Skeleton and musculature of the male abdomen in Tanyderidae (Diptera, Nematocera) of the Southern Hemisphere

The structure of the male terminalia and their musculature of species of tanyderid genera Araucoderus Alexander, 1929 from Chile and Nothoderus Alexander, 1927 from Tasmania are examined and compared with each other and with published data on the likely relatives. The overall pattern of male terminalia of both genera is similar to those of most Southern Hemisphere genera, with simple curved gonostyli, lobe-like setose parameres, and setose cerci inconspicuous under the epandrium. Both genera have terminalia similarly rotated by 180° (and 90° as an intermediate stage); rotation may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. However, the similar patterns are realized differently: segment VIII is the decreased and asymmetrical due to completely membranose tergite VIII in Nothoderus (the first record of such modification in Tanyderidae), but narrow and symmetrical in Araucoderus. Accordingly, pregenital muscles are very different between the genera. Based on localization of muscle attachment sites, the hypandrial origin of the stripe between gonocoxites is shown in both genera, and entire membranization of tergite VIII and partial membranization of hypoproct is shown in Nothoderus. Tanyderidae are characterized by highly specialized sclerites and muscles of male terminalia and provide no evidence of relationship with previously studied members of Psychodidae, Blephariceridae and Ptychopteridae.

X-ray microtomography (microCT) of male genitalia of Nothybus kuznetsovorum (Nothybidae) and Cothornobata sp. (Micropezidae)

The results of manual dissection of the musculature of the male genitalia in Nothybuskuznetsovorum are fully confirmed by the modern methods of Micro-CT. A comparative analysis of Neriacommutata and Cothornobata sp. shows that an increase in the flexion in the genitalia of males and the displacement of syntergosternite VII to the ventral side in Cothornobata sp. caused the disappearance of the muscles ITM6–7r and ITM7–8r. In addition, this increase in flexion apparently caused the fusion of the M18 muscles into one bundle. The muscle ISM5-6c goes on to moving the second segment of the forcipate appendages of sternite V.

A commentary on the practice of using the so-called typeless species

The fears expressed by Santos et al. (2016) that description of typeless species (new species described based on field photographs) can be fatal for the practice of taxonomy which will succumb to an uncontrollable stream of "species of questionable delimitation" are, in our opinion, exaggerated. The Code already protects taxonomic practice from subjectivity quite well by limiting opportunities for descriptions of new species based on field photos by rigid requirements, and only skilled taxonomists with extensive knowledge of a group are capable of fulfilling them. If a taxonomist has omitted to compare the new typeless species with the known species externally similar to it, the latter cannot be diagnosed and its name in that case becomes nomen nudum. Typeless species can coincide with species described earlier, but can represent a new species differing in internal features. To describe typeless species without infringement of Article 13.1 a taxonomist should compare this species to all related and similar species described earlier.

Eight new species of Strongylophthalmyia Heller from Vietnam with a key to species from Vietnam and neighbouring countries (Diptera, Strongylophthalmyiidae)

Seventeen species of Strongylophthalmyia are recognized in the fauna of Vietnam, including eight new species: Strongylophthalmyiaannulipessp. n., Strongylophthalmyiabasisternasp. n., Strongylophthalmyiadichroasp. n., Strongylophthalmyiagavryushinisp. n., Strongylophthalmyiaobtectasp. n., Strongylophthalmyiaorchidanthaesp. n., Strongylophthalmyiastrictasp. n., Strongylophthalmyiatomentosasp. n.Strongylophthalmyiaangusticollis Frey, Strongylophthalmyiafascipennis Frey, Strongylophthalmyiametatarsata Meijere, Strongylophthalmyiasplendida Yang & Wang, and Strongylophthalmyiathaii Papp are recorded for the first time from Vietnam. The male of Strongylophthalmyiasplendida and female of Strongylophthalmyiathaii are described for the first time. A key to 34 species of Strongylophthalmyia of the fauna of Vietnam and continental southeast Asia, including the Oriental southern region of China is provided.

Two new species of the genus Timia and a redescription of Timia mongolica (Diptera, Ulidiidae)

Two new species of the genus Timia Wiedemann, 1824 are described and illustrated. Timialazebnayaesp. n. from Uzbekistan has yellow body and is similar to Timiagobica Zaitzev, 1982, differing from it only by the entirely yellow flagellomere 1. Timiashatalkinisp. n. from Mongolia has dark body and differs from all other dark-colored representatives of the genus by the cell r₄₊₅ being completely closed, forming petiole at the wing apex. Timiamongolica Zaitsev, 1982 is redescribed and an updated key for yellow-coloured Timia is provided.

Musculature of the male genitalia in Rivellia (Diptera: Platystomatidae)

The musculature of male genitalia was studied hitherto only in two species of Tephritidae, one species of Platystomatidae, one species of Pallopteridae, and three species of Ulidiidae of the superfamily Tephritoidea. The split of the hypandrium from one structure into three (the hypandrium and two lateral sclerites) is traced. The hypandrial origin of the lateral sclerites of the hypandrial complex is shown based on the localization of muscle attachment sites. The subepandrial origin of the inner lobes of the surstyli is also confirmed.

New species of Nothybus Rondani, 1875 (Diptera: Nothybidae) from Vietnam with a key to Vietnamese species of the genus

This study is part of an ongoing series of studies on the Vietnamese cyclorrhaphous fauna. One new species from Vietnam, Nothybus kuznetsovorum sp.nov., is described and figured. A key to species of Nothybus is provided. Genital structures are described and figured.

Pollination of Vietnamese Aspidistra xuansonensis (Asparagaceae) by female Cecidomyiidi flies: larvae of pollinator feed on fertile pollen in anthers of anthetic bisexual flowers

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PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Aspidistra is a species-rich, herbaceous monocot genus of tropical Southeast Asia. Most species are recently discovered and apparently endangered, though virtually nothing is known about their biology. Species of the genus are primarily distinguished using flower morphology, which is enormously diverse. However, the pollination process has not been directly observed in the center of diversity of the genus (N Vietnam and S China). Indirect and partly direct data on the only widely cultivated species of the genus (A. elatior) placed it among angiosperms with the most unusual pollination biology, though these data are highly controversial, suggesting pollen transfer by mollusks, crustaceans, flies, or possibly tiny soil invertebrates such as collembolans.•

METHODS

Pollination of Aspidistra xuansonensis in the center of diversity of the genus was studied using visual observations and videos and light and scanning electron microscopy investigation of flowers and their pollinators. Pollinators and their larvae were molecularly barcoded.•

KEY RESULTS

Aspidistra xuansonensis is pollinated by female cecidomyiid flies (gall midges). They oviposit on anthers, and larvae develop among the pollen mass. Molecular barcoding proved taxonomic identity of the larvae and the flies. The larvae neither damage floral parts nor cause gall formation, but feed on pollen grains by sucking out their content. The larvae move out of the flowers before decomposition starts. Carebara ants steal developing larvae from flowers but do not contribute to pollination.•

CONCLUSIONS

More than one kind of myiophily is present in Aspidistra. Brood site pollination was documented for the first time in Aspidistra. The pollination system of A. xuansonensis differs from other kinds of brood site pollination in the exit of the larvae prior to the decomposition of floral parts.

Two new species of the genus Timia (Diptera: Ulidiidae) with a key to species with microtrichose black scutellum

Two new species of Timia are described and figured. Timia (Empyelocera) altaica Galinskaya sp. nov. from Altai (Russia), Timia (Empyelocera) mokhnata Galinskaya sp. nov. from Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan) and T. (E.) nigrimana (Loew, 1866) differ from all other species of Timia in having scutellum flattened superiorly, microtrichose only superiorly; anepisternum shining along the whole surface, without microtrichosity; wing entirely transparent, without spots. Timia (Empyelocera) altaica Galinskaya sp. nov. differs from both of them by the posteroapical extension of cell bcu short, 0.8 times as long as transverse section of vein Cu. Timia (Empyelocera) mokhnata Galinskaya sp. nov. is similar to T. (E.) nigrimana (Loew, 1866) in having posteroapical extension of cell bcu long, more than 2 times as long as transverse section of vein Cu; the new species differs by the frons, scutum and pleura with long (about 0.6-0.8 times as long as setae) hairs; the orbit of frons with whitish microtrichose triangular spot at its anterior margin. A key to the five species with black microtrichose scutellum, descriptions and illustrations are provided.

Neohemigaster Malloch, 1939 and Pterogenia Bigot, 1859 (Diptera: Platystomatidae) from eastern Eurasia, with the description of four new species

Four new species are described: Neohemigaster angustifrons sp.n. from Vietnam, Neohenigaster antropovi sp.n. from the Russian Far East, Neohemigaster tetralineata sp.n. from Taiwan and Pterogenia tenebrica sp.n. from Taiwan. In addition to Neohemigaster ussurica (Korneyev, 2001), six species formerly assigned to Pterogenia are transferred to Neoheinigaster: Neohemigaster eurysterna (Hendel, 1914) comb. nov., Neoheinigaster flavopicta (Hennig, 1940) comb. nov., Neohemigaster minuspicta (Hennig, 1940) comb. nov., Neohemigaster inonticola (Frey, 1964) comb. nov., Neohenigaster ornata (Hennig, 1940) comb. nov., and Neoheinigaster rectivena (Enderlein, 1924) comb. nov. A preliminary list of diagnostic characters separating the genera Pterogenia and Neohenigaster is compiled. A key to species of Pterogenia and Neohentigaster, known from Far East Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Burma, is provided.