Acalyptrate Flies Research Articles

Hennig’s orphans revisited: Testing morphological hypotheses in the “Opomyzoidea” (Diptera: Schizophora)

The acalyptrate fly superfamily Opomyzoidea, as currently recognized, is a poorly-known group of 14 families. The composition of this group and relationships among included families have been controversial. Furthermore, the delimitation of two opomyzoid families, Aulacigastridae and Periscelididae, has been unstable with respect to placement of the genera Stenomicra, Cyamops, and Planinasus. To test the monophyly of Opomyzoidea, previously proposed relationships between families, and the position of the three problematic genera, we sequenced over 3300 bp of nucleotide sequence data from the 28S ribosomal DNA and CAD (rudimentary) genes from 29 taxa representing all opomyzoid families, as well as 13 outgroup taxa. Relationships recovered differed between analyses, and only branches supporting well-established monophyletic families were recovered with high support, with a few exceptions. Opomyzoidea and its included subgroup, Asteioinea, were found to be non-monophyletic. Stenomicra, Cyamops, and Planinasus group consistently with Aulacigastridae, contrary to recent classifications. Xenasteiidae and Australimyzidae, two small, monogeneric families placed in separate superfamilies, were strongly supported as sister groups.

The Asteioinea of Fiji (Insecta: Diptera: Periscelididae, Asteiidae, Xenasteiidae)

Three of the six families in the acalyptrate fly group Asteioinea are reported from Fiji, comprising five genera and 23 species, with all except three of the species being new. The new species in their respective families are the following: Stenomicra ariela, Si. brunnea, Si. castanea, Si. distincta, Si. pallida, Si. sylpha, Si. tokotaai, and Si. xoutha; Cyamops femobrunneus, C. femoctenidius; Stenocyamops luteus, Sy. pseudoluteus, Sy. robustus, and Sy. vittatus (Periscelididae); Asteia pleurovitta, A. pleurovittata, A. rotundiscuta, A. vanuaensis, A. vitiensis (Asteiidae); and Xenasteia fijiana (Xenasteiidae). This is the first report of Stenocyamops outside of Southeast Asia. Stenomicra distinctipennis (Collin) is resurrected from synonymy with S. fascipennis Malloch, based on study of male genitalia belonging to a complex of fascipennis-like species from throughout the Pacific. Asteia nigriceps Bezzi is redescribed. Keys to genera and species are provided. Some species were collected in the rolled leaves of bananas and wild gingers (Zingerberales), which appears to be an important habitat for periscelidids in tropical forests.

A Closer Look at the eve Stripe 2 Enhancers of Drosophila and Themira

A Closer Look at the eve Stripe 2 Enhancers of Drosophila and Themira

Gobryidae, a new family of acalyptrate flies (Diptera: Diopsoidea), and a discussion of relationships of the diopsoid families.

Gobryidae, a new family of acalyptrate flies (Diptera: Diopsoidea), and a discussion of relationships of the diopsoid families.

A TECHNIQUE FOR MEASURING AND MARKING LIVE FLIES

AbstractWe designed a simple device for physically restraining live Diptera for measurement and marking. This new technique does not involve powders, anaesthetics, or handling with fingers or forceps, and can be adapted for use with flies of any size. We tested it on acalyptrate flies of 1.5–3.0 mm body length, and were able to sex, measure, and mark them with individual codes (enamel paint applied to the thoracic notum) in 5–7 min per fly, with a 96% success rate. This technique may be applicable to a range of behavioural and ecological research.

Acalyptrate flies (Diptera) from sifted materials in the Geneva Museum

Acalyptrate flies (Diptera) from sifted materials in the Geneva Museum

Signaling and Sex in Acalyptrate Flies

Signaling and Sex in Acalyptrate Flies

ENZYME VARIATION IN SEMI-ISOLATED POPULATIONS OF THE MOUNTAIN FLY CHAMAEMYIA HERBARUM.

Chamaemyia herbarum (Robineau-Desvoidy) is an acalyptrate fly in the family Chamaemyiidae. In southern Arizona, C. herbarum larvae prey upon one or more species of mealybugs (Trionymus spp.) which infest the bunch grass Muklenbergia virescens (H.B.K.) Kunth. The fly overwinters in the pupal stage and two to four generations are completed during summer breeding seasons. It is restricted to small, isolated populations within the pine forest or transition zone (Merriam, 1890). Adult populations in mountain meadows are small, from approximately 50 to 1,000 individuals, and are separated from each other on the same mountain by stretches of meadowless pine forest. The dispersal ability of the species is not known. Adults have been observed moving toward the base of grass clumps during windy periods. Such behavior would limit passive wind dispersal, the most likely means of movement between mountain ranges. The center of distribution of C. herbarum is in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States and the southernmost extension of its range is in the southeastern mountains of Arizona. Populations in the Colorado Rockies may be classified as semi-isolated; the proximity and continuity of the mountain ranges may allow limited migration between populations or subpopulations. In Arizona and northwestern New Mexico, each population is restricted to a separate mountain range and may be a geographic isolate. Although the species is restricted to the same pine forest zone across its range, populations are located within different biotic provinces (Dice, 1943). These provinces are based upon differences in floral composition; however, they also reflect faunal species boundaries. Grasses of southern Arizona mountains support mealybug species not found farther north. The specific grassmealybug associations are not available for C. herbarum; therefore, a comparison between isozyme frequency differences and biotic provinces may define possible genotype-environment interactions. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the importance of geographic isolation, small population size, founder effect, and ecological adaptation to the differentiation of C. herbarum populations. Genetic differences between populations were determined by multiple loci starch gel electrophoresis. A morphological analysis of metric characters was conducted to estimate further population variation.

New Species of Southwestern Acalyptrate Diptera

Four new species of acalyptrate flies are described, as follows: Family Ephydridae-Scatophila iowana from Iowa; Notiphila (Agrolimna) hamif- era from Arizona and Colorado; Family Chyromyiidae-Aphaniosoma frontata from California, Arizona, Utah and Baja California (Mexico); Aphaniosoma aldrichi from Texas. The holotype and allotype specimens of the new species described below are being placed in the U.S. National Museum collection. The disposition of the paratypes is indicated separately for each species.

Latheticomyia, a New Genus of Acalyptrate Flies of Uncertain Family Relationship

Latheticomyia, a New Genus of Acalyptrate Flies of Uncertain Family Relationship

Notes on some acalyptrate flies in the United States National Museum

Notes on some acalyptrate flies in the United States National Museum

New genera and species of acalyptrate flies in the United States National Museum

New genera and species of acalyptrate flies in the United States National Museum