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.

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.

Dolichopodidae abundance in different cover crop species / Abundância de Dolichopodidae em diferentes espécies de adubos verdes

This study evaluated the Dolichopodidae abundance in different cover crop species. For this, the following species were used in treatments: Crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), castor bean (Ricinus communis) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). The survey was carried out in a field during two seasons 2012/2013 (November/December to March) and 2013/2014 (October/November to February). The Dolichopodidae abundance were evaluated weekly using a sweep net and Moericke traps. In addition, the phytophagous abundance (Thysanoptera: Thripidae; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae and Hemiptera: Aphididae) was quantified, to allow for an inference about density-dependence. In total, 13,987 long-legged flies (96.5% in Moericke traps) were captured, represented only by the species Condylostylus erectus Becker, 1922 (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). In general, the higher abundance of C. erectus was observed in buckwheat and cowpea. Regarding the phytophagous species, 48,371 individuals [Thripidae (77.5%), Aleyrodidae (20.2%), and Aphididae (2.5%)] were quantified and a clear correlation with the C. erectus population was not evidenced. Thus, these results suggested that buckwheat and cowpea make resources available to long-legged flies, as discussed in our research. Finally, the buckwheat and cowpea sowing are options to increase the abundance of C. erectus predator populations in agroecosystems.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a abundância de dolicopodideos em diferentes espécies de adubos verdes. Para isso, foram utilizados os seguintes tratamentos: crotalária (Crotalaria spectabilis), feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata), girassol (Helianthus annuus), mamona (Ricinus communis) e trigo mourisco (Fagopyrum esculentum). A pesquisa foi realizada em campo, durante os anos 2012/2013 (novembro/dezembro a março) e 2013/2014 (outubro/novembro a fevereiro). As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente, e a abundância de Dolichopodidae foi monitorada com uso de rede de varredura e instalação de armadilhas Moericke. Adicionalmente, foi quantificada a infestação de insetos fitófagos (Thysanoptera: Thripidae; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae e Hemiptera: Aphididae), para avaliar possível relação de denso-dependência. No total, foram capturados 13987 dolicopodídeos (96,5% em armadilha Moericke), representados pela espécie Condylostylus erectus Becker, 1922 (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). De modo geral, a maior abundância de C. erectus foi observada em trigo mourisco e feijão-caupi. Em relação aos fitófagos, foram quantificados 48371 indivíduos (Thripidae (77,5%), Aleyrodidae (20,2%) e Aphididae (2,5%)), e não foi evidenciada uma consistente correlação populacional com C. erectus. Desse modo, esses resultados sugerem que o trigo mourisco e o feijão-caupi disponibilizam recursos alimentares de interesse ao predador, conforme discutido no trabalho. Por fim, a semeadura de trigo mourisco e feijão-caupi são opções para incrementar a abundância do predador C. erectus no agroecossistema.

Checklist of the dipterofauna (Insecta) from Roraima, Brazil, with special reference to the Brazilian Ecological Station of Maracá

Roraima is a Brazilian state located in the northern portion of the Amazon basin, with few studies regarding its biodiversity. The Ecological Station of Maracá (Brazil, state of Roraima) harbors the third largest Brazilian pluvial island and is composed of a transitional landscape of savanna and Amazon rainforest components. Despite its ecological importance and strategic localization, few studies covered the dipterofauna of this locality. An updated checklist addressing 41 families of true flies (Diptera) occurring in Roraima is presented based on the literature and the specimens collected during a field expedition that occurred in 2015. This checklist brings several improvements such as new records of 165 taxa to the state of Roraima, 29 taxa to Brazil, and 259 morphotypes, mostly likely representing undescribed species.(AU)

FAMILY DOLICHOPODIDAE.

The Dolichopodidae recorded from Colombia are listed based on literature data only and currently comprise 30 species in 14 genera (six subfamilies). Information on type material and depository institutions is given.

Lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae (Insecta, Diptera) do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul / Checklist of species of Dolichopodidae (Insecta, Diptera) from Mato Grosso do Sul State

A checklist of the known species of Dolichopodidae from Mato Grosso do Sul state (Brazil) is provided. The list includes five species (records from literature only): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae), and Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).(AU)

Uma lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae conhecidas do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil) é apresentada. A lista inclui cinco espécies (baseado apenas em registros da literatura): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae) e Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).(AU)

Lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae (Insecta, Diptera) do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul

ABSTRACT A checklist of the known species of Dolichopodidae from Mato Grosso do Sul state (Brazil) is provided. The list includes five species (records from literature only): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae), and Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).

RESUMO Uma lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae conhecidas do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil) é apresentada. A lista inclui cinco espécies (baseado apenas em registros da literatura): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae) e Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).

Lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae (Insecta, Diptera) do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul / Checklist of species of Dolichopodidae (Insecta, Diptera) from Mato Grosso do Sul State

A checklist of the known species of Dolichopodidae from Mato Grosso do Sul state (Brazil) is provided. The list includes five species (records from literature only): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae), and Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).

Uma lista das espécies de Dolichopodidae conhecidas do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil) é apresentada. A lista inclui cinco espécies (baseado apenas em registros da literatura): Chrysotus brasiliensis Van Duzee (Diaphorinae), Condylostylus flagellatus Becker (Sciapodinae), Pelastoneurus brasiliensis Van Duzee, P. ochreifacies Van Duzee (Dolichopodinae) e Thrypticus romus Bickel & Hernández (Medeterinae).

Two new species of Neurigona Rondani from northern and northeastern Brazil (Diptera, Dolichopodidae)

Two new species of Neurigona Rondani from northern and northeastern Brazil (Diptera, Dolichopodidae). Two new species of Neurigona Rondani (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) of the brevitibia-group are described from northern and northeastern Brazil: N. lenae sp. nov. and N. manauara sp. nov. A key to males of the brevitibia-group is provided.