Name-bearing Types Research Articles

How not to describe a species: lessons from a tangle of anacondas (Boidae: Eunectes Wagler, 1830)

Abstract A recent revision of the anacondas (Serpentes: Boidae: Eunectes), with the description of a new species of green anaconda, generated extensive publicity, but also provoked considerable controversy due to inadequacies of the evidence used and errors in nomenclature. We here use the case of this problematic publication to: (i) highlight common issues affecting species delimitations, especially an over-reliance on mitochondrial DNA data, and reiterate best practices; (ii) reanalyse the data available for anacondas to establish the true current state of knowledge and to highlight lines of further research; and (iii) analyse the nomenclatural history and status of the genus. While our analysis reveals significant morphological variation in both green and yellow anacondas, denser sampling and an analysis of informative nuclear markers are required for meaningful species delimitation in Eunectes. Tracing the history of name-bearing types establishes Trinidad as the type locality for Boa murina Linnaeus, 1758 and allows identification of the extant lectotype for the species. Finally, we emphasize the responsibility of both journals and authors to ensure that published taxonomic work meets the burden of evidence required to substantiate new species descriptions and that species are named in compliance with the rules of zoological nomenclature.

On the status of Helicops wettsteini Amaral, 1929, a senior synonym of Hypsiscopus murphyi (SERPENTES: Homalopsidae).

We redescribe the name-bearing types of Helicops wettsteini Amaral, 1929, a species described from central Costa Rica. However, while Helicops wettsteini has been considered in the literature a synonym of Hypsiscopus plumbeus (previously Enhydris plumbea), we present here morphological evidence for considering Helicops wettsteini a synonym of the recently described species Hypsiscopus murphyi Bernstein, Voris, Stuart, Phimmachak, Seateun, Sivongxay, Neang, Karns, Andrews, Osterhage, Phipps & Ruane, 2022, which hence becomes a junior subjective synonym of Hypsiscopus wettsteini (Amaral, 1929).

The type of Setophaga ruficoronata (Kaup 1851) is a hybrid: implications for the taxonomy of Myioborus warblers (Passeriformes: Parulidae).

Hybridization, rapid diversification, and uncertainties surrounding type specimens add complexity to the already intricate taxonomy of high Andean Myioborus warblers of northern South America. In this study, we propose a reassessment of species boundaries within M. ornatus and M. melanocephalus, drawing on comparisons of name-bearing types. We also consider insights from a recent study of a hybrid zone in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. We present three species delimitation alternatives that offer improved clarity compared to the current taxonomy, and discuss the rationale behind recognizing chrysops and bairdi as distinct species while redefining the species ornatus and melanocephalus, given the available evidence.

Lumping three nominal species into one: taxonomic revision of amphibian parasitic leeches of Torix in Far East Asia (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae)

Although most members of the freshwater leech family Glossiphoniidae have mid-body somites divided into three annuli, the genus Torix Blanchard, 1893 is distinguished by two-annuli somites. Torix has high species richness in Far East Asia, and three nominal species have been recognised in the Japanese Archipelago and adjacent regions that can be distinguished by a combination of both internal and external morphological characteristics. However, recent studies have shown that these diagnostic features are ontogenetically variable and this has resulted in taxonomic confusion among Torix species endemic to the Japanese Archipelago. In this study, we revisit the taxonomic accounts of T. orientalis (Oka, 1925) and T. tagoi (Oka, 1925), in addition to that of the recently redescribed T. tukubana (Oka, 1935) to clarify the diagnostic characteristics for each of the three species. Our morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the three Torix species in Japan are indistinguishable. We therefore conclude that these species should be synonymised and treated as a single species. The specific names orientalis and tagoi were simultaneously established under the genus Oligobdella Moore, 1918, therefore we acted as First Reviser and gave precedence to the name O. tagoi, thus the valid name for the Far East Asian Torix species is T. tagoi unless T. orientalis and T. tagoi are treated as distinct species. There are several type localities for T. tagoi and the name-bearing types have been lost, therefore we designate a neotype for this species to obviate zoological and nomenclatural issues. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E2DBF999-3B51-456F-AB04-A7D138E0AF2D

Unveiling hidden diversity of Oecomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Brazilian Central Amazonia: description of a new species and new lineages

The arboreal rice rat of the genus Oecomys Thomas, 1906 is one of the most speciose genera of the subfamily Sigmodontinae, with 19 species currently recognized and occurring from eastern Panama to northern Argentina, Paraguay, and in northern, central and eastern Brazil. Herein we describe a new species using an integrative approach based on molecular, morphological, and morphometric data. We used in our assessment recently collected specimens from the states of Pará and Rondônia, one of the most deforested regions in Brazil. We examined 51 specimens of Oecomys from museum collections including name-bearing types from most of the distributional range of the genus. We also sequenced 32 specimens of Oecomys, and for the molecular analyses, we used the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome b and the nuclear marker intron 7 of β-fibrinogen. Our mitochondrial marker results recovered a strongly supported clade composed of two divergent clades (3.78%), one including lineages of O. bicolor and O. cleberi, and the other clade representing the new species. The topology of concatenated mitochondrial and nuclear data also recovered Oecomys sp. nov. as a sister lineage of the O. bicolor and O. cleberi clade. Also, both markers recovered new lineages from the O. bicolor and O. cleberi species group. The new species can be discriminated from other Oecomys species by pelage colour and craniodental characters, such as absent or small mastoid fenestra, and the presence of alisphenoid strut, small subsquamosal fenestra, presence of sphenopalatine vacuities, and presence of accessory loph of M1 and M2 paracones. The new species occurs exclusively in the Rondônia centre of endemism, delimited by the rivers Amazon to the north, Tapajós to the east, and Madeira to the west. The description of this new Oecomys increases the diversity, and also contributes to elevate Amazonian Sigmodontinae species richness and endemism in this still poorly known biome. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:7477D37A-4D02-443F-B0FB-149379BEDE92

Messor erwini sp. n., a hitherto cryptic harvester ant in the Iberian Peninsula

European harvester ants, Messor species, are important ecosystem engineers. In Catalonia (Spain), among others, the three species Messor barbarus, M. bouvieri, and M. capitatus occur. At one Catalan site, a cluster of nest samples of unknown identity was found, raising the possibility of either a hybrid lineage or a currently unexplored species in the region. The aim of this study was to test whether the newly recognized cluster represents a hybrid of M. barbarus and M. capitatus, or some form of social hybridogenesis, or an independent, hitherto unrecognised species. We addressed this question in an integrative taxonomic fashion combining evidence from microsatellites analyzed via Bayesian cluster analysis, phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA, and multivariate exploratory and confirmatory analyses of morphometric data. The unidentified Messor ants formed a well separated entity from M. barbarus, M. capitatus, and M. bouvieri in all these analyses. These results are in line with the existence of a cryptic Messor species but not with hybridization nor social hybridogenesis. The newly detected species, which has been neither genetically nor morphologically analyzed before, is described as Messor erwini sp. n., since no name-bearing types of valid Messor taxa correspond with the morphological characteristics of the species. Discovering a hitherto unknown species from a myrmecologically well studied area nourishes expectations that further diversity of the genus Messor may await its discovery.

The smallest of its kind: Description of a new cryptic Amnirana species (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from West African rainforests

The distribution of the White-Lipped Frog Amnirana albolabris was long assumed to extend from eastern-central to western African rainforests. However, recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that this taxon likely represents several undescribed species. Because the name-bearing types were collected in Gabon, the distantly related West African populations clearly represent an undescribed species that partly occurs in sympatry with Amnirana fonensis. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including molecular, morphological, and acoustic data, we describe the 'albolabris' populations from the Upper Guinean Forest Zone as a new species, and redescribe the morphologically similar A. fonensis on the bases of a larger series of genotyped individuals, including the first known females. We also provide new biological information for A. fonensis, including their advertisement call, habitat, and reproductive data. The new species is sister to A. fonensis and the two species differ by 5.8% in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically, males of the new species are smaller and have relatively smaller humeral glands. Females of the new species seem to have shorter legs than A. fonensis. In comparison to A. fonensis, the advertisement call of the new species has a higher dominant frequency and more pronounced frequency modulation. The two species differ in their distribution and habitat preferences, as revealed by environmental niche modelling. Whereas the new species is restricted to the Upper Guinean forests and thus is a true lowland-rainforest inhabitant, A. fonensis lives predominantly in Guinean montane forests in the forest-savanna mosaic zone.

Not everything is what it seems: the study of type specimens of Cryptogenius Westwood, 1842 species (Coleoptera: Hybosoridae: Anaidinae) reveals a new species and new synonyms

ABSTRACT A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Cryptogenius is provided. Based on literature data and the examination of 33 specimens, including the name-bearing types of two of the three available species-group names involved, we conclude that Cryptogenius comprises two species: C. miersianus Westwood, 1842, from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and Argentina, and Cryptogenius westwoodi sp. nov., from the Amazon and possibly Panama and Costa Rica. Cryptogenius fryi Arrow, 1909 is here considered a junior subjective synonym of C. miersianus. The lectotype of C. miersianus is designated. Updated information on the geographical distribution of both species is presented. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3B6B81FD-2EF4-4734-A004-84535BF12F97

World Catalogue of the family Thaumaleidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha)

Family, genus and species group names in the family Thaumaleidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha) are catalogued, including information on name-bearing types, distribution by country and 428 references to all literature known to us pertaining to this family. The Thaumaleidae or madicolous midges are known from 202 species in the following seven genera: Afrothaumalea Stuckenberg, 1960 (3 species), Androprosopa Mik, 1898 (59 species), Austrothaumalea Tonnoir, 1927 (44 species), Neothaumalea Pivar, Moulton & Sinclair, 2018 (1 species), Niphta Theischinger, 1986 (14 species), Thaumalea Ruthe, 1831 (77 species) and Trichothaumalea Edwards, 1929 (4 species). In addition, one fossil genus and species are known (Mesothaumalea fossilis Kovalev). Published species distributions are provided, noting country and biogeographic region; specimen data representing new records for species are listed. The following new combinations, originally assigned to Thaumalea, are proposed: Androprosopa baminana (Yang, 2003) comb. nov., Androprosopa zhejiangana (Yang, 1998) comb. nov.

An illustrated checklist of Stratiomyidae (Diptera: Brachycera) from Paraguay, with three new synonyms and 22 new records of species for the country

The Stratiomyidae (Diptera) of Paraguay is cataloged and illustrated, and information is given on distributions, name-bearing types, synonyms, and pertinent literature. Previously to this study, the fauna of soldier flies in the country comprised 18 genera and 29 species, which has been raised up to 35 genera and 63 species, of which only nine are assigned to morphospecies level. The list of species is based on the examination of the original descriptions of all nominal species, all other references known to us containing taxonomic and distributional information, and new material examined from various collections. Images of 45 species are herein provided, which include type specimen images of seven valid species, of which three are exclusively found in the country. One subfamily is newly reported from Paraguay: Chrysochlorininae. Fourteen genera are newly reported from Paraguay: Acanthinomyia Hunter, 1900; Archistratiomys Enderlein, 1913; Auloceromyia Lindner, 1969; Chrysochlorina James, 1939; Gowdeyana Curran, 1928; Hoplitimyia James, 1934; Leucoptilum James, 1943; Neoberis Lindner, 1949; Myxosargus Brauer, 1882; Nothomyia Loew, 1869; Panacris Gerstaecker, 1857; Promeranisa Walker, 1854; Psellidotus Rondani, 1863; and Raphiocera Macquart, 1834. Twenty-two species are newly reported from Paraguay: Acanthinomyia elongata (Wiedemann, 1824); Archistratiomys rufipalpis (Wiedemann, 1830); Auloceromyia pedunculata Pimentel & Pujol-Luz, 2000; Chordonota inermis (Wiedemann, 1830); Chrysochlorina albipes James, 1939; Chrysochlorina incompleta (Curran, 1929); Gowdeyana vitrisetosus (Lindner, 1935); Hermetia flavipes Wiedemann, 1830; Hermetia pulchra Wiedemann, 1830; Hermetia teevani Curran, 1934; Leucoptilum plaumanni James, 1943; Merosargus cingulatus Schiner, 1868; Merosargus coxalis Lindner, 1949; Merosargus golbachi James in James & McFadden, 1971; Merosargus nebulifer James in James & McFadden, 1971; Merosargus obscurus (Wiedemann, 1830); Merosargus stigmaticus (Lindner, 1949); Neoberis brasiliana Lindner, 1949; Panacris nigribasis Lindner, 1949; Promeranisa nasuta (Macquart, 1850); Raphiocera armata (Wiedemann, 1830); and Sargus thoracicus Macquart, 1834. Four species are removed from the Paraguayan fauna: Cyphomyia albitarsis (Fabricius, 1805), Euryneura pygmaea (Bellardi, 1862), and Nemotelus niger Bigot, 1879 have no specimens known from Paraguay, so the inclusion of Paraguay in their distribution is a typing error; and Nemotelus eburneopictus James (1974) has its type locality corrected to Argentina. The examination of the material allows the proposition of three specific synonyms: Cyphomyia imitans Curran, 1925 syn. nov. of C. gracilicornis Gerstaecker, 1857, Panacris breviseta Lindner, 1964 syn. nov. of P. nigribasis Lindner, 1949, and Dicranophora brevifurca James, 1943 syn. nov. of Dicamptocrana jorgenseni Frey, 1934 (this species is newly recorded to Brazil, state of São Paulo), after removing D. brevifurca out of synonymy with Dicranophora bispinosa (Wiedemann, 1830). Additionally, a female lectotype is designated for Rhingiopsis enderleini Lindner, 1928.

Integrative revision of the Lygodactylus madagascariensis group reveals an unexpected diversity of little brown geckos in Madagascars rainforest.

The Lygodactylus madagascariensis species group, constituting the subgenus Domerguella, currently contains five valid species of inconspicuous dwarf geckos from Madagascars humid forests, but at least 18 deep genetic lineages have been revealed by recent molecular studies. Given the high morphological similarity of these lineages, taxonomic resolution of this astonishing diversity requires efforts to correctly delimit species, as well as assigning the available nomina to the species-level lineages identified. We here combine DNA sequences of one mitochondrial and two nuclear-encoded gene fragments with morphometric measurements and scale counts, and report evidence for a species status of most of the previously identified lineages. In particular, we rely on sympatric and often even syntopic occurrence of several of these lineages without evidence for genetic admixture, and consistent with subtle morphological differences. Furthermore, the very high divergences of 7.423.8% pairwise distances in the relatively conserved mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, combined with a lack of haplotype sharing in the nuclear-encoded genes and differences in scale counts convinced us that most of the other, allopatrically distributed lineages also represent distinct species. We elevate L. madagascariensis petteri to species level and formally name eight new species: L. salvi sp. nov., a species from the Sambirano region in northern Madagascar, previously called L. sp. 8; L. tantsaha sp. nov. (L. sp. 10), a species occurring sympatrically with L. madagascariensis and L. petteri on Montagne dAmbre in far northern Madagascar; L. roellae sp. nov. (L. sp. 17), a species characterized by a striped coloration in all known specimens, from northern Madagascar; L. winki sp. nov. (L. sp. 18), an unstriped species from northern Madagascar but belonging to a subclade mostly distributed in the eastern rainforests of the island; L. ulli sp. nov. (L. sp. 21), a species from the same subclade as L. winki but known only from the Marojejy Massif in the North East; L. fritzi sp. nov. (L. sp. 11), a further species of this subclade from coastal lowlands in the Northern Central East; L. hodikazo sp. nov. (L. sp. 23) known from a single specimen collected at the Tsingy de Bemaraha and therefore the only Domerguella species known from the West region of Madagascar; and L. hapei sp. nov. (L. sp. 26), an enigmatic species from the Sambirano region characterized by a striped pattern on the throat that is otherwise unknown in the subgenus. Three additional deep mitochondrial lineages of Domerguella were identified in our analysis, but could not be further analyzed due to the lack or scarcity of voucher specimens. More field work and collection of voucher specimens is needed to understand their status. Furthermore, the taxonomy of the Domerguella subclade occurring in eastern Madagascar, with three described species (L. guibei, L. miops, L. fritzi), two synonyms (L. septemtuberculatus, Microscalabotes spinulifer) and at least two further deep genetic lineages co-occurring in a relatively small area, requires further revisionary work, possibly aided by target-enrichment sequencing of the respective name-bearing types.

Diversification in ancient Lake Biwa: integrative taxonomy reveals overlooked species diversity of the Japanese freshwater snail genus Semisulcospira (Mollusca: Semisulcospiridae)

Abstract The freshwater snail genus Semisulcospira has adaptively radiated in the ancient Lake Biwa, Japan. Although significant geographical variations have been known in the shell morphology of Semisulcospira niponica, their systematics remain uncertain. We evaluated the systematic status of the geographical variations in S. niponica and its congenerics S. biwae and S. fuscata through morphological and genetic investigations. Genome-wide snp s were used to estimate their genetic relationships. Random Forest algorithms explored the morphological variation of the shells of the name-bearing types and newly collected specimens. Our results detected five genetic clusters and revealed the consistency of adult shell morphology with genetic relationships, reinforcing the robustness of shell morphology-based species delimitation of the genus. The present systematics synonymized S. biwae under S. niponica. The five genetic clusters corresponded to the two described species, S. niponica and S. fuscata, and three new species, Semisulcospira watanabei sp. nov., Semisulcospira nakanoi sp. nov., and Semisulcospira salebrosa sp. nov. discovered among the geographical variations of S. niponica. The observed similarities in substrate preference and differences in distribution patterns among species suggest that the diversification of the genus was accelerated by geographical isolation after the initial ecological niche differentiation. We suggest that the distributions of Semisulcospira species may have been influenced by competitive exclusion among them, and that multiple speciation events have occurred in similar patterns.

Type specimens of birds in the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway.

A list of all known bird type specimens in the collection of the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway is presented. The specimens originate from northern Australia, eastern Indonesia or Tristan da Cunha, and have either been collected and described by personnel associated with the museum or sent from other museums in exchange for other specimens. The catalogue is not intended as a taxonomic revision of the treated taxa, and consequently no taxonomic revisions are made, but the type status of some specimens formerly considered to be types is refuted. The collection holds name-bearing types of 11 taxa, comprising one holotype and 26 syntypes; two paratypes from the same type series as the holotype; and one paralectotype of a twelfth taxon. The catalogue also includes two specimens of one taxon here refuted as being type specimens.

A new species of the genus Paranthrenopsis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from China with a catalogue of the genus

A new species, Paranthrenopsis sichuanensis sp. nov. from the province of Sichuan, China, is described and figured. A preliminary catalogue of species of the genus Paranthrenopsis Le Cerf, 1911 is provided. The catalogue contains updated taxonomic information including the references to the original descriptions, information on name-bearing types, nearly complete bibliography, and the data on the known distribution of species.

Revision of the Genus Pogonobasis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Part. 1: Two New Species From Eastern Africa and a Catalogue of the Genus

Two new species are described from Eastern Africa – Pogonobasis granulosa sp. nov. from Burundi and Pogonobasis merkli sp. nov. from Tanzania. A catalogue of the species, with deposition of their name-bearing types, is provided for the genus Pogonobasis.

An Overview and New Species of Arthromacra W. Kirby, 1837 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae) from Continental China, the Korean and Indochinese Peninsula

Arthromacra W. Kirby, 1837 is a rather small genus of colourful Lagriinae Latreille, 1825 (Tenebrionidae Latreille, 1802) distributed in the Holarctic and Oriental realms. In the present paper the following two new species from continental China are described and illustrated: Arthromacra distincta sp. nov. (Southwest China: Yunnan) and A. zhongtiao sp. nov. (Central China: Shaanxi). Arthromacra caerulescens (Pic, 1914) and A. donckieri (Pic, 1910) are redescribed based on the study of the name-bearing types and new material. An updated key to Arthromacra species from mainland China and the Korean Peninsula is presented. A checklist of Arthromacra of the Oriental Region is presented.

Taxonomic Composition of the Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) Species Complex (Squamata: Colubridae) with the Description of a New Species from India

We review the taxonomic status of Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) after examining all the name-bearing types of its synonyms, and evaluating morphological and biogeographic evidence. Oligodon arnensis sensu lato is widely distributed throughout Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. We demonstrate that southern, eastern, and western populations in India represent three distinct species. Oligodon arnensis sensu stricto described from Arnee (now Arani), Tamil Nadu, southern India, is distributed in southern India up to 1500 m above sea level. Oligodon albiventer Günther 1864 and Simotes russellii var. ceylonensis Müller 1887 described from Sri Lanka closely match O. arnensis sensu stricto, and hence we treat them as junior synonyms. We resurrect Coluber russelius Daudin 1803 from the synonymy of O. arnensis, designate a lectotype, and restrict its type locality to Vizagapatam (now Visakhapatnam), Andhra Pradesh, eastern Peninsular India. Based on morphological differences we describe a new species from Kurduvadi, in the Deccan plateau of western India representing the western Indian population of O. arnensis sensu lato. We provide redescriptions for O. arnensis sensu stricto and O. russelius comb. nov. based on museum specimens, as both were named based on illustrations (iconotypes). Based on our update of the currently confirmed localities for O. arnensis, O. russelius comb. nov. and the new species, we discuss their biogeography and conservation status.

Three names, one species: junior synonyms for the Atlantic Forest emerald dragonfly Navicordulia atlantica (Odonata: Corduliidae s.s.)

Three Atlantic Forest endemic species of emerald dragonflies of the genus Navicordulia Machado & Costa, 1995 are reviewed through a morphological comparative analysis. All name-bearing types and additional specimens of the Navicordulia atlantica-complex—Navicordulia atlantica Machado & Costa, 1995, Navicordulia mielkei Machado & Costa, 1995 and Navicordulia miersi Machado & Costa, 1995—were investigated to assess their taxonomic and nomenclatural status. Based on our results the hypothesis of these three nomina corresponding to distinct species is no longer supported. The proportional size of caudal appendages, an additional crossvein in cubito-anal space in the hind wing, as well as minor differences in coloration of pterostigma are not reliable diagnostic characters for supporting their specific status. We consider the three simultaneously available nomina as synonyms, and by action of the first reviser, Navicordulia atlantica Machado & Costa, 1995 is selected as valid nomen, hence N. mielkei syn. nov. and N. miersi syn. nov. are their subjective junior synonyms. Photos, other illustrations, and a new species-level diagnosis are given. Despite of the advances of taxonomic knowledge of Navicordulia, the second species-rich corduliid genus in the Neotropical region, the status of some species still necessitates a full revision.

The Phanaeus tridens species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): a dung beetle group with genital morphological stasis but a changing ecological niche

The Phanaeus tridens species group is revised and found to consist of twelve species: P. tridens Castelnau, 1840, P. moroni Arnaud, 2001 stat. rev., P. balthasari Arnaud, 2001 stat. rev., P. daphnis Harold, 1863, P. coeruleus Bates, 1887 stat. rev., P. herbeus Bates, 1887 stat. rev., P. substriolatus Balthasar, 1939 stat. rev., P. furiosus Bates, 1887, P. pseudofurcosus Balthasar, 1939 stat. rev., P. nimrod Harold, 1863, P. victoriae Moctezuma sp. nov., and P. eximius Bates, 1887. The majority of the name-bearing types of the group were revised. The neotype for P. tridens is suggested herein. The following junior subjective synonymies are recognized: P. frankenbergeri Balthasar, 1939 = P. tridens Castelnau, 1840, P. tricornis Olsoufieff, 1924 = P. herbeus Bates, 1887, and P. babori Balthasar, 1939 = P. nimrod Harold, 1863; while P. furcosus Felsche, 1901 = P. furiosus Bates, 1887 is recognized as a junior objective synonymy. The species within the P. tridens species group are diagnosed by the morphology of the pronotum and elytra, while the genital morphology of males is found to be homogeneous and uninformative for species delimitation. Most species within the group show a wide diversity of colouration (showing green, red, and blue chromatic phases). This probably led to taxonomical confusion by previous authors. Here, we present a new identification key, species distribution models. Habitus photographs and character illustrations for all the species within the group are provided. The climatic niches overlap widely in P. herbeus and P. daphnis, but the other species within the group show a reduced overlap in their climatic niches. Consequently, the P. tridens species group is proposed as a case of morphological stasis that might be explained by a trade-off between the evolution of pronotal structures and genitalia, while differences in the ecological niche might promote speciation.

Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of Chile.

Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of Chile.