Content uploaded by Rudolf Meier
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Rudolf Meier on Jun 27, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
The Sepsidae (Diptera) of Europe
... Thus, the armoured forelegs of many male sepsids serve to clasp the female wing base to aid males stay in position while the females, or possibly other males, might attempt to dislodge them [30,[35][36][37]. The second trait are the fourth sternites, which can be unmodified [24,38] or converted into complex male structures that bear brush-like extensions resembling appendages (e.g. Perochaeta dikowi, Nemopoda nitidula, Themira superba). ...
... Perochaeta dikowi, Nemopoda nitidula, Themira superba). They are used to stimulate females before or during copulation [3,4,[27][28][29]34,35]. Lastly, male sepsids have genital claspers that vary greatly in size, elaboration and precise stimulatory function [34,35,38]. All these sexual ornaments vary in shape, size and function across species, presumably to guarantee precise fit with a female of any size and successful copulations within species only (the lock-and-key hypothesis of [3,5,27,32,34,39]; cf. ...
Male sexual ornaments often evolve rapidly and are thought to be costly, thus contributing to sexual size dimorphism. However, little is known about their developmental costs, and even less about costs associated with structural complexity. Here, we quantified the size and complexity of three morphologically elaborate sexually dimorphic male ornaments that starkly differ across sepsid fly species (Diptera: Sepsidae): (i) male forelegs range from being unmodified, like in most females, to being adorned with spines and large cuticular protrusions; (ii) the fourth abdominal sternites are either unmodified or are converted into complex de novo appendages; and (iii) male genital claspers range from small and simple to large and complex (e.g. bifurcated). We tracked the development of 18 sepsid species from egg to adult to determine larval feeding and pupal metamorphosis times of both sexes. We then statistically explored whether pupal and adult body size, ornament size and/or ornament complexity are correlated with sex-specific development times. Larval growth and foraging periods of male and female larvae did not differ, but the time spent in the pupal stage was ca 5% longer for sepsid males despite emerging 9% smaller than females on average. Surprisingly, we found no evidence that sexual trait complexity prolongs pupal development beyond some effects of trait size. Evolving more complex traits thus does not incur developmental costs at least in this system.
... Economically the larvae are decomposers of organic matter, serve as a vector of many pathogens and are also used in forensic entomology. Additionally it also become a topic of interest due to their mating behavior, e.g., courtship involving leg displays, female receptivity as related to ovarian status, precopulatory guarding, and copulation posture in understanding male foreleg morphology (Pont and Meier, 2002;Benecke, 2001). ...
Four species (2 genera) of family Sepsidae (Diptera) are first time reported from various localities of district Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan). Among these, Sepsis barbata Becker, 1907, Sepsis punctum (Fabricius1974), Sepsis thoracica (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) and Decachaetophora aeneipes de Meijere, 1913 are first time reported from district Skardu, while Sepsis thoracica (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is new record for Gilgit-Baltistan. Micrographs for identified species, their diagnostic characters, local distribution and remarks are provided.
... Diptera: Brachycera: Sepsidae. Many of the small (2-6 mm) scavenger flies, identified by their unusually spherical heads and ant-like shape, feed on insect carrion (Pont & Meier 2002). They may associate with spiders in their search for this carrion (Figures 2:2, 5;Hill et al. 2019). ...
Kleptoparasitic flies that associate with predatory insects and spiders are also vulnerable to the attacks of salticid spiders.
... Sepsidae is a global distributed fly family with more than 320 described species (Ozerov 2005), and it is a relatively small, morphologically and ecologically uniform family of the Sciomyzoiedea in the acalyptrate series of Diptera (Pont and Meier 2002). Sepsis monostigma (Thmpson,1869) is a rather important model-organisms insect and a sanitary fly of biological significance, which can perify the ecosystem (Li et al. 2015). ...
The sepsid fly Sepsis monostigma belongs to the genus Sepsis of Sepsidae. We sequenced and annotated the mitogenome of S. monostigma which as the first representative of genus Sepsis with nearly complete mitochondrial data. This mitogenome is 14,887bp long, which contains of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein coding genes (PCGs) and 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a part of the AT control region. ML phylogenetic outcome strongly supported the monophyly of Sepsidae, and the family Sepsidae is more close to the family Heleomyzidae. It also indicated that the genus Sepsis is the sister group to Nemopoda, and the genus Archisepsis is the sister group to Microsepsis.
The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuania melanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae).
In the present investigation, 24 adult dipteran species with forensic importance belonging to 13 genera and 8 families that were collected from different localities of Iraq. The specimens were identified by different taxonomical keys; in addition the date and localities of collecting specimens were recorded.
The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuania melanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae).
The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuania melanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae)
Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae) is a cosmopolitan genus of predatory flies that inhabit the muddy and sandy surrounds of water bodies. There are more than 163 described species worldwide, many of which are known to exhibit cursorial courtship displays which involve complex visual and vibratory signals. Despite the widespread distribution of these flies and their remarkable courtship displays, the biology and behaviour of most species are entirely unknown. Here, for the first time, we describe the precopulatory mating behaviours of three widespread and common Australian species: Lispe sydneyensis, Lispe albimaculata and Lispe xenochaeta. We demonstrate that all three species exhibit entirely unique courtship displays, consisting of complex behavioural repertoires. Importantly, we highlight intra‐sexual competition in L. sydneyensis, where males engage in competitive dances and combat. We also report female–male aggression in L. albimaculata and L. xenochaeta where females charge and display towards males. These novel mating systems provide unique opportunities to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.
The swarming behaviour of Sepsis fulgens Meigen is discussed, and various aspects of this behavioural phenomenon are analysed.Examples of swarms and observations upon them are given, from published and unpublished sources. The identity of the swarming species is discussed, and then the characteristics of the swarm, the swarming site, size, duration, activity, sex ratio, scent and enemies are summarized. A discussion of some of these aspects follows, and finally a hypothesis is put forward as to the probable function of the swarm: it is suggested that it is a hibernation phenomenon.The infestation of domestic and commercial premises by Sepsis violacea Meigen is briefly reviewed.
Small size may be advantageous to males that mate on the wing. This hypothesis is supported by the results of a comparison of size in males that mate and those that do not. Six species of Diptera (four chironomids, one sepsid and one scatophagid) are examined and in all six, smaller males are more successful at acquiring mates than larger males. Aerobatic ability may be conferred by small size and, if this is so, it could explain why smaller males achieve greater success. The conclusion that small size carries a selective advantage contrasts with the conventional view that large size is a universal determinant of mating success among males.
Males of the dung flySepsis cynipsea(L.) (Diptera: Sepsidae) mate guard before copulation by mounting the female's dorsum upon her arrival at the dung. After completing oviposition, females walk off the dung and vigorously shake to attempt to dislodge the guarding male. Only males that succeed in remaining on the female's dorsum will establish genital contact and copulate. Males are smaller than females, and engage wing clamps (specially modified areas on the femur and tibia of each foreleg) to grip the female's wing bases during guarding. The foretibiae of males and females collected at three phases of pairing (prior to struggling, during struggling and in copula) were measured. No differences in the foretibia size of either males or females across the three phases were found. However, the absolute fluctuating asymmetry of the foretibiae of males differed significantly between phases. On average, males paired in copula were the most symmetrical whilst those paired prior to struggling were the least symmetrical. It was concluded that males with more symmetrical foretibiae are indirectly selected as mates by females because of their better competitive ability to grip the female's wing bases and thereby remain on the dorsum of a struggling female during guarding.
An account is given of seven collections of insects and spiders made in summer 1979 on snowfields above 1100m elevation in the Cairngorm mountains, Scotland. In one comprehensive collection 278 recently deposited animals representing 35 species were obtained in 25 m; the other collections were selective. A high proportion of the roughly 700 specimens obtained have been identified. They represent at least 130 species, including 12 species of Araneae and 34 species each of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera. Only 10 species are known to be restricted to ‘montane’ environments and it is concluded that the composition of fallout on mountain snowfields, both in Britain and elsewhere, reflects mainly the nature of the vegetation, and thus of the insect communities, in upwind areas at lower elevations. The discussion concerns the significance of fallout as a resource for high altitude communities and as a manifestation of long-distance migration and potential gene flow among populations of terrestrial arthropods.
SOME species of Diptera utilize freshly dropped cattle dung (cow pats) not only as an oviposition site and larval habitat but also as a male aggregation site where mating occurs1,2. The present investigation shows that the males of some of these species protect their mates, thus preventing the mating activity of the preponderant and aggressive unpaired males from interfering with oviposition. Such co-operative behaviour is most striking in the cosmopolitan yellow dung fly, Scatophaga stercoraria (L.) (Anthomyiidae), but also exists in Saltella sphondylii (Schrank) (Sepsidae) and Copromyza atra (Meigen) (Sphaeroceridae); these three species are closely related only in an ecological sense.
Themira athabasca n. sp. from Circle, Alaska is described, and a revised key to nearctic Themira is given. The sexual morphology and mating behavior of the sympatric arctic and midwestern U. S. species indicate that communities in these habitats demonstrate the parallel evolution of these characteristics. Sexual selection for mating efficiency is proposed as the evolutionary force responsible for the similarity of the communities.
Full-sib heritabilities, phenotypic and genetic correlations of 10 morphological and three life history traits in the European dung fly Sepsis cynipsea are presented. We further supply a within-species test of Cheverud's (1988) conjecture that phenotypic correlations may be good, and much easier to obtain, substitutes for genetic correlations. Males were smaller in all traits except fore femur width. Heritabilities of morphological traits ranged from 0.33 to 0.90 and tended to be higher than the average reported for ectotherms (Mousseau & Roff, 1987). Those for the three female life history traits estimated were lower (0.16–0.32) and about average. Genetic correlations between the sexes ranged from 0.52 to 0.87 and were all less than unity. Differential selection on morphology in males and females can thus be expected to produce fast evolutionary responses in this species. Our analysis revealed also that in S. cynipsea phenotypic correlations are good substitutes for genetic correlations for combinations involving morphological traits, and that genetic correlations derived from the ANCOVA and the family mean methods were very similar. However, the former correspondence may be strongly reduced by the inclusion of particular traits (here male seta length).Keywords: genetic correlation, heritability, life history, morphology, phenotypic correlation, sexual size dimorphism
The sheep headfly, Hydrotaea irritans, and Morellia simplex were the species most frequently associated with cattle at pasture and comprised 69.01 per cent and 13.93 per cent, respectively, of the total fly collection made from grazing cattle. The most prevalent biting fly was Haematobosca stimulans which comprised 4.46 per cent of the total catch. A few clegs, Haematopota pluvialis, and horse flies, Hybomitra distinguenda, were also recorded. A few of the headflies swarming around cattle entered milking parlours and byres and made up, at 38.23 per cent, the highest percentage of the total fly collection from these buildings. Headflies congregated on the windows, particularly those in the roof. Lesser numbers of the flies, Hydrotaea albipuncta, Morellia simplex and Trichopticoides decolor, with similar feeding habits to H irritans were also collected from these windows with a number of those species attracted to excrement. The biting muscids, Stomoxys calcitrans and Haematobosca stimulans, were collected mainly from the outside surfaces at the entrance to milking parlours and byres and comprised 23.53 per cent and 11.18 per cent, respectively, of the total fly collection from these buildings. Stomoxys calcitrans, the stable fly was present on every sample taken from calf houses and comprised 63.79 per cent of the total fly collection from these houses. Two other species, Sepsis violacea and the common housefly Musca domestica, were present on occasions in significant numbers and comprised 20.69 per cent and 9.48 per cent, respectively, of the total fly collection from calf houses.