Horse Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Mangrove Forests and Estuarine Floodplains on Marajó Island, Brazil.

Tabanids constitute an important group of hematophagous insects that can transmit zoonoses, but with studies on the ecological distribution of species still neglected in the Amazon. We evaluated the role of mangrove forests and estuarine floodplains located inside and outside a conservation unit (UC) on the coast of Marajó Island, Amazon River estuary, on the diversity and distribution of tabanids. Specifically, we studied whether the community of mangrove and estuarine floodplain tabanids located inside and outside the UC differ in abundance, richness, and species composition. We collected tabanids using a Malaise trap at 40 sampling points, resulting in 637 specimens distributed in 13 species and one morphotype, representing approximately 37% of the tabanid fauna ever recorded for the Marajó Island. There was no significant difference in the richness and composition of tabanids between the phytophysiognomies, but the abundance was significantly different, with greater abundance in the mangrove. The areas inside and around the UC had an influence on the tabanids, with the areas inside the UC having the highest number of specimens and species, also influencing the species composition. Two species are new records for the Marajó Island, bringing the number of species recorded to 38. Our results suggest that, along the Amazonian coast, mangroves and estuarine floodplains maintain part of the diversity of tabanids known for the Brazilian Amazon. Our data also indicate that the region's UC provides potentially important habitats for the maintenance of local tabanid populations.

Tabanidae (Diptera) captured on horses in Amazon Forest fragments of the state of Rondônia, Brazil.

Tabanidae is one of the most diverse families of hematophagous dipterans. Tabanids, in general, are mechanical vectors of some pathogens. Given the vector importance and the lack of knowledge of the tabanid fauna in horses in Amazon Forest fragments of the state of Rondônia, this work aimed to determine the season that the different species of horse flies prefer to carryout hematophagy on horses and verify whether the horse fly community remains the same throughout the year. The sampling areas for tabanid captures were in the municipality of Monte Negro, Western Amazon, Brazil. Four new occurrences were recorded for the state of Rondônia: Stenotabanus albilinearis, Tabanus fuscofasciatus, T. macquarti and T. restrepoensis, which increases the number of species for the state to 109. The horse flies were most frequently collected on the hind leg (43.15%) and front leg (31.11%), followed by the belly (7.41%) and the ear (5.18%). In the other anatomical regions, the collection frequency was 13.15% of the remaining individuals.

The SISBIOTA-Diptera Brazilian Network: A long-term survey of Diptera from unexplored Brazilian Western Arc of Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal

ABSTRACT The SISBIOTA-BRASIL was a three-year multimillion-dollar research program of the Brazilian government to document plants and animals in endangered/understudied areas and biomes in Brazil. Distributional patterns and the historical events that generated them are extensively unknown regarding Brazilian fauna and flora. This deficiency hinders the development of conservation policies and the understanding of evolutionary processes. Conservation decisions depend on precise knowledge of the taxonomy and geographic distribution of species. Given such a premise, we proposed to research the diversity of Diptera of the Brazilian western arc of Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rondônia. Three important biomes of the South American continent characterize these Brazilian states: Amazon forest, Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), and Pantanal. Besides their ecological relevance, these biomes historically lack intensive entomological surveys. Therefore, they are much underrepresented in the Brazilian natural history collections and in the scientific literature, which is further aggravated by the fact that these areas are being exponentially and rapidly converted to commercial lands. Our project involved over 90 collaborators from 24 different Brazilian institutions and one from Colombia among researchers, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and technicians. We processed and analyzed nearly 300,000 specimens from ~60 families of Diptera collected with a large variety of methods in the sampled areas. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the genera and species diversity of 41 families treated. Our results point to a total of 2,130 species and 514 genera compiled and identified for the three states altogether, with an increase of 41% and 29% in the numbers of species and genera known for the three states combined, respectively. Overall, the 10 most species-rich families were Tachinidae, Cecidomyiidae, Tabanidae, Psychodidae, Sarcophagidae, Stratiomyidae, Bombyliidae, Syrphidae, Tephritidae, and Asilidae. The 10 most diverse in the number of genera were Tachinidae, Stratiomyidae, Asilidae, Mycetophilidae, Syrphidae, Tabanidae, Muscidae, Dolichopodidae, Sarcophagidae, and Chloropidae. So far, 111 scientific papers were published regarding taxonomic, phylogenetic, and biogeographical aspects of the studied families, with the description of 101 new species and three new genera. We expect that additional publications will result from this investigation because several specimens are now curated and being researched by specialists.

Revisiting the Tabanid Fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Uruguay: Notes on the Species of the Genus Tabanus Linnaeus, with the Description of a New Species.

We describe a new species of Tabanus (for Uruguay, the first in more than 90 years) based on females from the Department of Tacuarembó, Uruguay. Tabanus tacuaremboensis sp. n. is the 15th species of the genus Tabanus recorded from Uruguay. The species description is accompanied by illustrations of the diagnostic external and internal characters. In addition, for comparison with the new species, we provide photographs of the regional species of Tabanus whose distributions are still poorly known. In view of the lengthy hiatus since the last new tabanid species was described from Uruguay, we offer a brief discussion of the importance of new and further sampling in areas where the tabanofauna is still poorly known.

Description of Tabanusrondoniensis (Diptera: Tabanidae), a new species of horsefly from the State of Rondônia, Brazil.

Background: The genus Tabanus Linnaeus has a worldwide distribution and is the richest in species; however, it is probably not monophyletic. In the Neotropical Region, its richness is certainly underestimated, mainly due to the large number of species and the absence of recent taxonomic revisions. New information: We describe Tabanusrondoniensis sp. n. from the State of Rondônia, Brazil, based on a conspicuous tabanid species possibly related to the T.nebulosus species group. Diagnosis, discussion and illustrations are also provided.

New records of Tabanidae (Diptera) in an ecotone zone between the Cerrado and the Amazon Forest and an updated list of species of Tocantins, Brazil / Novos registros de Tabanidae (Diptera) em uma zona ecotonal entre o Cerrado e a Floresta Amazônica e lista atualizada de espécies do Tocantins, Brasil

Abstract Tabanidae is a family of the order Diptera composed of insects popularly known as horse flies. Compared to the current knowledge about other insects, tabanids can be considered a well-studied group in Brazil, however, little is known about the Tabanidae fauna in the Tocantins state, since only 44 species had been recorded for the state, which is not a very significant number among the 488 species recorded for the country. Thereby, we aimed to enlarge the knowledge of tabanids present in the state by identifying the specimens collected over the last decade in an important transition area between the Cerrado and Amazon domains. We accounted 302 specimens distributed in three subfamilies (Pangoniinae, Chrysopsinae, and Tabaninae), four tribes (Scionini, Chrysopsini, Diachlorini, and Tabanini), 12 genera, 29 species, and two varieties. Of these, only eight species and the two varieties had been recorded in the Tocantins state, numbering 21 new records for the state. Thus, we updated the records of Tabanidae for the Tocantins state for 65 known species.

Resumo Tabanidae é uma família da ordem Diptera composta por insetos popularmente conhecidos como mutucas. Quando comparado ao conhecimento sobre os demais insetos, os tabanídeos podem ser considerados um grupo bem estudado no Brasil, entretanto pouco se conhece sobre a fauna de Tabanidae do Tocantins, sendo que até então, apenas 44 espécies haviam sido registradas para o estado, um número pouco significativo, já que são registradas 488 espécies para o País. Desse modo, o presente trabalho visou ampliar o conhecimento acerca dos tabanídeos do estado através da identificação dos espécimes coletados ao longo da última década em uma importante área de transição entre os domínios Cerrado e Amazônia. Foram estudados 302 espécimes, distribuídos em três subfamílias (Pangoniinae, Chrysopsinae e Tabaninae), quatro tribos (Scionini, Chrysopsini, Diachlorini e Tabanini), 12 gêneros, 29 espécies e duas variedades. Apenas oito espécies e as duas variedades haviam sido previamente registradas para o Tocantins, totalizando 21 novos registros para o estado. Com isso, os registros de Tabanidae para o Tocantins são atualizados para 65 espécies.

Survey of Trypanosoma (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) Infection in Monte Negro Municipality, State of Rondônia, Western Amazon, with First Record of T. evansi in the state.

INTRODUCTION: Trypanosomes can infect humans and animals. This is the first record of the occurrence of Trypanosoma evansi in Rondônia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 7 dogs and 22 humans. Furthermore, triatomines and tabanids were collected. RESULTS: It was observed that 42.8% of the dogs tested positive for T. evansi and 14.3% presented mixed infection; 15% of the triatomines tested positive for flagellates identified as T. cruzi TCI (3 specimens), T. cruzi TCI, and T. rangeli (1 specimen), and one with T. cruzi TCV. Two tabanids were infected with T. theileri. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may benefit vector control strategies.

Survey of trypanosoma (kinetoplastida: trypanosomatidae) infection in Monte Negro Municipality, State of Rondônia, western amazon, with first record of T. evansi in the state

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Trypanosomes can infect humans and animals. This is the first record of the occurrence of Trypanosoma evansi in Rondônia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 7 dogs and 22 humans. Furthermore, triatomines and tabanids were collected. RESULTS: It was observed that 42.8% of the dogs tested positive for T. evansi and 14.3% presented mixed infection; 15% of the triatomines tested positive for flagellates identified as T. cruzi TCI (3 specimens), T. cruzi TCI, and T. rangeli (1 specimen), and one with T. cruzi TCV. Two tabanids were infected with T. theileri. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may benefit vector control strategies.

A new status for Aclogryllus Gorochov, 2009 (Phalangopsidae; Phalangopsinae; Paragryllini) with a new species from Brazilian Amazon.

Neste trabalho é proposto elevar o subgênero Aclogryllus para o status de gênero baseado em características da morfologia externa e genitália do macho. Também foi descrita uma nova espécie amazônica para Aclogryllus. Fotografias da espécie nominotípica e da nova espécie são apresentadas juntamente com a descrição das características morfológicas, diagnoses e fotografias da genitália masculina e da papila copulatória da fêmea.

The Tabanidae of the Mitaraka expedition, with an updated check list of French Guiana (Diptera).

This paper documents the horse fly fauna collected in lowland rainforest in the southwesternmost part of French Guiana (Mitaraka). During this "Our Planet Revisited" survey nine tabanid species were recorded from French Guiana for the first time: Chrysops ecuadorensis Lutz, C. incisus Macquart, Catachlorops amazonicus Henriques & Gorayeb, Chlorotabanus flagellatus Krolow & Henriques, Cryptoylus cauri Stone, Phaeotabanus phaeopterus Fairchild, Philipotabanus stigmaticalis (Kröber), Stypommisa captiroptera (Kröber) and Tabanus amapaensis Fairchild. An updated check list of Tabanidae of French Guiana is presented, including 79 species and one unidentified Chrysops.

Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Caenopangonia Kröber, 1930 (Diptera: Tabanidae).

The Neotropical species of Caenopangonia Kröber are revised herein based on examination of external and internal morphology of type material and specimens from Argentina and Chile. Three currently valid species are recognized: Caenopangonia aspera (Philip, 1958), Caenopangonia brevirostris (Philippi, 1865), and Caenopangonia hirtipalpis (Bigot, 1892). Two new species are described, Caenopangonia cerdai n. sp. Krolow, Henriques & González (Chile, Chacabuco) and Caenopangonia coscaroni n. sp. Krolow, Henriques & González (Chile, Malleco). We provide diagnosis and/or descriptions, distribution records, illustrations and discussion for all species, as well a key for identification.

Tabanidae (Diptera) of the American Museum of Natural History Collection.

A checklist of Tabanidae in the American Museum of Natural History was compiled. Over 9,000 specimens were studied. The currently accepted taxa names have been listed based on general catalogs and recent publications. Where possible, modern locality names are given and determiners of each species are provided. A total of 882 species are listed in alphabetical order; including 52 primary and 219 secondary types. The collection includes a substantial global representation of species records for this family.

Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Pityocera Giglio-Tos, 1896 (Diptera: Tabanidae: Scionini).

The genus Pityocera Giglio-Tos is revised based on examination of external morphology and genitalia of type material and specimens from Brazilian and foreign institutions. Five currently valid species in three subgenera are recognized: P. (Elaphella) cervus (Wiedemann, 1828); P. (Pityocera) festai Giglio-Tos, 1896; P. (Pseudelaphella) nana (Walker, 1850); P. (Pseudelaphella) nigribasis Fairchild, 1964; P. (Pseudelaphella) patellicornis (Kröber, 1930). Five new species are described: P. (Pseudelaphella) barrosi Gorayeb & Krolow sp. nov. (Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul); P. (Pseudelaphella) gorayebi Limeira-de-Oliveira & Krolow sp. nov. (Brazil: Maranhão, Tocantins and Bahia); P. (Pseudelaphella) pernaquila Gorayeb & Krolow sp. nov. (Brazil: Pará and Rondônia); P. (Pseudelaphella) rhinolissa Krolow & Henriques sp. nov. (Brazil: Pará, Maranhão, Tocantins, Rondônia, Mato Grosso, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul; Bolivia: Santa Cruz); P. (Pseudelaphella) ecuadorensis Buestán & Krolow sp. nov. (Ecuador: Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena and Loja). We provide diagnosis, descriptions, redescriptions, distribution records, illustrations and discussion for all species, as well as a key for identification of species. 

Description of Muscotabanus gen. nov. and Muscotabanus rafaeli sp. nov. (Diptera: Tabanidae: Diachlorini) from Amazon Basin, Brazil.

A new genus of Tabanidae mimetic of flies is described: Muscotabanus new genus, Muscotabanus rafaeli new species, based on 12 females collected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. It is presented a discussion for separating the new genus from Diachlorini species which resemblance with sarcophagids flies. It is characterised by striped thorax, banded abdomen, long slender palpus subequal antenna length, labella predominantly membranous, except for a narrow sclerotised plate, basicosta bare, wing hyaline and stigma brown.

Description of Muscotabanus gen. nov. and Muscotabanus rafaeli sp. nov. (Diptera: Tabanidae: Diachlorini) from Amazon Basin, Brazil

A new genus of Tabanidae mimetic of flies is described: Muscotabanus new genus, Muscotabanus rafaeli new species, based on 12 females collected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. It is presented a discussion for separating the new genus from Diachlorini species which resemblance with sarcophagids flies. It is characterised by striped thorax, banded abdomen, long slender palpus subequal antenna length, labella predominantly membranous, except for a narrow sclerotised plate, basicosta bare, wing hyaline and stigma brown.

Corrections and additions to Catalogue of Neotropical Diptera (Tabanidae) of Coscarón & Papavero (2009) / Correções e adições ao Catálogo de Diptera Neotropical (Tabanidae) de Coscarón & Papavero (2009)

Some corrections and omitted taxonomic information for the "Catalogue of Neotropical Diptera. Tabanidae" are presented. Fifteen recently described species are listed for the Neotropical region. Presently, the Neotropical region has 1,205 Tabanidae species, besides 35 unrecognized species and 29 nomina nuda.

São apresentadas correções e informações taxonômicas omitidas no "Catalogue of Neotropical Diptera. Tabanidae". Quinze espécies recentemente descritas para a região Neotropical são adicionadas. Atualmente a Região Neotropical possui 1.205 espécies de Tabanidae, além de 35 espécies não reconhecidas e 29 nomina nuda.

Tabanidae (Diptera) no dossel da floresta amazônica atraídos por luz e descrição de machos de três espécies / Tabanidae (Diptera) in the canopy of the Amazon rainforest attracted by light and description of males of three species

Foram realizadas coletas de tabanídeos a 40 metros de altura, em uma torre metálica, na Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Amazonas, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de janeiro a dezembro de 2004, durante três noites de transição lunar minguante/nova de cada mês, das 18 às 6 horas. As mutucas foram capturadas em um lençol iluminado com lâmpada de luz mista de vapor de mercúrio de 250 watts e lâmpada de 20 watts BLB. Foram coletados 216 espécimes, dos quais 135 machos e 81 fêmeas, alocados em 29 espécies. Três machos desconhecidos são descritos pela primeira vez: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 e Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Tabanids were collected at a height of 40 meters on a metallic tower, at Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly from January to December of 2004, during three nights of lunar transition third quarter moon/ new moon from 06 p.m. to 06 a.m. Horse flies were captured on a vertical sheet illuminated by a 250-watts mixed mercury vapor light and 20-watts black-light (BLB) lamps. 216 specimens were collected, of which 135 were males and 81 were females belonging to 29 species. Males of three species with unknown males are described for the first time, namely: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 and Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Catalogue of type specimens of the Collection of Invertebrates of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. III. Hexapoda: Isoptera, Mantodea, Mecoptera, Orthoptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Zoraptera / Catálogo dos espécimes-tipo de invertebrados da coleção do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brasil. III. Hexapoda: Isoptera, Mantodea, Mecoptera, Orthoptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera e Zoraptera

A catalogue of the type specimens of Isoptera, Mantodea, Mecoptera, Orthoptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Zoraptera deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil, is presented and updated to December, 2007. A total of eight holotypes and seven lots of paratypes of nine species of Isoptera; three holotypes and one paratype of three species of Mantodea; five holotypes and five lots of paratypes of five species of Mecoptera; eight holotypes and five lots of paratypes of eleven species of Orthoptera; three holotypes, three neotypes and two lots of paratypes of seven species of Plecoptera; six holotypes and seven lots of paratypes of ten species of Trichoptera; and two holotypes and three lots of paratypes of three species of Zoraptera, are listed. Specific names are listed alphabetically within the family, followed by bibliographic citation, original genus name, status of type, collection number, locality data and remarks when appropriate.

É apresentado o catálogo dos espécimes-tipo de Isoptera, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera e Zoraptera depositados na Coleção de Invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brasil, atualizado até dezembro de 2007. É relacionado um total de sete holótipos e sete lotes de parátipos de nove espécies de Isoptera; três holótipos e um parátipo de três espécies de Mantodea; cinco holótipos e cinco lotes de parátipos de cinco espécies de Mecoptera; oito holótipos e cinco lotes de parátipos de 11 espécies de Orthoptera; três holótipos, três neótipos e dois lotes de parátipos de sete espécies de Plecoptera; seis holótipos e sete lotes de parátipos de dez espécies de Trichoptera; e dois holótipos e três lotes de parátipos de três espécies de Zoraptera. São listados alfabeticamente em cada família os nomes das espécies, seguidos da citação bibliográfica, nome original do gênero, categoria do tipo, número de registro na coleção, dados de localidade e comentários quando pertinentes.

Descrição do macho de Chlorotabanus leucochlorus Fairchild (Diptera, Tabanidae) / Description of the male of Chlorotabanus leucochlorus Fairchild (Diptera, Tabanidae)

É descrito o macho de Chlorotabanus leucochlorus Fairchild, 1961, espécie com registros para o norte do Brasil, Suriname, Venezuela e leste do Peru. Para o estudo foram utilizados sete machos provenientes de diferentes localidades do estado do Amazonas, Brasil. O material está depositado na Coleção de Invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) e na Coleção Zoológica Paulo Bührnheim (UFAM), ambas em Manaus, Brasil.

The male of Chlorotabanus leucochlorus Fairchild, 1961 is described for the first time. The species is known from northern Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela and eastern Peru. Seven males from various locations in the state of Amazonas, Brazil were examined. The material was deposited in the Invertebrate Collections of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) and Zoological Collection Paulo Bührnheim (UFAM), both in Manaus, Brazil.

Catalogue of type specimens of invertebrates in the collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. II. Hexapoda: Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Ephemeroptera and Blattaria / Catálogo dos espécimes-tipo da Coleção de Invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brasil. II. Hexapoda: Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Ephemeroptera e Blattaria

A catalogue of type specimens of Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Ephemeroptera, and Blattaria deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil, is presented and updated to June, 2007. It contains a total of 22 holotypes and 18 lots of paratypes of 22 species of Collembola; one holotype and one paratype of one species of Diplura; four holotypes and four paratypes of four species of Archaeognatha; 10 holotypes and thirteen lots of paratypes of 11 species of Ephemeroptera; and one holotype and two lots of paratypes of one species of Blattaria. Specific names are listed alphabetically within family, followed by bibliographical citation, original genus name, status of type, collection number and locality data.

É apresentado um catálogo dos espécimes-tipo de Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Ephemeroptera e Blattaria depositados na Coleção de Invertebrados do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brasil, atualizado até junho de 2007. É relacionado um total de 22 holótipos e 18 lotes de parátipos de 22 espécies de Collembola; um holótipo e um lote de parátipos de uma espécie de Diplura; quatro holótipos e quatro parátipos de quatro espécies de Archaeognatha; dez holótipos e sete lotes de parátipos de 11 espécies de Ephemeroptera e um holótipo e dois lotes de parátipos de uma espécie de Blattaria. São listados alfabeticamente em cada família os nomes das espécies, seguidos da citação bibliográfica, nome original do gênero, categoria do tipo, número de registro na coleção e dados de localidade.