Tropicohilara, a New Genus of Hilarini (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae) from Brazil, with Descriptions of Six New Species.

The genus Tropicohilaragen. nov. (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae: Hilarini) is described and includes the following six new species from Brazil: Tropicohilara amazonensissp. nov. (type species, Brazil: Amazonas, Manaus); T. bahiensissp. nov. (Brazil: Bahia, Camacan); T. bellasp. nov. (Brazil: Pernambuco, Jaqueira); T. mineirasp. nov. (Brazil: Minas Gerais, Itamonte); T. paranaensissp. nov. (Brazil: Paraná, Piraquara); and T. sinclairisp. nov. (Brazil: Paraná, Morretes). The genus is presently recorded from the Amazonian and Atlantic Forest biomes. It differs from other hilarine genera by the following combination of characteristics: predominantly yellowish specimens; occiput somewhat conical in dorsal view; postpedicel elongate, male first fore tarsomere unmodified; hind tibia slightly shorter than hind femur; wing vein R2+3 with setae on ventral surface; male tergite 7 with a sclerotized band at posterior margin, tergite 8 reduced and upwardly directed so that terminalia can be flexed forward. A key to the species is provided.

Taxonomic review of Ctenodontina Enderlein, 1914 with the revalidation of Catostola Hull, 1958 (Diptera: Asilidae: Asilinae) and description of a new species.

A taxonomic review of Ctenodontina Enderlein, 1914, was performed and only two species are included: Ctenodontina mochica Lamas, 1973 and Ctenodontina pectinatipes Enderlein, 1914. Catostola Hull, 1958 stat. rev., a genus that was previously allocated as junior synonym of Ctenodontina has its status revalidated and justifications for this nomenclatural act are presented. Consequently, seven species previously allocated in Ctenodontina were transferred to Catostola stat. rev.: Catostola baleta (Walker, 1849) comb. nov., Catostola carrerai Hull, 1958 comb. rev., Catostola complicata (James, 1953) comb. nov., Catostola martini (Fisher, 1992) comb. nov., Catostola maya (Carrera & d'Andretta, 1953) comb. rev., Catostola nairae (Vieira, 2012) comb. nov., and Catostola sagta (Vieira, Ayala-Landa & Rafael, 2017) comb. nov. All species were redescribed and illustrated, except Catostola carrerai Hull, 1958 comb. rev., and Ctenodontina mochica Lamas, 1973, for which only diagnosis were provided. A new species Catostola indecisa sp. nov., was described and illustrated. In addition, new distribution records were provided for Catostola baleta comb. nov., Catostola martini comb. nov., Catostola maya comb. rev., Catostola nairae comb. nov., and Catostola sagta comb. nov. An identification key to all species is provided including distribution maps with previous and new records.

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.

Prey of the Patagonian species Hilarempis sigillata Collin (Diptera, Empididae, Empidinae, Hilarini), and the first record of nocturnal activity in the tribe

ABSTRACT The Empididae fauna of Chile is basically known from a taxonomic perspective. Herein, we have added biological data based on a species of Hilarini, improving our knowledge regarding the southern temperate fauna of the family. We report for the first time the prey and nocturnal activities of the Patagonian empidid species Hilarempis sigillata Collin, 1933. Specimens were collected until two hours after sunset on a white light sheet at a river margin in the Chilean region of Los Lagos, close to the Puyehue National Park. Adults were found on the sheet with prey of the Chironomidae genera Cricotopus, Xestochironomus, Microtendipes, Podochlus, Heptagyia and Reissmesa (Diptera), as well as a species of the Coniopterygidae genus Semidalis (Neuroptera) and a species of the Limoniidae genus Erioptera (Diptera). The empidids held the prey close to their body using the mid tarsi, in most cases with the ventral side of the prey turned up or laterally.

Basileunculus Rafael, 1987 (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with Description of Three New Species and an Updated Key to Males of the Neotropical Species.

Basileunculus Rafael, 1987 is exclusive of the Neotropical region and is a poorly studied group, completely unknown in Colombia. Three new species of Basileunculus are described from Colombia, namely Basileunculus elieceri sp. nov. (type-locality: Cabaña Chaina, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque), B. elongatus sp. nov. (type-locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque), and B. tayronensis sp. nov. (type-locality: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona). Basileunculus rex Curran, 1934 is recorded for the first time in Colombia, with an amended diagnosis. Descriptions, illustrations, diagnosis, distribution maps of new species, and a dichotomic key for all of the Neotropical species are presented.

Insect (Hexapoda) Diversity in the Oceanic Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Scenopinidae (Diptera) / Diversidade de insetos (Hexapoda) no Arquipélago Oceânico de Fernando de Noronha, Brasil: Scenopinidae (Diptera)

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.

Vertical stratification of insect abundance and species richness in an Amazonian tropical forest.

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.

Taxonomic review of Cerozodus Bigot, 1857 (Diptera: Asilidae: Asilinae) with the description of two new species.

In this work, a taxonomic review of Cerozodus Bigot, 1857 is performed and its two included species namely, Cerozodus brachylobus Vieira, Rafael & Limeira-de-Oliveira, 2013 and Cerozodus nodicornis (Wiedemann, 1828) are redescribed and two new species from Brazil are described, Cerozodus ayalai sp. nov. and Cerozodus platylobus sp. nov. Illustrations of male and female, including their respective terminalia are presented. A key for all species is proposed and an updated map with the distribution records is presented.

The sweat bees from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) / Halictídeos do arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Abstract: The sweat bees from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago are presented and illustrated herein. The species recorded are Augochlora (Augochlora) laevipyga (Kirby, 1890), Augochlora (Augochlora) sp., new record, and Lasioglossum (Dialictus) atripyga (Kirby, 1890). The Kirby species are redescribed based on recently collected specimens, including the first illustration of the male terminalia. The unidentified species is also shortly characterized.

Resumo: Os halictídeos do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha são aqui apresentados e ilustrados. As espécies registradas são Augochlora (Augochlora) laevipyga (Kirby, 1890), Augochlora (Augochlora) sp., novo registro, e Lasioglossum (Dialictus) atripyga (Kirby, 1890). As espécies descritas por Kirby são redescritas com base em espécimes recentemente coletados, incluindo a primeira ilustração das terminálias dos machos. A espécie não identificada também é resumidamente caracterizada.

Are publications on zoological taxonomy under attack?

Taxonomy is essential to biological sciences and the priority field in face of the biodiversity crisis. The industry of scientific publications has made extensive promotion and display of bibliometric indexes, resulting in side effects such as the Journal Impact Factor™ (JIF) mania. Inadequacies of the widely used indexes to assess taxonomic publications are among the impediments for the progress of this field. Based on an unusually high proportion of self-citations, the mega-journal Zootaxa, focused on zoological taxonomy, was suppressed from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR, Clarivate™). A prompt reaction from the scientific community against this decision took place exposing myths and misuses of bibliometrics. Our goal is to shed light on the impact of misuse of bibliometrics to the production in taxonomy. We explored JCR's metrics for 2010-2018 of 123 zoological journals publishing taxonomic studies. Zootaxa, with around 15 000 citations, received 311% more citations than the second most cited journal, and shows higher levels of self-citations than similar journals. We consider Zootaxa's scope and the fact that it is a mega-journal are insufficient to explain its high level of self-citation. Instead, this result is related to the 'Zootaxa phenomenon', a sociological bias that includes visibility and potentially harmful misconceptions that portray the journal as the only one that publishes taxonomic studies. Menaces to taxonomy come from many sources and the low bibliometric indexes, including JIF, are only one factor among a range of threats. Instead of being focused on statistically illiterate journal metrics endorsing the villainy of policies imposed by profit-motivated companies, taxonomists should be engaged with renewed strength in actions directly connected to the promotion and practice of this science without regard for citation analysis.

Redescription of emRaggophyllum/em Nickle, 1967 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) with description of a new species from Brazilian Amazon Rainforest and placement in Microcentrini Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878.

Raggophyllum Nickle, 1967 is a monotypic genus, including Raggophylluym spinosum, and recorded in Peru and Bolivia. In this work, Raggophyllum is redescribed and assigned to the Microcentrini, based on the type species Raggophylluym spinosum. Raggophyllum rubrofemoratum sp. nov. in described from Brazil, Acre and Amazonas, and it is the first record for the genus in Brazil. The male genitalia and the stridulatory file morphology are described for the first time. A distribution map, notes on the habitat, and commentaries on their distribution among Amazonian endemism areas are included.

emTimnewia/em García Aldrete (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Ptiloneuridae): new species and variation in the wing venation of emT. jeaneae/em Silva-Neto, García Aldrete amp; Rafael.

A new species of Timnewia from the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is here described, illustrated and named as: Timnewia amazonense n. sp. This new species differs from T. greeni and T. jeaneae in details of the hypandrium and phallosome. New observations on variation in the forewing venation of T. jeaneae are also presented.

Checklist and identification key to Brazilian species of Triplocania Roesler (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Psocomorpha: Ptiloneuridae), with four new cave-dwelling species.

Four species of Triplocania are described and illustrated (T. brancoi n. sp., T. ferratilis n. sp., T. pains n. sp., and T. zairae n. sp.), all based on male specimens collected in caves of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. An identification key is presented to the Brazilian species of Triplocania, based on males, together with information on both sexes and distributions.

First report of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

ABSTRACT We recorded for the first time the presence of the two fruit flies pests, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil. The specimens were collected in traps installed during June/2019 to February/2020. The fruit flies and the parasitoid species are widespread in the Brazilian mainland and have most likely been introduced accidentally in the archipelago.

Insect (Hexapoda) diversity in the Oceanic Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Seasonality and Populational Density of Tabanidae (Diptera) / Diversidade de insetos (Hexapoda) no Arquipélago Oceânico de Fernando de Noronha, Brasil: Sazonalidade e Densidade Populacional de Tabanidae (Diptera)

Abstract: The seasonal population density is informed for two epidemiologically important species of bloodsucking Tabanidae, Tabanus occidentalis Linnaeus and T. pungens Wiedemann, recorded at the Fernando de Noronha archipelago that was never connected to the continent. The two species are widespread in the Neotropical Region, have not been recorded from any other oceanic island, and have most likely been introduced accidentally in the archipelago. Tabanus occidentalis dominated the samples, encompassing 99.6% of the specimens collected in the two local seasons, rainy and dry. Tabanus pungens was rarer, encompassing 0.4% of the specimens collected mainly in the dry season. The tabanids of Fernando de Noronha are able to transmit blood pathogens, bringing risks to the health of the livestock. They also pester the tourists, which brings losses to the local tourist industry. Larvae of both species were already collected in the water lettuce Pistia stratiotes Linnaeus and it is highly recommend that this introduced aquatic plant be removed from the ponds of Fernando de Noronha to control tabanid populations.

Resumo: A densidade populacional e a sazonalidade é informada para duas espécies epidemiologicamente importantes de Tabanidae, Tabanus occidentalis Linnaeus e T. pungens Wiedemann, registradas no arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, o qual nunca foi conectado ao continente. As duas espécies estão amplamente distribuídas na Região Neotropical, não foram registradas em nenhuma outra ilha oceânica e provavelmente foram introduzidas acidentalmente no arquipélago. Tabanus occidentalis dominou as amostras, englobando 99,6% dos exemplares coletados nas duas estações locais, chuvosa e seca. Tabanus pungens foi mais rara, abrangendo 0,4% dos espécimes coletados principalmente na estação seca. Os tabanídeos de Fernando de Noronha são capazes de transmitir patógenos do sangue, trazendo riscos à saúde do gado. Eles também incomodam os turistas, o que traz prejuízos para a indústria turística local. Larvas de ambas as espécies já foram coletadas na alface d'água Pistia stratiotes Linnaeus e é altamente recomendável que esta planta aquática, introduzida no arquipélago, seja removida das lagoas de Fernando de Noronha para o controle de populações de tabanídeos.

Redescription of Acropsis Grant, 1958 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae: Microcentrini) and description of new species from Brazilian and Colombian Amazon Rainforest.

Acropsis Grant, 1958 is a monotypic genus with records only for Peru (type locality). Acropsis is being redescribed, including the Acropsis tectiformis species and two new species: Acropsis solimoesensis sp. nov. and Acropsis julianae sp. nov. The male internal genitalia and the stridulatory file morphology for the genus is being described for the first time. Furthermore, the genus is registered for the first time for Colombia (Caquetá) and Brazil (Acre and Amazonas) and additionally notes on the habitat are made.

Five new genera of angle-wing katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae: Microcentrini) from the Amazon Rainforest.

Microcentrini Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 is within the subfamily Phaneropterinae and currently comprises 11 genera and 81 species with Neotropical distribution. In this paper, five new genera are described: Boroseiyla gen. nov. (type species Boroseiyla tupeba sp. nov.), Caauara gen. nov. (type species Caauara pinima sp. nov.), Capiguara gen. nov. (type species Capiguara trimaculata sp. nov.), Hyalipenna gen. nov. (type species Hyalipenna tetralineata sp. nov.) and Tuaia gen. nov. (type species Tuaia panacarica sp. nov.) covering a total of seventeen new species registered for the Amazon rainforest. Moreover, Microcentrum nigrolineatum is included in Boroseiyla gen. nov. (Boroseiyla nigrolineatus comb. nov.). Keys to the species of the described genera, maps and observations of natural history are provided.

Are publications on zoological taxonomy under attack?

Taxonomy is essential to biological sciences and the priority field to be supported in face of the biodiversity crisis. The industry of scientific publications has made extensive use of bibliometric indexes, resulting in distortions to institutions, organizations, and researchers, such as the side effect known as Journal Impact Factor (JIF) mania. Inadequacies of the most widely used bibliometric indexes from giant companies Clarivate™ (InCites™) and RELX™ Elsevier B.V. (Scopus®) to assessment of the relevance of taxonomic publications were considered as one of the impediments for the progress of this field. Recently, Clarivate suppressed the mega-journal Zootaxa, focused on taxonomy, from Journal Citation Reports (JCR), a database with 12,000 periodicals. Zootaxa suppression, together with other 32 journals, was based on an unusual high proportion of self-citations. Suppressed journals would thus not receive a value of JIF for 2020. A prompt reaction from the scientific community against the suppression of Zootaxa took place and, accordingly, Clarivate announced its reinstatement. This situation exposed many persistent myths and misuses of bibliometric indexes. The goal of this study is to shed light on the impacts of bibliometric indexes to the taxonomic field and on underlying aspects of the suppression of Zootaxa. Our major question is whether the suppression of any journal from JIF can really affect the production in the taxonomic field. We explored data metrics from the JCR (Web of Science Core Collection™) for 2010­2018 of the top ten zoological journals (eight are included in JCR) in the number of new taxa and journals focused on or regularly publishing taxonomic studies, totaling 123 journals. Zootaxa shows higher levels of self-citations than similar journals. We consider that two possible explanations provided for the high number of self-citations, i.e., Zootaxa's scope on taxonomy and the fact that it is a mega-journal, are inadequate. Instead, putative explanations are related to the "Zootaxa phenomenon," a sociological bias that includes visibility, and potential harmful myths that portray Zootaxa as the unique journal that publishes taxonomic studies with an inviting JIF value. Menaces to taxonomy as a science come from many sources and the low bibliometric values of its journals are only one of the factors that contribute for establishing the so-called taxonomic impediment. We suggest rejection of bibliometric indexes, including JIF, instead of considering them when convenient. Taxonomists as a community, instead of being deeply focused on journal metrics endorsing the villainy of bibliometric policies imposed by dominant companies, should be engaged with renewed strength in actions directly connected to the development and promotion of this science.

A new genus of chevron cricket (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Lutosinae) from the Colombian and Venezuelan Amazon Rainforest.

Tintiyakus gen. nov., is described based on specimens from the Amazon region, including three species: Tintiyakus piaroa n. comb. (transferred from Hydrolutus Issa Jaffe), Tintiyakus sexangulus sp. nov. (type-species pres. desig.) and Tintiyakus trewicki sp. nov. After Hydrolutos, this is the second anostostomatid genus described to be known from its semiaquatic behaviors, inhabiting the lowlands of the Amazon rainforest. An identification key for species based on males is provided.