Neotropical ant parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae): interpreting taxonomy, phylogeny and divergent morphologies

The Neotropical ‘Kapala Clade’ is a group of 13 described genera of ant parasitoids that includes some of the most morphologically bizarre members in the family Eucharitidae (Chalcidoidea). Across the Kapala Clade, various conspicuous morphological modifications – notably the long mesoscutellar spines – have led to the description of numerous genera. Monophyly of the clade has been supported in morphological and molecular analyses; however,...