Once upon a fly: The biogeographical odyssey of Labrundinia (Chironomidae, Tanypodinae), an aquatic non-biting midge towards diversification.

Labrundinia is a highly recognizable lineage in the Pentaneurini tribe (Diptera, Chironomidae). The distinct predatory free-swimming larvae of this genus are typically present in unpolluted aquatic environments, such as small streams, ponds, lakes, and bays. They can be found on the bottom mud, clinging to rocks and wood, and dwelling among aquatic vegetation. Labrundinia has been extensively studied in ecological research and comprises 39 species, all but one of which has been described from regions outside the Palearctic. Earlier phylogenetic studies have suggested that the initial diversification of the genus likely occurred in the Neotropical Region, with its current presence in the Nearctic Region and southern South America being the result of subsequent dispersal events. Through the integration of molecular and morphological data in a calibrated phylogeny, we reveal a complex and nuanced evolutionary history for Labrundinia, providing insights into its biogeographical and diversification patterns. In this comprehensive study, we analyze a dataset containing 46 Labrundinia species, totaling 10,662 characters, consisting of 10,616 nucleotide sites and 46 morphological characters. The molecular data was generated mainly by anchored enrichment hybrid methods. Using this comprehensive dataset, we inferred the phylogeny of the group based on a total evidence matrix. Subsequently, we employed the generated tree for time calibration and further analysis of biogeography and diversification patterns. Our findings reveal multiple dispersal events out of the Neotropics, where the group originated in the late Cretaceous approximately 72 million years ago (69-78 Ma). We further reveal that the genus experienced an early burst of diversification rates during the Paleocene, which gradually decelerated towards the present-day. We also find that the Neotropics have played a pivotal role in the evolution of Labrundinia by serving as both a cradle and a museum. By "cradle," we mean that the region has been a hotspot for the origin and diversification of new Labrundinia lineages, while "museum" refers to the region's ability to preserve ancestral lineages over extended periods. In summary, our findings indicate that the Neotropics have been a key source of genetic diversity for Labrundinia, resulting in the development of distinctive adaptations and characteristics within the genus. This evidence highlights the crucial role that these regions have played in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of Labrundinia.

Connecting the dots: DNA barcoding and lectotype designation shedding light on Labrundinia longipalpis (Goetghebuer, 1921), an intriguing non-biting midge (Chironomidae, Tanypodinae).

Accurate taxonomic classification is deemed paramount for gaining an understanding of the diversity and distribution of insect species. In this study, an essential stride was made towards advancing the taxonomy of the non-biting midge Labrundinia longipalpis (Chironomidae, Tanypodinae), which serves as the type species of the genus. The distribution of L. longipalpis is particularly intriguing as it contrasts with the predominantly tropical distribution of the genus, with this species being found across the Holarctic region. The main goal of this investigation was to designate a lectotype and several paralectotypes, which was achieved through a comprehensive reexamination of the original material, alongside additional specimens obtained from the type-locality in Flanders. Furthermore, the distribution of L. longipalpis across Europe and North America was examined, and the proposed synonymization of L. maculata with the latter was challenged using the analysis of molecular data. Through the comparison of DNA barcodes, it was revealed that the North American population of L. longipalpis clustered together with the European population, which alludes to a considerable level of genetic similarity between these two populations. These results provide valuable insights into the behavior, ecological dynamics and biogeography of L. longipalpis, while also raising interesting questions about colonization and distribution patterns attributed to its adaptability and potential for long-distance dispersal.

Tanypus urszulae, a new Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Neotropical Region.

A new species of Tanypus Meigen, T. urszulae sp. nov. from Brazil, is described and figured as adult male, pupa and larva. Additionally, the generic diagnosis for the larva is emended.

Diplosmittia caribensis, a new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Dominican Republic.

The genus Diplosmittia was erected by Sæther (1981) based on Diplosmittia harrisoni from St. Lucia and St. Vincent in the British West Indies. Prior to the present study the genus comprised nine species, all except D. carinata Sæther were known only from Neotropical Region (Ashe & O'Connor, 2012). During sampling in the surroundings of a highly organic polluted river, in the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the present second author collected several imagines of Diplosmittia that did not fit any taxon treated in the recent review of the genus (Pinho et al. 2009). In the present paper, the male of this new species is described and illustrated.

First record of larvae of Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) as prey of Temnocephala sp. (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalidae), an ectosymbiont on larvae of Corydalidae (Megaloptera) / Primeiro registro de larvas de Chironomidae como presas de Temnocephala sp. (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalidae), um ectosimbionte de larvas de Corydalidae (Maegaloptera)

First record of larvae of Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) as prey of Temnocephala sp. (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalidae), an ectosymbiont on larvae of Corydalidae (Megaloptera). This study constitutes the first record of Temnocephala Blanchard, an ectosymbiont on Corydalidae, as a possible predator of chironomid larvae. Twenty-eight Corydalidae larvae (Corydalus and Protochauliodes) were examined under stereomicroscopic in search for Temnocephala and Chironomidae larvae, of which five megalopteran larvae had 24 Temnocephala sp. associated. Furthermore, eight of these Temnocephala worms had chironomid larvae in their gut contents, an interaction previously unknown. Gut content analyses revealed Corynoneura as the commonest chironomid, but larvae of Larsia, Rheotanytarsus and Tanytarsus were recorded as well. This study included Corydalus and Protochauliodes as hosts for Temnocephala, which might be important for this worm dispersion and population dynamics.

Primeiro registro de larvas de Chironomidae como presas de Temnocephala sp. (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalidae), um ectosimbionte de larvas de Corydalidae (Maegaloptera). Este estudo constitui o primeiro registro de Temnocephala Blanchard (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalidae), um ectosimbionte em larvas de Megaloptera, como um possível predador de larvas de Chironomidae. Vinte e oito larvas de Corydalidae (Corydalus e Protochauliodes) foram examinadas sobre estereomicroscópio na busca por Temnocephala e larvas de Chironomidae, das quais cinco larvas de Megaloptera continham 24 Temnocephala sp. associadas. Além disso, oito Temnocephala possuíam em seu conteúdo estomacal larvas de Chironomidae, uma interação desconhecida anteriormente. A análise do conteúdo estomacal revelou Corynoneura como o quironomídeo mais abundante, e também algumas larvas de Larsia, Rheotanytarsus e Tanytarsus. Este estudo inclui Corydalus e Protochauliodes como hospedeiros de Temnocephala, os quais podem ser importantes para a dispersão e dinâmica populacional desses vermes.

Parasitismo por Mermithidae (Nematoda) em larvas do gênero Chironomus gr. decorus (Diptera: Chironomidae) no Rio dos Peixes, Dois Córregos, SP, Brasil / Parasitism by Mermithidae (Nematoda) in Chironomus gr. decorus larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) at Rio dos Peixes, Dois Córregos

Registramos a incidência de parasitismo por vermes Mermithidae em larvas de Chironomus gr. decorus (Diptera: Chironomidae), no Rio dos Peixes, Dois Córregos, região centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Neste estudo, de um total de 791 larvas amostradas, 205 (25,9 por cento) estavam infectadas por mermitídeos, indicando que larvas de Chironomidae são comumente parasitadas por vermes mermitídeos.

We report the incidence of Mermithidae (Nematoda) parasitism in Chironomus gr. decorus larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) at Rio dos Peixes, Dois Córregos, central west region of São Paulo State, Brazil. In this study, of a total of 791 larvae, 205 (25.9 percent) were infected by mermithid worms, indicating that Chironomidae larvae are commonly parasitized by Mermithidae worms.