Review of Australasian spider flies (Diptera, Acroceridae) with a revision of Panops Lamarck

The Australasian spider flies (Diptera: Acroceridae) are reviewed, with all eight currently recognized genera diagnosed and figured. The panopine genus Panops Lamarck, 1804 from Australia and Indonesia is revised with four new species described, increasing the total number of species in the genus to nine: Panops aurumsp. n., Panops danielsisp. n., Panops jadesp. n. and Panops schlingerisp. n. Five species of Panops are redescribed: Panops austrae Neboiss, 1971, Panops baudini Lamarck, 1804, Panops boharti (Schlinger, 1959), comb. n., Panops conspicuus (Brunetti, 1926) and Panops grossi (Neboiss, 1971), comb. n. The monotypic genera Neopanops Schlinger, 1959 and Panocalda Neboiss, 1971 are synonymized with Panops. Keys to genera of Australasian Acroceridae and species of Panops, Helle Osten Sacken, 1896 and Australasian Pterodontia Gray, 1832 are included.     

A new species of spider fly in the genus Sabroskya Schlinger from Malawi, with a key to Acrocerinae world genera (Diptera, Acroceridae)

In this paper we diagnose the genus Sabroskya Schlinger, 1960 and describe Sabroskya schlingerisp. n. from Malawi. We also provide dichotomous keys to species of Sabroskya and to world genera of the subfamily Acrocerinae, both extant and extinct.     

DNA sequences corroborate Soesiladeepakius as a non‐salticoid genus of jumping spiders: placement with lapsiines,phylogeny, and description of six new species (Araneae,Salticidae)

Species of the Amazonian jumping spider genus Soesiladeepakius Makhan are confirmed as non‐salticoids. Sequences of nuclear (28S, Actin) and mitochondrial (16S through NADH dehydrogenase subunit I, ‘16S‐ND1’) gene regions, analysed under parsimony and maximum likelihood, placed the genus within the lapsiines, closely related to Galianora Maddison. Additionally, six new species of this genus are herein described, namely Soesiladeepakius lyra sp. nov. , Soesiladeepakius retroversus sp. nov. , Soesiladeepakius arthrostylus sp. nov. , Soesiladeepakius gasnieri sp. nov. , Soesiladeepakius biarmatus sp. nov. , and Soesiladeepakius uncinatus sp. nov. , all from the Amazon region in Brazil. To test the monophyly of Soesiladeepakius within lapsiines, a cladistic analysis was carried out using a data matrix comprising 24 morphological characters scored for 12 taxa. The analysis resulted in two equally parsimonious trees of 29 steps. One of these trees is used to discuss the relationships among the species of Soesiladeepakius and character evolution. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 274–295.     

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

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.     

A revision of the Neotropical genus Paraberismyia Woodley (Diptera,Stratiomyidae, Beridinae) with three new species

The Neotropical genus Paraberismyia Woodley, 1995, is revised. Three new species, P. chiapassp. n., P. mathisisp. n., and P. triunfosp. n. are described, all having type localities in Chiapas, Mexico. A key to the four known species is provided.     

A new species of Cyphomyia Wiedemann from the Dominican Republic with a key to Caribbean species of the genus (Diptera,Stratiomyidae, Clitellariinae)

A new species of Cyphomyia Wiedemann, Cyphomyiabaorucosp. n., is described from the Dominican Republic. A key to the species of Cyphomyia known from the Caribbean islands is provided.     

A new species of the spider genus Baalzebub (Araneae,Theridiosomatidae) from Brazilian caves

A new species of the spider genus Baalzebub Coddington from Brazil, B. acutum sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on 95 specimens collected from caves around the Iron Quadrangle in the state of Minas Gerais. This species is recognized by male palpal bulb with strong and large conductor covering almost entire embolus, and epigyne of females with long and tapered scape, which extends towards the spinners. Baalzebub acutum sp. nov. is the second species recorded from Brazil, the first for Brazilian caves, bringing the total number of species in the genus to seven in the world.     

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of all genera of Conopidae (Diptera) based on morphological data

All global genera of the fly family Conopidae are revised here. A cladistic analysis of 117 morphological characters recorded from 154 species, including representatives of 59 genera and subgenera, recovers a phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. This hypothesis is used as the basis of a new classification for the family. Both Sicini and Zodionini are removed from Myopinae and elevated to subfamilial status. A new tribe, Thecophorini, is proposed within Myopinae to accommodate Thecophora, Scatoccemyia, and Pseudoconops. Two genera, Pseudomyopa and Parazodion, are removed from Dalmanniinae and placed in Myopinae and Zodioninae, respectively. Conopinae is divided into 11 tribes, seven of which are newly described (Asiconopini, Caenoconopini, Gyroconopini, Microconopini, Neoconopini, and Siniconopini). Some examined species are transferred to different or new genera and subgenera. A new genus, Schedophysoconops gen. nov. , and subgenus Asiconops (Aegloconops) subgen. nov. within Conopinae are described. A review of character evolution and phylogeography is included in light of the new classification. A catalogue of all genus‐group names is included with new emendations noted.     

Bionomic notes on Pachysomoides sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of the Neotropical social wasp Polistes satan Bequaert (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Although most polistine wasp species are found in the Neotropical region, mainly in Brazil, only a very limited number of South American parasitoids or parasites are known to exist. We assessed the frequency of a hymenopterous parasitoid, Pachysomoides sp. (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), in the nests of the Brazilian independent‐founding wasp Polistes satan and compared the rates of the parasitization of P. satan by Pachysomoides sp. between the dry (winter) and wet (summer) seasons. Pachysomoides sp. larvae were seen to feed on P. satan pupa and were found in both the upper and lower parts of the host pupal cell (ca. 10 individuals in each host pupal cell). Approximately one‐third of the pupal cells in the P. satan colonies were parasitized in the dry season, whereas there were no parasitized pupal cells in the wet season. Consequently, the rates of parasitization by Pachysomoides sp. were significantly greater during the dry season than during the wet season due to unknown reasons.     

Revisional notes on the genus Toxopoda Macquart (Diptera,Sepsidae) in the Oriental and Australasian regions

I herein revise the genus Toxopoda Macquart of the Oriental and Australasian regions. A total of 16 species is discussed. Six new species are described: T. cavata sp. nov., T. angulata sp. nov., T. elephantina sp. nov., T. zuskai sp. nov., T. malayana sp. nov., and T. ozerovi sp. nov. The species T. contracta (Walker), T. viduata (Thomson) and T. simplex Iwasa, which can be easily confused with other species, are correctly redescribed and illustrated. Distributional notes and a key to the species of the Oriental and Australasian regions are provided.     

Phylogenetic relationships of subgenera of the genus Exorista Meigen,with a revision of the Japanese species (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Phylogenetic relationships of the subgenera of Exorista Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) are inferred from morphological data. Our results show that the genus Exorista is not monophyletic and that members of the subgenus Spixomyia Crosskey are divided into two clades. Each subgenus is redefined based on male and female morphological features. The Japanese species of Exorista are revised and classified into five subgenera: Adenia Robineau‐Desvoidy, Exorista Meigen, Podotachina Brauer and Bergenstamm, Ptilotachina Brauer and Bergenstamm, and Spixomyia Crosskey. Thirteen species are recognized, including two newly recorded species, Exorista (Adenia) cuneata Herting and Exorista (Spixomyia) lepis Chao. Exorista cantans Mesnil is transferred to the subgenus Podotachina from Spixomyia.     

Hosts of Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Broome and the Broome Peninsula, Western Australia

Abstract  In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is only established at Broome. From 1998 to 2001 extensive fruit sampling was carried out at Broome during a trial investigating the eradication of medfly from the Kimberley using the sterile insect technique. Fruit was collected from 82 native and introduced plants growing in and surrounding the town of Broome and held for emergence of medfly. Eighteen plants, including the native tree Terminalia petiolaris , were found to be medfly hosts . On the basis of abundance, fruiting phenology and host suitability, eight species (kumquat Fortunella japonica , mango Magnifera indica , Barbados cherry Malpighia glabra , orange jessamine Murraya paniculata , guava Psidium guajava , Pacific almond Terminalia catapa , blackberry tree Terminalia petiolaris and yellow oleander Thevetia peruviana ) were the most important hosts ensuring medfly survival and population growth. Despite medfly being reared from T. petiolaris , it is likely that medfly can only maintain populations in areas close to human habitation, and eradication from these areas would lead to eradication from the whole Kimberley region.     

New genera of philopotine spider flies (Diptera, Acroceridae) with a key to living and fossil genera

Information on the three previously described species of Halocoryza Alluaud is updated and a new species for the genus from Isla Carmen, Sea of Cortés, Baja California Sur, México is described. Halocoryza whiteheadianasp. n. was found at UV light on a beach of that island. This species does not fit the profile of the other three species, i.e., living on coralline beach sands, or in the Mangrove intertidal zone. Two alternative possibilities as to why this is so are suggested and a study plan for testing these possibilities is proposed.     

中国广西绿蟹蛛属1新种(蜘蛛目:蟹蛛科)

作者在进行中国广西大明山无脊椎动物资源调查研究时,发现了蜘蛛目蟹蛛科绿蟹蛛属1新种,命名为饼绿蟹蛛Oxytate placentiformis sp.nov..所有标本均保存在河北大学生命科学学院.文中测量单位为mm.饼绿蟹蛛,新种Oxytate placentiformis sp.nov.(图1～6)正模♂,广西南宁大明山自然保护区浣纱瀑布,2011-05-23,王英楠采.鉴别特征 在分布于亚洲大陆的本属种类中,本新种与冲绳绿蟹蛛O.hoshizuna Ono,1978,钳绿蟹蛛O.forcipata Zhang&Yin,1998和小头绿蟹蛛O.capitulata Tang&Li,2009外形和触肢器十分相似,但具有以下不同:本种触肢胫节突长,端部弯曲呈"7"字形,而冲绳绿蟹蛛O.hoshizuna的胫节突末端强烈弯曲呈钩状,钳绿蟹蛛O.forcipata胫节突末端呈钳状,小头绿蟹蛛O.capitulata Tang&Li,2009胫节突末端弯曲呈鸟头状.词源学 本新种以雄蛛背甲的形状而拟定.正模 雄蛛体长7.75:头胸部长2.81,宽2.40; 腹部长5.20,宽1.38.背甲黄褐色,中窝纵向线状,颈沟和放射沟不明显; 背甲圆形,头区轻微隆起.8眼2列,背面观两眼列均后凹,后眼列较宽,前侧眼和后侧眼突出; 前中眼直径0.08,前侧眼直径0.10,后中眼直径0.08,后侧眼直径0.10;前中眼距0.13,前中侧眼距0.10,后中眼距0.10,后中侧眼距0.30; 中眼域梯形,前边大于后边(0.30:0.25).螯肢黄褐色,前后齿堤无齿.颚叶黄色,边缘有浓厚的长毛.胸板淡黄色,长大于宽.步足黄褐色,步足测量:Ⅰ 12.40 (3.83+1.38+3.42+2.60+1.17),Ⅱ 12.60 (3.88+1.38+3.57+2.60+1.17),Ⅲ 6.80 (2.09+0.77+1.79+1.33+0.82),Ⅳ7.05 (2.40+0.71+1.79+1.33+0.82); 足式:2143.腹部十分窄长,淡黄色,被有黑色长毛; 腹部背面前端有2对明显的肌痕,腹部后部有横纹,似分节状.触肢胫节腹突拇指状; 外侧突较长,末端骨化程度高,弯曲呈"7"字形状; 生殖球简单,内侧具亚盾板; 插入器刺状,末端较钝.分布:广西.     

Systematic revision of Neotropical Achalcus and a related new genus (Diptera: Dolichopodidae, Achalcinae) with comments on their phylogeny, ecology and zoogeography

A revision of the species of the subfamily Achalcinae of the Neotropical region is presented. A new genus, Australachalcus gen. nov. , is erected based on the presence of six dorsocentral bristles and synapomorphies in the hypopygium. Eight new Achalcus species ( bilineatus , brevicornis , costaricensis , cyanocephalus , maculipennis , micromorphoides , niger , tibialis ) and eight new Australachalcus species ( acornis , browni , cummingi , incisicornis , pseudorobustus , robustus , setosus , variabilis ) are described, and Achalcus albipalpus Parent, A. brevinervis Van Duzee, A. longicornis Van Duzee and Enlinia edwardsae (Van Duzee) are newly referred to Australachalcus and redescribed. A key to males of all species and females of eight species is provided. One Palaearctic species, Achalcus melanotrichus Mik, and nine New Zealand Achalcus species ( chaetifemoratus , luteipes , medius , minor , minusculus , minutus , nigroscutatus , relictus , separatus ) described by Parent are also transferred to Australachalcus . In Neotropical Achalcinae, three Achalcus and more than four different Australachalcus species groups can be distinguished, whereas all Holarctic Achalcus species belong to the single A. flavicollis species group. In the Neotropics, Australachalcus is nearly entirely confined to Chile, whereas Achalcus is recorded from Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Chile, with no or little overlap in distribution between the separate species groups. Beyond Chile, most achalcine species treated here were collected at higher altitudes. Most Chilean species are only active during the southern summer, whereas in Costa Rica achalcine representatives are encountered throughout the year.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 143 , 27–73.