Chaetonerius Hendel (Neriidae: Diptera) from the East African islands with description of four new species from Madagascar and the Comoros.

Except for the introduced species, Telostylinus lineolatus Wiedemann, all Neriidae occurring in the Ethiopian Region belong to the genus Chaetonerius Hendel and only one species, C. alluaudi (Giglio-Tos), is known from the East African islands, described from Seychelles and also recorded for Madagascar and Mauritius. Herein, we describe four new species of Chaetonerius from the East African islands, including the first species of Neriidae from the Comoros (C. kotrbae sp. n.) and three new species from Madagascar (C. ebejeri sp. n., C. kirkspriggsi sp. n. and C. madagasikara sp. n.). Additionally, a redescription of C. alluaudi (Giglio-Tos) with new record for Réunion and a key for identification of Chaetonerius from the East African islands are provided.

Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical stalk-eyed fly Plagiocephalus Wiedemann (Diptera, Ulidiidae, Ulidiinae)

ABSTRACT Plagiocephalus is a genus composed of three species mainly recognized by the males with stalked-eyes. Plagiocephalus lobularis is distributed from Northeastern Brazil to North of Argentina, P. latifrons is distributed from Mexico to Bolivia, and P. intermedius occurs in Costa Rica. We review the species of the genus, providing new diagnostic characters, an identification key, and new information on the terminalia of Plagiocephalus. Also, we update the geographic distribution of the species of the genus.

Modelling highly biodiverse areas in Brazil

Traditional conservation techniques for mapping highly biodiverse areas assume there to be satisfactory knowledge about the geographic distribution of biodiversity. There are, however, large gaps in biological sampling and hence knowledge shortfalls. This problem is even more pronounced in the tropics. Indeed, the use of only a few taxonomic groups or environmental surrogates for modelling biodiversity is not viable in mega-diverse countries, such as Brazil. To overcome these limitations, we developed a comprehensive spatial model that includes phylogenetic information and other several biodiversity dimensions aimed at mapping areas with high relevance for biodiversity conservation. Our model applies a genetic algorithm tool for identifying the smallest possible region within a unique biota that contains the most number of species and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the highest endemicity and phylogenetic endemism. The model successfully pinpoints small highly biodiverse areas alongside regions with knowledge shortfalls where further sampling should be conducted. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should consider several taxonomic groups, the multiple dimensions of biodiversity, and associated sampling uncertainties.

Modelling highly biodiverse areas in Brazil

Traditional conservation techniques for mapping highly biodiverse areas assume there to be satisfactory knowledge about the geographic distribution of biodiversity. There are, however, large gaps in biological sampling and hence knowledge shortfalls. This problem is even more pronounced in the tropics. Indeed, the use of only a few taxonomic groups or environmental surrogates for modelling biodiversity is not viable in mega-diverse countries, such as Brazil. To overcome these limitations, we developed a comprehensive spatial model that includes phylogenetic information and other several biodiversity dimensions aimed at mapping areas with high relevance for biodiversity conservation. Our model applies a genetic algorithm tool for identifying the smallest possible region within a unique biota that contains the most number of species and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the highest endemicity and phylogenetic endemism. The model successfully pinpoints small highly biodiverse areas alongside regions with knowledge shortfalls where further sampling should be conducted. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should consider several taxonomic groups, the multiple dimensions of biodiversity, and associated sampling uncertainties.

Biodiversity conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas

Although Brazil is a megadiverse country and thus a conservation priority, no study has yet quantified conservation gaps in the Brazilian protected areas (PAs) using extensive empirical data. Here, we evaluate the degree of biodiversity protection and knowledge within all the Brazilian PAs through a gap analysis of vertebrate, arthropod and angiosperm occurrences and phylogenetic data. Our results show that the knowledge on biodiversity in most Brazilian PAs remain scant as 71% of PAs have less than 0.01 species records per km(2). Almost 55% of Brazilian species and about 40% of evolutionary lineages are not found in PAs, while most species have less than 30% of their geographic distribution within PAs. Moreover, the current PA network fails to protect the majority of endemic species. Most importantly, these results are similar for all taxonomic groups analysed here. The methods and results of our countrywide assessment are suggested to help design further inventories in order to map and secure the key biodiversity of the Brazilian PAs. In addition, our study illustrates the most common biodiversity knowledge shortfalls in the tropics.

Catalogue of Diptera of Colombia: an introduction.

Colombia has an imposing natural wealth due to its topography has many unique characteristics as a consequence of having Caribbean and Pacific shores, as well as sharing part of the Amazon basin and northern Andes mountains. Thus, many natural and biological features are due to the convergence of three biogeographical regions: Pacific, Andes and Amazonia. The Andean uplift created a complex mosaic of mountains and isolated valleys, including eleven biogeographical provinces (Morrone 2006). The Andes dominate the Colombian topography and cross the country south to north. There are three mountain ranges (Western, Central, and Eastern) with a maximum elevation of 5,775 m, and an average elevation of 2,000 m. The Magdalena and Cauca River valleys separate these ranges, that along with the Putumayo and Caquetá Rivers, the Catatumbo watershed, the Darién, Pique Hill, the Orinoquia Region (with its savannas), the Amazon region (with tropical rainforests), and some lower mountain ranges (Macarena and Chiribiquete), have generated the conditions for very high levels of endemism. This variety of conditions has resulted in an extremely diverse plant and animal biota, and in which 48% of the nation remains unexplored.

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.

Wing shape is influenced by environmental variability in Polietina orbitalis (Stein) (Diptera: Muscidae)

ABSTRACT We measured variation and covariation in wing morphology in six populations of the fly Polietina orbitalis (Stein) (Diptera: Muscidae) to test for geographic morphological structure. Additionally, we examined the role of environmental variables in determining geographic variation in wing shape. We sampled five populations in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil (Colombo, Fênix, Guarapuava, Jundiaí do Sul and Ponta Grossa), and one in Paraguay (Mbaracayú). We choose 15 landmarks to describe the wing shape and size and 19 environmental variables to describe the local environmental conditions. Our results showed that P. orbitalis wing shape, but not size, varies geographically. A canonical variate analysis showed the existence of two clusters of populations based on wing shape. These groups compare populations in which the wing is slender with groups in which the wings are broad. These shape differences were correlated with variation in elevation, precipitation and temperature but were not allometric. Taken together, these results suggest that wing shape differences in P. orbitalis populations are due to a plastic response to local environmental conditions.

Seven new species of Limnophora Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from Ecuador

ABSTRACTHere we describe seven new species of Limnophora from Ecuador: Limnophora bifasciatasp. nov. from Napo, Quito; Limnophora equatoriensissp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora femurosetalissp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora lamasisp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora longivittatasp. nov. from Napo, Quito; Limnophora penaisp. nov. from Azuay, Cuenca and Limnophora polletisp. nov. from Napo, Quito. We provide an identification key for the ten recognized species of Limnophora from Ecuador, including L. marginata Stein, 1904, L. pica(Macquart, 1851) and L. saeva (Wiedemann, 1830). We also redescribed Limnophora marginata Stein, 1904, and designated designed lectotype male and paralectotypes males and females of the species.

Review of Thompsoniella Guimarães with description of a new species from Colombia (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae)

Review of Thompsoniella Guimarães with description of a new species from Colombia (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae). The Mesembrinellinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) are exclusively Neotropical with nine genera comprising 36 recognized species, including the genus Thompsoniella Guimarães with a single species, T. anomala Guimarães. We describe a new species, Thompsoniella andina sp. nov., from the Departments of Antioquia and Caldas, Colombia (Cordillera Central of the Andes, between 2600 - 2700 m) and redescribe T. anomala. A key to the nine genera of Mesembrinellinae and a key to the males of the two species of Thompsoniella are provided. Color photographs to illustrate the two species of Thompsoniella and drawings of the male genitalia of both species are also provided. Here we record Thompsoniella for the first time in Colombia.

A pictorial key and diagnosis of the Brazilian genera of Micropezidae (Diptera, Nerioidea)

A pictorial key and diagnosis of the Brazilian genera of Micropezidae (Diptera, Nerioidea). This paper provides the first pictorial key and diagnosis for the Brazilian genera of the Micropezidae, based on external morphological characters illustrated with photographs. The key includes 13 genera: Cardiacephala Macquart, Cliobata Enderlein, Grallipeza Rondani, Metasphen Frey, Micropeza Meigen, Parasphen Enderlein, Planipeza Marshall, Plocoscelus Enderlein, Poecilotylus Hennig, Ptilosphen Enderlein, Rainieria Rondani, Scipopus Enderlein and Taeniaptera Macquart. For each genus, the species known to occur in Brazil are listed and their distribution records, including new ones, are provided.

Pictorial identification key for species of Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of potential forensic importance in southern Brazil

Pictorial identification key for species of Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of potential forensic importance in southern Brazil. Species of the subfamily Sarcophaginae are important to forensic entomology due to their necrophagous habits. This contribution presents a pictorial key for the identification of 22 Sarcophaginae species in 10 genera that are commonly found in southern Brazil. Photographs of the main structures used in species identification, mainly from the male terminalia, are provided.

Chave pictórica para a identificação das espécies de Sarcophagidae (Diptera) de potencial importância forense do sul do Brasil. Espécies da subfamília Sarcophaginae são importantes para a entomologia forense devido ao seu hábito necrófago. Este trabalho apresenta uma chave pictórica para a identificação de 22 espécies de Sarcophaginae de 10 gêneros encontradas na região sul do Brasil. São fornecidas fotografias dos principais estruturas das espécies, principalmente da terminália masculina.

Assembly rules in Muscid Fly assemblages in the grasslands Biome of Southern Brazil

The distribution of muscid species (Diptera) in grasslands fragments of southern Brazil was assessed using null models according to three assembly rules: (a) negatively-associated distributions; (b) guild proportionality; and (c) constant body-size ratios. We built presence/absence matrices and calculated the C-score index to test negatively-associated distributions and guild proportionality based on the following algorithms: total number of fixed lines (F L), total number of fi xed columns (F C), and the effect of the average size of the populations along lines (W) for 5000 randomizations. We used null models to generate random communities that were not structured by competition and evaluated the patterns generated using three models: general, trophic guilds, and taxonomic guilds. All three assembly rules were tested in each model. The null hypothesis was corroborated in all F L X F C co-occurrence analyses. In addition, 11 analyses of the models using the W algorithm showed the same pattern observed previously. Three analyses using the W algorithm indicated that species co-occurred more frequently than expected by chance. According to analyses of co-occurrence and guild proportionality, the coexistence of muscid species is not regulated by constant body size ratios. In fl ies of the grasslands, no rule was identified. Yet, a consensus did emerge from our analyses: species co-occur more frequently than expected by chance, indicating that aggregation is a recurring phenomenon among flies with saprophagous adults and predatory larvae. Therefore, competition does not seem to play an important role in the determination of muscid assemblages in the grasslands in Southern Brazil.

Synanthropy and ecological aspects of Muscidae (Diptera) in a tropical dry forest ecosystem in Colombia / Sinantropía y algunos aspectos de la ecología de Muscidae (Diptera) en un ecosistema de bosque seco tropical en Colombia

The synanthropic index and other ecological aspects of the Muscidae family were evaluated through simultaneous monthly sampling in three different environments (urban, rural and forest) using van Someren-Rydon traps baited with human faeces, chicken viscera and decomposing fish and onion. Four traps were set up in each environment (one per bait item) for 48 hours per month, with samples taken every 12 hours. A total of 5726 specimens were collected, belonging to 19 species and 13 genera. Brontaea normata (+99,9), Brontaea quadristigma (+96,9), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (+96,5), Ophyra aenescens (+96,2), Musca domestica (+95,7) and Atherigona orientalis (+93,8) had the highest synanthropic indices, showing a marked preference for human environments. The most abundant species were B. normata (24,31 percent), Biopyrellia bipuncta (20,60 percent) and Pseudoptilolepis nigripoda (15,82 percent), the latter two showed a preference for uninhabited areas. A total of 11 new records for Colombia were found: Ophyra aenescens, Cyrtoneuropsis pararescita, Morellia basalis, Neomuscina dorsipuncta, Biopyrellia bipuncta, Pseudoptilolepis nigripoda, Neomuscina instabilis, Neomuscina currani, Polietina orbitalis, Neomuscina pictipennis and Cyrtoneuropsis maculipennis. Except for the first four species, the remainder presented negative synantrophy indexes (from minor to major), which would allow to use them as ecological indicators of the disturbance degree of dry forests in Colombia.

Se evaluó el índice de sinantropía al igual que otros aspectos ecológicos de la familia Muscidae, mediante muestreos mensuales simultáneos en tres ambientes (urbano, rural y bosque), para lo cual se utilizaron trampas van Someren Rydon cebadas con excremento humano, vísceras de pollo, pescado y cebolla en descomposición. En cada zona se instalaron cuatro trampas (una por atrayente), durante 48 horas cada mes, realizando colectas cada 12 horas. Se colectaron 5726 ejemplares pertenecientes a 19 especies y 13 géneros. Brontaea normata (+99,9), Brontaea quadristigma (+96,9), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (+96,5), Ophyra aenescens (+96,2), Musca domestica (+95,7) y Atherigona orientalis (+93,8), presentaron los índices de sinantropía mas altos, mostrando una marcada preferencia por los ambientes humanos. Las especies más abundante fueron B. normata (24,31 por ciento), Biopyrellia bipuncta (20,60 por ciento) y Pseudoptilolepis nigripoda (15,82 por ciento), las dos últimas con preferencia por áreas deshabitadas. Se encontraron un total de 11 reportes nuevos para Colombia: Ophyra aenescens, Cyrtoneuropsis pararescita, Morellia basalis, Neomuscina dorsipuncta, Biopyrellia bipuncta, Pseudoptilolepis nigripoda, Neomuscina instabilis, Neomuscina currani, Polietina orbitalis, Neomuscina pictipennis y Cyrtoneuropsis maculipennis. Exceptuando las primeras cuatro especies, las restantes presentaron índices de sinantropía bajos (de menor a mayor), lo que permitiría usarlas como indicadores ecológicos del grado de perturbación de los bosques secos en Colombia.

New species of Brachygasterina Macquart (Diptera: Muscidae) from high altitudes of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela

The genus Brachygasterina Macquart (Muscidae), comprising seven species, is endemic in South America. Three new species are herein described from the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. A key to the species of this genus is provided.

Brachygasterina Macquart é um gênero endêmico de Muscidae da América do Sul que compreende sete espécies. Aqui, três novas espécies são descritas a partir de material proveniente de regiões de altas altitudes da Colômbia, Equador e Venezuela. Uma chave para as espécies do gênero é fornecida.

Cordiluroides Albuquerque from Costa Rica: first records, descriptions and taxonomic changes (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae)

Cordiluroides Albuquerque is a genus of Neotropical Coenosiinae (Muscidae), known from six species. The genus is here recorded for the first time from Costa Rica, on the basis of three species: C. listrata Albuquerque, 1954, C. insularis (Willliston, 1896) and C. bistriata (Wulp, 1896) sp. rev.. We provide a key for the identification of these Costa Rican species, redescribe and illustrate their external morphological characters and terminalia. C. bistriata and C. vittifera (Stein, 1904) are both considered to be good species and are re-instated from the synonymy of C. insularis. The type material of C. listrata (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), of C. insularis and C. bistriata (The Natural History Museum, London) and of C. vittifera (Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universitãt zu Berlin) has been examined.

Cordiluroides Albuquerque é um gênero neotropical de Coenosiinae (Muscidae), conhecido por seis espécies. O gênero é registrado pela primeira vez na Costa Rica, através de três espécies: C. listrata Albuquerque, 1954, C. insularis (Willliston, 1896) e C. bistriata (Wulp, 1896) sp. rev.. Uma chave para identificação das espécies da Costa Rica é fornecida, bem como a redescrição das três espécies e ilustrações de caracteres morfológicos e da terminália. C. bistriata e C. vittifera (Stein, 1904) são consideradas boas espécies e por isso removidas da sinonímia de C. insularis. O material-tipo de C. listrata (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), de C. insularis e C. bistriata (The Natural History Museum, London) e de C. vittifera (Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universitãt zu Berlin) foi examinado.

Taxonomy of Neurotrixa Shannon & Del Ponte (Diptera: Muscidae) with description of new species from southern Brazil

Neurotrixa Shannon & Del Ponte is redescribed, based on the exam of the type-specimen of Anthomyia felsina Walker, to include two new species: Neurotrixa marinonii sp. nov. and N. sulina sp. nov., both species from Colombo, PR, southern Brazil. A diagnosis of Neurotrixa and a key for three species of the genus are also included.

Neurotrixa Shannon & Del Ponte é redescrito, baseado no exame do espécime-tipo de Anthomyia felsina Walker, para incluir duas espécies novas: Neurotrixa marinonii sp. nov. e N. sulina sp. nov., ambas originárias de Colombo, PR, sul do Brasil. A diagnose de Neurotrixa e chave de identificação das três espécies são também incluídas.

On the genera Trichomorellia stein and Cyacyrtoneura Townsend (Diptera: Muscidae)

Interpretation of the generic names Trichomorellia Stein and Cyacyrtoneura Townsend is clarified by the examination of their type species, when available, and by analysis of the literature. The following new synonymies are proposed: Dasymorellia Malloch, 1923 is a junior synonym of Trichomorellia Stein, 1918; Cyacyrtoneura cyanea Townsend, 1931 is a junior synonym of Pyrellia violacea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; and Cyrtoneuropsis Townsend, 1931 (preocc.) and Cyacyrtoneura Townsend, 1931 are junior synonyms of Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. Trichomorellia boliviana Townsend, 1931 is designated type species of Trichomorellia.

O uso dos nomes Trichomorellia Stein e Cyacyrtoneura Townsend são clarificados pelo exame da espécie-tipo, quando disponível, e análise da literatura. São propostas as seguintes sinonímias: Dasymorellia Malloch, 1923 é sinônimo júnior de Trichomorellia Stein, 1918; Cyacyrtoneura cyanea Townsend, 1931 é sinônimo júnior de Pyrellia violacea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; e Cyrtoneuropsis Townsend, 1931 (preocc.) e Cyacyrtoneura Townsend, 1931 são sinônimos júnior de Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. Trichomorellia boliviana Townsend, 1931 é designada espécie-tipo de Trichomorellia.