Marion Kotrba’s research while affiliated with Zoologische Staatssammlung München and other places

... Nearly all species of Diopsidae (Bilberg, 1820) are well-known for their exaggerated eye stalks (Shillito 1971). There are approximately 160-8000 species and 10-15 genera containing stalk-eyed flies in the family Diopsidae (Shillito 1971;Steyskal 1972;Carr et al. 2006;Ovtshinnikova and Galinskaya 2016;Roskov et al. 2019). Although both males and females in Diopsinae have eyes that are laterally displaced from the central head, the level of sexual dimorphism varies between and within species (Burkhardt and de la Motte 1985; Wilkinson and Dodson 1997;Meier and Hilger 2000). ...

Reference:

Description of the karyotype of Sphyracephala detrahens (Diptera, Diopsidae)

... Even with a relatively small sampling available for taxon validation, the use of the minibarcode protocol generated impactful results. Precise taxonomic assignment for genetic data is crucial for improving the development and reliability of DNA-based identification (Kotrba, 2020). Less than 8% of the studied biodiversity (five species) was correctly assigned to nominal species using public DNA databases. ...

Reference:

Large-scale integrative taxonomy of Swedish grass flies (Diptera, Chloropidae) reveals hitherto unknown complexity of a dark taxon

... Cryptochetidae, globose metallic flies that parasitise scale insects, and Braulidae, wingless bee parasites, are strongly supported to be close relatives of Drosophilidae. Both were previously proposed to be nested in Carnoidea in classifications derived from morphological synapomorphy [19], though the reliability of these traits has recently been called into question [49]. ...

Reference:

Beyond Drosophila: resolving the rapid radiation of schizophoran flies with phylotranscriptomics

... The existing genetic databases, such as the BOLD (Barcode of Life Data Systems), adhere to stringent quality requirements for the entered information. However, it is important to note that these databases, while robust, currently operate outside the legal framework and are not applicable for use in forensic contexts Kotrba 2019). The restriction stems from the incapacity to identify the persons responsible for errors in the data that was input regarding a specimen and for the identification procedure itself. ...

Reference:

DNA Barcoding and its Applications

... The nodules in the Dana platypus were determined to be foreign objects (FO) based on the hyperintense appearance on CT images and all 21 major objects were numbered in the order they appeared from the cranial end of the specimen. Foreign object 11 (dorso-lateral mid thorax), 12 (in the abdomen), 14 (caudal abdomen), 16 (right hind limb, lateral to the tibia) and 21 (lateral tail) were excised and used for chemical analysis (FO 11,12,14,21) and high-resolution imaging (FO 11,16). Excision cuts in the specimen were carefully sutured to keep the integrity of the specimen. ...

Reference:

The curious case of the Dana platypus and what it can teach us about how lead shotgun pellets behave in fluid preserved museum specimens and may limit their scientific value

... General Groove or furrow along the margin of a sclerite, usually found on the scutellum or abdomen (Thompson 1999 Internal; opening from the common oviduct into the anterior part of the vagina, anterior to the openings of the spermathecal ducts and accessory glands (Kotrba & Weniger 2017). ...

Reference:

Glossary of morphological terminology of adult Syrphidae (Diptera): an update and extension

... In the acalyptrate Schizophora, the ventral receptacle has a pivotal function in reproduction. This is the site where the eggs are fertilized, and in some taxa, spermatozoa are stored for prolonged periods of time prior to fertilization (Nonidez 1920;Schwartz 1965;Solinas and Nuzzaci 1984;Kotrba 1993;Pitnick et al. 1999;Fritz and Turner 2002;Carr et al. 2006;Pattarini et al. 2006;Kotrba 2016;Kotrba et al. 2016). In some of our dissections of fresh material, spermatozoa are visible within the chambers of the ventral receptacle (Fig. 5a, b, d). ...

Reference:

The internal female genitalia of Aulacigaster (Diptera: Aulacigastridae)—description and phylogenetic analysis

... It is known in several groups of organisms that postcopulatory sexual selection generates a positive correlation between the female genital organs, and, in particular, between the spermatheca and similar sperm storage organs, and the sperm length. Evidence was obtained from Drosophila melanogaster [1,[27][28][29][30][31]), stalk eyed flies [32,33], dung flies [34], feather-wing beetles [35], diving and scarab beetles [4,36,37], ground beetles [38], moths [39], Zoraptera [7] and Heteroptera [8,9]. Interesting, long seminal receptacles bias sperm use in favor of longer sperm; the interaction between sperm length and seminal receptacle morphology results in long sperm, being better to displace and resist displacement by competitor sperm [3]. ...

Reference:

The Structure of the Female Genital System of the Diving Beetle Scarodytes halensis (Fabricius, 1787) (Hydroporinae, Dytiscidae), and the Organization of the Spermatheca and the Spermathecal Gland Complex

... J. F. McAlpine (1989) suggested that Risa is no more than a genus of Milichiidae. More recently, Kotrba & Mathis (2009) described the internal female reproductive tract of Risa, discussed the relationship of Risa with Ephydridae, and first suggested its membership in the subfamily Discomyzinae Acloque. Although the phylogenetic relationships and familial status of Risa are now better resolved, there is much need for further research at both the descriptive and phylogenetic levels. ...

Reference:

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Risa genus-group (Diptera: Ephydridae), with description of a new genus from Australia

... Larvae of Mormotomyiidae were collected from bat guano. It is believed that adult flies feed on the body secretions of bats [89]. ...

Reference:

Definition of the Biology of the Families of Diptera (Arthropoda: Insecta).