New records with DNA barcodes of the family Proctotrupidae (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea) from Türkiye

The current study presents faunistic data concerning the Proctotrupidae family from the Central Black Sea region, specifically the Yeşilırmak Delta in Samsun Province, Türkiye. Specimens were collected using Malaise traps over a period from March to September 2023. A total of five species across five genera of Proctotrupidae were identified.

Notably, the genera Codrus Panzer, 1805, Cryptoserphus Kieffer, 1907, and Mischoserphus Townes, 1981, along with the species Codrus picicornis Foerster, 1856, Cryptoserphus aculeator (Haliday, 1839) and Mischoserphus obesus Townes, 1981 are reported for the first time in Türkiye. An identification key for the existing genera of Turkish Proctotrupidae is included. The study also investigated the use of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene-based DNA barcoding for species identification.

Partial sequence data for Proctotrupidae species Cryptoserphus aculeator, Exallonyx crenicornis, Mischoserphus obesus, Phaneroserphus calcar, and Phaenoserphus viator were obtained and submitted to the NCBI database under accession numbers PQ423217–PQ423221.The COI barcode sequences for M. obesus, which were previously undocumented in databases, are also presented. A phylogenetic tree constructed from COI sequences facilitates the identification and comparison of taxa.

Despite observable morphological differences, certain species were found to be closely related, indicating the necessity for further research encompassing a wider array of species and specimens. The findings suggest that COI barcoding serves as an effective tool for the accurate and expedient identification of Proctotrupidae species.