Phylogenetic systematics of the family Signiphoridae (Hym., Chalcidoidea)

Signiphoridae is a relatively small family of chalcidoid wasps that presently includes 4 recognized genera and about 80 described species. Historically, this family has been associated to Encyrtidae and to Aphelinidae. New insights from molecular phylogenetics have suggested that Signiphoridae is part of a cluster that includes Aphelinidae, Trichogrammatidae and Eulophidae, and supports its phylogenetic proximity to Azotinae. This is the first phylogenetic study to construct on previous phylogenies based on morphology and expand on molecular data (28S D2-D5 and 18S rDNA, COI and EF1-alpha) for all species groups in Signiphora (including former genera Rozanoviella and Kerrichiella) besides the other three genera. Results are discussed emphasizing biogeographic implications.