The complete mitochondrial genome of Vibrissina turrita (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera, Tachinidae).

In this study, the mitogenome of Vibrissina turrita (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera, Tachinidae) was sequenced based on the next-generation sequencing approach and analyzed here for the first time. The 17,387 bp genome has a high A + T content and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one noncoding control region. The phylogenetic analysis results support that Exoristinae is monophyletic and V. turrita belongs to the subfamily. This study reveals the systematic classification status of V. turrita and will enrich the genetic data on Tachinidae.

Three new species and two newly recorded species of Tachininae from Tibet, China (Arthropoda, Insecta, Diptera, Tachinidae).

During our studying of the fauna of Tibet, China, many specimens of the subfamily Tachininae (Diptera, Tachinidae) were collected and examined. Three species are described here as new to science, Leskialatisurstylasp. nov., Trichoformosomyiacuonaensissp. nov., and Tachinajilongensissp. nov., and two species, Nemoraeajavana (Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1894) and N.echinata Mesnil, 1953, are newly recorded from Tibet. In addition to their descriptions, illustrations, and diagnoses, three identification keys are provided. The specimens in this study are kept in the Insect Collection of Shenyang Normal University, China (SYNU).

Predator-prey encounters: deciphering the robbery relationship between highwayman flies and their ant victims.

Examples of predator-prey interactions in which flies rob ants are uncommon. To date, this behavior has only been recorded in the genus Bengalia Robineau-Desvoidy (Bengaliinae, Diptera, Calliphoridae). These predatory flies ambush ants, and rob them of the food or offspring that they are carrying. However, because of the rarity of this behavior, the reasons and consequences (evolutionary advantages) are unknown, and indeed, the behavior has been sometimes considered anecdotal. In this study, we employed field investigations and behavioral analyses to investigate whether the sex of the fly Bengalia varicolor, or the weight and quality of the food carried by Pheidole nodus ants influenced fly-ant interactions in their natural habitats. We show that food weight and quality influenced the behavior of B. varicolor independent of the fly's sex. Robbing behavior by the flies was more successful when the food robbed was of high-quality and light in weight. Furthermore, the weight of the food robbed modulated the escape distance the flies could carry it. This then may affect the food quality and weight transported by the ants. This is a novel example of deciphering the relationship between highwayman flies and their ant victims. Given the widespread distribution of Bengalia flies, we suggest that such interspecific predator-prey encounters may shape the robbery interactions and the carrying behavior of further ant species in nature.

Unusual rearrangements of mitogenomes in Diptera revealed by comparative analysis of 135 tachinid species (Insecta, Diptera, Tachinidae).

The Tachinidae is one of the most speciose families in Diptera, and the exclusively parasitoid species play an important role in regulating populations of many herbivorous insects in ecosystems, including many agricultural pests. To better comprehend the characteristics and evolution of the mitochondrial genome for the Tachinidae, we are adding a massive amount of new molecular data by assembling the mitogenomes for 71 genera and 135 species from all four tachinid subfamilies through next-generation sequencing, and we are presenting the most comprehensive mitogenomic phylogenetic analysis of this family so far. Extensive rearrangements observed in the mitogenome of Admontia podomyia (Exoristinae) are unique for the entire suborder Cyclorrhapha. The rearrangement pattern suggests that the process involved a tandem duplication of the complete mitogenome, followed by both random and nonrandom loss of one copy of each gene. Additionally, five minor mitogenome rearrangements are discovered and described in three subfamilies. We present the largest species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for Tachinidae to date, based on mitogenomes of 152 species of Tachinidae, representing all four subfamilies and with five non-tachinid outgroups. Our analyses support the monophyly of the Tachinidae and most tribes and genera were recovered with good support, but the higher-level phylogenetic relationships within Tachinidae were poorly resolved, indicating that mitogenome data alone are not enough to unambiguously resolve the deeper phylogenetic relationships within Tachinidae.

Taxonomic study of the genus Macquartia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) from China.

Background: The genus Macquartia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) with 29 known species is a large group of Macquartiini of Tachininae and widely distributed in the Old World and the Nearctic Region. New information: In this study, Chinese specimens of Macquartia were collected and examined, sixteen species are recognised: thirteen previously described, M.brunneisqua Zhang et Li, M.chinensis Zhang et Li, M.flavifemorata Zhang et Li, M.flavipedicel Zhang et Li, M.chalconota (Meigen), M.dispar (Fallén), M.grisea (Fallén), M.macularis Villeneuve, M.nudigena Mesnil, M.picta (Meigen), M.pubiceps (Zetterstedt), M.tenebricosa (Meigen) and M.viridana Robineau-Desvoidy and three species new to science, M.barkamensis sp. n. (Sichuan), M.setifacies sp. n. (Qinghai) and M.sichuanensis sp. n. (Sichuan). An identification key to the sixteen species of Macquartia known from China is included, along with 80 anatomical figures.

Two new species and one newly recorded species of Tachinidae from Chongqing, China (Diptera: Calyptratae).

Tachinid specimens (Diptera, Tachinidae) from Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve, Chongqing, Oriental China were collected and examined, two species are recognized and new to science, Billaea yintiaoling sp. nov., Leskia flavitugula sp. nov., and L. miranda Mesnil is newly recorded for China. Here their descriptions, illustration and keys to species of Chinese species of Billaea and Leskia are provided. The specimens in this study are kept in the Insect Collection, Shenyang Normal University, China (SYNU).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Peleteria iavana (Diptera, Tachinidae) in Guizhou, China, and its phylogenetic placement.

The mitochondrial genome of the tachinid fly Peleteria iavana (Wiedemann, 1819), which belongs to the family Tachinidae, was obtained for the first time using high-throughput sequencing techniques. The complete mitochondrial genome is 15,697 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs and a non-coding control region. The nucleotide composition biases A and T, the overall A + T percentage is up to 78.9% of the entire mitogenome. A phylogenetic analysis of 30 species within the family Tachinidae suggested that P. iavana is most closely related to (Janthinomyia sp.+Lydina aenea). The P. iavana mitochondrial genome will be a fundamental resource for understanding the molecular phylogenetic relationships of the species-rich subfamily Tachininae of Tachinidae.

Phylogeny and Evolutionary Timescale of Muscidae (Diptera: Calyptratae) Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes.

House flies (Muscidae) comprise the most species-rich family of the muscoid grade with over 5000 described species worldwide, and they are abundant in various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The high number of species, varied appearances, complex feeding habits, and wide distributions have hindered researchers from understanding their phylogeny and evolutionary history. Here, we newly sequenced fifteen mitochondrial genomes and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time among eight subfamilies of Muscidae (Diptera). The best phylogenetic tree, which was inferred by IQ-Tree, recovered the monophyly for seven out of eight subfamilies (except for Mydaeinae). Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, we prefer the subfamily status of Azeliinae and Reinwardtiinae, and separate Stomoxyinae from Muscinae. Genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 was synonymized with Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. The divergence time estimation indicated Muscidae originated at 51.59 Ma (early Eocene). Most subfamilies had originated around 41 Ma. We provided a mtgenomic viewpoint on the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimation of Muscidae.

Four New Species of Macquartia (Diptera: Oestroidea) from China and Phylogenetic Implications of Tachinidae.

Macquartia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae, Tachininae) represents one of the most ancient evolutionary lineages of tachinids, parasitizing Chrysomelidae larvae. We found four new Macquartia species collected by malaise traps, namely M. brunneisquama sp. nov., M. chinensis sp. nov., M. flavifemorata sp. nov., and M. flavipedicel sp. nov. These new species are described and illustrated, and their comparison with congeners as well as an identification key to the 12 species of Macquartia from China known to date are included. To determine the significance of the mitogenome architecture and evolution across different tachinid lineages of this primitive taxonomic group, four complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced, annotated, and analyzed. The gene arrangements are consistent with the ancestral insect mitogenomes. The full-length sequences and protein-coding genes (PCGs) of the mitogenomes of the four species are all AT-biased. Analyses of Ka/Ks and overall p-genetic distance demonstrated that nad5 showed the highest evolutionary rate and nad1/nad4L were the most conserved genes among the four species. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on 13 PCGs strongly supported the monophyly of Macquartia, and the relationships of the four species are (M. flavifemorata + (M. flavipedicel + (M. brunneisquama + M. chinensis))). This study will help enhance our understanding of the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships in Tachinidae.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Gymnosoma dolycoridis (Diptera, Tachinidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitogenome of Gymnosoma dolycoridis Dupuis, 1960 was determined in this study. It is 15,185 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one non-coding control region. The A + T content of the mitogenome is 78.5%. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree built on 13 PCGs of 15 tachinid species indicated that Gymnosoma dolycoridis is clustered with other members of the subfamily Phasiinae as conventional taxonomy predicted.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Cylindromyia (Calocyptera) intermedia from Guiyang, China, and phylogeny of Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae).

The mitochondrial genome of Cylindromyia (Calocyptera) intermedia (Meigen, 1824) was sequenced and assembled through high-throughput sequencing techniques and reference-based assembly methods. The mitochondrial genome is 15,114 bp in total, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 noncoding control region. The nucleotide composition biases toward A and T; the overall A + T content are up to 76.9% of the entire mitogenome. The result of phylogenetic analysis suggested a close relationship between C. intermedia and subfamily Dexiinae.

High species richness of tachinid parasitoids (Diptera: Calyptratae) sampled with a Malaise trap in Baihua Mountain Reserve, Beijing, China.

Tachinidae are one of the most speciose families of Diptera and the largest group of non-hymenopteran parasitoids. Little is known about their diversity, distribution patterns, and seasonal variation in most ecosystems. This study reports on tachinid flies collected by a Malaise trap over 73 weeks in Baihua Mountain Reserve, northern China, and investigates the patterns of local species richness and its temporal distribution. The most species-rich season was summer, but the majority of specimens were recovered in spring. A total of 755 tachinid specimens were collected, consisting of 144 species in 85 genera, comprising 26.5% of the species and 49.7% of the genera recorded from northern China. A total species richness of 243 was estimated, indicating that only a portion of the community of tachinid flies was collected at this location and suggesting that the diversity of tachinids might be underestimated across Beijing and northern China. This work is a first step in assessing patterns of tachinid diversity in China using quantitative sampling and establishes a baseline for comprehending the temporal and spatial diversity of these ecologically significant parasitoids.

First report of the mitogenome of Hamaxiella brunnescens (Diptera, Tachinidae) from Beijing, China.

Hamaxiella brunnescens (Mesnil, 1967) (Diptera, Tachinidae) is a parasitic fly species and of great ecological importance in natural systems as parasitoids of herbivorous insects. The mitogenome of H. brunnescens was sequenced and analyzed here for the first time. The genome is 14,956 bp in length with high A + T content, which consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, two rRNA genes, and a partial non-coding control region. The phylogenetic analyses support a monophyletic Tachinidae. The two subfamilies Exoristinae and Phasiinae are fully supported as monophyletic while Tachininae is inferred to be paraphyletic.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) (Diptera, Tachinidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Compsilura concinnata (Meigen), was analyzed by next-generation sequencing approach. Its mitogenome is 15,841 bp totally, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one non-coding control region. The nucleotide composition biases toward A and T, the overall A + T% was up to 80.9% of the entire mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis supported the sister relationship between Goniini and Blondeliini. The result also suggested that the monophyly of the Exoristinae.

Five new species of Mydaea from China (Diptera, Muscidae).

Five new species of Mydaea are described from China, namely M. adhesipeda Xue, sp. nov., M. combiniseriata Xue, sp. nov., M. qingyuanensis Xue, sp. nov., M. quinquiseta Xue, sp. nov., M. wusuensis Xue, sp. nov., and an addendum to the key of the Mydaea in China is given.

Pholcus mixiaoqii sp. nov., one new spider species from Tibet, China (Araneae: Pholcidae).

The genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 belongs to the family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850, which is a species-rich group, including 94 genera and 1,716 species (World Spider Catalog 2019). Pholcus is mainly distributed in the Palaearctic, Indo-Malayan, Afrotropical, and Australasian Region (Huber 2011). The only exception is the Pholcus kingi group with ten species in the southeastern USA (Huber 2011). The genus includes species from a wide range of habitats, e.g., between buttresses, in small holes or caves, among and under large rocks, or on the underside of green leaves (Huber 2011). Many taxonomic changes were implemented on the latest molecular phylogeny analyses (Eberle et al. 2018; Huber et al. 2018), including nine new genera resulted from splitting Pholcus: Cantikus Huber, 2018, Kelabita Huber, 2018, Kintaqa Huber, 2018, Meraha Huber, 2018, Muruta Huber, 2018, Paiwana Huber, 2018, Pribumia Huber, 2018, Teranga Huber, 2018, and Tissahamia Huber, 2018. The genus Sihala Huber, 2011 was synonymized with Pholcus and the species Pholcus agadir Huber, 2011 was moved to Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold Prinsen, 1987 (Huber et al. 2018). Nevertheless, Pholcus continues to be the most species-rich genus in Pholcidae and currently includes 328 species belonging to 21 species-groups [previously: 393 species and 32 species-groups] (Huber 2011; Huber et al. 2018; World Spider Catalog 2019). One of the generic species-groups, the Pholcus nenjukovi species-group, contains eight species and occurs in northeastern Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Russia (the single record of Pholcus sidorenkoi Dunin, 1994 from Russia is dubious, see Huber 2011: 339). In the present study, we describe a new species from southwestern Tibet, China assigned to the Pholcus nenjukovi species-group. This distribution represents the eastern most record for the species-group (Fig. 1).

Four new species of Estheria Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) from China and Nepal, with a review of the East Palearctic and Oriental species.

The species of Estheria Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) from the East Palearctic and Oriental regions are reviewed. Eighteen species are recognized: the fourteen previously described, E. acuta (Portschinsky, 1881), E. alticola Mesnil, 1967, E. bucharensis (Kolomiets, 1974), E. cinerella Mesnil, 1967, E. cristata (Meigen, 1826), E. decolor (Pandellé, 1896), E. flavipennis Herting, 1968, E. lacteipennis Mesnil, 1967, E. maculipennis Herting, 1968, E. magna (Baranov, 1935), E. nigripes (Villeneuve, 1920), E. pallicornis (Loew, 1873), E. petiolata (Bonsdorff, 1866) and E. picta (Meigen, 1826), and four species described as new to science, E. hirtinerva Zhang Shima sp. nov. (W China, Nepal), E. prostata Zhang Shima sp. nov. (W China, Nepal), E. tibetensis Zhang Shima sp. nov. (W China, Nepal) and E. wangi Zhang Liang sp. nov. (W China, Pakistan). Estheria acuta and E. decolor are newly recorded for China, E. magna is newly recorded for Malaysia, Pakistan and Vietnam, and E. pallicornis is newly recorded for Nepal. An identification key to the 18 species of Estheria so far known from the East Palearctic and Oriental regions is included, together with 126 figures of heads and habitus of males and females, and male terminalia and known distributions.

Troglocoelotes gen. n., a new genus of Coelotinae spiders (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in South China.

A new genus Troglocoelotes Z. Zhao S. Li gen. n. from South China is described with the type species T. yumiganensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♂♀) and eight additional species: T. bailongensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♀), T. banmenensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♀), T. liangensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♂♀), T. nongchiensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♀), T. qixianensis Z. Zhao S. Li sp. n. (♂♀), T. proximus (Chen, Zhu Kim, 2008) comb. n. (♀), T. tortus (Chen, Zhu Kim, 2008) comb. n. (♂♀) and T. yosiianus (Nishikawa, 1999) comb. n (♀). All species are cave dwellers and not found outside of caves. New combinations are all ex-Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999. DNA barcodes are provided for all species.

First report of mitogenome of Subclytia rotundiventris (Diptera, Tachinidae) yielded by next-generation sequencing.

The mitochondrial genome of Subclytia rotundiventris (Fallén, 1820) belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae of Tachinidae, was obtained using a next-generation sequencing approach. This 15,574 bp mitogenome consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 noncoding control region. Our results strongly supported the monophyly of Tachinidae. It also indicated that the monophyly of the Dexiinae, Tachininae, Phasiinae, and Exoristinae is consistently fully supported and clustered as (Dexiinae (Tachininae (Phasiinae + Exoristinae))).

Microdon dentigiganteum sp. nov. and other Microdontinae species (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Northeast China.

Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) of the subfamily Microdontinae were surveyed in Northeast China. A total of six species were identified, including one new to science, Microdon dentigiganteum sp. nov. from Liaoning. This new species has a pair of very large-size posterior calcars on the scutellum and very wide flat tarsi. New records of Metadon spuribifasciatus (Huo, Ren et Zheng, 2007), Microdon analis (Macquart, 1842) and Microdon auricomus Coquillett, 1898 from Jilin province, and Microdon ignotus Violovitsh, 1976 and Microdon oitanus Shiraki, 1930 from Liaoning province are provided. A key to the six studied species and diagnostic figures are presented.