The fauna of Heleomyzidae (Diptera) in the Gemer area (Central Slovakia)

Abstract

Abstract A synopsis of the fauna of the family Heleomyzidae (Diptera) in the Gemer area (Slovakia) is presented. A total of 66 species are treated based on previously published records and material examined (largely from the Muránska planina National Park and the Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area). Each species is listed with comments about its general distribution, biology and faunistic and/or nature-conservancy importance. The regional fauna of Heleomyzidae is distinguished for high species diversity and for the occurrence of a number of rare or stenotopic species. Four species are new additions to the fauna of the whole of Slovakia, viz. Neoleria ruficeps (Zetterstedt, 1838), Oldenbergiella brumalis Czerny, 1924, O. seticerca Papp, 1980 and Orbellia myiopiformis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; in addition, 13 species belong to rare and little-known taxa with only a few previous records from the country. The fauna of the Gemer area is enriched by 22 species; 32 species are recorded from the Muránska planina NP and 31 from the Cerová vrchovina PLA for the first time. The peculiarities of the fauna of Heleomyzidae in the Gemer territory are discussed including a review of species associated with cave habitats and species most important from the ecological, biogeographical and nature-conservancy points of view.