Latheticomyia Wheeler is recorded for the first time from Brazil, with records of Latheticomyia infumata Wheeler and Latheticomyia longiterebra Hennig. The male of L. infumata is described and the terminalia are illustrated. New records of Pseudopomyzella flava Hennig for the Brazilian Amazon are presented.
Diptera , Male , Animals , Brazil
We describe the first species of Achilixiidae from Brazil with representatives of Bebaiotes. Eight new species of Bebaiotes Muir, 1924 were described viz. Bebaiotes amazonica sp. nov. (Amazonas, Par, Rondnia and Roraima); Bebaiotes bia sp. nov. (Acre); Bebaiotes dichromata sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes macroptera sp. nov. (Amazonas and Amap Bebaiotes parallela sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes pennyi sp. nov. (Amazonas and Maranho); Bebaiotes tigrina sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes wilsoni sp. nov. (Amazonas). In addition, four species were revised, and their distribution expanded: Bebaiotes banksi (Metcalf, 1938) (BrazilAmazonas and Par Panam Bebaiotes dorsivittata Fennah, 1947 (BrazilAmap, Amazonas, Par, Rondnia and Roraima; Ecuador; Peru; Bebaiotes guianesus (Fennah, 1947) (BrazilAmazonas; Guiana); Bebaiotes pulla Muir, 1934 (BrazilAcre and Amazonas; Ecuador). Additionally, an identification key to males and females of the species is provided.
Hemiptera , Male , Female , Animals , Brazil
Two new Andean species of Hoplopeza Bezzi are described and illustrated: Hoplopeza colombiana sp. nov. and Hoplopeza rafaeli sp. nov. These species are the first record from the Andean ecosystem of Colombia. In addition, the genus is diagnosed, the first description of the female terminalia, as well as a key and distribution map of the Andean species of the genus are presented.
Diptera , Female , Animals , Colombia , Ecosystem , Animal Distribution , Forests
The Neotropical genus Scutops is revised, including the description of S. flavithorax sp. nov., S. ipixunensis sp. nov., S. melinus sp. nov., S. robustus sp. nov., S. spinophallus sp. nov., and the redescriptions of five species. A key to included species is provided and Scutops striatus Hennig, 1969 is transferred to Periscelis Loew.
Diptera , Animals , Animal Distribution
The Neotropical species of Hercostomus Loew are revised and the following new combinations are proposed: Paraclius panamensis (Van Duzee, 1931) comb. nov. (Panama), P. plumitarsis (Parent, 1931) comb. nov. (Bolivia), P. problematicus (Parent, 1930) comb. nov. (Brazil and Guyana) and Tachytrechus flavimanus (Van Duzee, 1934) comb. nov. (Brazil, Ecuador and Guyana). The type of Hercostomus petulans Parent, 1939 is lost, the species cannot be confidently identified and is here treated as a nomen dubium. As a result, the genus Hercostomus is formally excluded from the Neotropical Region. Paraclius problematicus comb. nov., P. latipes (Aldrich) and Tachytrechus flavimanus comb. nov. are redescribed based on additional material and photographs of type specimens. In addition, Paraclius maculipennis (Van Duzee, 1934) is regarded as a junior synonym of P. problematicus comb. nov. A new species of Paraclius from Costa Rica, P. norrbomi sp. nov. is described in the newly proposed latipes-group, along with P. aberrans Robinson, P. latipes and P. panamensis comb. nov.
Diptera , Animals
The species of Paraclius Loew with bi-lamellate arista-like stylus are revised and P. americanus (Schiner, 1868) comb. nov. is transferred from Tachytrechus Haliday and regarded as the senior synonym of P. diplacocerus Capellari, 2013 syn. nov. In addition, two new species with similar antennal morphology are described and illustrated from Brazil: P. bilamellatus sp. nov. (States of Espírito Santo and Goiás) and P. vulcanoae sp. nov. (State of São Paulo). A distribution map and a key to the males of known species of Paraclius with bi-lamellate arista-stylus are provided.
Diptera , Male , Animals , Diptera/anatomy & histology , Brazil , Animal Distribution
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.
Caenidae is a globally widespread family, inhabiting a variety of aquatic habitats. In South America, only 35 species are recognized, maybe as a consequence of the few studies until the first decade of the 21st century. Despite recent advances, large portions of Brazil, such as Rondnia State, are still characterized by Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls. Rondnia is an area predicted to have high mayfly richness, but with no record of Caenidae. From this perspective, the objective of this study is to provide the first access to primary biodiversity data of Caenidae (Ephemeroptera) from Rondnia. As result, we report five species (Brasilocaenis elidioi, Brasilocaenis irmleri, Caenis chamie, Caenis fittkaui, Latineosus sigillatus) and describe a new species based on all life stages (Caenis urupa sp. nov.).
Ephemeroptera , Animals , Brazil , Insecta , Ecosystem , Biodiversity
The Neotropical genus Neorhinotora Lopes is currently represented by five species: N. amapaensis Guimares & Papavero, N. aristalis (Fischer), N. diversa (Giglio-Tos), N. elsalvadorensis Menezes, Calhau & Ale-Rocha, and N. mutica (Schiner). A new species is described and illustrated: Neorhinotora fapema, sp. nov. from Maranho, Brazil, bringing the number of valid species to six. A revised key is provided for species identification.
Diptera , Animals , Brazil , Animal Distribution
New distributional records for four species and the description of a new species of Caenis Stephens from Parnaba River Basin, in a semiarid region of the state of Piau, Northeastern Brazil are given. Characters and illustrations to distinguish Caenis marataoan sp. nov. from all other species in Caenis are provided. The new species can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: 1) body length of male 1.52.0 mm, female 2.52.8 mm; 2) base of antennal flagellum not dilated; 3) forceps apically rounded, covered with trichomes and with 23 minute spines at apex; 4) styliger plate short with posterior margin convex; 5) penis fused and not laterally projected; 6) eggs oval-shaped; micropyle linear with narrow and long micropylar canal, preceded by an oval sperm guide.
Ephemeroptera , Animals , Brazil , Female , Male , Penis , Semen
Pseudoscelolabes Collin, 1933, an endemic New Zealand genus, is revised, including the description of a new species, P. lesagei Sinclair Barros sp. nov. The male and female terminalia of the genus are described and illustrated for the first time. An identification key to the two included species and a map with distribution records are provided. The relationships of the genus within Ocydromiinae are discussed.
Diptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Female , Male , New Zealand
Six new species of Bennarella Muir, 1930 viz. B. guidai sp. nov., B. henriquesi sp. nov., B. maculipennis sp. nov., B. rafaeli sp. nov., B. vittata sp. nov. and B. xavieri sp. nov., are described and illustrated. An updated description of B. bicoloripennis Muir and B. fusca Muir, together with illustrations, pictures, and new data of records, are provided. Additionally, an identification key to males and females of the species is provided.
Hemiptera , Animals , Female , Male
Abstract: This paper covers the first record of window flies, Scenopinidae (Diptera), in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Scenopinus schulzi Enderlein, which is briefly characterized. This species was recorded in low numbers: three males and 13 female specimens. The occurrence of scenopinids in Fernando de Noronha is regarded as an extension of the Brazilian mainland continental fauna. The colonization of the archipelago is discussed.
Resumo: Este trabalho faz o primeiro registro de uma espécie de Scenopinidae no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Brasil: Scenopinus schulzi Enderlein, brevemente caracterizada. Esta espécie foi registrada em baixa densidade: três machos e 13 fêmeas. A ocorrência de scenopinideos em Fernando de Noronha é atribuída à extensão territorial da fauna continental e sua colonização no arquipélago é discutida.
Tropical forests are among the most biodiverse biomes on the planet. Nevertheless, quantifying the abundance and species richness within megadiverse groups is a significant challenge. We designed a study to address this challenge by documenting the variability of the insect fauna across a vertical canopy gradient in a Central Amazonian tropical forest. Insects were sampled over two weeks using 6-m Gressitt-style Malaise traps set at five heights (0 m-32 m-8 m intervals) on a metal tower in a tropical forest north of Manaus, Brazil. The traps contained 37,778 specimens of 18 orders of insects. Using simulation approaches and nonparametric analyses, we interpreted the abundance and richness of insects along this gradient. Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Coleoptera had their greatest abundance at the ground level, whereas Lepidoptera and Hemiptera were more abundant in the upper levels of the canopy. We identified species of 38 of the 56 families of Diptera, finding that 527 out of 856 species (61.6%) were not sampled at the ground level. Mycetophilidae, Tipulidae, and Phoridae were significantly more diverse and/or abundant at the ground level, while Tachinidae, Dolichopodidae, and Lauxaniidae were more diverse or abundant at upper levels. Our study suggests the need for a careful discussion of strategies of tropical forest conservation based on a much more complete understanding of the three-dimensional distribution of its insect diversity.
Ecosystem , Insecta/classification , Rainforest , Animals , Biodiversity , Brazil , Conservation of Natural Resources , Tropical Climate
Pseudogaurax Malloch is a speciose genus of Chloropidae in the Neotropical region. The South American fauna is understudied, particularly in the Amazon basin. Here we provide a taxonomic revision of the Amazonian species of Pseudogaurax, including the description of five new species-P. flaviscutellatus sp. nov., P. infulatus sp. nov., P. longitriangularis sp. nov., P. pallidus sp. nov. and P. poseidoni sp. nov.-and a key to all Brazilian species. Including our results, Pseudogaurax is known from 19 species from Brazil, 10 of which occur in the Amazon Forest.
Diptera , Animals , Animal Distribution , Forests
ABSTRACT Three new species of Pseudosympycnus Robinson are described and illustrated from Peru: P. pennipes sp. nov., P. latitarsus sp. nov. and P. rafaeli sp. nov. In addition, Pseudosympycnus latipes (Parent) is recorded for the first time from the country and the male terminalia are illustrated. The first photographs of the holotype of P. bicolor Robinson and an updated key to species of the genus are provided.
We increase the knowledge on the taxonomy of Brazilian Syneches describing 10 new species: S. amorimi sp. nov., S. barrettoi sp. nov., S. digitatus sp. nov., S. fasciatus sp. nov., S. flaviscutellatus sp. nov., S. fuscus sp. nov., S. nordestino sp. nov., S. plaumanni sp. nov., S. sinclairi sp. nov., and S. smithi sp. nov., and redescribing three species: S. catarinae Smith, 1962, S. luteus (Wiedemann, 1830) and S. tomentosus Smith, 1962. Syneches ruficollis (Walker, 1852) is proposed as a nomen dubium since the type is lost and the original description does not allow identification. An identification key, high-resolution images of relevant characters, short diagnoses and maps of geographic records for all 34 Brazilian species now included in the genus are provided, as well as a checklist for the South American species of Syneches.
Diptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Brazil
Two species of the genus Metatrichia Coquillett, from South America, are described as new to science: Metatrichia barbata sp. nov. and Metatrichia brunneipennis sp. nov. Their relationships with related species are discussed. Metatrichia bulbosa (Osten Sacken, 1877) is registered to Brazil for the first time. A key to New World species of Metatrichia is presented.
Diptera , Myxomycetes , Animal Distribution , Animals
A catalog of the Hybotidae of Chile is provided. We present all valid names and synonyms for the 27 species and 10 genera distributed in the country, including information about name, author, year of publication, page number, type species, type depository, type locality and references. The geographical distribution of the species was recorded from bibliographic data and revised collections. Two species previously recorded for the Hybotidae fauna of Chile must be deleted: Drapetis armipes Bezzi, described from Tacna Peru, and Ocydromia philippii Bigot, a synonym junior of Hyperperacera nemoralis (Philippi), now in Brachystomatidae (Trichopezinae). Bicellaria collina (Philippi) and Austrodromia? valdiviana (Philippi) are maintained in Hybotidae waiting for clarification of correct taxonomic assignment.
Diptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Chile
A new species of Neorhinotora Lopes, 1934 (Diptera, Heleomyzidae) is described: Neorhinotora elsalvadorensis sp. nov., from El Salvador, Central America, with illustrations of external and internal morphological characters and update of the identification key.
Diptera/anatomy & histology , Diptera/classification , Animals , Central America
