Cretaceous Scolebythidae and phylogeny of the family (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea) ; American Museum novitates, no. 3568

Abstract

The genera of Cretaceous Scolebythidae are reviewed, with three new genera and species described from New Jersey (Turonian) and Lebanese (Barremian) amber. The new taxa are Boreobythus turonius, new genus and species, in New Jersey amber, and Zapenesia libanica, new genus and species, and Uliobythus terpsichore, new genus and species, in Lebanese amber. A cladistic analysis of living and fossil species of Scolebythidae is undertaken and a revised classification of the family proposed. Boreobythus is the oldest scolebythid in the New World, documenting the presence of the family during the late Cretaceous in North America. The Eocene genus Eobythus is perhaps best considered a junior synonym of Pristapenesia but is tentatively retained herein. The historical biogeography of the family is briefly discussed. A key to the living and fossil genera of Scolebythidae is provided.