Townsendiellini
Townsendiellini is a tribe of in the , . The tribe was historically recognized as a distinct lineage but has been reclassified in recent phylogenomic studies. Based on integrated molecular and morphological evidence, Townsendiellini is now treated as a synonym of an expanded tribe Neolarrini. Members of this lineage are cleptoparasitic bees that parasitize solitary bee . The tribe includes the Townsendiella, which was found to be sister to Rhopalolemma, rendering the historical tribe Biastini .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Townsendiellini: //taʊnzɛnˈdiɛlɪnaɪ//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Ecological Role
As in the , members of this lineage function as of solitary . They do not construct nests or provision pollen stores, instead exploiting the nesting resources of . This parasitic lifestyle reduces host reproductive success and may influence host and structure.
Similar Taxa
- BiastiniHistorical tribe that was found to be due to the placement of Townsendiella within it; now synonymized under expanded Neolarrini
- NeolarriniHistorical tribe that now includes Townsendiellini as a synonym based on phylogenomic evidence showing Townsendiella is sister to Rhopalolemma, nested within the Biastini lineage