This is an interactive site for dipterists from all continents dealing with all aspects of dipterology (the study of Diptera: flies and midges) and dipterists. Here you can submit all your links to dipterological websites and events, post your dipterological queries in the forum, submit articles and news on Diptera, and contribute pictures for the Diptera Gallery. Submissions are open for members and members can contribute to the forums. Please contact me if you want to submit pictures.
Enjoy the site and help to build it up to a significant entry point for dipterological research.
Nomenclatural studies toward a world list of Diptera genus-group names.
Neal L. Evenhuis, James E. O'Hara, Thomas Pape & Adrian C. Pont, 2010. Nomenclatural studies toward a world list of Diptera genus-group names. Part I: André-Jean-Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy Zootaxa 2373: 1–265.
First paragraph of the two page long abstract: This is the first in a series of rigorous nomenclatural studies of selected Diptera workers, undertaken as part of the Biosystematic Database of World Diptera (BDWD). A total of 566 genus-group names of Diptera proposed by A.-J.-B. Robineau-Desvoidy are listed, each with all originally included nominal species, method of typification, current taxonomic status, and emendations. A detailed biography of Robineau-Desvoidy is given with discussion of his works and his relationships with contemporaries. In addition, an index to all the species-group names of Diptera proposed by Robineau-Desvoidy (3,204) is given with bibliographic reference to each original citation. Appended to this study are a full bibliography of Robineau-Desvoidy’s works, a list of collectors on which Robineau-Desvoidy based his Diptera studies, a list of collecting localities mentioned in his Diptera works, and a reproduction of the little-known but valuable 1826 Blainville Rapport of Robineau-Desvoidy’s 1830 Essai sur les Myodaires.
The Study of Species in the Era of Biodiversity: A Tale of Stupidity
A recently published paper in Diversity:
The Study of Species in the Era of Biodiversity: A Tale of Stupidity
Abstract: Research policies ensuing from the Convention on Biological Diversity made huge funds available to study biodiversity. These were mostly dedicated to projects aimed at providing services to taxonomy via information and technology, or to develop “modern”, i.e., molecular, approaches to taxonomy. Traditional taxonomy was overly neglected and is in serious distress all over the world. It is argued that both novel and traditional ways to study biodiversity are essential and that the demise of traditional taxonomy (based on phenotypes) in the era of biodiversity is the result of an unwise policy, mainly fostered by portions of the scientific community that aim at taking total advantage of the funds dedicated to the study of biodiversity.
The latest issue of the Fruit Fly Newsletter has just been published. The pdf file can be downloaded HERE.
International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature Version 4c
In addition to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) there is the so-called PhyloCode. Quoting from their website: The PhyloCode is a formal set of rules governing phylogenetic nomenclature. It is designed to name the parts of the tree of life by explicit reference to phylogeny. The PhyloCode will go into operation in a few years, but the exact date has not yet been determined. It is designed so that it may be used concurrently with the existing codes based on rank-based nomenclature (ICBN, ICZN, etc.). We anticipate that many people whose research concerns phylogeny will find phylogenetic nomenclature advantageous.
The version of the PhyloCode that is posted here is a draft. Some parts of it may change before the code is implemented. Comments are welcome and may be sent to phylocode@www.ohiou.edu.
This draft can be downloaded HERE. Do with it whatever seems fit to you.
Gallery
All links to Gallery items that were previously placed in the Navigation panel are now listed in a separate, collapsable Gallery Links panel immediately below the Navigation panel. A newly linked item in this panel is a page to browse images of larvae (sorted by family). Another linked item that some may have missed is a page with all the pictures you submitted to the Gallery and that were published (members only).
A link for quick access to the Diptera Gallery has now been added to the subheader navigation bar.
New article
A new article by cyprinoid (on the behaviour of Hercostomus germanus [Dolichopodidae]) was added today.
Dipteron 25
Dear Diptera lovers and entomologists!
I would like to inform you that the online pdf version of volume 25 of Dipteron (Wroclaw) (online pdf version) is now available!
Rob Deadyon 03 March 2010 09:36:57
Great picture! Just found one of these in some canopy samples I'm looking at! I was stumped because of the peculiar reniform-shaped antennae! View Photo Comment
shililauxaniidon 02 March 2010 12:10:18
I read this article, excellent. It reflects the real conditions of taxonomic researches. I am identifying Lauxaniidae, a larger family of Diptera. In China, the funding suppoort of basic research is rising, but it is difficult to obtain the project Unless your research is combined with molecular research for a young scientist, lack of much experiences. View News Comment
Tony Irwinon 18 February 2010 21:48:41
As it is very small and associated with Lemna, I am fairly sure that this will be Hydrellia albilabris. View Photo Comment
PIRImaidenon 11 February 2010 03:34:00
Y que queda para los que vivimos en paises del tercer mundo, una lupa de mano y mucha imaginación Pfft
Edited by Paul Beuk: Translated by Google as: And that is for those who live in third world countries, a hand lens and lots of imagination. View News Comment
Andrzejon 08 February 2010 23:11:28
I fully agree with Michael !. I.E. I am a taxonomic expert in FauEu and have not seen or approved the new update concerning Heleomyzidae sensu lato ! It is a terrible situation :-(. View News Comment
Oleg Kosterinon 08 February 2010 13:44:47
I would never subscribe "Altay" for this locality, being lost in a vast perfect steppen plain having nothing in common with the well-known Altai Mts. In fact, this is in the large Russian province called Altaiskiy Kray, almost at its western border with Kazakhstan. The fly (the only specimen) was collected in Klyuchi village at the bank of a shallow brackish lake with some reed thickets at banks. The holotype was collected an year ago within the city of Omsk, that is quite a remote place, but in exactly the same conditions. View Photo Comment
Michael Acklandon 06 February 2010 23:26:18
I have not read this paper yet, but the abstract is correct. I study Anthomyiidae, and have done for 50 years. There are now only 4 taxonomists in the world actively working on the family, two retired, and one working as a teacher so his time is limited. Yet there are very many undescribed species, and many others poorly known which need basic taxonomic treatment. Yet if one applies for funding it is unlikely to be successful unless one specifies DNA analysis as basis of research. View News Comment
jorgemotalmeidaon 05 February 2010 21:47:57
I'm glad that these flies don't trigger any damage for the 'laranjeiras' where I spotted these Ceratitis capitata specimens.
A pity that these beauties could damage fruit trees.. View Photo Comment
Andreon 05 February 2010 21:41:37
Have you been eating laranjas again? LOL View Photo Comment
Full page ad in the Lodon Times with headline "genetically modified mosquitoes are being bred to destroy malaria". Illustrated with a large picture of...a sciarid.
