Mimes of the past: Eocene midges of the tribe Pseudochironomini (Chironomidae, Diptera) reveal their peculiarities.

This is the first study focused on Eocene dipterans of the tribe Pseudochironomini (subfamily Chironominae, family Chironomidae), based on unique materials from Baltic amber. Two new genera and three new species: Eomicromimus gen. nov. with Eomicromimus polliciformis sp. nov. and Eomicromimus serpens sp. nov., and Eoriethia gen. nov. with Eoriethia ursipes sp. nov. are presented. The systematic position of the new taxa is discussed, and an amended key to the identification of adult males of extinct and extant Pseudochironomini genera is provided. The presented analysis of the morphology of the tribe's fossil members allowed us to verify the concepts regarding the origin/homology of male diagnostic structures crucial in defining new taxa, their phylogeny, and to consolidate the terminology used in chironomid research. A new habitual name for Chironomidae, "mime midges", is also proposed.

Tanytarsus van der Wulp (Chironomidae, Diptera): new species from the western Amazon region in Peru and Brazil, new records from the Neotropics, and remarks on the taxonomy of the genus.

This research is focused on the diversity and systematics of Neotropical non-biting midges of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp, 1874, based on specimens collected from pristine areas of the western Amazon region in Peru and Brazil. Six new species are described: Tanytarsus aries sp. nov. (Peru), T. chicomendesi sp. nov. (Brazil, Acre), T. kaxinawa sp. nov. (Brazil, Acre; Peru), T. pinedoi sp. nov. (Peru), T. serra sp. nov. (Peru), and T. frameatus sp. nov. (Peru), the latter placed in the Tanytarsus hastatus species group, here defined. Data on several recently described Neotropical Tanytarsus, obtained by analyzing specimens recorded from different regions of Brazil (Amazonas, Bahia, Federal District, Pará, São Paulo, Tocantins) are appended, and remarks on the taxonomy and variations of their diagnostic structures are provided. Tanytarsus pollicis Reis, Lin et Ferreira-Keppler, 2022 is treated as a new synonym of Tanytarsus insolens Dantas et Gilka, 2017. Further two species, Tanytarsus marianae Reis, Lin et Ferreira-Keppler, 2022 and Tanytarsus rafaeli Reis, Lin et Ferreira-Keppler, 2022 are placed in the Tanytarsus kiche group. The Tanytarsus curvicristatus group is also supplemented with Tanytarsus giovannii Sanseverino et Trivinho-Strixino, 2010.

Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) collected during Polish expeditions to North Korea.

This systematic review of non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini is based on materials collected during Polish scientific expeditions to North Korea. Stempellina radoszkowskii sp. nov. is described. Brief illustrated redescriptions of adult males of further eight species, for the first time recorded from North Korea, are presented: Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) sinjongensis Ree et Kim, 1988, Micropsectra joganplumosa Sasa et Okazawa, 1991, M. jokatertia Sasa et Ogata, 1999, Tanytarsus iriolemeus Sasa et Suzuki, 2000, T. oyamai Sasa, 1979, T. takahashii Kawai et Sasa, 1985, T. tamadecimus Sasa, 1980 and T. tamaundecimus Sasa, 1980. New synonyms are proposed: Micropsectra tonewdeea Sasa et Tanaka, 2002, syn. nov. [=Micropsectra atrofasciata (Kieffer, 1911)]; Micropsectra tusimalemea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov., M. tusimamenea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov., M. tusimaquerea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov. [=Micropsectra joganplumosa Sasa et Okazawa, 1991], and several further synonyms of the species reviewed are suggested. An annotated checklist of Tanytarsini so far reported from North Korea is given. A historical note on Polish scientific expeditions to Korea is also included.

Twenty years of Dipterology through the pages of Zootaxa.

We present a summary and analysis of the Diptera-related information published in Zootaxa from 2001 to 2020, with a focus on taxonomic papers. Altogether, 2,527 papers on Diptera were published, including 2,032 taxonomic papers and 1,931 papers containing new nomenclatural acts, equivalent to 22% of all publications with new nomenclatural acts for Diptera. The new nomenclatural acts include 7,431 new species, 277 new genera, 2,003 new synonymies, and 1,617 new combinations. A breakdown by family of new taxa and new replacement names proposed in the journal during the last two decades is provided, together with a comparison of Zootaxa's output to that of all other taxonomic publications on Diptera. Our results show that the journal has contributed to 20% of all biodiversity discovery in this megadiverse insect order over the last 20 years, and to about 31% in the last decade.

Diversity of the Fossil Genus Palaeoglaesum Wagner (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Upper Cretaceous Amber of Myanmar.

Cretaceous Myanmar amber is abundant in inclusions belonging to the genus Palaeoglaesum. In addition, a significant morphological diversity among representatives of Palaeoglaesum can be observed. However, none of its representatives have been found in other fossil materials. Herein three new species: P. stebneri sp. nov., Skibinska and Krzeminski P. teres sp. nov. Skibinska and Albrycht, and P. pilosus sp. nov. Skibinska, Krzeminski and Zhang from Cretaceous Myanmar amber are described and illustrated. The very small size and characters of male hypopygium with aedeagus strongly bent and apically forked are pertinent to diagnosing the genus and species. New materials show that this genus and the whole subfamily Bruchomyiinae were probably more abundant and more diverse than the presently known extant fauna.

Myanmaro primus gen. et sp. nov., the first orthoclad (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Cretaceous Burmese amber.

A fossil genus Myanmaro gen. nov., with a species M. primus sp. nov. (Diptera, Chironomidae) is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (~100 Ma). The adult male of the new species shows the wing venation pattern lacking a cross-vein MCu, the fore leg ratio lower than 1, and the gonostylus folded inwards - features typical of the subfamily  Orthocladiinae. A bifid gonostylus, with an articulate, likely movable inner branch, is the character indicating a close relationship between Myanmaro and Diplocladius Kieffer, 1908, the latter genus previously postulated as an early lineage in Orthocladiinae. Several characters, i.e. the structure of tergite IX and the anal point, are defined as generic autapom orphies for Myanmaro. A combination of the shape of hypopygial volsellae (or their absence) and the lack of tibial combs also separate this genus from related extant Orthocladiinae and from the only known Cretaceous extinct orthoclad genus Lebanorthocladius Veltz, Azar et Nel, 2007.

Morphology and molecules say: Tanytarsus latens, sp. nov. from Finland (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Tanytarsus latens sp. nov. is described from Finland (Ostrobothnia borealis, Satakunta). Both morphological and             molecular analyses indicate that T. latens belongs to the mendax species group. The adult male hypopygium of the new species resembles that of Tanytarsus occultus Brundin and of T. desertor Gilka et Paasivirta, while the molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene fragment evidences that T. latens is a sister species to most of European Tanytarsus of the mendax group's core, for which the COI barcodes are known. Notes on biology of T. latens are also provided.

Cladotanytarsus saetheri sp. nov. and C. gedanicus Gilka: Holarctic sibling species (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Cladotanytarsus saetheri, sp. nov., a widely distributed species (Fennoscandia; Russia: Far East; Canada: Manitoba; USA: Colorado, Michigan, South Carolina, Wisconsin) is described and compared with C. gedanicus Gilka, 2001 on the basis of new records (Fennoscandia; Canada: Manitoba, Nunavut; USA: Colorado, New Mexico). Intraspecific morphological variability of adult males is presented in order to delimit the two previously misidentified species.

A new species of Cladotanytarsus (Lenziella) from Oregon supports the systematic concept of the subgenus (Diptera: Chironomidae).

A new species of the genus Cladotanytarsus Kieffer, 1921 and the small subgenus Lenziella Kieffer, 1922 is described from Southern Oregon, USA. The adult male of C. (L.) glaber Gilka et Puchalski, sp. nov., featuring tibial lobes armed with dense setae and a large globular swelling of the hypopygial inferior volsella, supports the recently defined systematic concept for Lenziella. This subgenus is known from seven species distributed in the Northern Hemisphere (1 European, 1 Palaearctic and 5 Nearctic), the males of which are included in an updated identification key.

Cladotanytarsus Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): several distinctive species reviewed on the basis of records from Canada and USA.

Two species of the genus Cladotanytarsus Kieffer, 1921 are described as adult males, both peculiar in having distinctively elongated hypopygial anal points. The male of Cladotanytarsus bilyji Gilka et Puchalski, sp. nov. (Canada, Manitoba; USA, Ohio) is presumed to be a close relative of C. nigrovittatus (Goetghebuer, 1922). Another unknown Cladotanytarsus species (USA, Illinois and Louisiana) keys with the European C. donmcbeani Langton et McBean, 2010. The intraspecific variability of the male C. acornutus Jacobsen et Bilyj, 2007 is also presented on the basis of new records (Canada, Ontario; USA, South Carolina). Cladotanytarsus males with similarly structured elongate anal points are reviewed, including C. tobaquardecimus Kikuchi et Sasa, 1990, considered a junior synonym (syn. nov.) of C. conversus (Johannsen, 1932). As a compilation of this study, a key to the identification of the adult males of 14 Cladotanytarsus species is provided.

Why on the snow? Winter emergence strategies of snow-active Chironomidae (Diptera) in Poland.

A long-term study of adult non-biting midges (Chironomidae) active in winter on the snow in mountain areas and lowlands in Poland yielded 35 species. The lowland and mountain communities differed significantly in their specific composition. The mountain assemblage was found to be more diverse and abundant, with a substantial contribution from the subfamily Diamesinae, whereas Orthocladiinae predominated in the lowlands. Orthocladius wetterensis Brundin was the most characteristic and superdominant species in the winter-active chironomid communities in both areas. Only a few specimens and species of snow-active chironomids were recorded in late autumn and early winter. The abundance of chironomids peaked in late February in the mountain and lowland areas with an additional peak in the mountain areas in early April. However, this second peak of activity consisted mainly of Orthocladiinae, as Diamesinae emerged earliest in the season. Most snow-active species emerged in mid- and late winter, but their seasonal patterns differed between the 2 regions as a result of the different species composition and the duration of snow cover in these regions. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tests yielded positive results between each season and the number of chironomid individuals recorded in the mountain area. A positive correlation between air temperature, rising to +3.5 °C, and the number of specimens recorded on the snow in the mountain community was statistically significant. The winter emergence and mate-searching strategies of chironomids are discussed in the light of global warming, and a brief compilation of most important published data on the phenomena studied is provided.

Eonandeva gen. nov., a new distinctive genus from Eocene Baltic amber (Diptera: Chironomidae).

A new fossil genus, Eonandeva gen. nov., with two new species: E. helva sp. nov. (type for the genus) and E. latistyla sp. nov., is described from Eocene Baltic amber (~45-40 Ma). Adult males of both new species show the wing venation pattern, shape and chaetotaxy typical for the tribe Tanytarsini. The characters defined as prior apomorphies for the new genus--the gonostylus with a subapical flattened lobe and the stout, strongly elongated superior volsella--separate Eonandeva from the closely related extant genus Nandeva Wiedenbrug, Reiss et Fittkau, 1998.

A contribution to the systematics of Australasian Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae): first descriptions from New Caledonia.

First specific records of chironomids of the tribe Tanytarsini from New Caledonia based on detailed descriptions of new species are presented. Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) stylifer sp. nov. and its closest relatives, i.a. Cladotanytarsus (C.) isigacedeus (Sasa et Suzuki, 2000), comb. nov., known from males bearing extraordinarily elongate hypopygial anal points are diagnosed. Paratanytarsus mirificus sp. nov. is described as adult male with unique structure of its hypopygium and shortened antennae. Diagnostic description of Tanytarsus fuscithorax Skuse, 1889 is also complemented.

The Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the collection of the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdansk.

Non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini collected in the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdansk, Poland, are reviewed. Among over 1500 chironomid specimens examined (inclusions in Baltic amber), 44 Tanytarsini individuals were found, of which 27 well preserved specimens were determined to 7 species, including 3 species described as new. Stempellinella electra sp. nov. (male) displays morphological hypopygial characters unique for the genus, and the antenna composed of 13 flagellomeres. A new checklist of fossil and extant species of this genus is also given, including Stempellinella sofiae (Fusari et Lamas, 2014) comb. nov. Tanytarsus glaesarius sp. nov. (male) is the only Eocene species of the genus with a reduced number of antennal flagellomeres. Tanytarsus protogregarius sp. nov. (male) is the oldest known representative of the gregarius species group. Notes on phylogenetic relations of the new species with their extant congeners are also provided.

Ultrastructure of mediodorsal setae in biting midge larvae of the genus Atrichopogon Kieffer with notes on their biological significance (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The ultrastructure of the strong mediodorsal setae in terrestrial stage IV larvae of Atrichopogon (Meloehelea) oedemerarum and A. (M.) meloesugans was examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Serrated setae placed on prominent processes are distributed in pairs on all thoracic and abdominal segments. Setae are innervated by a single dendrite and their surface has no pores. The trichogen cell is not retracted from the setal lumen on completion of the hair-forming process but fills the mediodorsal seta also when the larval cuticle is fully sclerotised. Such a phenomenon was previously reported in terrestrial larvae of the genus Forcipomyia. We suggest that the mediodorsal setae described in Atrichopogon are plesiotypic mechanoreceptors for the subfamily Forcipomyiinae. They are preserved in the truly terrestrial larvae of Atrichopogon, but modified to secretory setae in the genus Forcipomyia. Both genera bearing distinct mediodorsal setae have developed functional tracheal gills, unknown in other biting midges.

New records of predaceous midges from the Middle East, with the description of two new species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Two new distinctive species of predaceous biting midges of the tribe Ceratopogonini are described and illustrated from the Middle East. Brachypogon freidbergi sp. nov., with a unique Y-shaped gonostylus, is recorded from Israel. We also provide the first records of Brachypogon vitiosus (Winnertz) and B. aethiopicus (Clastrier, Rioux & Descous) from this country, and a key to the adult males of the genus Brachypogon Kieffer from the Middle East. Ceratopogon azari sp. nov., described from Lebanon, shows a distinctive structure of the male genital apparatus, and is the southernmost species of that genus in the Western Palaearctic.

First description of polytene chromosomes in biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Polytene chromosomes are described from secretory cells in larvae of Forcipomyia nigra (Winnertz). They are present in large glandular-trichogen cells at the bases of secretory setae and in midgut cells that were observed by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. Polytene chromosomes, isolated from the glandular-trichogen cells using aceto-orcein squash technique, measure 50-200 microm, have braid-like strands of chromatin and no bands, features that are unique within the Culicomorpha.

Non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini in Eocene amber from the Rovno region (Ukraine): a pioneer systematic study with notes on the phylogeny (Diptera: Chironomidae).

The first detailed systematic study on the tanytarsine chironomids recorded in the Eocene amber from the Rovno region (Ukraine) revealed seven new taxa. Archistempellina gen. nov., represented by A. bifurca sp. nov. (type for the genus, male) and A. falcifera sp. nov. (male), displays characters similar to those found in Stempellina Thienemann et Bause, and is recognized as one of probable basal lineages in the subtribe Stempellinina Shilova. Corneliola gen. nov., represented by C. avia sp. nov. (male, female), combines features known from several genera of the tribe Tanytarsini, and tentatively is regarded as the closest relative of Constempellina Brundin. Rheotanytarsus alliciens sp. nov. (male), featuring a long hypopygial digitus, is considered to be the oldest species of the genus. Tanytarsus congregabilis sp. nov. (male) is the first known Eocene representative of the lugens systematic species group. A complemented description of the male of Tanytarsus serafini Gilka is provided as well.

A contribution to the systematics of Neotropical Tanytarsus van der Wulp: first descriptions from Ecuador (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini).

First specific records of Tanytarsus van der Wulp from the Ecuadorian mainland based on detailed descriptions are presented. Tanytarsus cayambe sp. nov. shows an interesting set of characters known from several Neotropical Tanytarsus as well as from species of the recurvatus group of the northern distribution. Tanytarsus cotopaxi sp. nov. is placed in the riopreto species group; as a result an emended diagnosis for adult males of the group is proposed. The diagnostic description of Tanytarsus curvicristatus Contreras-Lichtenberg is also complemented.

Diagnostic clues for identification of selected species of the Micropsectra atrofasciata group, with description of M. uva sp. nov. from Croatia (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini).

Micropsectra uva sp. nov. is described from the Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), and placed in the Micropsectra atrofasciata systematic species group. Morphological key structures/characters for adult males of the new species and several closest Micropsectra Kieffer are illustrated in detail and evaluated.