Diptera in Aquatic and Semiaquatic Environments: Diversity and Adaptations

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2024) | Viewed by 14420

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: diversity, taxonomy and ecology of Diptera (Insecta) inhabiting aquatic and semiaquatic habitats; adaptations of Diptera to aquatic and semiaquatic environments, particularly extreme habitats; arthropod communities in semiaquatic and shoreline habitats

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Guest Editor
Climate and Ecology Unit, Research and Museum Collection Office, MUSE-Museo delle Scienze, 38122 Trento, Italy
Interests: freshwater ecology, stress ecology and molecular ecology; diversity, phenology and autecology of macroinvertebrates mainly from mountain habitats; taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Diptera Chironomidae; investigation on the adaptive potential of Chironomidae to temperature variations and chemical contamination with an holistic approach, from genes to ecosystem
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diptera is one of the most diverse animal groups in terms of both the number of species and ecological traits. Diptera are the most successful insects in colonizing aquatic environments and one of the most ecologically important components of aquatic and semiaquatic communities and ecosystems. Larvae in many tens of Diptera families inhabit standing and running waters, their shorelines and other wet semiaquatic habitats. Representatives of Diptera provide numerous amazing examples of adaptations to various aquatic and semiaquatic environments, including many extreme habitats. On the other hand, the diversity, life histories and adaptations are still poorly known for most dipterans associated with aquatic environments and various semiaquatic habitats. This Special Issue, "Diptera in Aquatic and Semiaquatic Environments: Diversity and Adaptations", aims to provide an opportunity to publish high-quality original papers and reviews on the diversity, taxonomy, ecology and multilevel adaptations of Diptera associated with aquatic and semiaquatic environments.

Dr. Andrey Przhiboro
Dr. Valeria Lencioni
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Diptera
  • midges
  • flies
  • biodiversity
  • ecology
  • taxonomy
  • phylogeny
  • biogeography
  • aquatic
  • semiaquatic
  • water edge
  • habitats
  • life history
  • larvae
  • adaptations

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 4379 KiB  
Article
The Mosquitoes of Morelos, Mexico: DNA Barcodes, Distribution, Ecology and the Resurrection of the Name Culiseta dugesi Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae)
by Aldo I. Ortega-Morales, Luis M. Hernández-Triana, Javier A. Garza-Hernández, Carlos M. Ramírez-Huicochea, Andrés J. Martínez-Gaona, J. Manuel Quijano-Barraza, Cassandra González-Acosta and Fabián Correa-Morales
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050261 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328
Abstract
To update the record of mosquito diversity in the state of Morelos, Mexico, mosquito collections were conducted in both physiographical regions of Morelos: the Neo-volcanic Axis and the South Mountain Range. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected [...] Read more.
To update the record of mosquito diversity in the state of Morelos, Mexico, mosquito collections were conducted in both physiographical regions of Morelos: the Neo-volcanic Axis and the South Mountain Range. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps, Shannon traps and approaching/landing on the collecting personnel. All specimens were identified using taxonomic keys and the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Following Mexico State, this is the second study of mosquito taxonomy of a complete Mexican state using COI barcoding. In Morelos, a total of 58 species of mosquito occurs, of which we report 12 for first time (Aedes vexans, Ae. euplocamus, Ae. vargasi, Psorophora cilipes, Ps. lineata, Culex restrictor, Cx. interrogator, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. tarsalis, Cx. sandrae, Cx. lactator and Toxorhynchites moctezuma). Morelos now ranks sixth in mosquito diversity among Mexican states. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for 32 species, including Ae. shannoni, which is a new record for GenBank databases. Additionally, we report COI barcode sequences of Culiseta dugesi Dyar and Knab, which is resurrected from the synonymy of Cs. particeps (Adams). Fourth-instar larvae and adult females of Cs. dugesi were redescribed. This brings the number of mosquito species in Mexico to 248. Ecological and distributional notes for the new records, the medical importance of mosquito species in Morelos, and an identification key for larvae and females of the known Culiseta species occurring in Mexico are also included. Full article
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26 pages, 66911 KiB  
Article
A New Genus and Two New Species of Short-Palped Crane Flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Central Asia
by Sigitas Podenas, Jon Gelhaus, Virginija Podeniene, Vladimir Devyatkov, Oyunchuluun Yadamsuren and Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090988 - 1 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1532
Abstract
A new genus of Limoniidae crane flies, Tauroconopa gen. nov., is described from specimens of two new species from north-central and western Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Descriptions and illustrations of the distinguishing morphological features, including wing venation, male and female genitalia, and larval [...] Read more.
A new genus of Limoniidae crane flies, Tauroconopa gen. nov., is described from specimens of two new species from north-central and western Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Descriptions and illustrations of the distinguishing morphological features, including wing venation, male and female genitalia, and larval and pupal stages are provided. A discussion is presented of the possible classification of Tauroconopa gen. nov., and three species of western North American Symplecta (Psiloconopa) are transferred to Tauroconopa gen. nov. based primarily on their aedeagal structure. Certain deficiencies are outlined in the current identification keys for Holarctic Chioneinae crane flies, and this new genus does not key satisfactorily in the present generic keys. The use of molecular sequences (DNA “barcoding”) allowed for initial identification of the larval stages of Tauroconopa gen. nov. from unreared but associated specimens. A phylogenetic analysis of Tauroconopa gen. nov. is presented based on DNA barcoding evidence and confirms the isolated position of this new genus from other Chioneinae. Habitat information for each species is presented. Full article
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33 pages, 24979 KiB  
Article
Immature Stages of Genus Hexatoma (Diptera, Limoniidae) in the Korean Peninsula
by Virginija Podeniene, Sigitas Podenas, Sun-Jae Park, Chang-Hwan Bae, Min-Jeong Baek and Jekaterina Havelka
Diversity 2023, 15(6), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060770 - 12 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1976
Abstract
The genus Hexatoma Latreille, 1809 is a large group of aquatic crane flies, with almost 600 species worldwide. The largest subgenus is Eriocera Macquart, 1838, which includes all nine species known from the Korean Peninsula. Molecular methods were used to associate Hexatoma larvae [...] Read more.
The genus Hexatoma Latreille, 1809 is a large group of aquatic crane flies, with almost 600 species worldwide. The largest subgenus is Eriocera Macquart, 1838, which includes all nine species known from the Korean Peninsula. Molecular methods were used to associate Hexatoma larvae with their putative adult species from South Korea. Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) of recently collected adults of H. (E.) gifuensis, H. (E.) ilwola, H. (E.) pernigrina, and H. (E.) pianigra were compared with twelve sequences of Hexatoma larvae. The larvae of H. (E.) pernigrina, H. (E.) pianigra, and H. (E.) gifuensis were associated with their putative adults. The larvae of H. (E.) gifuensis and H. (E.) pianigra and the larvae and pupae of H. (E.) pernigrina are described and illustrated. The larvae of two species not associated with any adult are described, and their COI gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) are presented. This paper presents the morphological characteristics suitable for distinguishing larval species. A key for the identification of larvae of the genus Hexatoma on the Korean Peninsula has been compiled. H (E.) sachalinensis is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time. Our study is the first contribution to the Hexatoma larvae taxonomy using phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI fragment (DNA barcode) and one of the first attempts to reveal phylogenetic relationships between Hexatoma species using molecular markers. Full article
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10 pages, 753 KiB  
Article
Impact of Global Warming on Kryal Fauna: Thermal Tolerance Response of Diamesa steinboecki (Goetghebuer, 1933; Chironomidae)
by Ana-Belén Muñiz-González, José-Luis Martínez-Guitarte and Valeria Lencioni
Diversity 2023, 15(6), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060708 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1407
Abstract
The ice fly Diamesa steinboecki Goetghebuer, 1933 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) is exclusive to glacier-fed streams in the East Palaearctic region and is threatened by extinction due to global warming and glacier retreat. To date, no data are available on its thermal tolerance or [...] Read more.
The ice fly Diamesa steinboecki Goetghebuer, 1933 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) is exclusive to glacier-fed streams in the East Palaearctic region and is threatened by extinction due to global warming and glacier retreat. To date, no data are available on its thermal tolerance or ability to develop a heat shock response (HSR) or involve other biomarkers when exposed to higher-than-natural temperatures (i.e., >4–6 °C). Our study aimed to investigate the warmth resistance of IV-instar larvae of D. steinboecki in terms of (1) ability to survive heat shock and (2) gene expression of four genes known to be involved in the detoxification/stress response (cytochrome p450 (Cyp450), heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), hsp70 with intron and heat shock protein cognate 70 (hsc70)). Larvae were exposed to short-term shocks for 1 h at increasing temperatures (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 °C) to estimate the lethal temperature, obtaining high values (LT10 = 38.1 °C, LT50 = 39.2 °C, LT99 = 40.3 °C), suggesting a strong heat resistance up to 38 °C and a very rapid decline in survival thereafter. Moreover, gene expression analysis by real-time PCR was performed on larvae from the control (at 2 °C) and larvae found alive after the previous treatment at 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 °C. Modulation of the expression was observed only for hsc70 and hsp70 genes. Specifically, hsc70 resulted in constitutive overexpression, even at 26 °C when all larvae were found alive without evidence of suffering. By contrast, hsp70 showed up and downregulation according to the specific temperature, suggesting the activation of an HSR at 28 °C, when some larvae were found alive but suffering (almost paralyzed). The results suggest that, based on LTs, D. steinboecki is more thermally tolerant than other Diamesa species (e.g., D. tonsa) from cold freshwaters, but, as in these, hsp70 and hsc70 are involved in surviving short-term heat shock. This makes the ice fly from the Alps different from Belgica antarctica and other cold-adapted organisms living in extremely cold habitats that, constantly exposed to cold, have lost the ability to develop an HSR. Further research is needed to investigate the response to prolonged exposure to temperatures higher that the natural one, giving new insights into the biological response to climate change of alpine species threatened by extinction. Full article
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31 pages, 14949 KiB  
Article
Contribution to the Knowledge of Cylindrotomidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae (Diptera: Tipuloidea): First Records of 86 Species from Various European Countries
by Levente-Péter Kolcsár, Pjotr Oosterbroek, Kjell Magne Olsen, Nikolai M. Paramonov, Dmitry I. Gavryushin, Valentin E. Pilipenko, Alexei V. Polevoi, Eulalia Eiroa, Michael Andersson, Christophe Dufour, Maksymilian Syratt, Olavi Kurina, Mattias Lindström, Jaroslav Starý, Vladimir I. Lantsov, Jolanta Wiedeńska, Thomas Pape, Miikka Friman, Kris Peeters, Walther Gritsch, Jukka Salmela, Esko Viitanen, Marios Aristophanous, Dejan Janević and Kozo Watanabeadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030336 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3049
Abstract
The superfamily Tipuloidea contains the following cranefly families: Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, with 1267 species known in Europe. Recent studies have increased our knowledge regarding these families substantially, but craneflies still represent an understudied group, even in Europe. A previous paper focused [...] Read more.
The superfamily Tipuloidea contains the following cranefly families: Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, with 1267 species known in Europe. Recent studies have increased our knowledge regarding these families substantially, but craneflies still represent an understudied group, even in Europe. A previous paper focused on European Limoniidae, summarizing the faunistic and taxonomic papers concerning the family between 2010 and 2020, and reported additional new country records. In this study, the focus is on the other three cranefly families: Cylindrotomidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, summarizing taxonomic and faunistic studies concerning these families in Europe between 2010 and 2022. Also presented are 204 occurrence records belonging to one Cylindrotomidae, 23 Pediciidae and 62 Tipulidae species, which represent first country records from various European countries: three from Albania, three from Belarus, one from Belgium, three from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 13 from Bulgaria, two from Cyprus, two from Denmark, three from Estonia, one from Finland, two from Greece, three from Italy, one from Montenegro, one from North Macedonia, six from Norway, six from Poland, four from Portugal, seven from Serbia, four from Slovenia, two from Spain and one from Sweden, and three from the European territory of Russia. In addition of species known already from Russia, six are presented as new from Central European Russia, 26 from East European Russia, six from North Caucasus and six from North European Russia. Full article
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11 pages, 2052 KiB  
Article
Hilarini (Diptera: Empididae) from the Auckland Islands New Zealand, the Homoplastic Loss of the Male Silk-Producing Basitarsus in Two Insular Species, and Notes on the Empidoidea of the Subantarctic Islands
by Daniel J. Bickel
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020267 - 13 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1451
Abstract
The New Zealand taxa of the superfamily Empidoidea (minus Dolichopodidae) are briefly summarized. Two species, Hilara ranui n. sp. and Hilarempis motumaka n. sp. (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae), from the Auckland Islands of New Zealand, where they appear to be common, are described. Both [...] Read more.
The New Zealand taxa of the superfamily Empidoidea (minus Dolichopodidae) are briefly summarized. Two species, Hilara ranui n. sp. and Hilarempis motumaka n. sp. (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae), from the Auckland Islands of New Zealand, where they appear to be common, are described. Both species show a homoplastic loss or reversal of the swollen, silk-producing, fore basitarsi characteristic of males in their respective genera. The environmental conditions of the Subantartic islands and their selective pressure on empidoid taxa are discussed. Full article
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31 pages, 8224 KiB  
Article
The Crane Flies of Martinique, with the Description of Four New Species (Diptera, Tipuloidea)
by Jorge Mederos, Marc Pollet and Pjotr Oosterbroek
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020204 - 1 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
The results of a first major inventory of the crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) of the Lesser Antillean island of Martinique are presented here, based almost exclusively on pan trap sampling during 2018. A total of 27 species of crane flies were discovered, including [...] Read more.
The results of a first major inventory of the crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) of the Lesser Antillean island of Martinique are presented here, based almost exclusively on pan trap sampling during 2018. A total of 27 species of crane flies were discovered, including four new species, Teucholabis (Teucholabis) carbetensis sp. nov., Atypophthalmus (Atypophthalmus) vanewrighti sp. nov., Rhipidia (Rhipidia) martiniquensis sp. nov. (all three Limoniidae), and Zelandotipula gelhausi sp. nov. (Tipulidae). Seven species have been identified till the morphospecies level, due to the exclusive capture of female specimens. In addition, the species Zelandotipula parviceps (Speiser, 1909) from Guadeloupe is redescribed, based on the study of the female holotype. A checklist of Limoniidae and Tipulidae of Martinique is provided. Full article
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