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Karyosystematics of parasitic Hymenoptera: taxonomic decisions at the species level

Gokhman V.E.

Abstract. A review of karyological approaches in parasitic Hymenoptera taxonomy at the species level is given. Closely related forms of parasitic Hymenoptera, differing in karyotype structure are subdivided into the following categories: (1) morphologically distinct species; (2) species with weak differences in external morphology (= sibling species s. str.); (3) morphologically identical populations; (4) chromosomal morphs (as a part of population polymorphism); (5) individuals carrying spontaneous chromosomal mutations. This classification is illustrated by the examples from different taxa of parasitic Hymenoptera.