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Main trends of karyotype evolution in the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera)

Gokhman V.E., Gumovsky A.V.

Abstract. An overview of karyotype evolution in the superfamily Chalcidoidea is given, including new data on karyotypes of Eurytoma curculionum Mayr, 1878 (Eurytomidae; 2n=20) and Euderomphale chelidonii Erdös, 1966 (Eulophidae; n=6). Structural types of chromosome sets in the superfamily Chalcidoidea are listed. Main pathways of karyotypic change in the Chalcidoidea are outlined. The chromosome set containing eleven subtelo- or acrocentrics is considered as an ancestral karyotype for the superfamily. Multiple independent reductions in “n” values through chromosomal fusions presumably occurred in various groups of chalcid families.