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Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea)
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Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea)

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 16875

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Christophe Daugeron

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Guest Editor
Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Mécanismes adaptatifs et évolution, UMR 7179 MNHN-CNRS MECADEV, CP 50, 45 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
Interests: systematics; evolution; ecology and behaviors; biogeography; mountain ecosystems; Diptera; Empididae

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Empidoidea or dance flies are a monophyletic lineage originally divided into two families (Empididae or empidid dance flies and Dolichopodidae or long-legged dance flies). Over the last 20 years, morphological and molecular studies have led to a review of this classification with the recognition of seven families: Atelestidae, Brachystomatidae, Dolichopodidae, Empididae, Homalocnemidae, Hybotidae, and Ragadidae. However, although the systematics of the group have progressed considerably the most recent molecular phylogenies have challenged certain conclusions and show that the current classification is probably not yet stabilized.

The mating and feeding behaviors of the Empidoidea make them fascinating. They are primarily predaceous capturing prey in flight, on the ground, or on a water surface, and they are sometimes equipped with impressive characters facilitating the capture of prey, such raptorial fore legs. Some lineages have specialized in visiting flowers for collecting nectar or pollen; recent studies even show the key role played by some taxa in the pollination of flowering plants, especially in Alpine ecosystems. This subfamily is also well known for its mating behavior, including swarms with nuptial gifts transferred by males to females and the presence of secondary sexual characters in females.

The Empidoidea are therefore extraordinarily diverse both taxonomically and behaviourally, with a wide distribution in almost all environments, from cold to tropical regions, coastal to high-altitude areas, and fresh water to terrestrial ecosystems, and they occupy a key position in the phylogeny of Diptera (they are the sister group of all Cyclorrhapha).

Therefore, they constitute a remarkable evolutionary model for a better understanding of the mechanisms at work in the diversification of insect groups.

For this upcoming Special Issue, we are seeking high-quality original submissions and reviews that address and update our understanding of the systematics, evolution, and diversity of dance flies, including studies in the fields of taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, biogeography, and behaviors.

Dr. Christophe Daugeron
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Empidoidea
  • dance flies
  • systematics
  • evolution
  • biodiversity
  • ecology
  • behaviors
  • biogeography

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

22 pages, 3885 KiB  
Article
Morphological Description and Potential Geographic Distribution of the Genus Dolichopus Latreille (Diptera, Dolichopodidae, Dolichopodinae) in Inner Mongolia, China
by Xingyang Qian, Xiaolong Ding, Ding Yang and Ning Wang
Insects 2023, 14(12), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120935 - 08 Dec 2023
Viewed by 913
Abstract
Eight species of Dolichopus Latreille were previously recorded in Inner Mongolia. However, there have been only a few studies on their potential distribution. Here, three newly discovered species from Inner Mongolia are described, namely Dolichopus (Dolichopus) apicimaculatus sp. nov., Dolichopus (Dolichopus) jiufengensis sp. nov., [...] Read more.
Eight species of Dolichopus Latreille were previously recorded in Inner Mongolia. However, there have been only a few studies on their potential distribution. Here, three newly discovered species from Inner Mongolia are described, namely Dolichopus (Dolichopus) apicimaculatus sp. nov., Dolichopus (Dolichopus) jiufengensis sp. nov., and Dolichopus (Dolichopus) luae sp. nov. There were also twelve known Dolichopus species that were newly recorded in Inner Mongolia, including the newly recorded subgenus Hygroceleuthus. A key to the Dolichopus species from Inner Mongolia and the potential geographic distribution of Dolichopus in Inner Mongolia were provided. Potential geographic distribution of the genus in Inner Mongolia were determined as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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20 pages, 10279 KiB  
Article
Tropicohilara, a New Genus of Hilarini (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae) from Brazil, with Descriptions of Six New Species
by Dayse W. A. Marques, Christophe Daugeron and José Albertino Rafael
Insects 2023, 14(12), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120915 - 29 Nov 2023
Viewed by 837
Abstract
The genus Tropicohilara gen. nov. (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae: Hilarini) is described and includes the following six new species from Brazil: Tropicohilara amazonensis sp. nov. (type species, Brazil: Amazonas, Manaus); T. bahiensis sp. nov. (Brazil: Bahia, Camacan); T. bella sp. [...] Read more.
The genus Tropicohilara gen. nov. (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae: Hilarini) is described and includes the following six new species from Brazil: Tropicohilara amazonensis sp. nov. (type species, Brazil: Amazonas, Manaus); T. bahiensis sp. nov. (Brazil: Bahia, Camacan); T. bella sp. nov. (Brazil: Pernambuco, Jaqueira); T. mineira sp. nov. (Brazil: Minas Gerais, Itamonte); T. paranaensis sp. nov. (Brazil: Paraná, Piraquara); and T. sinclairi sp. nov. (Brazil: Paraná, Morretes). The genus is presently recorded from the Amazonian and Atlantic Forest biomes. It differs from other hilarine genera by the following combination of characteristics: predominantly yellowish specimens; occiput somewhat conical in dorsal view; postpedicel elongate, male first fore tarsomere unmodified; hind tibia slightly shorter than hind femur; wing vein R2+3 with setae on ventral surface; male tergite 7 with a sclerotized band at posterior margin, tergite 8 reduced and upwardly directed so that terminalia can be flexed forward. A key to the species is provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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36 pages, 8441 KiB  
Article
Discovery of a Lineage of Soil-Dwelling Medetera Species with Multi-Coloured Eyes in Southern Europe (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)
by Marc Pollet, Rui Andrade, Ana Gonçalves, Piluca Álvarez Fidalgo, José Luis Camaño Portela, Frédéric Belin, Jonas Mortelmans and Andreas Stark
Insects 2022, 13(11), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13111012 - 02 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
Seven species in the genus Medetera (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) are described here: Medetera aglaops sp. nov., Medetera corsicana sp. nov., Medetera gibbosipyga sp. nov., Medetera hispanica sp. nov., Medetera lusitana sp. nov., Medetera parva sp. nov., and Medetera rectipyga sp. nov. They all originate [...] Read more.
Seven species in the genus Medetera (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) are described here: Medetera aglaops sp. nov., Medetera corsicana sp. nov., Medetera gibbosipyga sp. nov., Medetera hispanica sp. nov., Medetera lusitana sp. nov., Medetera parva sp. nov., and Medetera rectipyga sp. nov. They all originate from the wider Mediterranean region in southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Corsica, Sardinia). The most striking feature in most of the species is the bi- or multicolour pattern of the eyes, most conspicuous in Medetera aglaops sp. nov. and Medetera lusitana sp. nov. This character is shared by the male and female sex and is thus not regarded as Male Secondary Sexual Character. All species belong to the Medetera apicalis species group sensu Bickel and are closely related based on shared characters in the hypandrium and cercus. Interestingly, three species with and four species without the basal pair of anterodorsal and posterodorsal bristles on the mid tibia are represented. This suggests that this diagnostic character has less phylogenetic relevance than previously anticipated. Unlike most Palaearctic Medetera, at least five of the new species are mostly found on rocky substrates in dry biotopes with a sclerophyllous vegetation. This further supports their relationship with species of the Medetera muralis subclade sensu Pollet, Germann and Bernasconi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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22 pages, 3900 KiB  
Article
Unexpected Previously Unknown Diversity of the Genus Microphor Macquart (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Microphorinae) in the West Palaearctic
by Miroslav Barták and Štěpán Kubík
Insects 2022, 13(8), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080700 - 04 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Microphor baechlii sp. nov. (Switzerland, Turkey), M. chvalai sp. nov. (France), M. nevadensis sp. nov. (Spain), M. pallipes sp. nov. (Italy), and M. turcicus sp. nov. (Turkey) are described and illustrated. The neotype of M. anomalus (Meigen, 1824) is designated. Males of all [...] Read more.
Microphor baechlii sp. nov. (Switzerland, Turkey), M. chvalai sp. nov. (France), M. nevadensis sp. nov. (Spain), M. pallipes sp. nov. (Italy), and M. turcicus sp. nov. (Turkey) are described and illustrated. The neotype of M. anomalus (Meigen, 1824) is designated. Males of all known Palaearctic species of Microphor are keyed, genitalia are illustrated for new species and species previously inadequately illustrated, and main diagnostic characters are discussed. Microphorstrobli Chvála, 1986 is newly recorded from Bulgaria, M. anomalus (Meigen, 1824) is newly recorded from Turkey, and M. holosericeus (Meigen, 1804) is newly recorded from Turkey and Portugal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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22 pages, 8191 KiB  
Article
The Century Old Taxonomic Confusion Surrounding Wiedemannia zetterstedti Fallén and Related Species Is Resolved (Diptera: Empididae): Revision of the W. zetterstedti Group
by Marija Ivković, Bradley J. Sinclair and Emma Wahlberg
Insects 2022, 13(5), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050460 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2239
Abstract
The Wiedemannia zetterstedti species group is revised after examination of all available type specimens and includes one new species (W. ulrichi Ivković & Sinclair sp. nov.) and four redescribed species (W. czernyi (Bezzi), W. longipennis (Mik) stat. rev., W. rufipes (Oldenberg) [...] Read more.
The Wiedemannia zetterstedti species group is revised after examination of all available type specimens and includes one new species (W. ulrichi Ivković & Sinclair sp. nov.) and four redescribed species (W. czernyi (Bezzi), W. longipennis (Mik) stat. rev., W. rufipes (Oldenberg) stat. rev. and W. zetterstedti (Fallén)). The following new synonyms are proposed: W. (Roederella) ouedorum Vaillant, 1952 = W. czernyi (Bezzi, 1905); Paramesia riparia Robert, 1836 = W. zetterstedti (Fallén, 1826). Lectotypes are designated for the following species/subspecies: Atalanta hirtiloba Speiser, Brachystoma escheri Zetterstedt, Clinocera czernyi Bezzi, Clinocera longipennis Mik, Paramesia riparia Robert, and Roederia czernyi rufipes Oldenberg. In addition to morphological evidence, molecular species concepts were investigated using a molecular phylogenetic divergence-based species delimitation (bPTP) and results confirmed the morphological conclusions. A key to species is presented and geographic distributions are mapped. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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10 pages, 2947 KiB  
Article
A New Genus of Tachydromiinae from South Africa and Turkmenistan (Diptera: Empidoidea: Hybotidae)
by Bradley J. Sinclair, Jeffrey M. Cumming and Igor V. Shamshev
Insects 2022, 13(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020171 - 05 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
Parallelodromia gen. nov. is described with the inclusion of two new species from South Africa (P. glenlyonensis sp. nov. and P. hantamica sp. nov.) and a new species (P. turkmenistanica sp. nov.) from Turkmenistan. The genus is fully [...] Read more.
Parallelodromia gen. nov. is described with the inclusion of two new species from South Africa (P. glenlyonensis sp. nov. and P. hantamica sp. nov.) and a new species (P. turkmenistanica sp. nov.) from Turkmenistan. The genus is fully illustrated along with a discussion of its unusual disjunct geographic distribution and its phylogenetic relationship within the Tachydromiinae tribe Drapetidini. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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27 pages, 3853 KiB  
Article
The Ant-like Tachydromia Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae)
by Ana Rita Gonçalves, Carlos Vila-Viçosa and João Gonçalves
Insects 2021, 12(12), 1068; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12121068 - 29 Nov 2021
Viewed by 3022
Abstract
Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless Tachydromia. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. An ensemble modeling approach combining [...] Read more.
Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless Tachydromia. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. An ensemble modeling approach combining ten different techniques was implemented with the biomod2 package. Occurrence data was partitioned into six sets, including two multi-species groups and four species. The most relevant drivers of habitat suitability are climate-related, followed by forest type and structure, according to well-defined biogeographic gradients. T. lusitanica and T. ebejeri are adapted to mild temperatures and high-humidity environments. Their distribution is connected to the Temperate–Eurosiberian life zone. T. semiaptera and T. iberica are adapted to progressively drier and hotter central and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula, connected to transitional Temperate–submediterranean areas. Ant-like fly’ ranges overlap with deciduous/marcescent oak species, acting as suitable indicators of their presence in Iberia. Southern marcescent forests emerge as “islands” with particular interest for future prospections. Ant-like flies are threatened by several factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, including urbanization and forest fires. This study provides vital tools to better assess the ant-like flies’ conservation status and to manage their habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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Review

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18 pages, 964 KiB  
Review
Mating and Sexual Selection in Empidine Dance Flies (Empididae)
by Rosalind L. Murray, Darryl T. Gwynne and Luc F. Bussière
Insects 2022, 13(9), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090839 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2855
Abstract
Species whose behaviour or morphology diverges from typical patterns can provide unique insights on the evolutionary forces that promote diversity. Darwin recognised that while elaborate sexually selected traits mostly occurred among males, in a few species females possess such traits. Some species from [...] Read more.
Species whose behaviour or morphology diverges from typical patterns can provide unique insights on the evolutionary forces that promote diversity. Darwin recognised that while elaborate sexually selected traits mostly occurred among males, in a few species females possess such traits. Some species from the subfamily Empidinae (Diptera: Empididae) are among the animals that are often invoked to illustrate female ornaments. Empidines include taxa that exhibit varying levels of female ornament expression; some species possess multiple, elaborate female-specific ornaments while others have fewer and more modest adornments, and many species are altogether lacking discernible sexual ornamentation. This continuous variation in display traits in the Empidinae provides unique opportunities to explore the causes and consequences of sexually selected ornament expression. Here, we review the literature on sexual selection and mating systems in these flies and synthesise the evidence for various evolutionary forces that could conceivably create this impressive morphological and behavioural diversity, despite evolutionary constraints on female ornament exaggeration that help to explain its general rarity among animals. We also suggest some aspects of diversity that remain relatively unexplored or poorly understood, and close by offering suggestions for future research progress in the evolutionary ecology of mating behaviour among empidine flies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea))
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