N. 48: R. H. L. Disney & M. V. Michailovskaya

G. it. Ent., 9 (48): 105-114

December 31, 1998

New species of Metopina Macquart (Diptera, Phoridae)

from the Russian far east

by

R. H. L. DISNEY & M. V. MICHAILOVSKAYA

Abstract - Seven new species of Metopina described from the far east of Russia are M. abbreviata Disney & Michailovskaya, M. alacinia Disney & Michailovskaya, M. angustiterga Disney, M. elongata Disney, M. eminentis Disney, M. palustris Disney & Michailovskaya and M. ruthenica Disney. A key to the females is provided.

N. 44: Gabrielle E. Woolf

G. it. Ent., 8 (44): 207-211

December 31, 1996

A new species of Phoridae (Diptera) from Brazil

by

GABRIELLE E. WOOLF

Abstract - Megaselia tomatoae n. sp. is described from a series reared from ripening tomatoes in Brazil.

N. 43: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 8 (43): 95-97

August 31, 1996

A new genus of Phoridae (Diptera) from Australia

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - A female phorid from New South Wales, Australia, is described and named Aenigmaphora johndisneyi n. gen, n. sp.

N. 40: R. H. L. Disney, Gui-Xiang Li, Dong Li

G. it. Ent., 7 (40): 333-338

August 31, 1995

A new species and two new records of Megaselia Rondani

(Diptera, Phoridae)

from mainland China

by

R. H. L. DISNEY, GUI-XIANG LI, DONG LI

Abstract - From a series of phorids collected by a termite nest in Guangdong Province, Megaselia shiyiluae Disney n. sp. is described and M. atrita (Brues) and M. scabra Schmitz are reported from mainland China for the first time. A note by R. H. L. Disney inserts a section omitted in error in a recent paper of his [Continuing the debate relating to the phylogenetic reconstruction of the Phoridae (Diptera) - G. it. Ent., 7: 103-117].

N. 37: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 7 (37): 103-117

August 31, 1994

Continuing the debate relating to the phylogenetic reconstruction

of the Phoridae (Diptera)

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - Further to a critique (Disney, 1993) of Brown's (1992) restrictive method of performing outgroup comparisons, further data which relate to the continuing debate are presented and discussed. The weighting of critical characters is defended, while endorsing the use of outgroup comparisons to help minimize the frequency of homoplasies in the construction of cladograms.

N. 37: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 7 (37): 119-122

August 31, 1994

Recognition of a sibling species of

Termitophilomyia braunsi (Wasmann, 1900)

(Diptera: Phoridae)

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - Specimens attributed to Termitophilomyia braunsi (Wasmann, 1990) from north of the Limpopo River evidently belong to a sibling species. It is named T. zimbraunsi and its distinctive features highlighted.

N. 35: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 6 (35): 417-436

December 31, 1993

Cave Phoridae (Diptera) of Trinidad

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - A collection of 2914 Phoridae from caves in Trinidad represents fourteen species in six genera. Three are exotic species introduced by man. Of the eleven presumed native species probably seven are of regular occurrence in caves. Six species new to science are described. A key to the species is provided. Mites of the families Macrochelidae and Uropodidae were found attached to two phorid species.

N. 33: D. B. Benner

G. it. Ent., 6 (33): 243-248

April 30, 1993

Anatomy of the extreme abdominal regions during mating

in Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae)

by

D. B. BENNER

Abstract - Copulation in Megaselia scalaris lasts for approximately 32 seconds. The flies quickly separate if disturbed, so attempts to examine the anatomy of the extreme abdominal organs during copulation have not been successful. Two mating pairs have been fortuitously preserved and the anatomy of the extreme abdominal regions is reported. The phallosome is inserted into the posterior chamber of the ovipositor. It is held in place by regions of the ovipositor which fit into depressions in the phallosome. There are no abdominal regions which appear to be involved in holding the pair together, but post mortem changes have obscured the contact points between the abdominal surfaces. The opening of the aedeagus is positioned in the ventral region of the ovipositor, which would facilitate the movement of the sperm into the anterior chamber through a ventral opening.

N. 31: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 6 (31): 119-124

August 31, 1992

A new species and new records of Phoridae (Diptera)

from New Zealand

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - The mushroom pest Megaselia halterata (Wood) is recorded from New Zealand; Metopina fumipennis Borgmeier is synonymised with M. australiana Borgmeier and the latter recorded from New Zealand. Metopina climieorum n. sp. is described and recorded from New Zealand, Australia and Java.

N. 31: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 6 (31): 135-139

August 31, 1992

A new species of Triphleba (Diptera: Phoridae) from France

and the subfamily assignment of this genus

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - Triphleba withersi sp. n. is described from a series of males and a female from France. The hypandrial bristles of the male are interpreted as being plesiomorphic, thus challenging the hypothesis of Brown (1992) that they are an autapomorphy of the Metopininae. The case for removing Triphleba from the Phorinae is rejected.

N. 29: D. B. Benner

G. it. Ent., 5 (29): 351-358

December 31, 1991

The mechanism of sperm transfer in Megaselia scalaris

(Diptera: Phoridae)

by

D. B. BENNER

Abstract - Sperm transfer involving spermatophore-like structures has been reported in families of the Nematocera and in the Schizophora Cyclorrhapha families Drosophilidae and Glossinidae. This report describes a similar mechanism in a member of the Aschiza Cyclorrhapha Phoridae: the species Megaselia scalaris. A sperm aggregate is transmitted to the anterior compartment of the female genital chamber during a 32 second mating. Immediately the sperm mass breaks down and sperm enter the spermatheca. The sperm are contained in a viscous fluid found in the testes. Male accessory gland fluids enter the chamber before the sperm mass, but they remain liquid and surround the sperm mass but form no association with the sperm mass. There is no capsule enclosing the sperm, so this is not a true spermatophore but appears to be a spermatozeugmata, as defined by Mann (1984, Spermatophores). A sperm mass is recovered from the gonopore of many males when matings are interrupted at approximately 15 seconds. If this testis-type system proves to be an automorphy of the Phoridae it may provide a useful character in establishing the phylogeny of the family.

N. 28: R. H. L. Disney

G. it. Ent., 5 (28): 263-287

August 31, 1991

Convergent and parallel evolution and the supra-generic

classification of the Phoridae (Diptera)

by

R. H. L. DISNEY

Abstract - Aenictacantha gen. n. is described from Sulawesi and Malaysia. Two species, A. setifera sp. n. and Aenictacantha sp. A are dealt with, the second not being named as only a single damaged specimen is available. Both species associate with the ants Aenictus Shuckard. The genus shows affinity with the Afrotropical Hexacantherophora Schmitz, of the Metopininae, but with leg modifications resembling some Aenigmatiinae. Examination of the type material of Assmutherium Schmitz reveals significant error in the original description. It is transferred to the Metopininae. Its resemblance to Thaumatoxeninae and Aenigmatiinae is convergent. Beyermyia gen. n. is proposed for B. spinulicosta (Beyer) comb. n., transferred from Hypocerides Schmitz. Its male is described. Females of Epicnemis Borgmeier are described for the first time and E. harveyi sp. n. is described from the Philippines. Hypocerides is more clearly characterised and a provisional key to species provided. The suggestion of affinity with Thaumatoxeninae is rejected. A review of leg modifications and the male hypopygium in various Phoridae and outgroups suggests there has been a high frequency of convergent and parallel evolution amongst dorso-ventrally flattened, flightless, female Phoridae. The Aenigmatiinae, as traditionally conceived, is probably polyphyletic.

N. 27: Y. Z. Erzinçlioğlu

G. it. Ent., 5 (27): 203-208

April 30, 1991

Apomorphic and Plesiomorphic Character-States of the

Immature Stages of Blowflies

(Diptera: Calliphoridae)

by

Y. Z. ERZINÇLIOĞLU

Abstract - Thirty characters of the eggs and larvae of blowflies (Calliphoridae) are evaluated and evidence is given to support hypotheses regarding their apomorphic and plesiomorphic states.

N. 26: V. S. Sidorenko

G. it. Ent., 5 (26): 129-131

December 31, 1990

A new species of the genus Domomyza Rondani

(Diptera, Drosophilidae) from the Soviet Far East

by

V. S. SIDORENKO

Abstract - The description of Domomyza romankovae sp. n. is given. There are the first data on the occurrence of this genus in the Soviet Far East.