Ecología de una taxocenosis de Calliphoridae del área platense (Provincia de Buenos Aires) (Insecta, Diptera)

This paper constitutes the first approach to the knowledge of the ecology of Calliphoridae from Argentina. The selected stüdied area is a rural one located at 34°55’S and 58° W in the suburbs of Villa Elisa, Province of Buenos Aires. Samples were taken hourly from 10.15 am to 4.15 pm, every month from November 1985 to October 1986. Specimens were captured with entomological net while lying on the bait composed by cow meat. The sampling program included shaded and unshaded sites. Air temperature was recorded every hour. Results showed a remarkable heliophily for some of the recorded species. Chrysomya albiceps, Phaenicia sericata, Phaenicia purpurescens and Cochlipmyia macellaria were codominants during spring and summer, while Calliphora vicina and Calliphora nigribasis were so along the winter months. Chrysomya megacephala, Cochliomyia hominivorax,. Compsomyiops fulvierura, Paralucilia fulvinota, Phaenicia eximia, and Sarconesia chlorogaster were poorly represented for most o f the sampling dates. Sex ratio was female biased for the majority of the studied species.This paper constitutes the first approach to the knowledge of the ecology of Calliphoridae from Argentina. The selected stüdied area is a rural one located at 34°55’S and 58° W in the suburbs of Villa Elisa, Province of Buenos Aires. Samples were taken hourly from 10.15 am to 4.15 pm, every month from November 1985 to October 1986. Specimens were captured with entomological net while lying on the bait composed by cow meat. The sampling program included shaded and unshaded sites. Air temperature was recorded every hour. Results showed a remarkable heliophily for some of the recorded species. Chrysomya albiceps, Phaenicia sericata, Phaenicia purpurescens and Cochlipmyia macellaria were codominants during spring and summer, while Calliphora vicina and Calliphora nigribasis were so along the winter months. Chrysomya megacephala, Cochliomyia hominivorax,. Compsomyiops fulvierura, Paralucilia fulvinota, Phaenicia eximia, and Sarconesia chlorogaster were poorly represented for most o f the sampling dates. Sex ratio was female biased for the majority of the studied species

The Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of the Coastline of Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Fil: Mariluis, Juan C. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación en Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.Fil: Schnack, Juan A. División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata; Argentina.Fil: Mulieri, Pablo R. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación en Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.Fil: Torretta, Juan P. Cátedra de Botánica Agrícola, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires; Argentina.The flesh fly community was surveyed on the shoreline of Río de la Plata at an ecological reserve whose western border directly abuts downtown eastern Buenos Aires. Samples were taken at monthly intervals from September 2004 to August 2005. To attract the flies, dog faeces and rotten cow liver were used as bait. Overall number, species composition and sex ratio were referred to each chosen bait. Of the thirteen species captured during the sampling period, Helicobia aurescens (Townsend), Oxysarcodexia culmiforceps Dodge, Oxysarcodexia marina (Hall), Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker), Sarcophaga (Lipoptilocnema) koehleri (Blanchard), S. (L.) lanei (Townsend) and Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidua (Fabricius) were recorded for the first time in Buenos Aires city. Regardless of species composition, higher number of flies were obtained on faeces. Tricharaea (S.) occidua, was highly dominant (78,35%) followed in abundance by Oxysarcodexia varia (7,82%), both species showing a strong preference for dog faeces. Microcerella muehni and Oxysarcodexia paulistanensis did not show any preference on either bait. Sex ratio was male biased for O. varia, while females were dominant for O. paulistanensis and T. (S.) occidua, and no differences were found for M. muehni. Bait's preference and sex ratio could not be estimated for the remaining species due to their low abundance

The population ecology of <i>Muscina stabulans</i> (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae), along an urban-rural gradient of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The false stable fly, Muscina stabulans (Fallén), was surveyed along an urban-rural gradient at Almirante Brown, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Samples were taken at monthly intervals from May 2005 to April 2007. Hourly captures of adult flies (10:00 am - 04:00 pm) were taken at each sampling date with a hand net. The baits used were 250 g of rotten cow liver and 250 g of fresh dog faeces exposed in shaded and sunny areas. The entire sample accumulated 358 specimens. The number of specimens captured during the second year was higher than in the first year. Muscina stabulans was more abundant at urban-suburban sites. Females showed significant preferences for cow liver. We caught more specimens in shaded areas. The hourly activity increased toward the afternoon at the three sites. The present work was the first ecological study related to a muscid species in Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The population ecology of <i>Muscina stabulans</i> (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae), along an urban-rural gradient of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The false stable fly, Muscina stabulans (Fallén), was surveyed along an urban-rural gradient at Almirante Brown, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Samples were taken at monthly intervals from May 2005 to April 2007. Hourly captures of adult flies (10:00 am - 04:00 pm) were taken at each sampling date with a hand net. The baits used were 250 g of rotten cow liver and 250 g of fresh dog faeces exposed in shaded and sunny areas. The entire sample accumulated 358 specimens. The number of specimens captured during the second year was higher than in the first year. Muscina stabulans was more abundant at urban-suburban sites. Females showed significant preferences for cow liver. We caught more specimens in shaded areas. The hourly activity increased toward the afternoon at the three sites. The present work was the first ecological study related to a muscid species in Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Diversity and seasonal dynamics of an assemblage of sarcophagid Diptera in a gradient of urbanization

Sarcophagid species inhabiting different locations in a rural-urban gradient were surveyed in the east central Argentine district of the Almirante Brown, Buenos Aires province. The main objectives of this research were to identify the most prevalent sarcophagid species and to describe community richness and diversity according to the degree of urbanization and the environmental variables measured in three locations within a rural-urban gradient sampled during two years from May 2005 to April 2007. Spatial and seasonal variations were the main factors involved in structuring the sarcophagid communities. Diversity was lower in urbanized areas than in rural ones. Bait and microhabitat preferences (sunny or shady places) and seasonal fluctuations were described for 17 sarcophagid species.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of an Assemblage of Sarcophagid Diptera in a Gradient of Urbanization

Sarcophagid species inhabiting different locations in a rural-urban gradient were surveyed in the east central Argentine district of the Almirante Brown, Buenos Aires province. The main objectives of this research were to identify the most prevalent sarcophagid species and to describe community richness and diversity according to the degree of urbanization and the environmental variables measured in three locations within a rural-urban gradient sampled during two years from May 2005 to April 2007. Spatial and seasonal variations were the main factors involved in structuring the sarcophagid communities. Diversity was lower in urbanized areas than in rural ones. Bait and microhabitat preferences (sunny or shady places) and seasonal fluctuations were described for 17 sarcophagid species

Contribución al conocimiento de los calliphoridae de Argentina (Insecta: Diptera)

Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Microcerella coniceti Mariluis, 2006, sp. nov.

Microcerella coniceti sp. nov. (Figs. 1–9) Male holotype —Total length = 6–10 mm. Head —Ground colour black, microtomentum silvery; eyes green reddish in live specimens; fronto­orbital and parafacial plates with silvery microtomentum bearing short black setulae, parafacial plate with a single row of black setae and some elongated setulae near eye; frontal vitta black, with silvery microtomentum; frons at its narrowest point about 0.2 X head width; 8–10 frontal setae, the row of frontals diverging strongly anteriorly at the level of pedicel; orbital setae absent; inner vertical setae present; ocellar triangle black, with one pair of strong ocellar setae; postocular setae black, in one row; genal groove, genal dilation, and postgena black with silvery microtomentum and black setae, gena with black setae; face light brown with silvery microtomentum; facial ridge dark brown with silvery microtomentum, with setae and setulae on lower half; antenna black, first flagellomere 3 X longer than length of pedicel, arista short pubescent on basal half with hairs at most 1 / 3 X as long as largest diameter of arista; palpus black. Thorax —Black, with silvery microtomentum; prescutum with intermediate stripes with silvery microtomentum and a black central area (only seen with prescutum tilted forwards and downwards) (Fig. 8); scutum with intermediate stripes with silvery microtomentum (Fig. 8); posterior part of postpronotal lobe, notopleuron, anepisternum, anepimeron, and katepisternum with spots of yellow microtomentum; proepisternum with setulae on anterior portion, or bare. Chaetotaxy: acrostichals 2 (fore and median) + 0, dorsocentrals 3 + 3 (spaced for 3), intra­alars 1 + 2, supra­alars 1 + 3 or 2 + 3, anterior postpronotal 1, basal postpronotal 2, postalars 2, notopleurals 4 (two big and two small), katepisternals 3 with the median one a little smaller and inserted slightly below others. Scutellum with 2 developed laterals, discals 1, apicals 1 (hair­like). Wing hyaline, tegula brown, orange basicosta and veins, R 1 bare, R 4 + 5 setulose in proximal 1.3 or 0.5 of distance to r­m, costal spine not differentiated, third costal sector without ventral setae, calypteres whitish to pale yellow. Legs black; middle femur without posteroventral ctenidium on its apical portion; middle tibia with 2 anterodorsal setae, 2 posterodorsal setae, and 1 ventral seta; hind femur with rows of anterodorsal, anteroventral, and posteroventral setae; hind tibia with 2 posterodorsal setae, 3 anterodorsal setae, and 1 anteroventral seta. Abdomen —Black; T 1 + 2 with one pair of lateral spots of silvery microtomentum; T 1 + 2­5 with one pair of dorsal spots of silvery microtomentum; T 3–5 with one pair of lateral spots of golden microtomentum, and one pair of ventral spots of silvery microtomentum; ST 2–4 with silvery microtomentum; T 1 + 2–4 without median marginal setae; T 5 with a complete row of marginal setae; ST 1–4 exposed with long black hair­like setae; ST 5 V­shaped (Fig. 4). Terminalia —Syntergosternite 7 + 8 shiny black with silvery microtomentum, with short black hair­like setae, and four or three pairs of marginal setae; epandrium orange reddish with scattered long black setae and hair­like setae; cercus moderately curved forward with pointed apex in profile (Fig. 2); cerci separated for more than half of their length (Fig. 7); surstylus robust, setose in apical half (lateral view) (Fig. 2); gonopod shiny brown with a few setulae (Fig. 6); paramere curved with a strong bristle on anterior margin (Fig. 5); vesica flat (lateral view) (Fig. 9) as a disk (ventral view) (Fig. 3); juxta well sclerotized (lateral view) (Fig. 9) and divided in two apophysis (ventral view) (Fig. 1); median stylus well sclerotized with undulation (lateral view) (Fig. 9), with two long apophysis curved at the apex (ventral view) (Fig. 1); lateral styli well sclerotized with broad base, slender at apex, with two curved processes (ventral view) (Fig. 1); harpes not well sclerotized (lateral view) (Fig. 9) and (ventral view) (Fig. 1). Female —unknown. Type material — Holotype male (MLP), ARGENTINA, Santa Cruz: Puerto San Julián, XII­ 2004, J.C. Mariluis. Paratypes: 13 males, same data as holotype (ANLIS, DV; FIML; MACN; MLP); 2 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except XI­ 2004; 2 males (ANLIS, DV) same data except I­ 2005; 7 males (ANLIS, DV) same data except II­ 2005; 1 male (ANLIS, DV), Argentina, Santa Cruz: Puerto Santa Cruz, XI­ 1997, J.C. Mariluis; 6 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except II­ 1998; 2 males (ANLIS, DV), Argentina, Río Negro: Paso Cordova, 31 ­XII­ 1961; 1 male (ANLIS, DV), Argentina, Río Negro: San Antonio Oeste, 14 ­I­ 1977, J.C. Mariluis; 10 males (ANLIS, DV), Argentina, Santa Cruz: Puerto Deseado, XII­ 2004, J.C. Mariluis; 3 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except XI­ 2004; 6 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except II­ 2005; 3 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except I­ 2005; 1 male (ANLIS, DV), Argentina, Santa Cruz: Caleta Olivia, XI­ 2004, J.C. Mariluis; 7 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except XII­ 2004; 3 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except II­ 2005; 8 males (ANLIS, DV), same data except I­ 2005. Distribution — Argentina (Río Negro and Santa Cruz provinces). Etymology —“ coniceti ” is an abbreviation formed from the initials of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of the Argentina. Remarks —The type series of M. coniceti runs to different taxa in the key in “The genera of Microcerellini ” (= Microcerella) (Lopes 1982 a). Specimens with setulae on the anterior portion of the proepisternum run to couplet 6 and Mimophytomyia Hall (costal spine not differentiated), whereas specimens with the proepisternum bare run to couplet 12 and Aulacophyto Townsend (faciorbital bristles present, costal spine not differentiated, apical scutellars present though hair­like, and preacrostichals present). Based on my earlier study of M. chilensis (Hall) (Mariluis 2002 b) (as Mimophytomyia chilensis in Lopes 1982 a), M. coniceti is not close to this species. Similarly, M. coniceti does not appear to be close to Aulacophyto peruana Lopes. Microcerella coniceti appears most closely related to M. cinerea (Lopes 1982 b) based on shared features of the male genitalia: pointed juxta (lateral view), median stylus tilted upwards and directed forwards (lateral view), and cercus slightly curved without cervice (lateral view). The male of M. cinerea differs from the male of M. coniceti in having the frontoorbital plate and occiput with yellowish microtomentum; genal groove reddish black; epistoma and postcranium protuberant; and 5–6 bristles on parafacial. Other features of M. cinerea are: acrostichals 1 +0, dorsocentrals 2 + 3; costal spine strong; a pair of median marginal bristles well separated from marginal lateral ones on T 5; juxta, median stylus, lateral styli, and vesica as in Figs. 23–26 of Lopes (1982 b). Microcerella cinerea as here characterized runs to couplet 11 of Lopes’ (1982 a) key. The specimens studied as M. curicoensis are in agreement with the original description.Published as part of Mariluis, Juan C., 2006, Description of a new species of Microcerella (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) from Argentinean Patagonia, pp. 47-53 in Zootaxa 1124 on pages 48-52, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17177