The chironomid fauna of the Mediterranean region reviewed

From the Mediterranean countries, Italy, France (southern), Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Yugoslavia and according to published and as yet unpublished data, about 703 Chironomid species are known. 97 of the species are exclusive to the Mediterranean region. For three speciesCricotopus beckeri, Eukiefferiella bedmari andParatanytarsus mediterraneus a pointdistribution map is given.29 species listed with an Afrotropical distribution also reach into various parts of the Mediterranean area. As an example, a point-distribution map ofParatrichocladius micans is given. Seven species with a Panpalaeotropical distribution are known in the Mediterranean region. The great majority of the other 570 species (81%) most likely have a Palaearctic distribution. However, accurate distribution data of many species are as yet not available. This holds in particular for species with an assumed Southpalaearctic distribution. For chironomids of the Mediterranean fauna a differentiation into Circum- and West-Mediterranean subgroups is not yet possible. The Afrotropical species reach the Mediterranean region chiefly by the Nile valley. Nevertheless, some apparently relict Afrotropic species in the South of Morocco may suggest a West-African progression towards the Mediterranean. The Syrian-East African rift valley may also be considered as a migration path for West Palaearctic and especially Oriental chironomids into the Afrotropic region.