M. Cecilia Domínguez

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.

Vicariance events shaping Southern South American insect distributions

The main goal of this study is to use multiple insect phylogenies along with geographical information to test known vicariance hypotheses for Southern South America. We analysed the phylogenies and geographical distributions of seven insect genera endemic to southern South America using Hovenkamps ( ) protocol, which have been in part implemented in software (vicariance inference program). Using this software, we were able to hypothesize 55 traceable vicariance events; among these, we recognized four supported vicariance events (i.e. confirmed by more than a single sister group). The first supported vicariance event consisted of an East/West separation of the faunas in all analysed trees; the second supported vicariance event is a North/South separation of the fauna located East of the Andes; the third supported vicariance event was found in the southernmost fauna located East of the Andes, which separates allopatric Patagonian species in a North/South direction; and finally, the fourth supported vicariance event separates in a North/South direction clades of the Central Chilean fauna located West of the Andes. Our results suggest that these four supported vicariance events could be correlated with the uplifting of the Andes and the marine ingressions that occurred during the Cenozoic that is the estimated age at which these events occurred. Finally, we discuss that current software implementation of Hovenkamps ideas need to be expanded, particularly regarding the automated selection of traceable vicariance events.

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.

Revision of Central American species of Euryomma Stein (Diptera, Fanniidae), with description of two new species and updates of distributional records

Euryomma is the second largest genus within Fanniidae, but only two species, E. panamensis Chillcott, 1958 and E. rettenmeyeri Chillcott, 1958 have been recorded in Central America. In this paper we describe two new species of the genus found in Costa Rica, Euryomma chillcotti sp. nov. (Province of Puntarenas) and Euryomma steini sp. nov. (Provinces of Cartago and Limon). Euryomma tahami Grisales, Wolff & Carvalho, 2012 is recorded for the first time to Costa Rica. Identification key to all species found in Central America, descriptions and re-descriptions of species occurring in the region and illustrations of the terminalia of new species are presented.

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.