. Based upon host records from other genera in Scelionini (Scelio, Sceliocerdo, Synoditella, and Pseudoheptascelio), Acanthoscelio is probably an egg parasitoid of short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Acanthoscelio and the two species described by Ashmead were redescribed, seven new species were described, and a key to species was provided. A cladistic analysis based upon 65 morphological characters revealed 1) the relationship between Acanthoscelio and related genera, 2) the relationship between species of Acanthoscelio, and 3) the origin of certain structures within the tribe Scelionini. Acanthoscelio is more related to the Heptascelio and Oreiscelio (based on the posterolateral spines on the scutellum and the posterolateral extensions of the propodeum) than to Scelio. Three species groups are recognized within Acanthoscelio. The frontal ledge and the metanotal spine are analogous to similar structures in related taxa. | |
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