Since its inception, authors have debated the validity of the azotine genera Azotus and Ablerus and the evolutionary affinities of the subfamily. Currently, Azotinae includes only the genus Ablerus, which encompasses 96 described species and an estimated 35+ undescribed species. Some authors have expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of Azotus as a junior synonym of Ablerus. Determining the sister group to Azotinae is of paramount importance in determining azotine species relationships. At a higher level, the placement of Azotinae within Aphelinidae has for the most part, historically been regarded as sound, yet the sister relations of Azotinae are disputed. Based on morphological evidence, the last 30 years have seen Azotinae variously allied with Aphytinae, Coccophaginae and Aphelininae, while molecular data (28S-D2 rDNA), found Azotinae to be sister to the paraphyletic group of Coccophaginae, Eretmocerini (both Aphelinidae) and Trichogrammatidae. Not only have the phylogenetic affinities of Azotinae within the family Aphelinidae been questioned; some have questioned the placement of Azotinae within the superfamily Chalcidoidea itself. Gordh (1979) included the Azotinae in Encyrtidae. Woolley (1988) inferred a sister relationship between Signiphoridae and Azotinae. This is not surprising, considering our lack of knowledge regarding the evolutionary history of Chalcidoidea. A molecular analysis of the 28S-D2 & D3 rDNA transcript regions, combined with morphological evidence, reveal that debates questioning the placement of Azotinae are justified. The treatment of Azotus as a junior synonym is also examined and the distribution, number, and an estimate of undescribed species of Azotinae is discussed.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Aphelinidae Ablerus
Keywords: Chalcidoidea
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