Integrative systematics of the Neotropical doryctine wasp genus Panama (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and related genera with the description of a new genus

Context Panama Marsh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a Neotropical doryctine wasp genus erected to contain a single species, P. canalia Marsh, primarily based on its distinctly extended pronotum forming a pronotal collar. Although several morphologically similar genera also possess this feature, it has historically been used only to diagnose Panama. The genus was subsequently synonymised with the widespread genus Leluthia Cameron based on shared morphological features, although recent molecular evidence supported its resurrection. Despite these studies, the taxonomic limits of Panama and the relationships among its morphologically similar genera remained unresolved. Aims Here, we present a systematic revision of Panama and its morphologically similar genera using an integrative framework that combines morphological evidence, phylogenomic analyses of nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs), and DNA barcoding (COI) data. Taxon The Callihormius genus group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae; Doryctinae), including Panama and its morphologically similar genera. Methods We integrated morphological evidence, phylogenomic analyses of nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs), and DNA barcoding (COI) data to reassess generic limits and phylogenetic relationships. Key results Phylogenetic analyses including 92 terminal taxa recovered the species originally assigned to Panama as non-monophyletic, clustering them instead into three distinct lineages. Based on combined molecular and morphological evidence, we propose several taxonomic updates and define the Callihormius genus-group as comprising 16 genera, most characterised by an extended pronotal collar. We redescribe and redefine Panama and describe three new species (P. breviterga Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., P. paulmarshi Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., and P. peninsularis Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov.). Our results also support the erection of a new Neotropical genus, Isthmiana Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, gen. nov., comprising five new species: I. acarinata Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., I. flavocapitata Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., I. rupicola Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., I. siccusylvatica Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., and I. tica Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov. Moreover, we redescribe the formerly monotypic genera Macrometasoma Gadelha & Zaldívar-Riverón and Shawius Marsh, with one and three new species for them, respectively (M. nuuokoa Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., S. kawensis Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., S. perspicillatus Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov., and S. favicaudatus Sonora-Aguirre & Zaldívar-Riverón, sp. nov.), and synonymise Caputlenis Gadelha & Zaldívar-Riverón with Aphelopsia Marsh. Conclusions Our results establish a revised generic classification and provide new insights into the morphological evolution and phylogenetic relationships of this morphologically challenging group of doryctine genera. Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F922110D-E10A-476C-BC88-058EF777CA21