Unplaced Species Research Articles

Partial revision of the exclusively Neotropical species of Zelia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Tachinidae: Dexiinae: Dexiini), with the description of a new species.

Zelia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is a genus of Dexiini distributed throughout the New World, with most of its species in the Neotropical Region. This revision deals with the exclusively Neotropical species of Zelia, with the exception of the recently revised Zelia discalis group. The following new synonyms of Zelia are proposed in the present study: Diaugia Perty, 1833, syn. nov.; Huascarodexia Townsend, 1919, syn. nov.; Taperamyia Townsend, 1935, syn. nov.; Ushpayacua Townsend, 1928, syn. nov.; and Yahuarmayoia Townsend, 1927, syn. nov.. As a result of these synonymies, the following new combinations are proposed: Zelia angusta (Perty, 1833), comb. nov.; Zelia pickeli (Townsend, 1938), comb. nov.; Zelia pulchra (Townsend, 1919), comb. nov.; and Zelia ureophila (Townsend, 1928), comb. nov. Two additional species are moved to Zelia from other genera: Zelia obscura (Walker, 1853), comb. nov. (from Stomatodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889); and Zelia varipennis (Wulp, 1891), comb. nov. (from Scotiptera Macquart, 1835). Additionally, Melaleuca peruviana Brthes, 1920 is moved from its placement in Zelia to Unplaced species of Tachininae. Illustrations and detailed descriptions are presented for all species dealt with here. The male terminalia are described for Z. obscura, Z. pickeli and Z. potens. The female terminalia are described for the first time for Z. limbata, Z. pickeli, Z. plumosa, Z. potens and Z. ureophila. The first larval instar of Z. limbata, Z. pickeli, Z. plumosa and Z. potens are described and illustrated for the first time. A new species, Zelia infuscata sp. nov., is described from Brazil. Two new synonyms are proposed at the species level: Yahuarmayoia analis Townsend, 1927 (type species of Yahuarmayoia) and Yahuarmayoia phaeoptera (Wiedemann, 1830) as junior synonyms of Zelia potens (Wiedemann, 1830), syn. nov. Zelia phaeoptera is recognized as a subjective synonym of Z. potens, and by First Reviser action, the latter is chosen as the senior of the two Wiedemann names. An updated diagnosis for the genus Zelia and a key to the Neotropical species, including the Nearctic species that also occur in the Neotropics, are given. Previous lectotype fixations are recognized for Dexia limbata Wiedemann, 1830 and Dexia phaeoptera Wiedemann, 1830, and new lectotype designations are proposed for Dexia obscura Walker, 1853, Dexia plumosa Wiedemann, 1830 and Dexia potens Wiedemann, 1830. Finally, a brief biography of Dom Bento Pickel, who collected the holotype of Z. pickeli, is given.

Reconstructing Phylogenies of Alocasia spp. (Araceae) Distributed in Indonesia for Conservation Prioritization

Phylogenetic analysis is beneficial to plant conservation prioritization. Conservation does not only deal with species but also their evolutionary potential. A phylogenetic tree is usually reconstructed by using the alignment of DNA sequences. However, with the availability of megatrees, subsetting with a list of species of concern is possible. Here we reconstructed a list of 53 Alocasia spp. (Araceae) from Indonesia and adjacent regions using available megatrees and publicly available DNA sequences in the GenBank. The result showed placed and unplaced Alocasia spp. on the terminal nodes of reconstructed phylogenetic trees. The unplaced species show that publicly available DNA sequences are not yet available, therefore should be prioritized for sequencing. The placed species in the phylogeny could be used for conservation prioritization of these Alocasia spp. Keywords: Alocasia, Indonesia, Megatree, Phylogeny, Plant conservation

Dolichopodidae (Diptera) from the Eocene amber deposits of Cambay and Kutch Basins, India

The family Dolichopodidae (Diptera) from the Eocene amber of the Cambay and Kutch, India is reviewed. Based on a sample of 38 inclusions, the fauna preserved in amber reveals that the family was well-differentiated by early the Eocene. Palaeomedeterus cambayensis Bickel sp. nov. is described and provisionally assigned to the Peloropeodinae, and is congeneric with European Baltic amber species, suggesting the genus was widespread for a considerable time period in both Europe and India. Two small-sized new monotypic genera are also described, Gujaratmyia rotunda Bickel gen. et sp. nov. and Rajpardia grimaldii Bickel gen. et sp. nov. Also included are undescribed members of the dolichopodid subfamilies Diaphorinae and Medeterinae, and unplaced species. The Baltic amber species Prohercostomus noxialis (Meunier, 1907) is regarded as the new senior synonym of Sympycnites primaevus Grimaldi & Cumming, 1999, described with a mistaken provenance of Cretaceous Lebanese amber.

Taxonomy and nomenclature of some Fennoscandian Sawflies, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

While working on an identification guide to the sawflies of Fennoscandia, we encountered numerous taxonomic problems, for some of which we present solutions.DicrostemaBenson, 1952 is a new synonym ofPhymatoceropsisRohwer, 1916, and not congeneric withParacharactusMacGillivray, 1908. Two species occurring in Europe are transferred toPhymatoceropsis.Dolerus aericepsellusHeidemaa and Mutanensp. nov.andHeptamelus viitasaariiListon, Mutanen and Proussp. nov.are described from Finland.Abia brevicornisLeach, 1817nom. rev.is the valid name ofAbia nitensauct. nec Linnaeus, andAbia nitens(Linnaeus, 1758) is the valid name for what has recently been calledAbia sericea(Linnaeus, 1767).Tenthredo haemorrhoidalisFabricius, 1781 is treated as an unplaced species of Hymenoptera, possibly Ichneumonoidea.Calameuta variabilis(Mocsáry, 1886) is the valid name of the species recently generally calledC. haemorrhoidalis.Claremontia confusa(Konow, 1886)sp. rev.andClaremontia brevicornis(Brischke, 1883) are distinct species.Dolerus coracinus(Klug, 1818) is the valid name forD. anthracinusauct.Dolerus anthracinus(Klug, 1818) is a valid species similar toD. nitensZaddach, 1859.Dolerus coruscansKonow, 1890sp. rev.is a valid species.Dolerus junci(Stephens, 1835) is the valid name forDolerus cothurnatusauct.Dolerus timidus(Klug, 1818)sp. rev.is distinguished from the similarD. pratensis(Linnaeus, 1758). A neotype is designated forAstatus punctatusKlug, 1803. Lectotypes are designated for 39 nominal species. 29 species group names are new junior synonyms. We present data on some species recently collected for the first time in Finland, including first records for the Palaearctic and West Palaearctic.

The Californian clade of Cybaeus (Araneae: Cybaeidae) in the Nearctic: the septatus species group and three unplaced species.

North American species of the genus Cybaeus L. Koch (Araneae: RTA clade: Cybaeidae) are woodland spiders classified in Holarctic and Californian clades. Here, in the fifth and final paper in a series reviewing the six Californian clade species groups, we present eight species. Five species comprise the septatus group: Cybaeus chauliodous Bennett, C. lockeae Bennett spec. nov., C. septatus Chamberlin Ivie, C. somesbar Bennett, and C. viator Bennett spec. nov. The male of C. lockeae spec. nov. is unknown; the male of C. somesbar is newly described. As well, we recognize and review three Californian clade species (C. cribelloides Chamberlin Ivie, C. gidneyi Bennett, and C. irreverens Bennett spec. nov.) that we have been unable to place confidently in any of the six species groups. Descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and (for the members of the septatus group) an identification key are provided. Finally, we summarize the taxonomic status of all described North American species of Cybaeus and highlight some conservation concerns.

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

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

DrosoPhyla: Resources for Drosophilid Phylogeny and Systematics.

The vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster is a pivotal model for invertebrate development, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and disease. The whole family Drosophilidae, which contains over 4,400 species, offers a plethora of cases for comparative and evolutionary studies. Despite a long history of phylogenetic inference, many relationships remain unresolved among the genera, subgenera, and species groups in the Drosophilidae. To clarify these relationships, we first developed a set of new genomic markers and assembled a multilocus data set of 17 genes from 704 species of Drosophilidae. We then inferred a species tree with highly supported groups for this family. Additionally, we were able to determine the phylogenetic position of some previously unplaced species. These results establish a new framework for investigating the evolution of traits in fruit flies, as well as valuable resources for systematics.

Taxonomic complexity in the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae).

The genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 is distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Regions. The present work summarizes the knowledge from recent taxonomic and systematic revisions and includes an identification key for the five monophyletic lineages (namely albifrons, aureus, avidus-nigritarsis, desuturinus and natans), 24 species groups, two species subgroups and 10 unplaced species, along with diagnosis and illustrations. A list of 234 taxa, including 194 described and 40 undescribed species, is appended. Most of the species are distributed in the Palaearctic (209 taxa, 181 described), while 27 species (14 described) are known from the Afrotropical Region. Three lineages (aureus, desuturinus and natans) are present in the Afrotropical Region, as well as in the Palaearctic. The Afrotropical melanocerus species group of the desuturinus lineage and the bombiformis species group of the aureus lineage are endemic to the Afrotropical Region, and all other species groups belong to the Palaearctic fauna. The albifrons lineage contains six species groups (albifrons, constans, equestris, geniculatus, ruficornis and rufus) and two unplaced taxa. The aureus lineage includes five species groups (aureus, bombiformis, funestus, nanus and spinitarsis). The avidus-nigritarsis lineage is divided into 10 species groups (aberrans, aurifer, avidus, clavipes, fulcratus, italicus, nigritarsis, pruni, serrulatus and tarsatus) and eight unplaced taxa. The desuturinus lineage contains two species groups: the Afrotropical melanocerus group, with the melanocerus and planifacies subgroups plus the species M. cuthbertsoni Curran, 1939, and the Palaearctic murorum species group. The natans lineage consists of the natans species group plus the species M. segetum Fabricius, 1794.

Diagnostics and updated checklist of Oriental Pseudopostega (Opostegidae), including the matrona species group with a new, extralimital species discovered in the Mediterranean.

We provide diagnostics for eight species groups of Oriental Pseudopostega Kozlov (Lepidoptera: Opostegidae) and a pictorial key for their identification. We designate three new species groups, P. frigida and P. strigulata groups, and the P. auritella group for two Palaearctic species, and rename the P. nigrimaculella group as the P. matrona group. We assign P. euryntis (Meyrick), P. zelopa (Meyrick), and P. subviolaceae (Meyrick), three formerly unplaced species, to species groups based on re-examination of male and female genitalia. We list 22 currently known Oriental Pseudopostega species, and synonymize Pseudopostega spilodes (Meyrick), syn. nov., with P. machaerias (Meyrick). One new Mediterranean species with affiliations to the Oriental fauna, P. matrona Karsholt Remeikis, sp. nov., is described. The new species is illustrated with photographs of the adults and male genitalia. Additionally, we provide a distribution map of the P. matrona group, now extralimital to the Oriental region.

A revision of European species of the genus Tetrastichus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) using integrative taxonomy.

BackgroundThe European species of the genus Tetrastichus (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) are revised with 93 species, including 50 species described as new. The revision was conducted using an integrative taxonomic approach, based on DNA barcoding in combination with morphological characters. The Tetrastichinae are a biologically diverse and species-rich group of parasitoid wasps with numerous complexes of morphologically often very similar species that attack a wide range of hosts in over 100 insect families in 10 different orders. The genus Tetrastichus is, with almost 500 described species, the third largest genus of Tetrastichinae. Although biological information is lacking for most species, current data indicate that Tetrastichus species are gregarious koinobiont endoparasitoids developing on juvenile stages of mainly holometabolous insects. Due to their host specificity, several species of Tetrastichus are used as biological control agents.New informationThe European species of Tetrastichus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are revised using a combination of externo-morphological and DNA barcoding data. This is the first integrative approach for any of the large genera of the Tetrastichinae. A total of 93 species are included, of which 50 are described as new: T. agonus sp. n., T. antonjanssoni sp. n., T. argei sp. n., T. argutus sp. n., T. asilis sp. n., T. ballotus sp. n., T. bledius sp. n., T. broncus sp. n., T. calcarius sp. n., T. calmius sp. n., T. clisius sp. n., T. cosidis sp. n., T. cumulus sp. n., T. cyprus sp. n., T. delvarei sp. n., T. doczkali sp. n., T. elanus sp. n., T. elodius sp. n., T. ennis sp. n., T. enodis sp. n., T. erinus sp. n., T. evexus sp. n., T. fadus sp. n., T. fenrisi sp. n., T. flaccius sp. n., T. gredius sp. n., T. iasi sp. n., T. illydris sp. n., T. incanus sp. n., T. inscitus sp. n., T. intruitus sp. n., T. johnnoyesi sp. n., T. lacustrinus sp. n., T. ladrus sp. n., T. lanius sp. n., T. lazius sp. n., T. lixalius sp. n., T. lycus sp. n., T. marcusgrahami sp. n., T. minius sp. n., T. mixtus sp. n., T. nataliedaleskeyae sp. n., T. nymphae sp. n., T. pixius sp. n., T. scardiae sp. n., T. splendens sp. n., T. sti sp. n., T. suecus sp. n., T. tacitus sp. n. and T. tartus sp. n. Two keys for the identification of species are presented, one for females and one for males. Based on DNA barcode sequences for 70 of the species, a Maximum Likelihood tree to assess phylogenetic relationships within the genus is presented. These 70 species are also characterised by a combination of CO1 and morphological data. The remaining 23 species, without a DNA barcode, are characterised by morphological data. Using a combination of data from the morphology and CO1 or morphological data only, the species are separated into three species groups (clito-, hylotomarum-, murcia-groups) with 41 unplaced species outside these groups. Hosts are known for 27 of the species and they are gregarious, koinobiont endoparasitoids on a wide range of immature stages of holometabolous insects and appear to be very host specific. The first host record for Lepidoptera (Tineidae) in Europe is included.

Taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands IV: subgenus Anisonemoides section Pseudogomphidium and incertae sedis

SummaryThis paper is the fourth part of the taxonomic revision of the genus Phyllanthus in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Here we treat Pseudogomphidium Ralim. & Cable sect. nov. consisting of nine species that we misplaced in the subgenus Gomphidium (Baill.) G.L.Webster in our previous paper. Two species are new to science: Phyllanthus razakamalalae Ralim. & Cable, sp. nov. and P. ankirindrensis Ralim. & Cable, sp. nov. We also treat three unplaced species: P. analamerae Leandri, P. coluteoides Müll.Arg. and P. vergens Baill. An identification key, descriptions, distribution maps and IUCN Red List assessments are provided.

Revision of world Ceroptresini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) with the description of a new genus and five new species.

A taxonomic revision of the tribe Ceroptresini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is conducted for the first time. Prior to this study, the total number of valid species of Ceroptres, the only genus within Ceroptresini to date, was 23. As a result of this revision, 15 Ceroptres species are retained as valid and one species, Amblynotus ensiger Walsh, 1864, is desynonymized from Ceroptres petiolicola (Osten-Sacken, 1861), being considered here as a valid Ceroptres species: C. ensiger (Walsh, 1864) status verified and comb. nov. An additional five new species are described from Mexico: Ceroptres junquerasi Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. lenis Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. mexicanus Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. nigricrus Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. quadratifacies Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar sp. nov., increasing the total number of valid Ceroptres species to 21. Ceroptres masudai Abe, 1997 is synonymized with C. kovalevi Belizin, 1973. Ceroptres niger Fullaway, 1911 is transferred to Andricus (Andricus confusus Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar comb. nov. and nom. nov.). Five species (Amblynotus inermis Walsh, 1864; Cynips quercusarbos Fitch, 1859; Cynips querficus Fitch, 1859; Cynips quercuspisum Fitch, 1859; and Cynips quercustuber Fitch, 1859) are not considered as valid Ceroptres. The status of Ceroptres quereicola (Shinji, 1938), previously classified as an unplaced species, is commented on. In addition, a Nearctic species from the USA, Ceroptres politus Ashmead, 1896, is here proposed as the type species of a new genus within Ceroptresini: Buffingtonella Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar gen. nov. Redescriptions, biological and distribution data, illustrations and keys to genera and species within Ceroptresini are provided. The diagnostic morphological traits of Ceroptresini, Ceroptres and the new genus are discussed.

Taxonomic history of species without subgeneric placement in the genus Wyeomyia Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) and recognition of Wy. compta Senevet & Abonnenc as a junior synonym of Wy. argenteorostris (Bonne-Wepster & Bonne)

The mosquito genus Wyeomyia (Diptera: Culicidae) includes 17 subgenera and 140 species, 30 of which are without subgeneric placement. The taxonomic history of the unplaced species is summarized and the validity of Wy. compta Senevet Abonnenc is discussed based on examination of the type material. It is clear that the description of Wy. compta was based on specimens belonging to two different species. The holotype adult female is identical to Wy. argenteorostris (Bonne-Wepster Bonne) whereas the characters described from a larval exuviae mounted on the same slide with the holotype of Wy. albocaerulea Senevet Abonnenc coincide with those which characterize the subgenus Dodecamyia. Since the larval exuviae cannot be definitely associated with the holotype female and it belongs to either Wy. aphobema Dyar or another species of the subgenus Dodecamyia, it cannot be afforded type status. Therefore, Wy. compta is synonymized with Wy. argenteorostris.

Annotated checklist of non-apis bees of the genus Andrena (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) from India

An annotated checklist of genus Andrena of India is included comprising of 54 species names. Of these 45 species are placed under 23 subgenera while the affiliation of the remaining is unclear. This study brings out an unplaced species, Andrena peridonea which was found to possess the characters viz., propodeal triangle coarsely rugose, carinate; hind tibial spurs basally strongly widened and pygidial plate with triangular raised area medially and hence placed under subgenus Plastandrena. Distribution of subgenera and species are also given and new records are asterisized.

The genus Leucophenga (Diptera, Drosophilidae), part VIII: twenty-one species from the Oriental region, with morphological and molecular evidence.

Twenty-one (six known and 15 new) species of the genus Leucophenga from the Oriental region are described or redescribed: L. jacobsoni Duda, 1926; L. kurahashii Okada, 1987; L. setipalpis Duda, 1923; L. sorii Kang, Lee Bhang, 1965; L. spinifera Okada, 1987; L. varinervis Duda, 1923; L. acantha Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. alafumosa Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. brevipenis Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. brevitabulata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. delta Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. forcipula Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. fuscipalpula Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. glabtabulata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. helvipecta Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. hyaloptera Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. oxyptera Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. platypyga Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. serrateiceps Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. valvata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. zebrina Huang Chen, sp. nov. A key and a morphological summary table to all these Leucophenga species are provided. Phylogenetic relationships among these 21 Leucophenga species, another 14 congeneric, known species from seven groups, and two representative outgroup taxa are reconstructed using 169 DNA sequences of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. In sum, 13 of the 21 Leucophenga species, which possess the only diagnostic character of the proxima species group (abdominal third tergite shortened, anteriorly discolored in males), are not monophyletic. Therefore, all the Leucophenga species described or redescribed in this study are temporarily classified as unplaced species (except for L. sorii, which has been assigned to the sorii species group) to avoid further confusion.

Euphorbia Section Hainanensis (Euphorbiaceae), a New Section Endemic to the Hainan Island of China From Biogeographical, Karyological, and Phenotypical Evidence.

Euphorbia hainanensis is an endangered species endemic to the tropical Hainan Island in southern China and of historical importance for Chinese medicine. It is currently the only unplaced species of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) due to its isolated island distribution and debated placement by a previous molecular phylogenetic study. We sequenced nuclear ITS and chloroplast rbcL and ndhF for newly collected accessions of E. hainanensis and additional Euphorbia species found in Hainan, and analyzed the sequences in the context of the entire genus together with published data. All gene regions highly supported that E. hainanensis occupied an isolated phylogenetic position, showing no close affinity with any known Euphorbia sections suggesting it was a new section. ITS placed E. hainanensis sister to sect. Crossadenia (subgenus Chamaesyce) from Brazil with an estimated divergence time of 9.3-30.6 Mya while the chloroplast markers placed E. hainanensis at a position sister to the entire New World clade of Euphorbia subgenus Chamaesyce. In addition, our karyological results suggested a close affinity between E. hainanensis and the New World species of Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce, with which shared the same chromosome number 2n = 28 and basic chromosome number x = 7. Phenotypically, E. hainanensis is unique with no close resemblance to other species in Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce. Based on its isolated biogeographical, karyological, and phenotypical position, we propose a new section E. subgenus Chamaesyce section Hainanensis that might origin from long distance dispersal events because collective evidences showed a close affinity between the species from the Old World with those from the New World.

A review of the genus Chrysotus Meigen (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from China with definition of the leigongshanus species group

The Ch. leigongshanus-group is proposed within Chrysotus Meigen to include 56 new and 3 known species from China. The species are described or redescribed and illustrated, being divided into 6 subgroups and 4 temporarily unplaced species: Ch. apicibifidus-subgroup (22 species), Ch. apicirotundus-subgroup (9 species), Ch. apicisetosus-subgroup (9 species), Ch. chishuiensis-subgroup (10 species), Ch. comminus-subgroup (2 species), Ch. daozhenus-subgroup (3 species). A key to the species-groups of Chrysotus known from China and all 59 species assigned to the Ch. leigongshanus species-group are provided. The type specimens of all new species are housed in the Wei Lianmeng Model Worker Innovation Studio, Anshun, Guizhou, China (WLMWISAGC).http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:494E9BF6-BB41-4098-97C3-8C6F3B3DOA9D

Corrigendum to: Morphological phylogeny of the Australian genera of the bee fly subfamily Bombyliinae (Diptera : Bombyliidae) with description of four new genera

Bombyliinae, one of the largest subfamilies of Bombyliidae, including 78 genera assigned to four tribes, is distributed on all continents except Antarctica. Their larvae are parasitoids, and adults are important pollinators. The Australian Bombyliinae currently has 17 described genera and 87 described species. The purpose of this study is to establish the phylogeny of the Australian members of the subfamily Bombyliinae, including the boundaries and relationships of the genera, using morphological characters. One maximum parsimony tree was generated from 83 morphological characters scored for 50 species, representing all recognised genera and some unplaced species that we considered may represent new genera. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the relationships between the recognised Australian genera of Bombyliinae and clarified generic limits. The group comprises five main clades, with the genus Pilosia being sister to the remaining Bombyliinae. On the basis of this analysis, four new genera are described: Lambkinomyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov., Dissodesma Bowden & Li, gen. nov., Nigromyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. and Robertsmyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. Ten new species are described: Dissodesma immaculata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma flava Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma smarti Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia collessi Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia crocea Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia flavimana Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia longistriata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia pantherina Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia parva Li & Yeates, sp. nov. and Nigromyia tomentosa Li & Yeates, sp. nov. Two new junior synonyms are identified: Apiformyia is a junior synonym of Eristalopsis and Brychosoma is a junior synonym of Staurostichus. The following new combinations are proposed: from Apiformyia: Eristalopsis australis (Yeates), comb. nov.; from Bombylius: Dissodesma primogenita (Walker) comb. nov.; from Brychosoma: Staurostichus aureolatus (Walker), comb. nov., Staurostichus hilaris (Walker), comb. nov. and Staurostichus pictipennis (Macquart), comb. nov.; from Laurella: Robertsmyia pallidoventris (Roberts), comb. nov.; from Mandella: Lambkinomyia cinctiventris (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia flavovillosa (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia pallida (Roberts), comb. nov. and Lambkinomyia rubida (Roberts), comb. nov.; and from Meomyia: Mandella australis (Guérin-Méneville), comb. nov. <a ext-link-type=

Morphological phylogeny of the Australian genera of the bee fly subfamily Bombyliinae (Diptera : Bombyliidae) with description of four new genera

Bombyliinae, one of the largest subfamilies of Bombyliidae, including 78 genera assigned to four tribes, is distributed on all continents except Antarctica. Their larvae are parasitoids, and adults are important pollinators. The Australian Bombyliinae currently has 17 described genera and 87 described species. The purpose of this study is to establish the phylogeny of the Australian members of the subfamily Bombyliinae, including the boundaries and relationships of the genera, using morphological characters. One maximum parsimony tree was generated from 83 morphological characters scored for 50 species, representing all recognised genera and some unplaced species that we considered may represent new genera. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the relationships between the recognised Australian genera of Bombyliinae and clarified generic limits. The group comprises five main clades, with the genus Pilosia being sister to the remaining Bombyliinae. On the basis of this analysis, four new genera are described: Lambkinomyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov., Dissodesma Bowden & Li, gen. nov., Nigromyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. and Robertsmyia Li & Yeates, gen. nov. Ten new species are described: Dissodesma immaculata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma flava Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Dissodesma smarti Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia collessi Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia crocea Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia flavimana Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia longistriata Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia pantherina Li & Yeates, sp. nov., Nigromyia parva Li & Yeates, sp. nov. and Nigromyia tomentosa Li & Yeates, sp. nov. Two new junior synonyms are identified: Apiformyia is a junior synonym of Eristalopsis and Brychosoma is a junior synonym of Staurostichus. The following new combinations are proposed: from Apiformyia: Eristalopsis australis (Yeates), comb. nov.; from Bombylius: Dissodesma primogenita (Walker) comb. nov.; from Brychosoma: Staurostichus aureolatus (Walker), comb. nov., Staurostichus hilaris (Walker), comb. nov. and Staurostichus pictipennis (Macquart), comb. nov.; from Laurella: Robertsmyia pallidoventris (Roberts), comb. nov.; from Mandella: Lambkinomyia cinctiventris (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia flavovillosa (Roberts), comb. nov., Lambkinomyia pallida (Roberts), comb. nov. and Lambkinomyia rubida (Roberts), comb. nov.; and from Meomyia: Mandella australis (Guérin-Méneville), comb. nov. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E4A86A19-4AC3-498C-8BDF-B8B501E5A248

An updated phylogeny and infrageneric classification of the genus Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): Challenges of molecular and morphological evidence

AbstractTaxon delimitation and classification remains one of the fundamental bases of evolutionary studies and is especially challenging because processes by which new biological entities arise are complex and non‐linear over time, although continuous. Sisyrinchium (ca. 140 to 216 taxa) is one of the most species‐rich genera of Iridaceae, largely widespread in the Americas. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the systematics of the genus is in need of substantial revision. Different data sources were investigated to establish an updated infrageneric classification based on phylogenetic principles. Monophyletic sections of Sisyrinchium were circumscribed using a new phylogenetic framework established from an increased sampling of taxa (107 species), and complementary approaches were combined to provide the most comprehensive infrageneric treatment of the genus proposed so far. Additionally, numerous molecular synapomorphies were identified to reinforce previous taxonomic treatments of tribe Sisyrinchieae (six genera) at the generic level. Major lineages of Sisyrinchium were concordantly resolved with mostly strong to full support by the DNA regions used in the study and ten sections characterized by unique combinations of molecular, morphological and geographical diagnostic characters were recognized. The phylogenetic trees respectively based on plastid + mitochondrial and nuclear ITS DNA regions were generally congruent except for two unplaced species (S. chilense, S. elegantulum) for which ancestral reticulation events were detected. New circumscriptions were provided for seven sections (sect. Cephalanthum, sect. Echthronema, sect. Hydastylus, sect. Segetia, sect. Sisyrinchium, sect. Spathirhachis, sect. Viperella) while three sections (sect. Morphanthus, sect. Rhizilineum, sect. Trichoparcus) were newly described. This work constitutes a robust contribution to elucidate the systematics of Sisyrinchium and emphasizes the need of integrative taxonomic approaches using multiple data sources, not only to improve the delimitation of taxa but also to investigate their evolutionary history.