Neal L. Evenhuis

New species without dead bodies: a case for photo-based descriptions, illustrated by a striking new species of Marleyimyia Hesse (Diptera, Bombyliidae) from South Africa

Abstract A new bombyliid species Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n., an apparent mimic of the carpenter bee Xylocopa flavicollis (De Geer), is described from South Africa on the basis of photographs only. The pros and cons of species descriptions in the absence of preserved type specimens are discussed.

Charles Davies Sherborn and the "Indexer's Club"

Abstract The first few words of the title of this symposium are “Anchoring Biodiversity Information”. In order to properly anchor anything for a long-lasting future, a solid foundation needs to have been laid. For the zoological portion of biodiversity information, that firm foundation is best exemplified in the works of Charles Davies Sherborn. This man, like others of his ilk, was intimately focused on indexing names. This incredible focus was a life-long passion for him and culminated in his 9500-page Index Animalium of over 400,000 names of animals. This Index represents not only one of the most prodigious efforts in publication by a single man and the single most important reference to names in zoology, but a permanent legacy to the efforts of an indexer that proved to be an inspiration to many.

Diversification in Hawaiian long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Campsicnemus): Biogeographic isolation and ecological adaptation

Flies in the genus Campsicnemus have diversified into the second-largest adaptive radiation of Diptera in the Hawaiian Islands, with 179 Hawaiian endemic species currently described. Here we present the first phylogenetic analysis of Campsicnemus, with a focus on the Hawaiian fauna. We analyzed a combination of two nuclear (CAD, EF1α) and five mitochondrial (COI, COII, 12S, 16S, ND2) loci using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus Campsicnemus. Our sampling included a total of 84 species (6 species from Europe, 1 from North America, 7 species from French Polynesia and 70 species from the Hawaiian Islands). The phylogenies were used to estimate divergence times, reconstruct biogeographic history, and infer ancestral ecological associations within this large genus. We found strong support for a South Pacific+Hawaiian clade, as well as for a monophyletic Hawaiian lineage. Divergence time estimates suggest that Hawaiian Islands were colonized approximately 4.6 million years ago, suggesting that most of the diversity within Campsicnemus evolved since the current high islands began forming ∼5 million years ago. We also observe a novel ecotype within the Pacific Campsicnemus; a widespread obligate water-skating form that has arisen multiple times across the Pacific Islands. Together, these analyses suggest that a combination of ecological, biogeographic and temporal factors have led to the impressive diversity of long-legged flies in Hawaii and elsewhere in the Pacific.

Names and publication dates of the Brachyura in F.É. Guérin (Guérin-Méneville) (Crustacea: Decapoda)

The names and dates of the publications of Brachyura of Guérin (Guérin-Méneville from 1836) are reviewed, and previously unidentified or overlooked names are identified. Several identical new names used in multiple publications by Guérin (also under the name Guérin-Méneville), and others that appeared in the same year necessitated the accurate determination of publication dates to establish priority. The authorships of three names should be credited to Guérin (1832): Gecarcinus lateralis (Gecarcinidae), Halimus aries (Majidae), and Libinia spinosa (Epialtidae), the first previously attributed to Fréminville (1835), the last two to H. Milne Edwards (1834). The overlooked genus- and species-group names Cyclocarcinus pinnotheroides Guérin-Méneville, 1838, are determined to be senior subjective synonyms of the genus- and species-group names Hapalonotus reticulatus (De Man, 1879) (Pilumnidae). Applying Article 23.9.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, precedence is reversed between the genus-group names and the correct name is Hapalonotus pinnotheroides (Guérin-Méneville, 1838). Current and widespread use of the genus-group name Thalamita Latreille, 1829 (31 March) (Portunidae) is threatened by the overlooked Thalamites Guérin, 1829 (21 March), and the precedence of the names is also reversed to maintain usage of the former. The genus-group name Eurypodius Guérin (Inachidae) is shown to have been established in 1828, not 1825. Included is a complete bibliography of the publications in which Guérin (also under Guérin-Méneville) established new names for Brachyura, with their accurate publication dates.

New microbombyliids (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) from Eocene Baltic and Rovno ambers, with notes on previously described amber species.

New mythicomyiids from Baltic and Rovno amber are described and illustrated herein including one new genus: Riga, n. gen.; and five new species: Glabellula aggregata Evenhuis, n. sp., Glabellula perkovskyi Evenhuis, n. sp., Riga toni Evenhuis, n. sp., Carmenelectra shehuggme Evenhuis, n. sp. and Carmenelectra pernigra Evenhuis, n. sp. The genus Riga is very closely related to the extant genus Reissa, which is known from a single species in the Canary Islands. A key to the seven Tertiary species of Glabellula is given. Notes are given clarifying the synonymy of Glabellula; and acting as First Reviser, Mythicomyia dominicana Evenhuis is selected as a correct original spelling. With the description of the new species in this study, the Tertiary fauna of Mythicomyiidae is now 17 species in 8 genera known from Baltic, Saxon, Bitterfeld, French, Rovno (all Eocene), and Dominican (Miocene) ambers.

A new genus and species of micro bee flies from Brazil (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Psiloderoidinae).

A new genus of Mythicomyiidae, Amydrostylus triadicophallus gen. nov. et sp. nov., is described from the Chaco of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The type-series was collected by Malaise traps during the development of the SISBIOTA-Brasil project. Amydrostylus is closely related to the genus Acridophagus Evenhuis in the subfamily Psiloderoidinae, but it is distinguished by the minute apical stylus and the same length of br and bm cells. The species is described and illustrated in detail, including the male terminalia and female spermathecae. This is the first record of the subfamily Psiloderoidinae in South America.

Publication and Dating of Parts IV–VII of Brauer & Bergenstamm’s Die Zweiflügler des Kaiserlichen Museums zu Wien (1889–1894)

Based on new evidence, the dates of publication of the journal and separate versions of parts IV-VII of Brauer & Bergenstamms Die Zweiflügler des Kaiserlichen Museums zu Wien are given, correcting those dates previously published.

The Strongylophthalmyiidae (Diptera) of Papua New Guinea, with descriptions of five new species and a world checklist

Eight species of the Strongylophthalmyiidae are reported from Papua New Guinea. Of these, five species (Strongylophthalmyia gigantica sp. nov., S. papuana sp. nov., S. rubella sp. nov., S. sedlaceki sp. nov. and S. shatalkini sp. nov.) are described as new to science. Strongylophthalmyia puncticollis Frey is recorded for the first time from Papua New Guinea. Faunistic remarks, a key to the species of the Strongylophthalmyia in Papua New Guinea and a world checklist are provided.

Two new species of the genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 from northern Iran

Abstract Two new species, Empidideicus aurantiacus Gharali & Evenhuis, sp. nov. and Empidideicus unicus Gharali & Evenhuis, sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the north of Iran. An updated key to species of Empidideicus Becker, 1907 in Iran and the neighbouring countries gto the north is presented.

Genera of Mythicomyiidae (Insecta, Diptera) new to the fauna of Morocco, with descriptions of new species

Three genera of Mythicomyiidae are newly recorded from Morocco: Glabellula, Mythenteles, and Leylaiya. A total of 8 species of Mythicomyiidae are currently known from the country; of those, 3 new species are described and illustrated: Glabellula maroccana Evenhuis Kettani, n. sp.; Mythenteles signifera Evenhuis Kettani, n. sp. and Leylaiya pellea Evenhuis Kettani, n. sp. A key to the genera of Mythicomyiidae in Morocco is presented.