Estudo de Dolichopodinae do Novo Mundo com ênfase em Paraclius Loew (Diptera, Dolichopodidae)

Abstract

Dolichopodinae is a monophyletic subfamily of Dolichopodidae (Diptera: Empidoidea), distributed worldwide and comprising about 1700 valid species in 27 genera. The subfamily has a well-established monophyly, supported by the following synapomorphies: scape setose dorsally, mid and hind femora with one or more anterior preapical setae, male tergite bare (rarely with lateral setae), abdominal segment seven of males forming a peduncle and hypopygium folded under abdomen. The genus Paraclius Loew consists of predatory flies, with approximately 160 valid species in the world (absent in Afrotropical region), being one of the most diverse of the subfamily in the New World, with approximately 70 described species. The genus was recovered as polyphyletic in a recent phylogenetic analysis, with several lineages being recognized, in addition to the one that represents the type species: Paraclius arcuatus (Loew). In addition, most of the New World species have not been studied again since their descriptions, lacking diagnostic information and illustrations of the male terminalia, which makes it difficult to organize the genus into species groups and description of new taxa. In this context, this study aimed to clarify the relationship of New World Paraclius species. Twenty-four species of Paraclius were redescribed and/or diagnosed. In addition, 11 new species were described, a new species group was established (latipes-group) and two were revised (arcuatus-group and alternans-group). The five neotropical species of Hercostomus Loew were also studied and transferred either to Paraclius or Tachytrechus Haliday, excluding Hercostomus from this biogeographic region. The neotropical genus Stenopygium Becker was also studied, habitus illustrations of the two species and an identification key were available for the first time in the literature.