Sarcosaprophagous Muscid Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Assemblages Along an Anthropized Gradient in the Humid Chaco Ecoregion, Chaco Province, Argentina.

Deforestation, agriculture, farmyard animal husbandry, and urbanization are known to be the main causes of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. The present study evaluated the role of anthropization in modulating Muscidae (Diptera) assemblages in the Humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, by testing the biotic homogenization and intermediate disturbance hypotheses. The study focused on natural, rural, and urban habitats in San Lorenzo Department, Chaco Province, where sarcosaprophagous muscid flies were surveyed. A total of 1,343 muscid flies were captured and identified to 7 genera and 24 species and morphospecies. We observed the effect of anthropization on the structuring of the assemblages and the presence of exotic species associated with human activity resulting from biotic homogenization. The highest abundance was recorded in the urban habitat, while the highest species richness and diversity (Shannon-Wienner and Hill's numbers) were found in the rural habitat, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Several species are classified as indicators of habitat as well as according to their index of synanthropy. Our results provide valuable information about the use of sarcosaprophagous muscids as indicators of disturbance of natural habitats and about possible health risks related to this family of Calyptratae flies previously unsurveyed in northeastern Argentina. This information could be used in the ecological, agronomy, sanitary, and forensic fields.

Using ecological niche models to describe the geographical distribution of the myiasis-causing Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in southern South America.

In southern South America, namely Argentina and Chile, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) is the main myiasic agent on humans and domestic animals. The distribution pattern of the species is poorly known and the southern limit of its geographic distribution is unclear. The aims of this study are to elucidate the basic environmental factors associated with occurrence of this myiasic species, evaluation of models constructed on the basis of occurrence data based on adult specimen records to predict geographic occurrence of myiasis, evaluation of unsurveyed sites of high potential of occurrence of the species, and recognition and prioritization of areas that need medical control and specific prophylaxis practices related to this pest. The maximum entropy modeling system (Maxent) was used. Maps of potential distribution of C. hominivorax were produced using two different datasets, models obtained with all localities known for the species (combining medical data and taxonomic data) and only-taxonomic models (excluding medical data). The results obtained include an updated compilation of occurrence of the species in Argentina and Chile. Predictive models obtained in this work indicated that large areas of central-eastern territory of Argentina has the potential for C. hominivorax occurrence, probably reaching the parallel 42° S as is indicated by the complete datasets. Only-taxonomic models fail to predict those myiasic cases occurring in the nearer areas of the Andean chains. The main variables associated with the distribution of C. hominivorax were, alternatively, isothermality or minimum temperature of the coldest month. These results provide a new analytical resource of high potential for the prevention of myiasis and to supports further epidemiological studies.

A review of Spathipheromyia (Diptera: Muscidae) from Argentina with the description of an extra-large new species.

Spathipheromyia Bigot is a small group of predaceous muscids endemic of the Neotropical region. Currently, the genus includes 14 species of which only Spathipheromyia atra Malloch, 1934, S. magellani Malloch, 1934 and S. guttipennis (Thomson, 1869) are listed for Argentina. We present a new species Spathipheromyia goliat sp. nov. for Argentina and registered S. albiceps Malloch, 1934 for the first time for Argentina. Also we present a more detailed description of male and female terminalia of S. albiceps, S. atra, and S. guttipennis, notes on their habitat, new records, a key to species, and a discussion on structure of male terminalia.

Taxonomic review of the species of Helina R.-D. (Diptera: Muscidae) from Andean-Patagonian forests.

Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the second genus of Muscidae in terms of richness. This genus includes several species collected at high altitudes and high latitudes, and is poorly studied in the Neotropical region. Only 12 species of Helina have been recorded in the southern limit of South America in the Andean-Patagonian forests. In the present work, we studied all the species known from the Andean-Patagonian forests, with the exception of H. viola Malloch, 1934, present three new species, H. araucana sp. nov., H. dorada sp. nov., and H. ouina sp. nov., and provide the first description of the females of H. australis Carvalho & Pont, 1993 and H. rufoapicata Malloch, 1934. We also propose four new synonymies: H. nigrimana basilaris (Carvalho & Pont, 1993) and H. nigrimana grisea (Malloch, 1934) as new junior synonyms of H. nigrimana (Macquart, 1851); and H. fulvocalyptrata Malloch, 1934 and H. simplex Malloch, 1934 as new junior synonyms of H. chilensis Malloch, 1934. Finally, we provide a generic diagnosis and a new key for the Helina species of the Andean-Patagonian forests, as well as notes on the biology and distribution maps of each specimen, and discuss a preliminary contruction of groups of species.

Timeless standards for species delimitation.

Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.

The Sarcophaginae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Southern South America. I. The species of Microcerella Macquart from the Patagonian Region.

A revision is given of the species placed in the genus Microcerella Macquart, known from the southern extreme of South America, the so-called Patagonian Region. A new diagnosis of the genus is given on the basis of the revision of a large number of Neotropical species. A total of 25 valid species are recognized in the region. Most of these (21 species) are divided into four species-groups on the basis of general groundplan of genitalia and external characters. Four new species are described, M. deliae sp. nov., M. holmbergi sp. nov., M. nataliae sp. nov. and M. paetoi sp. nov. One new synonymy is established: Austrohartigia shannoni Lopes as a new junior synonym of Microcerella spinosa (Hall), syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Doringia subandina Blanchard [a junior synonym of Microcerella spinigena (Rondani)]. Two species are recorded from Argentina for the first time: M. chicoensis (Lopes) and M. engeli (Hall). Three nominal species were not examined and are treated as nomina dubia within Microcerella: M. apicalis (Townsend), M. rufomaculata Macquart and M. sarcophagina Thomson. An illustrated key is provided to the males of Patagonian species of Microcerella allowing for separation of 25 species. Additionally, a series of images of male genitalia based on color photography and illustrations is provided to aid in the identification of these species of Microcerella. Biological information is given for the species, where known.

The type specimens of Calyptratae (Diptera) housed in non-traditional institutions in Argentina.

The type material of species of Calyptratae Diptera belonging to Anthomyiidae, Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, and Tachinidae, housed in the collections of non-traditional institutions in Argentina were examined. These collections were included in the recently created "Sistema Nacional de Datos Biológicos" (National Biological Data System). We examined four collections: "Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán'" (ANLIS), "Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Castelar, Buenos Aires" (INTA), "Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas" (IADIZA); and "Fundación Félix de Azara" (CFA). Comparison of the original descriptions of these species with the label information revealed the existence of 24 holotypes, 5 lectotypes, 11 syntypes, and 441 paratypes/paralectotypes. Complete information is given for each type, including reference to the original description, label data, and preservation condition. 

The striking species Apsil pennata Malloch (Diptera, Muscidae)

The striking species Apsil pennata Malloch (Diptera, Muscidae). Apsil pennata Malloch, 1934 is a singular species of a small group of predaceous muscids endemic to Patagonia and southern Chile. We present for the first time the description of the female, illustration of male and female terminalia, notes on their habitat and new records.

The type specimens of Tachinidae (Diptera) housed in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires.

The type material of species of Tachinidae (Diptera) housed in the collection of the Entomology Division of the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" were examined and are herein documented. The collection contains 202 type specimens consisting of 54 species described by E.E. Blanchard and 12 described by J. Brèthes. Comparison of their original descriptions with the label information reveals the existence of 24 holotypes, 1 lectotype, 141 syntypes and 36 paratypes. Complete information is given for each type, including reference to the original description, label data, and preservation condition.

Muscidae (Insecta: Diptera) of Argentina: revision of Buenos Aires province fauna, with a pictorial key to species.

The knowledge of Muscidae of Argentina is fragmentary and incomplete. In this work, 43 species of Muscidae are recorded from Buenos Aires province, the largest and the most populated of Argentina. Redescriptions of Dolichophaonia trigona (Shannon & Del Ponte), Helina nivaloides Albuquerque, Mydaea sexpunctata (Wulp) are presented. Two new synonymies are proposed: Mydaea latomensis Snyder is established as a new junior synonym of M sexpunctata, and Neodexiopsis croceafrons Snyder is established as a new junior synonym of N. paulistensis Albuquerque. We designated lectotypes for Ophyra carbonaria Shannon & Del Ponte, Phyronota platensis Shannon & Del Ponte, Phyronota portensis Shannon & Del Ponte, and Spilogaster sexpunctata Wulp. Arthurella choelensis Patitucci & Mariluis, Limnophora aurifacies Stein, Lispe setuligera (Stein), Morellia (Trichomorellia) trichops (Malloch), Neomuscina zosteris (Shannon & Del Ponte), and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) are recorded for the first time from Buenos Aires province, and Graphomya maculata (Scopoli) and Helina nivaloides are newly recorded from Argentina. New records of distribution for 21 of the 43 species herein studied are presented. A pictoric key to adults of the 43 species of Muscidae from Buenos Aires province is presented. Notes on biology, distribution in Argentina, and references in the literature for this family are also given.