Abstract
The distribution of Acomopterella species in the Palaearctic region has been re-examined in this study, using recently collected material. The European species was found to be distributed in the eastern Palaearctic as well. A second Palaearctic species from Honshu (Japan) is herein described. The morphology of adult specimens was studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The shape of functional specialized setae on mid tibiae in Acomopterella and seven further fungus gnat genera is described and the suitability of this character for systematic studies is discussed. Details of a “hind tibial organ” are described.The position of Acomopterella in the tribe Gnoristini is briefly discussed. Acomopterella is found to be more closely related to Speolepta Edwards, 1925, than to any other recent genus.
Highlights
Sciaroidea, i.e. fungus gnats s.l. are of global distribution, quite diverse, with far more than 10.000 named species
The present study provides new taxonomic and distributional data on the genus Acomopterella Zaitzev, which was defined in 1989, for a species from the Western Nearctic
The new records suggest it is a relict species with 2 distinct allopatric populations: (1) Central & North European – Alpine (2) Far Eastern
Summary
Sciaroidea, i.e. fungus gnats s.l. are of global distribution, quite diverse, with far more than 10.000 named species. Fungus gnats are excellent indicators in the assessment of forest habitats in terms of nature conservation. The present study provides new taxonomic and distributional data on the genus Acomopterella Zaitzev, which was defined in 1989, for a species from the Western Nearctic. The second species of this genus, Acomopterella martinovskyi Ševčík & Chandler, 2008 was described from several places in the Czech Republic and from the Tyrolean Alps. The authors synonymised the type species of the genus with a species previously described in the genus Tetragoneura Winnertz, 1846, a global genus with a vast number of named species. The present investigation has led to additional data and discovery of an undescribed species
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