Fernando H. Aballay

An illustrated key to and diagnoses of the species of Histeridae (Coleoptera) associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina.

Abstract A key to 16 histerid species associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina is presented, including diagnoses and habitus photographs for these species. This article provides a table of all species associated with carcasses, detailing the substrate from which they were collected and geographical distribution by province. All 16 Histeridae species registered are grouped into three subfamilies: Saprininae (twelve species of Euspilotus Lewis and one species of Xerosaprinus Wenzel), Histerinae (one species of Hololepta Paykull and one species of Phelister Marseul) and Dendrophilinae (one species of Carcinops Marseul). Two species are new records for Argentina: Phelister rufinotus Marseuland Carcinops troglodytes (Paykull). A discussion is presented on the potential forensic importance of some species collected on human and pig carcasses.

Two Species of Microcerella (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Found in Highland Arid Landscapes of Argentina, during Forensic Studies

ABSTRACT Two species of Microcerella Macquart were obtained from pig and llama corpses during a decomposition field experiment in highlands desert landscapes of Catamarca, Argentina. We sampled four pig and two llama carcasses. Microcerella antofagastensis sp. nov. is described, and M. quimaliensis (Lopes, 1982) is redescribed. Illustrations of male and female terminalia of both species are provided and should allow a correct identification. Notes on the biology of both species are given.

Adult Fanniidae associated to pig carcasses during the winter season in a semiarid environment: Initial examination of their potential as complementary PMI indicators

Besides the dominant necrophagous dipteran of the families Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae usually used for post mortem interval (PMI) estimations, species of other families such as Fanniidae have frequently been reported in forensic studies. Though less abundant, these species are prevalent in decomposing carcasses with most reports being anecdotal. In this study we identified adults of the fly family Fanniidae associated to pig carcasses located under different local environmental conditions (sun and shade) in a semiarid area at Mendoza, Argentina during the winter season. We examined the potential of species of this family as indicators of PMI by measuring abundance, time of occurrence and residency time at the carcasses. We identified six species of Fanniidae: Euryomma peregrinum Meigen, Fannia albitarsis Stein, Fannia femoralis Stein, Fannia fusconotata Rondani, Fannia heydenii Wiedemann and Fannia sanihue Domínguez and Aballay. Overall, fly abundance was higher at the sunlit than at the shaded carcass. The most abundant species at the sun was F. fusconotata while at the shaded carcass F. femoralis was the most abundant species. Based on their residency time, however, species with higher potential as PMI indicators seem to be F. heydenii and F. sanihue as their residency time at the carcass was restricted to a short period of the decomposition process. Other species were present throughout most of the decomposition process or in such a low abundance (E. peregrinum) that they were not useful as indicators. These preliminary results indicate that adults of some species of Fanniidae could act as a good complementary indicator species during the winter season. In particular, F. heydenii and F. sanihue should be the focus of further studies which should also expand to other seasons.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS FANNIA ROBINEAU- DESVOIDY (DIPTERA: FANNIIDAE) COLLECTED ON PIG CARRION IN MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Abstract. The aim of this study is to describe Fannia sanihue sp. nov., a new species of Fanniidae that was captured in the proximity of a pig carcass in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. This contribution is a part of the first study to be undertaken into forensic entomology in the biogeographical province of the Monte, which is a warm shrub desert extending between Puna and Patagonia at the east of the Andes Mountains.

An Illustrated Key to, and Diagnoses of the Species of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) Associated with Decaying Carcasses in Argentina

Abstract. In this study we identified adults of Tenebrionidae associated mainly with pig carcasses and human cadavers lying in different arid and semiarid areas of Argentina. This article provides an illustrated key to 29 Tenebrionidae species of the potential forensic importance, accompanied by diagnoses, and habitus photographs of these taxa. The recorded species of darkling beetles belong to four subfamilies: Alleculinae (one species of Alleculini), Diaperinae (two species of Crypticini), Tenebrioninae (15 species, ten belonging to the tribe Scotobiini, three to Opatrini, two to Alphitobiini and one species of Tenebrionini), and Pimeliinae (10 species, three belonging to the tribe Epitragini, two to Evaniosomini, two to Praociini, one species from each of the tribes Trilobocarini, Edrotini and Elenophorini). A new species of Eutelocera Solier (Pimeliinae: Praociini) collected from decomposing pig carcasses is described: E. cadaverina Flores and Zanetti sp. nov. Two species are new records for Argentina: Conibius (Gondwanodilamus) franzi Kaszab and Alphitobius laevigatus (Fabricius); three species for Bolivia: Blapstinus punctulatus Solier, Salax lacordairei Guérin-Ménveille, and Vaniosus profana (Kulzer); and one species for Uruguay: Blapstinus punctulatus Solier. A discussion is presented on the potential forensic importance of some species collected from human cadavers and pig carcasses.

Two Evaniosomini Species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Associated with Decaying Carcasses in Argentina, with Remarks on the Tribal Assignment of Achanius Erichson

Abstract Thinobatis profana Kulzer is transferred from Thinobatis (Pimeliinae: Thinobatini) to Vaniosus Kulzer (Pimeliinae: Evaniosomini) on the basis of constant tribal level characters. The genus Thinobatis Eschscholtz is thereby removed from the Argentine fauna and confined only to coastal areas of Chile. The genus Achanius Erichson (including the subgenus Ambigatus Fairmaire) is transferred from Edrotini (Eurymetopini of Doyen) to Evaniosomini based on the structure of the internal female reproductive tract and mandible configuration. Achanius (Ambigatus) antofagastensis Flores and Aballay, new species, is described. Redescriptions of Thinobatis, Vaniosus, and Achanius, with habitus photographs, SEM images, and illustrations of female genital features, are provided. The eating habits of V. profana and A. antofagastensis feeding on decomposing pig and llama carcasses are given for the first time. These two species showed preferences for microhabitat conditions and association with stages of decomposition. They should be considered for potential forensic importance on bodies found in arid environments.

Taxonomic Revision of Lipoptilocnema (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), With Notes on Natural History and Forensic Importance of Its Species

Abstract Lipoptilocnema Townsend is a small genus of Neotropical Sarcophaginae with a distinctive genitalic morphology. This genus is revised based on the examination of the type series and large numbers of specimens of the seven previously known species, plus three new ones herein described, one from Argentina (L. delfinado Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov.), and two from Brazil (L. savana Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov. and L. tibanae Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov.). All species are described or redescribed and illustrated. Distribution maps and a key for male identification are provided. The taxonomic position of this genus is reviewed and the interpretation of phallic structures is discussed. Notes on the natural history of Lipoptilocnema species are provided, and their potential importance as PMI indicators is highlighted, including the first record of Lipoptilocnema reared from a dead human body.

An updated key to the species of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Fanniidae) of southern South America, and the description of a new species from Mendoza, Argentina.

The aim of this study is to describe Fannia puxcu sp. n., a new species of the genus Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Fanniidae) that was collected in the Villavicencio Provincial Reserve in Mendoza, Argentina, and to present an updated key to the 27 species of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Fanniidae) of Southern South America. The male of F. puxcu sp. n. is described, and illustrations provided as well as distributional records and a discussion of its possible phylogenetic affinities.

Fourth International Tenebrionoidea Symposium

The Fourth International Tenebrionoidea Symposium (ITS) was hosted by the Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA) and the Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT-CONICET Mendoza) in Mendoza, Argentina on November 25th and 26th, 2015. Researchers from nine countries participated with a total of 31 attendees (Fig. 1). The history of the three first formal international meetings on Tenebrionoidea can be found in the editorial of the Third International Tenebrionid Symposium (Smith et al. 2014). After the Third International Tenebrionid Symposium in Arizona USA, voting was carried out to decide the host city for the next meeting. After over a month of voting, Mendoza, Argentina was chosen to host that meeting. A steering committee was assembled with representatives from Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT-CONICET) Mendoza, Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT CONICET) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, and the Universidad de Buenos Aires with the objectives of continuing this successful tradition and encouraging tenebrionoid workers from around the world to meet and share their research. Presentations were given on November 25th and 26th, 2015. During the meeting eighteen 20-minute talks and ten posters were given (see http://wiki.mendozaconicet.gob.ar/images/5/5e/ProgrameMendoza symposium.pdf) ranging, as in previous meetings, from species-level revisions to broad scale Tenebrionidae phylogenies, biogeography, and faunistic inventories. In addition, presentations on research using tenebrionid beetles in innovative ways were presented, including: species of Tenebrionidae associated with decaying carcasses, potential adverse effects of volcanic ash on tenebrionid larvae, a fossil darkling beetles assemblage, the effect of climate and human influence on distribution patterns of species of Tenebrionidae, and ecological remarks on epigean tenebrionids and their relationship with anthropic desertification. Presentations were also given on two families beyond Tenebrionidae: Zopheridae and Meloidae (Tenebrionoidea). For the first time, a translator (Dr. Florencia Fernández Campón, English-Spanish) was also available to help facilitate communication among participants. The presentations were received with interest and stimulated thoughtful discussions throughout the meeting. The Sociedad Entomológica Argentina (who also sponsored the meeting) offered several books for sale during the meeting: “Biodiversity of Argentinean Ar thro pods” vol. 2, 3, and 4, and “Catalog of phyto phag ous insects of Argentina and its associated plants”. Group discussions also took place during the symposium on potential large scale tenebrionid projects, the organization of a Proceedings volume from the Symposium, collecting localities and travel-related activities for the post-meeting trip, and potential localities for the Fifth International Tenebrionoidea Symposium. FOURTH INTERNATIONAL TENEBRIONOIDEA SYMPOSIUM

Fannia fusconotata and Fannia sanihue (Diptera: Fanniidae): first records in Uruguay and distribution extension

Fannia fusconotat a (Rondani, 1868) and Fannia sanihue Dominguez & Aballay, 2008 are recorded for the first time in Uruguay, extending the Neotropical distribution of these taxa eastward in South America. The specimens were collected using modified Malaise traps located above pig carcasses in Pando, Canelones, Uruguay, from February to April 2011. This contribution is a part of the first study to be undertaken into forensic entomology in Uruguay.