This study comprises an examination of over 4000 male specimens, including nearly all type material, a detailed study of the genitalia, and a key to the majority of the species of Tricholabiodes Radoszkowski. Thirty species and subspecies are redescribed and 22 new species described. The 22 newly described species are: T. acer, T. alveolus, T. brothersi, T. concavus, T. convexus, T. denticidatus, T. disgregus, T. femoralis, T. ferrugineus, T. indistinctus, T. inornatus, T. longicarinatus, T. liiridus, T. parallel™, T. paulocellatiis, T. petiolatus, T. protitberans, T. recurvatus, T. sinuatus, T. thisboides, T. tortilis and T. trochantalis. Tricholabiodes semisthataeformis Bischoff and T. pathzii Invrea are synonyms of T. stigmaticus Bischoff and T. pallidicornis Bischoff, respectively. Phenograms and principal component plots were derived to clarify species status, make decisions on species limits and used to determine the morphological similarity between the species. The phenetic analysis was used only as a tool, and not a final product. For the determination of species limits, which included an analysis of 447 specimens, the continuous quantitative and coded characters were analysed separately. Forty-three continuous quantitative characters were analysed either as standardized measurements (against mesosoma length) or as ratios (32), since it was not possible, even via gap coding, to code these characters. Scatterplots and a phenogram from the principal components and cluster analyses respectively, are presented. Size and shape were not particularly helpful characters in determining species limits. One hundred and twenty five coded characters were analysed in a cluster analysis and part of the final phenogram is presented. For the determination of morphological similarity between the species, a hypothetical specimen, typical of each species, was derived. Again, one hundred and twenty-five coded characters were analysed in a cluster analysis and the final phenogram is presented. Representatives from each of the species and subspecies were examined with respect to 93 coded characters. The character states were polarised using the outgroup Dasylabroides Andre. Where Tricholabiodes had all states occurring in Dasylabroides, and the primitive state could not be identified, these characters, and their states, were considered for the entire tribe, and the sister tribe of Dasylabrini, Sphaeropthalmini, was taken as the outgroup. The cladograms were constructed with the software Hennig86. The most variable characters were eliminated from the analysis. Selection of the cladogram representing the most likely phylogeny of the genus was based on parsimony, resolution of the tree, character placement on the tree, comparison of the tree with weighted/unweighted consensus trees and biogeography. The phylogeny presented, which is to be regarded only as a hypothesis, suggests that Tricholabiodes underwent nine separate radiations. The southern African species are divided into two lineages: the first divergence stems from the base of the tree while the more recent lineage stems from the apex. Evidence suggests that the genus arose in central Africa, spreading south (twice) into southern Africa, north into North Africa, west across central North Africa and east into southeastern Asia. The study has also shown that the majority of the species are restricted in their distribution, with none of Palaearctic species occurring in southern Africa, and vice versa. It is hypothesised that the present distribution of the genus is partially restricted by dispersal ability and climate. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

Velvet ants are a group of parasitic wasps that are well known for a suite of defensive adaptations including bright coloration and a formidable sting. While these adaptations are presumed to function in antipredator defense, observations between potential predators and this group are lacking. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the risk of velvet ants to a host of potential predators including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Velvet ants from across the United States were tested with predator's representative of the velvet ants native range. All interactions between lizards, free-ranging birds, and a mole resulted in the velvet ants survival, and ultimate avoidance by the predator. Two shrews did injure a velvet ant, but this occurred only after multiple failed attacks. The only predator to successfully consume a velvet ant was a single American toad (Anaxyrus americanus). These results indicate that the suite of defenses possessed by velvet ants, including aposematic coloration, stridulations, a chemical alarm signal, a hard exoskeleton, and powerful sting are effective defenses against potential predators. Female velvet ants appear to be nearly impervious to predation by many species whose diet is heavily derived of invertebrate prey.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T14:53:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-03-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Mutillidae wasps are parasitoids. The samplings had been carried through in seven distinct areas a long two portions to hymenopteras that can attack diverse orders of insects, being its hosts, in the majority other hymenopteras Mountain range of the Bodoquena, that presents about 300 length km and 20 to 50 width km, with altitudes that vary 450 to 650 m and in area bordering to National Park that enclose 76,481 ha divided in two fragments and the predominant vegetation are the Forest Estacional Decidual Submontana. Two quantitative methodologies of collection had been adopted (Pitfall and Covering area) and a qualitative one (manual collections). Has beem collected 44 individuals pertaining two subfamilies, four tribes, 13 sorts and distributed in 23 species. The sort that presented greater wealth was Traumatomutilla with 6 species (26,08%), followed Timulla (3 species, 13.04%) and Ephuta (3 species, 13.04%); the sort most abundant was raumatomutilla with 20 individuals (45,45%) and the species most abundant was lame Traumatomutilla with 9 captures individuals (20,45%), being the other species considered rare for region to presenting only 1 register. The register of few individuals must it geologic formation area, that is predominantly rocky. Analyzing the index of diversity from environments, we have the Antropizada area being most diverse (H'=3,585), followed for Decidual forest (H'=3,096), Ciliar forest (H'=2,419) and Closed (H'=2,252). The different formations had presented basses similarity indices and with these data we can suggest that it has one strong trend the mutillidae to be fit in specific functional groups for each environment. Different methodologies must be applied for fauna s inventory of mutillidae, being the collections qualitative the most indicated for study the wealth and diversity / As vespas Mutillidae são himenópteros parasitóides que podem atacar diversas ordens de insetos, sendo seus hospedeiros, na maioria outros himenópteros. As amostragens foram realizadas em sete áreas distintas ao longo das duas porções da Serra da Bodoquena, que apresenta cerca de 300 km de comprimento e de 20 a 50 km de largura, com altitudes que variam de 450 a 650 m e em área limítrofes ao Parque Nacional que abrange 76.481 ha divididos em dois fragmentos e a vegetação predominante é a Floresta Estacional Decidual Submontana. Foram adotadas duas metodologias de coleta quantitativas (Pitfall e Cobertura de área) e uma qualitativa (coletas manuais). Foram coletados 44 indivíduos pertencentes a duas subfamílias, quatro tribos, 13 gêneros e distribuídos em 23 espécies. O gênero que apresentou maior riqueza foi Traumatomutilla com 6 espécies (26,08%), seguido de Timulla (3 espécies, 13,04%) e Ephuta (3 espécies, 13,04%); o gênero mais abundante foi Traumatomutilla, com 20 indivíduos (45,45%) e a espécie mais abundante foi Traumatomutilla manca com 9 indivíduos capturados (20,45%), sendo as outras espécies consideradas raras para a região por apresentarem apenas 1 registro. O registro de poucos indivíduos deve-se a formação geológica da área, que é predominantemente rochosa. Analisando o índice de diversidade a partir dos ambientes, temos a área Antropizada sendo a mais diversa (H´=3,585), seguida pela Mata Decidual (H´=3,096), Mata Ciliar (H´=2,419) e Cerrado (H´=2,252). As diferentes formações apresentaram baixos índices de similaridade e com esses dados podemos sugerir que haja uma forte tendência de os mutilídeos serem enquadrados em grupos funcionais específicos para cada ambiente. Diferentes metodologias devem ser aplicadas para o inventário da fauna de Mutillidae, sendo as coletas qualitativa a mais indicada para o estudo da riqueza e diversidade