Revision of Aulacofoenus Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Gasteruptiidae), hyptiogastrine wasps with a restricted Gondwanic distribution

Abstract

Aulacofoenus Kieffer, which can be readily distinguished from other hyptiogastrine genera by having a short hidden ovipositor, the first flagellomere much longer than the second, a groove on the hind trochanter, and two discal cells in the fore wing, is revised. Fourteen species (10 new) are recognised; twelve of these [A. fallax (Schletterer), A. thoracicus (Gu rin Men ville), comb. nov., A. bungeyi, sp. nov., A. fletcheri, sp. nov., A. goonooensis, sp. nov., A. kurmondi, sp. nov., A. loxleyi, sp. nov., A. marionae, sp. nov., A. perenjorii, sp. nov., A. swani, sp. nov., A. whiani, sp. nov., and A. wubinensis, sp. nov.] are recorded from Australia, and two [A. deletangi (Schletterer) and A. infumatus (Schletterer)] from South America. Two synonymies are proposed: A. asymmetricus (Turner) with A. thoracicus, comb. nov. and A. sz pligetii Kieffer with A. deletangi. Relationships among genera of Hyptiogastrinae and species of Aulacofoenus are discussed, as is the restricted Gondwanic (amphinotic) distribution of the genus. A key to species is also presented.