A dipteran from south of the Antarctic Circle: Belgica antarctica (Chironomidae) with a description of its larva

Belgica antarctica Jacobs is recorded for the first time from two localities south of the Antarctic circle: Orford Cliff (66°55'S) on the Continental mainland and the Refuge Islands (68°21'S). The larva is described, and measurements of head capsule lengths indicate four instars. The larvae south of the Antarctic circle appear to be slightly smaller than those from within the main distributional range. Belgica antarctica is certainly the earth's southernmost free-living holometabolous insect, but the flea Glaciopsyllus antarcticus has been recorded 14 minutes of latitude farther south than the southernmost records of B. antarctica.     

Phenology and life history of Belgica antarctica, an Antarctic midge (Diptera: Chironomidae)

ABSTRACT.

• 1 An account of the life-history with emphasis on phenology and number of instars is presented for Belgica antarctica Jacobs, the southernmost holometabolous insect.
• 2 Contrary to earlier reports, Belgica has four instars, in common with most other chironomids. Mean head capsule lengths varied between different populations but no overlap was found between discrete size classes of successive instars.
• 3 Belgica overwinters in all four instars.
• 4 Relative frequency of different instars from samples taken through the season indicates that a 2-year life-span is the commonest pattern.
• 5 Emergence of adults is relatively synchronous. Belgica exhibits protandry, which may be established at the time of pupation.

     

The colonisation of experimental ponds by Chironomidae (Diptera)

The colonisation and succession of chironomids in a newly‐dug gravel pit habitat was investigated using replicate experimental ponds sampled during the summers of 1977 and 1978. In 1977 larvaeand emerging adults were collected, whilst in 1978 only adults were sampled. Benthic sampling showed the larval communities to be predominated by Chironomus spp. whilst trapping of adults showed that this group accounted for only 4% of the emergence. This difference is attributed to the selective retention of the larger Chironomus larvae by the sieve used to screen benthos samples. The pioneer chironomid communities in the ponds are compared using similarity and diversity indices on adult emergence data. These showed that the pond communities were remarkably uniform in 1977, the first year of their existence, due to the predominance of Tanytarsus gracilentus. In 1978 the communities were much more variable. The community structure changed within the two years, with equitability increasing rapidly to that characteristic of a much more mature habitat. These successional changes are attributed to a reduction in uniformity of the habitat resulting from the growth of aquatic macrophytes.     

辽宁省摇蚊科二新种（双翅目：摇蚊科）

作者在整理近年来采自辽宁省摇蚊科标本过程中,发现２新种,分属于虹齿摇蚊属Ｎｅｏｚａｖｅｌｌａ Ｇｏｅｔｇｈｅｂｕｅｒ,１８１４及施密摇蚊属Ｓｍｉｔｔｉａ Ｈｏｌｍｇｒｅｎ,１８６９,描述于后。模式标本存于南开大学生物系昆虫标本室。形态术语采用Ｓａｅｔｈｅｒ（１９８０）。     

Dispersal of adult aquatic Chironomidae (Diptera) in agricultural landscapes

• 1 This study investigates the possible influence of terrestrial landscape structure on the spatial distribution of adult Chironomidae emerging from water bodies in three agricultural areas, each with hedgerow networks, in Brittany (France).
• 2 Using spatially explicit data from 128 yellow pan traps set in pairs at the bottom of hedges throughout the three study areas, we show that landscape structure and heterogeneity must be considered at two different spatial scales.
• 3 At a global scale, distance to water bodies was the main factor explaining the spatial distribution of adult chironomids: both species richness and abundance changed beyond a critical distance to the stream, resulting in different species assemblages of flying insects.
• 4 At a local scale, the abundance of species and individuals at rest in hedges changed with the quality of the hedge (mainly determined by canopy width and cover of the different vegetation layers).
• 5 The density of the hedgerow network, and landscape openness, both influenced the dispersal of chironomid species from water bodies.
• 6 This study, which provides the first estimate of the dispersal capabilities of chironomids in particular landscapes, suggests that the terrestrial environment is an essential component of population dynamics and community structure in aquatic Chironomidae.

     

Maritime midge radiations in the Pacific Ocean (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Maritime chironomid midges (Diptera) are diverse, yet these ‘pearls of the ocean’ are little known. Emphasizing Pacific Ocean taxa, we used six genetic markers (18S, 28S, CAD1, CAD4, FolCOI and COI) and fossil calibrations to produce Bayesian time-calibrated phylogenies to date eight independent marine transitions in three subfamilies. Deep nodes involve subfamily Telmatogetoninae (originating mid-Cretaceous, 101–128, 114 Ma), with sister genera Telmatogeton Schiner and Thalassomya Schiner splitting later in the Cretaceous (56–82, 69 Ma). Two transitions in Orthocladiinae involve Clunio Haliday and Pseudosmittia Edwards, dating from the upper Cretaceous, both with Eocene crown groups. In subfamily Chironominae, transitions to marine occur in two tribes. Four transitions occur within the otherwise nonmarine crown groups Kiefferulus Goetghebuer, Dicrotendipes Kieffer, Polypedilum Kieffer and Ainuyusurika Sasa & Shirasaka. Two separate robust clades in tribe Tanytarsini involve: (1) a minor radiation within Paratanytarsus dated to the mid-Eocene around 43 Ma; and (2) an unexpected but fully supported diversification in Pontomyia Edwards plus Yaetanytarsus Sasa dated to around 47 Ma, with separation of Pontomyia from Yaetanytarsus around 40 Ma. Crown Pontomyia, represented by three species, was estimated to have diverged around 19 Ma, whereas the crown radiation of Yaetanytarsus, with 12 sampled species, dates to the mid-Eocene. In a comprehensive global review we concisely document new synonymies and new combinations revealed by the study. The evolutionary timing estimate provides insights into the frequency of marine transitions and diversifications in the Chironomidae in association with dynamic oceanic changes during the Oligocene and Miocene.     

中国狭摇蚊属研究及三中国新记录种记述(双翅目:摇蚊科)

对中国狭摇蚊属已知10种进行了系统研究,对其中3中国新记录种:朝鲜狭摇蚊S.koreanus Borkent,斑头狭摇蚊S.maculatus Borkent和斑胸狭摇蚊S.totifuscus Sublette进行了详细记述.纠正了1个错误种类鉴定.编制了中国狭摇蚊属已知雄成虫的分种检索表.1.格布狭摇蚊Stenoc...     

The production of five genera of Chironomidae (Diptera) in Lake Norman,a North Carolina reservoir

The production of five genera of chironomids collected at 4- and 8-m depths at four stations in Lake Norman, North Carolina, was estimated using the size-frequency method. To correct for multivoltinism, the estimates were adjusted by multiplying by 365/Cohort Production Interval. Ranges of production estimates (P) in milligrams dry mass m^-2 yr^-1 and production/mean annual biomass ratios (P/B ratios) for each genus over both depths were: Tanytarsus, P = 744 to 8788, P/BB = 66 to 176; Cladotanytarsus, P = 74 to 2387, P/B = 69 to 100; Stempellina, P = 19 to 412, P/ B = 74 to 132; Chironomus, P = 166 to 7293, P/ B = 50 to 70; Cryptochironomus, P = 92 to 398, P/ B = 71 to 221. These estimates are among the highest reported for chironomids, due primarily to the rapid larval development times estimated for these genera.     

Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) from four protected areas in the state of Pernambuco,Brazil

New records and distributional notes of Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) are provided for four protected areas in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Additionally, we also present new records and update of distributional ranges from Brazil and the Neotropical Region. In total, 810 specimens belonging to 35 genera within the subfamilies Chironominae (22 taxa), Tanypodinae (11 taxa) and Orthocladiinae (2 taxa) were found. The subfamilies Chironominae and Tanypodinae predominated. Axarus Roback, 1980 Roback, S.S. (1980), ‘New name for Anceus Roback nec Anceus Risso’, Entomological News, 91, 32.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] and the Tanytarsus ortoni-group were recorded for the first time in the state of Pernambuco, while Nanocladius Kieffer, 1913a Kieffer, J.J. (1913b), ‘Nouvelle étude sur les Chironomides de l'Indian Museum de Calcutta’, Records of the Indian Museum, 9, 119–197. [Google Scholar] was recorded for the first time in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Our results make evident how much and where current knowledge of the northeastern Brazil chironomids remains fragmentary.     

The distribution of Heterotrissocladius oliveri Saether (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Michigan

Fifty one chironomid species were identified from 504 samples collected at depths ranging 8 to 267 m in Lake Michigan, U.S.A. Heterotrissocladius oliveri Saether occurred in 32% of these samples and had an average abundance of 22 m^–2 which was similar to other estimates from the Great Lakes. Maximum average lake-wide density was at 30 to 60 m (41 m^–2). At depths 60 m, H. oliveri was the dominant chironomid species comprising 75% of total Chironomidae. The substrate preference of H. oliveri differed within each depth regime considered: at 30–60 m, 2–3 ; at 60–120 m, 3–5 , 7–9 ; and at 120–180 m, 6–8 . Abundance was notably reduced at all depths in substrates characterized as medium silt (5–6 ). On a lake-wide basis, the distribution pattern suggested H. oliveri was most numerous from 30 to 60 m along the southwestern, eastern, and northern shorelines and at 60–120 m depths along the southern and eastern shorelines. Increased abundance in the South Basin was concurrent with evidence of increased sedimentation at 60 to 100 m. However, in several other areas of the lake, high densities were associated with medium to very fine sands relatively free of silts and clays. This observation suggested occurrence of H. oliveri was minimally affected by sediment type.Widely variable, but generally elevated water temperatures likely prevent H. oliveri from establishing a substantial population density at depths < 30 m. With increased depth, temperature fluctuation is negligible and food is more stable, though the source is variable. Factors limiting abundance of H. oliveri at depths 30 m were related to decreased food supply due to distance from shore, food sources of lower value (clays), and, most importantly, to reproductive replenishment.Although still oligotrophic in nature, high density occurrences in both high and low sedimentation areas of the lake suggest the trophic indicator status of H. oliveri might be broader than previously thought.     

中国拟枝角摇蚊属一新种记述（双翅目：摇蚊科）

记述拟枝角摇蚊属Paracladopelma 1新种:短鞭拟枝角摇蚊P.demissum sp.nov.。该新种触角比AR低,为0.60;肛尖具中肋;第9背板后缘肩形;第9背板带V型;上附器远端膨大,向外侧成三角形突起状,亚顶端具2根大刚毛,且内侧密被小刚毛;抱器端节两侧平行,中部内弯。模式标本存放于南开大学生命科学学院摇蚊学研究室。     

中国多足揺蚊属指名亚属一新种(双翅目:摇蚊科)

记述中国多足摇蚊属指名亚属Polypedilum (s. str.) Kieffer 1新种——等跗多足摇蚊Polypedilum (Polypedilum) aequabe, sp. nov.,该新种雄虫可借以下组合特征与本亚属其它已知种类相区别:后足第 2 与第 3 跗节等长,肛尖具侧毛,上附器外侧毛位于近端部,下附器端部膨大。模式标本存放在南开大学生命科学学院摇蚊研究室。正模:♂,四川乡城硕曲河,2 700 m,1996-Ⅵ-12,灯诱,王新华采;副模:18♂♂,同正模;1♂,云南丽江石鼓冲江河,1750m,1996-Ⅴ-25,灯诱,周长发采。     

Two new non-biting midges from the Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Abstract

Two chironomid flies, Ziadeus kamili n. gen., n. sp. and Paicheleria magnifica n. gen., n. sp., respectively attributed to the recent subfamilies Tanypodinae and Prodiamesinae, are described from the Early Cretaceous Lebanese amber. Although very old, this non-biting midge fauna was very diverse with no less than 11 genera and species. However, it was also strongly different from the recent faunas for the complete absence of the Chironominae, that is today the dominant subfamily. The development of the modern chironomid fauna occurred during the Late Cretaceous and/or the Early Paleogene, but when and how?     

The evolutionary history of two species of Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Lake Baikal (Eastern Siberia)

The evolutionary history of two species belonging to the genus Orthocladius van der Wulp, 1874 van der Wulp, F.M. (1874), ‘Dipterologische Aanteekneningen’, Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, 17, 109–148. [Google Scholar] (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Lake Baikal was investigated using the mitochondrial gene coding the first subunit of the cytochrome c oxidase (CO1 mtDNA). The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Baikal Orthocladius species were divided into two well-defined clades where O. (Orthocladius) gregarius Linevitsh, 1970 was a sister species to Palaearctic O. (Orthocladius) nitidoscutellatus Lundstrom, 1915 and the O. (Eudactylocladius) sp. was a sister species to Nearctic O. (Eudactylocladius) subletteorum Cranston, 1998 Сranston, P.S. (1998), ‘Nearctic Orthocladius Subgenus Eudactylocladius Revised (Diptera: Chironomidae)’, Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 71(3), 272–295.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. Divergence time estimates indicated that these species had been evolving independently for about 18 Ma (Neogene, Early Miocene), while emergence of the most recent common ancestors of the modern O. (Orthocladius) gregarius and O. (Eudactylocladius) sp. was dated to about 3.5 Ma (Neogene, Pliocene). The evolution of Baikal orthoclads occurred from the rheophilic fauna under conditions of global climate change during the geological history of the Baikal Depression in the Tertiary Period.     

Boreoheptagyia phoenicia sp.n. (Diptera,Chironomidae, Diamesinae) from a Lebanese mountain spring

The male imago ofBoreoheptagyia phoenicia sp.n. (Diptera, Chironomidae) is described from material collected in Lebanon-Mount in the headwaters of the coastal river Awwaly.     

2018年夏秋季南设得兰群岛周边水域南极磷虾集群类型及其影响因素

南极磷虾是一种典型的集群性海洋生物,其集群特征为行为生态学研究领域的重要内容之一。南极磷虾在南设得兰群岛周围高度密集分布,然而磷虾集群形状和大小的机制解释仍存在较大的争议。基于南设得兰群岛周边水域收集的Simrad EK80声学数据,本研究利用Echoview V6.16软件,对声学数据进行了分析,并对磷虾集群特征进行了划分。通过主坐标分析(PCoA)检验了环境因素(表温和海况)以及时空因素对各类型磷虾集群产生的影响。结果表明:海况对磷虾集群影响较大,光照强度次之;块状小型集群的时空分布较广,夜间与白天均占有较高比例(>30%);小型集群更易出现在白天,而大型集群则更多出现在深夜; 2月,磷虾集群与海况及纬度显著相关; 3月,集群与时段显著相关; 4月,集群与时段及海况显著相关。     

Adult female of Chaetocladius insolitus Caspers, 1987 (Diptera: Chironomidae) with notes on species distribution

The adult female of Chaetocladius insolitus Caspers, 1987 (Diptera, Chironomidae) is described and discussed in the context of the generic diagnosis of adult females of the genus Chaetocladius Kieffer, 1911. In addition, distributional notes on this rare chironomid species are included.     

The Pupa and Larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen,Zhou & Rong) (Diptera: Chironomidae), with Complete Keys to all Immatures of the Genus Propsilocerus

The pupa and larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen, Zhou & Rong, 1994) are described for the first time. Both are close to P. akamusi (Tokunaga). The phylogenetic argumentation of the genus outlined in Sæther and Wang (1996) is confirmed. Revised keys to larvae and pupae of the genus are given. The main morphological characters of the different species of the genus are compared in tables.     

Midges and the electronic Ouija board The phylogeny of the Hydrobaenus group (Chironomidae, Diptera) revised

Cranston and Humphries (1988) expose Sæther's (1976) revision of the Hydrobaenus grou of enera (Chironomidae, Ditera) to the vagaries of quantitative phyletics. In the rocess they have clearly shown why at feast their method is not in accordance with the view of Hennig. In the qualitative Hennigian method the parsimony criterion is used when choosing among alternative hypotheses of explanation of single character distribution. The selection and interpretation equals the cladogenetic analysis. In neocladistic methods the parsimony criterion is usel in order to find the tree implying the fewest evolutionary ains and losses with the fewest lines. The explanation of characters enters as an afterthought. The differences between the methods are shown by analyzing a theoretical data matrix as well as by reassessment of the results obtained by Cranston and Humphries. Their data critique is met point by oint, their data matrix, which is to a large extent erroneous, is corrected, and their data reanalyzed using their and alternative outgroups. The tree topologies remain similar to each other as well as to the original qualitative analysis since there is little inside homoplasy but the changes proposed by Cranston and Humphries are shown invalid.