Insights on the evolution of Ululodini (Insecta: Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Ascalaphinae), focusing on the systematics of the genus Ascalorphne Banks, 1915

ABSTRACT

The tribe Ululodini is one of the most remarkable taxa of Neotropical Neuroptera, mainly due to its great flight ability, eyes divided into two lobes, and production of abortive eggs that act as a chemical barrier against predators. Nonetheless, Ululodini remains little studied. One genus of this tribe, Ascalorphne Banks 1915, currently comprises four valid species: A. macrocerca (Burmeister, 1839), A. impavida (Walker, 1853), A. umbrina (Gerstaecker, 1884), and A. leisewitzi (Navás, 1911). This study reviews the taxonomy of Ascalorphne, redescribing the external morphology and, for the first time, the male and female genitalia. Furthermore, A. leisewitzi is proposed as a new synonym of A. umbrina, an identification key is presented, and the geographic distribution of the genus is updated based on collected specimens and data available in the citizen science project iNaturalist. Also, the body and genital morphology of Ululodini were comparatively studied and analyzed in a phylogenetic context with all other Ascalaphinae tribes that occur in the Neotropics, allowing a better understanding of the evolution and biology of these insects. As a result, new synapomorphies for Ululodini are presented, Albardia furcata Oswald, 1903 is recovered as the sister taxon to the rest of the tribe, Ameropterus Esben-Petersen, 1922 was recovered as paraphyletic, and Ascalorphne was recovered as monophyletic in all analyses.

Keywords:
Genitalia; Lacewings; Owlfly; Phylogeny; Taxonomy