An integrative taxonomic approach to parasitic wasps: how frequent are the cryptic species within an economically important group?
- Acronym: PARACRYS
- Funding agency – UEFISCDI (Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding)
- Program: 5.1 – IDEI
- Project type: Exploratory Research Project – PCE
- Project code: PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-1971
- Domain /
Subdomain /: LS Life Sciences / LS8
Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution / LS8_2
Biodiversity
- Contract: 82PCE/2025
- Total grant value: 1 080 700 lei
- Project duration: 36 months
- Project implementation: 15.07.2025 – 15.07.2028
- Contractor:
"ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" UNIVERSITY of
IASI
- Project director: Conf. dr habil. Lucian Fusu
Parasitoid hymenopterans are a group of
minute insects responsible for regulating the population
size of other arthropods, including maintaining many
agricultural pests below the economic threshold. To
successfully use these insects in biological control
programs, a thorough knowledge of the boundaries between
species and the detection of potential cryptic species
complexes is essential, since apparently polyphagous
species often turn out to be groups of related species
with distinct ecological preferences and therefore
distinct economic potential and ecological impact. The
project focuses on the molecular taxonomy of a few
genera (Chalcidoidea: Eupelmidae and Pteromalidae and
Proctotrupoidea: Scelionidae) and its integration into
an interdisciplinary approach (integrative taxonomy). We
will use techniques such as DNA barcoding using standard
molecular markers, NGS methods, reduced genome
representation, phylogenomics and coalescent-based
modelling to delimit cryptic species in the target
groups. Molecular data will be corroborated with
morphology to give a biological meaning to the delimited
species. The widespread use of molecular techniques in
the identification and delimitation of parasitoid
hymenopterans will be valuable in many practical areas
such as biodiversity conservation, agriculture, forestry
and invasive species control, while the theoretical
implications range from the mechanisms of sympatric
speciation to the estimation of insect’s diversity.
Eupelmus falcatus (Nikol'skaya, 1952): female, habitus
OBJECTIVES:
• By combining morphology-based taxonomy with the latest molecular and analytical techniques, the project addresses two of the great challenges in biology: species delimitation and speciation. Our working hypothesis is that cryptic species will represent a significant proportion of currently known species.
• Estimation of Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) using single-locus species delimitation by generating DNA barcodes with third-generation sequencing.
• Empirical assessment of UCEs (Ultraconserved elements) for multispecies coalescent species delimitation and shallow level interspecific phylogeny.
• Detailed morphological characterization of the discovered cryptic species using advanced imaging and processing tools and software, as the availability of high-quality images increases the likelihood of correct identifications.
RESULTS FOR 2025
•
A list of available specimens.
• Collecting in 5 localities.
• A collection of specimens at -20
C.
• Presenting at three conferences.
SCIENTIFIC
REPORT FOR 2025
PROJECT’S TEAM
Coordinator –
"ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" UNIVERSITY of IASI
Team members:
• Conf. Dr. habil. Lucian Fusu – Project leader
• Prof. Dr. habil. Marius Mihășan – researcher
• Prof. Dr. habil.
Mircea-Dan Mitroiu
– researcher
• Conf. Dr. Ovidiu Alin Popovici – researcher
• CS III Dr. Dascălu
(căs.
Fusu) Maria-Magdalena – researcher
• Drd. Lucian Hănceanu
– PhD student
Contact
Address:
Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Carol I B-vd., No. 20A,
Iaşi, 700505
Romania
Phone: 40(0)232201072
Fax: 40(0)232201472
