Contributions to the Pediciidae (Diptera) fauna of Turkey with six new records

Abstract

* Correspondence: okanozgul@mu.edu.tr The Pediciidae were part of the Limoniidae, which were traditionally included in the Tipulidae (Oosterbroek, 2006); however, they were separated from the Limoniidae by Starý (1992) due to several features in the adult stage. Adult pediciids are ordinarily found in low deciduous vegetation near streams and lakes in forested areas. Many species are abundant and extensively preyed upon by birds, mammals, fish, and other vertebrates, as well as spiders and insects. Larvae are usually found in various aquatic and semiaquatic environments during most of their development. They feed on decaying plant material and fleshy fungi (Ula spp.). The Pediciinae are carnivorous in spring habitats; hence, they move to pupate on the margins of aquatic and semiaquatic environments or in dryer places (Reusch and Oosterbroek, 1997). The Pediciidae currently contain 490 described species worldwide. Of these, 201 species are known in the Palearctic region, mainly in the East Palearctic (Oosterbroek, 2015). So far, 11 pediciid species have been found in Turkey (Oosterbroek, 2015). The aim of this paper is to summarize our knowledge on the Turkish Pediciidae fauna and add new records. Specimens were collected in aquatic and semiaquatic habitats in 2008–2011 in the provinces of Balikesir, Bilecik, Bursa, Canakkale, Kirklareli, Kocaeli, and Sakarya in the Marmara region; Afyonkarahisar, Kutahya, and Usak in the Aegean region; and Eskisehir in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey (Figure). All adults were collected by the authors with a sweep net (40 cm in diameter). Genitalia preparations were performed based on Dienske’s (1987) approach and were preserved either in 70% mixture of alcohol and glycerin (3:1) solution or by pinning. The species were identified by following the works conducted by Dienske (1987), Savchenko (1989), Reusch and Oosterbroek (1997), and Podenas et al. (2006). Some problems in identifying the specimens were solved, and the identified taxa were checked by Jaroslav Starý. The material examined is presented along with localities, altitude, GPS coordinates, collection dates, and number and sex of each specimen examined. Specimens examined in the current study are deposited in the Zoological Laboratory of the Department of Biology, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey (ZMMU). A total of 280 specimens including 224 males were collected in Afyonkarahisar, Balikesir, Bilecik, Bursa, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Kirklareli, Kutahya, Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Usak provinces of Turkey between 2008 and 2014. Twelve species were identified belonging to 4 genera of Pediciidae, 6 of which were recorded in Turkey for the first time. Additionally, all species were new records for the provinces where they were collected (Table). Subfamily Pediciinae Dicranota (Ludicia) lucidipennis (Edwards, 1921) Material examined: 1 ♂. Canakkale: Bayramic, Evciler, Kaz Mountains, Duden Alani (39°41′N, 26°47′E), 1270 m, 19.08.2008. Abstract: This study was carried out to contribute to the Pediciidae (Diptera) fauna in Afyonkarahisar, Balikesir, Bilecik, Bursa, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Kirklareli, Kutahya, Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Usak provinces of Turkey between 2008 and 2014. It was reported that 12 pediciid species belonging to 4 genera have been recorded in Turkey. Six of these species were recorded for the first time for the Turkish Pediciidae fauna. These species are Dicranota (Paradicranota) flammatra Starý, 1981; Dicranota (Paradicranota) fuscipennis Lackschewitz, 1940; Dicronata (Paradicronata) landrocki Czizek, 1931; Dicranota (Paradicranota) schistacea Lackschewitz, 1940; Dicronata (Paradicronata) subtilis Loew, 1871; and Tricyphona (Tricyphona) unicolor (Schummel, 1829). All pediciid species known in Turkey, and their provinces of collection, are given in this paper.