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Student 10-Minute Presentation

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student

Student Competition

Grad 10-min Competition: SysEB, Phylogenetics and Behavior

A new strepsipteran parasite, Xenos gadagkari sp.nov, in the Indian population of the primitively eusocial wasp, Polistes wattii

Monday, November 11, 2024
10:30 AM – 10:42 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 224 A, PCC
Oral Presentation Student Competition

    Presenting Author(s)

  • DN

    Deepak Nain

    PhD Scholar
    Panjab University
    Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AR

    Anjali Rana

    PhD Scholar
    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
    Mohali, Punjab, India

  • RR

    Rhitoban Raychoudhury

    Associate Professor
    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
    Mohali, Punjab, India

  • RS

    Ruchira Sen

    Assistant Professor
    Sri Guru Gobind Singh College
    Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

Strepsipteran insects parasitize a diverse array of other insects, with the strepsipteran genus Xenos specifically reported in various species of eusocial wasps. Infection by Xenos leads to significant morphological, physiological, and behavioural changes in their hosts. The relationship between Polistes and Xenos has been most extensively documented in Polistes dominula and Xenos vesparum. Until now, this notable parasitic relationship has not been observed or studied in India. Our research has identified a new species, Xenos gadagkari, within the Indian population of P. wattii, which is commonly found in North India and frequently exhibits Xenos infection. We provide a morphometric description and the phylogenetic position of this new Xenos species. This study aims to enhance the understanding of host-parasite interactions and the ecological and evolutionary implications of strepsipteran parasitism.