Phylogenetic affinities of the non-cyclostome subfamilies Amicrocentrinae and Dirrhopinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) confirmed by ultraconserved element data

Abstract

 The subfamilies Amicrocentrinae and Dirrhopinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are two small, monogeneric braconid subfamilies whose species exclusively attack lepidopteran larvae. The phylogenetic placement of Amicrocentrinae as a member of the helconoid complex of subfamilies has been supported by morphological and nuclear Sanger sequence data. The subfamilial status of Dirrhopinae on the other hand has been subject to debate, although it has been suggested as closely related to the microgastroid complex based on morphology only. Here we generated for the first time genomic ultraconserved element data for members of the above subfamilies (Amicrocentrum seyrigi van Achterberg and Dirrhope americana Muesebeck) to assess their phylogenetic affinities using exhaustive taxon sampling that includes all but one of the currently valid braconid subfamilies. Our results strongly confirm the placement of both taxa within the non-cyclostome helconoid and microgastroid complexes, respectively.