On the systematics of the tribe Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) – three new species from Finland

Three new chironomid species of the tribe Tanytarsini are described from Finland: Micropsectra malla sp. n., Paratanytarsus paralaccophilus sp. n. and Tanytarsus paraniger sp. n. The new species are compared with their closest relatives and their systematic position is discussed. As a result of our study, the Micropsectra recurvata species group Säwedal, 1981 is regarded as unwarranted and its species are included to the Micropsectra notescens group Säwedal, 1976. The Finnish fauna ofthe tribe Tanytarsini, consisting of 123 valid species, is one of the most species-rich in Europe

A new species of the subfamily Buchonomyiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Furcobuchonomyia pankowskii sp. nov., a non-biting midge of the small subfamily Buchonomyiinae is described from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (early Cenomanian, ~100 Ma; Noije Bum, Myanmar). This is the sixth known Buchonomyiinae species, the third fossil representative of this subfamily, and the second described and named Chironomidae species from Burmese amber. A peculiar structure of the male genital apparatus, bearing a trifid gonostylus, justifies inclusion of this new species into the recently established, originally monotypic genus Furcobuchonomyia Baranov, Góral et Ross, 2017, the diagnosis of which is amended

DNA barcoding of Chironomidae from the Lake Skadar region: Reference library and a comparative analysis of the European fauna

Aims: The main aim of this study was to fill a gap in barcoding data of the European Chironomidae of the Balkan region, developing and testing the efficiency of a reference DNA barcode library for ancient Lake Skadar basin species (Montenegro/Albania), a region of Europe never before subjected to barcoding studies on Chironomidae. Another aim was to test the efficiency of DNA barcoding for the identification of European Chironomidae, including the estimation of optimal identification thresholds, using >12,000 barcodes. Location: Lake Skadar basin and adjacent area (Montenegro/Albania). Methods: Through this study, 770 individuals of Chironomidae from the Lake Skadar region were barcoded, both at adult and pre-imaginal stages. Adults were morphologically identified, while larvae were assigned to species by molecular identification, using different methods, of which the efficiency was tested, for a total of 97 different barcoded species. Results: The identification efficiency of the reference dataset developed for the Lake Skadar region was 98.6%, a value in line with that obtained when the identification efficiency for European Chironomidae was evaluated (95.8%), which confirms the accuracy of DNA barcoding for the identification of these insects. Moreover, we found that the optimal threshold for the molecular identification of the family is 1.6% nucleotide distance, though more specific thresholds are suggested for the identification of species belonging to Chironomidae subfamilies, since they are related to lower identification errors than to the use of a general threshold. The analysis of inconsistency between molecular and morphological identification shed light on taxonomic issues within European Chironomidae. Previously postulated species synonyms were confirmed, and also further cases requiring deeper investigation were detected. Main conclusions: Our de novo DNA barcode library was shown to have a high identification efficiency. Taxon-specific thresholds increase the efficacy of molecular identification. Hypothesized species synonyms could be validated through molecular techniques

Parapsectra nana Meigen 1818

<i>Parapsectra nana</i> (Meigen, 1818) <p>(Figures 4, 19–21, 38)</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> POLAND. KoŻyczkowo near Chmielno, 31 May 1997, sweep net, 3 males, ES. Sudety Mts., Szklarska Poręba, 5 August 1982, sweep net, 3 males, RSz. Tatra Mts., Dolina Roztoki, 1200 m a.s.l., 6 August 1981, sweep net, 1 male, RSz. Zakopane-Oberconiówka, 900 m a.s.l., 7 August 1981, sweep net, at peat bog, 1 male, RSz. BULGARIA. Rila Mts., Skakavica near Sapareva Banja, 1580 m a.s.l., 20 July 1976, sweep net, at waterfall, 4 males, RSz. FINLAND. Sarmitunturi near Vanhapää (Inari distr.), c. 13 km west of the Russian border, 3 June–27 August 2004, Malaise trap, at spring brooks and small lakes, 3 males, JS. NORWAY. Semska (Arctic Circle), 680 m a.s.l., 6 July 2006, sweep net, at peat pools, 1 male, WG.</p> <p> <b>Diagnostic description.</b> Adult male (measurements in Table 4 and 8).</p> <p>Colouration. Antennal pedicel, postnotum and sternum brown; scutal stripes orange to brown, antennal flagellum and legs olive brown; head capsule, scutellum, haltere, ground colour of thorax and abdomen including hypopygium green to olive-green; wing with yellowish undertone, with C, M and radial veins slightly darker, brownish. Head. Antenna with 13 well separated flagellomeres. Frontal tubercles rarely present as tiny swellings. Third palpomere usually shorter than fourth. Wing. Sc, M, R2+3, very short proximal section of M1+2 and 1/4 proximal part of Cu bare, remaining veins with macrotrichia. FCu under RM. RM long. Membrane below An with numerous and dense macrotrichia. Anal lobe of wing relatively well developed (Fig. 4). Legs. Spur of fore tibia straight, 8–12 μm long, often reduced or absent (n = 2). Combs of mid and hind tibiae slightly separated, each tibia with 22–35 teeth 10–15 μm long (mid leg) and 30–35 teeth 12–16 μm long (hind leg); sometimes each comb bearing single, somewhat longer spur-like tooth.</p> <p> Hypopygium. Gonostylus slender, nearly twice as long as gonocoxite, regularly tapering to narrow tip. Anal tergite with long separated bands of V-type; lateral teeth absent; anal point broad at base, short and apically rounded, bearing long thin crests; microtrichia-free area surrounding base of anal point small (Fig. 19). Superior volsella triangular, apically pointed, with anteromedian margin straight, bearing setal protuberances; digitus well developed, usually reaching slightly beyond half length of superior volsella, variable in shape but usually acute; <i>Micropsectra</i> -seta placed on tall cylindrical tubercle (Figs 19, 20). Median volsella moderately long, with stem bearing c. 20 small spoon-shaped lamellae placed in 2–3 irregular rows apically (Fig. 21). Inferior volsella short and straight, with very slightly swollen distal half, apically rounded Pupa: Reiss (1969b), Langton (1991); adult female and larva: unknown.</p> <p> <b>Discussion.</b> Due to the set of characters discussed above, <i>Parapsectra nana</i>, <i>P. b u m a s t a</i> and <i>P. chionophila</i> form a putative species group. The characters which best separate <i>P. nana</i> from its sibling species are the slender gonostylus, nearly twice as long as gonocoxite, and the short and straight inferior volsella (Figs 19, 38).</p> <p> <i>P. nana</i> is associated with cold-water habitats. The specimens examined were collected in northern spring brooks, peat pools and small lakes, and at a waterfall and peat bogs in uplands and mountains of central and eastern Europe.</p>Published as part of <i>Giłka, Wojciech & Jażdżewska, Natalia, 2010, A systematic review of the genus Parapsectra Reiss (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini) with description of a new species from Poland, pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 2350</i> on pages 10-12, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/193438">10.5281/zenodo.193438</a&gt

A contribution to the systematics of Australasian Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae): first descriptions from New Caledonia

Giłka, Wojciech, Dobosz, Roland (2015): A contribution to the systematics of Australasian Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae): first descriptions from New Caledonia. Zootaxa 3980 (1): 127-135, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.1.

Eonandeva gen. nov., a new distinctive genus from Eocene Baltic amber (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Zakrzewska, Marta, Giłka, Wojciech (2015): Eonandeva gen. nov., a new distinctive genus from Eocene Baltic amber (Diptera: Chironomidae). Zootaxa 4044 (4): 577-584, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4044.4.

The Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the collection of the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdańsk

Zakrzewska, Marta, Giłka, Wojciech (2015): The Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the collection of the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdańsk. Zootaxa 3946 (3): 347-360, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3946.3.

Parapsectra wagneri Siebert 1979

<i>Parapsectra wagneri</i> Siebert, 1979 <p>(Figures 7, 29–31, 41)</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> GERMANY. Holotype: adult male labelled: ZSM, Holotypus, design. M. Siebert; Breitenbach Gewächshs., Schlitz/Hess., Datum 25.5.73, Art.: <i>Parapsectra wagneri</i> n. sp., Euparal, M. Siebert. Paratypus: 1 male, same data as holotype except for date: 28.5.73.</p> <p> <b>Diagnostic description.</b> Adult male (measurements in Table 7 and 8).</p> <p>Colouration (after Siebert 1979). Yellowish brown, with scutal stripes, postnotum, sternum, haltere and proximal margins of abdominal tergites brownish. Head. Antenna with 13 flagellomeres, distal flagellomeres slightly separated (Fig. 29). Frontal tubercles absent. Third palpomere longer than fourth. Wing. Sc, M, R2+3, proximal 1/3 of M1+2 and proximal 1/5 of Cu bare, remaining veins with macrotrichia. FCu under RM. RM moderately long. Membrane below M mostly bare, below An covered with sparse macrotrichia. Anal lobe of wing strongly reduced (Fig. 7). Legs. Spur of fore tibia absent (?broken). Combs of mid and hind tibiae strongly reduced, usually well separated, with at most 20 teeth 10–12 μm long on each tibia; single spur-like tooth sometimes present (n = 1).</p> <p> fe ti ta1 ta2 ta3 ta4 ta5 p1 730–795 520–560 - - - - - p2 685–735 595–625 270–280 175–185 120–125 80–90 65–75 p3 810–860 735–770 - - - - - Hypopygium. Gonostylus moderately long, slightly bent at base, parallel-sided or subtly broadened in half length and tapering to blunt tip. Anal tergite with long bands of V-type and elevated hump armed with prominent tubercles bearing median setae; lateral teeth absent; anal point stout, ellipse-shaped, broad at base, smoothly tapering to rounded apex, bearing relatively wide crests; entire area surrounding base of anal point covered with microtrichia (Fig. 30). Superior volsella short, triangular, with convex anteromedian margin; digitus small but reaching at least half length of superior volsella; <i>Micropsectra</i> -seta placed on tall cylindrical tubercle (Fig. 30). Median volsella with short stem bearing c. 8–9 broad falciform (basally) and lanceolate (apically) lamellae (Fig. 31). Inferior volsella moderately long, at most reaching gonostylus at half length, straight or finely bent, with slight transverse protrusion and abruptly swollen head-like distal half (Figs 30, 41).</p> <p>Adult female, pupa and larva: unknown. For data on biology see Siebert (1979); for discussion on taxonomy see below.</p>Published as part of <i>Giłka, Wojciech & Jażdżewska, Natalia, 2010, A systematic review of the genus Parapsectra Reiss (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini) with description of a new species from Poland, pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 2350</i> on pages 14-18, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/193438">10.5281/zenodo.193438</a&gt

<strong>A contribution to the systematics of Neotropical <em>Tanytarsus</em> van der Wulp: first descriptions from Ecuador (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini)</strong>

Giłka, Wojciech, Zakrzewska, Marta (2013): A contribution to the systematics of Neotropical Tanytarsus van der Wulp: first descriptions from Ecuador (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini). Zootaxa 3619 (4): 453-459, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3619.4.

Parapsectra

Key to males of &lt;i&gt;Parapsectra&lt;/i&gt; &lt;p&gt; 1. Anal point acute (Fig. 15). Superior volsella with slender apical prolongation and concave anteromedian margin (Figs 15, 17) &lt;i&gt;..................................................................................................................................................... P. mendli&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;-. Anal point with rounded, transversely cut or slightly concave apex (Figs 8, 12, 19, 22, 26, 30). Superior volsella without apical prolongation and/or with straight or convex anteromedian margin (Figs 10, 13, 20, 23, 27, 30)........ 2&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 2. Wing with FCu well distal of RM (Fig. 5). Lateral teeth of anal tergite present (Fig. 22). Superior volsella sinuous, digitus absent (Figs 22, 23). Median volsella with sparse and large, spoon-shaped lamellae (Fig. 24). Inferior volsella long and strongly curved, L-shaped (Figs 22, 39)............................................................................... &lt;i&gt;P. styriaca&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;-. Wing with FCu very slightly distal of RM (Fig. 1), under RM (Figs 2, 4, 7) or proximal of RM (Fig. 6). Lateral teeth of anal tergite absent. Superior volsella never sinuous, digitus present. Median volsella with lamellae never as above (Figs 11, 14, 21, 28, 31). Inferior volsella never L-shaped, short when bent (Figs 32&ndash;35, 38, 40, 41)....................... 3&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;3. Median volsella with falciform lamellae (Figs 28, 31)................................................................................................. 4&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;-. Median volsella with spoon-shaped lamellae (Figs 11, 14, 21).................................................................................... 5&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 4. Antenna with 6 or 7 flagellomeres (Fig. 25). Wing reduced (Fig. 6). Superior volsella elongated (Figs 26, 27). Median volsella with slender falciform and fusiform lamellae (Fig. 28). Inferior volsella reaching beyond half length of gonostylus, evenly tapering to apex (Figs 26, 40)................................................................................ &lt;i&gt;P. uliginosa&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; -. Antenna with 13 flagellomeres, with distal flagellomeres slightly separated (Fig. 29). Wing well developed (Fig. 7). Superior volsella short (Fig. 30). Median volsella with broad falciform and lanceolate lamellae (Fig. 31). Inferior volsella reaching at most half length of gonostylus, with abruptly swollen head-like distal half (Figs 30, 41)............ &lt;i&gt;...................................................................................................................................................................... P. wagneri&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;5. Anal lobe of wing strongly reduced, RM very short, membrane below An with sparse macrotrichia (Fig. 2). Dark&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; brown to fuscous body &lt;i&gt;............................................................................................................................. P. chionophila&lt;/i&gt; -. Anal lobe of wing well developed, RM long, membrane below An with dense macrotrichia (Figs 1, 4). Brownishgreen body..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 6. Stem of median volsella with large lamellae placed posteromedially (Fig. 11). Inferior volsella bent at base, with transverse protrusion (Figs 8, 32, 33)................................................................................................ &lt;i&gt;P. b u m a s t a&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. n.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; -. Stem of median volsella with small lamellae placed apically (Fig. 21). Inferior volsella short and straight, without transverse protrusion (Fig. 19, 38).................................................................................................................... &lt;i&gt;P. nana&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Giłka, Wojciech &amp; Jażdżewska, Natalia, 2010, A systematic review of the genus Parapsectra Reiss (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini) with description of a new species from Poland, pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 2350&lt;/i&gt; on pages 18-19, DOI: &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/193438"&gt;10.5281/zenodo.193438&lt;/a&gt