Abstract Abstract
New synonymies and new combinations are proposed, based mainly on the study of type materials. They are as follows: Helina sarmentosa Fang & Fan, 1993 = Helina dianica Qian & Feng, 2005, syn. n.; Helina dianxiia Xue and Li, 2002 = Helina aureolicolorata Feng & Xue, 2002, syn. n.; Myospila lenticeps (Thomson, 1869) = Helina magnimaculata Feng, 1995, syn. n.; Spilogona angulisurstyla (Xue & Xiang, 1998), comb. n.; Spilogona apicicauda (Xue, Wang & Tong, 2003), comb. n.; Hebecnema arcuatiabdomina (Feng & Fan, 2001), comb. n.
Keywords: New synonymies, new combinations, Helina, Myospila, Spilogona, Hebecnema, Muscidae
Introduction
The genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the second largest genus in the dipteran family Muscidae. It occurs in all zoogeographic regions of the world and comprises over 520 species (Pont 1980, 1986, Carvalho et al. 2005, Wang et al. 2008). According to present data, over 230 species of Helina have been found in China (Xue and Chao 1998, Xue et al. 2005, Wang et al. 2004, 2005a, 2005b, 2006a, 2006b, 2008). Early taxonomists, like Stein (1907, 1915), studied Helina from Taiwan and Northwest China, which formed the basis for further research on this genus in the Chinese fauna. Further impetus was provided by Emden’s (1965) work on Muscidae for the Fauna of India series. The major references dealing with Chinese Helina are Hennig (1957–1958), Ma (1981), Xue and Wang (1982), Fang et al. (1986), Pont (1986), Wu (1989), Xue et al. (2005) and Wang et al. (2004, 2005a, 2005b, 2006a, 2006b, 2008).
Helina includes so many species that it is an intimidating task to undertake research on, or even to identify the species correctly. Furthermore, many specialists consider that Helina is a ‘‘catch-all’’ repository for species that cannot be assigned elsewhere (Hennig 1965, Wang et al. 2008). The genus needs to be fully revised. In this paper, new synonymies and new combinations are proposed, based mainly on the study of type materials.
Material and methods
This study has been based on materials from the following museums:
IESNU Institute of Entomology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
IMEAMMS Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
IZCAS Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
SEMCAS Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Morphological terms follow McAlpine (1981), except the “postpedicel” and “prealar setae” follows Stuckenberg (1999) and Fan (1992), respectively. Absolute measurements are used for body length in millimeters (mm). The following abbreviations are used in this article: acr: acrostichal setae; dc: dorsocentral setae; ia: intra-alar setae; pra: prealar setae; ad: anterodorsal setae; av: anteroventral setae; p: posterior setae and pv: posteroventral setae.
Taxonomy
Helina sarmentosa
Fang & Fan, 1993
http://species-id.net/wiki/Helina_sarmentosa
Helina sarmentosa Fang & Fan, 1993: 1239; Xue and Chao 1998: 2283; Wang et al. 2004: 297; Xue et al. 2005: 40; Xue and Wang 2006: 178.
Helina dianica Qian & Feng, 2005: 260. Syn. n.
Redescription.
MALE. Body length 8.5–9.5mm. Eye with dense and long hairs; frons about 1.3–2.0 times as wide as the width of anterior ocellus; frontal setae reaching ocellar triangle; fronto-orbital plate and parafacial with silveryish-grey pollinosity; parafacial bare, about 1.5–2.0 times as wide as postpedicel; antenna black, postpedicel about 2.6–3.0 times as long as broad, about 1.8 times as long as pedicel, arista plumose, the longest hair about equal or slightly longer than postpedicel width; gena and postgena with black hairs, gena with 5 rows of subvibrissal setae in anterior margin, genal height about 2/5 times of eye height; proboscis stout, prementum about 2.0 times as long as height; palpus black, slightly flat in distal half. Thorax ground-color black, scutum with four dark vittae in posterior view, acr 0+1, 9 rows of irregular fine setae between two dc rows, dc 2+4, ia 0+2, pra absent; anepisternum with hairs around anepisternal setae, meron with hairs around the lower margin of posterior spiracle, scutellum with black hairs in the lateral margin; basisternum, proepisternum, anepimeron, katepimeron bare; katepisternal setae 2+2, spiracles dark brown. Wing hyaline, brownish, with heavier color in the basal part and around veins; costal spine inconspicuous, radial node bare; veins R4+5 and M conspicuously diverging distally, crossveins r-m and dm-cu lightly clouded, crossvein m-m sinuate; calypteres yellowish; halteres brownish-yellow. Legs black; fore tibia with 2–4 p; basal half of mid femur with row of 8–10 pv (stout towards distally), distal half with 2 or 3 slender setae, mid tibia with 1 or 2 ad and 6 or 7 developed p, the length of longest seta about 3/5 of width of tibia; hind coxa bare on rear surface, hind femur with 5–7 strong setae on distal half, hind tibia with 7–10 av, 3–5 developed ad and 6–9 p. Abdomen ground-color black, with dense greyish-blue pollinosity, tergites 2 to 4 with one large dark lateral patch on each side, tergites 4 and 5 with posterior marginal setae, tergite 5 with irregular discal setae, sternite 1 with hairs.
FEMALE. Unknown.
Remarks.
Both Helina sarmentosa and Helina dianica can be easily separated from the other Helina species by mid and hind tibiae with very long and stout setae. Having examined the holotypes of both nominal species, we were unable to find differences justifying their separation, which has led us to consider all the examined specimens to be conspecific. Therefore, we synonymized Helina dianica under Helina sarmentosa.
Material studied.
Holotype of Helina sarmentosa, ♂: China: Yunnan, Deqin, Mt. Meili, alt. 4,300–4,680m a.s.l., 29.VII.1982, Coll. H.C. Cai(IZCAS); paratype of Helina sarmentosa, ♂: China: Yunnan, Deqin, Mt. Meili, alt. 4,300–4,680m a.s.l., 28.VII.1982, Coll. X.Z. Zhang(SEMCAS). Holotype of Helina dianica, ♂: China: Yunnan, Deqin, alt. 2,400m a.s.l., 29.VII.1991, Coll. unknown (IMEAMMS).
Distribution.
China (Yunnan).
Helina dianxiia
Xue & Li, 2002
http://species-id.net/wiki/Helina_dianxiia
Helina dianxiia Xue & Li, 2002: 78; Xue et al. 2005: 39; Xue and Wang 2006: 173.
Helina aureolicolorata Feng & Xue, 2002: 261; Xue et al. 2005: 39; Xue and Wang 2006: 172. Syn. n.
Remarks.
The holotype of Helina dianxiia is almost identical to Helina aureolicolorata. The only difference between these two species is that the body color of Helina dianxiia is darker than Helina aureolicolorata. Helina dianxiia and Helina aureolicolorata are synonymized here because the two holotypes of these two nominal species characters are surprisingly consistent and genitalia are identical. Therefore, we synonymized Helina aureolicolorata under Helina dianxiia.
Material studied.
Holotype of Helina dianxiia, ♂: China: Yunnan, Lushui, alt. 2,000m a.s.l., 26.V.1992, Coll. F.H. Li (IESNU). Holotype of Helina aureolicolorata, ♂: China: Sichuan, Ya’an, Mt. Zhougong, alt. 1,700m a.s.l., 24.VI.1985, Coll. Y. Feng (IMEAMMS).
Distribution.
China (Sichuan, Yunnan).
Myospila lenticeps
(Thomson, 1869)
http://species-id.net/wiki/Myospila_lenticeps
Helina magnimaculata Feng in Deng and Feng, 1995: 140; Xue et al. 2005: 39; Xue and Wang 2006: 176. Syn. n.
Remarks.
There are more than fifty species of the genus Myospila found in China. The species magnimaculata, previously assigned to Helina, is in my opinion a Myospila due to the following characters: vein M distinctly curved forward at tip; cerci slender and the morphology of genitalia. At the same time, I consider it to be a synonym of Myospila lenticeps for these other reasons: scutum with 4 dc; costal spine short but distinct; most part of thorax brown with dense light yellow pollinosity and vein R4+5 with fine hairs on the basal part in ventral view. Consequently, Helina magnimaculata is a new subjective junior synonym of Myospila lenticeps.
Distribution.
China (Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan); Japan; Sri Lanka; India; Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Thailand; Nepal; Kiribati (Christmas Island); Madagascar; Principe.
Spilogona angulisurstyla
(Xue & Xiang, 1998) comb. n.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Spilogona_angulisurstyla
Helina angulisurstyla Xue & Xiang in Xue and Chao 1998: 1126; Xue et al. 2005: 45; Xue and Wang 2006: 171.
Material studied.
Paratype, ♂: China: Xinjiang, Dong Kunlun, Kaerdong, alt. 4,300m a.s.l., 11.VII.1984, Coll. C.Q. Xiang (IESNU); paratype, ♂: China: Xinjiang, Hejing, alt. 3,000–3,500m a.s.l., 31.VII.1958, Coll. C.Q. Li (IZCAS).
Remarks.
Helina angulisurstyla was described by Xue and Xiang in Xue and Chao (1998) and can be easily distinguished from other Helina species by the slightly shortened arista, pra absent, katepisternal setae 1+1, veins R4+5 and M not diverging distally, abdomen with trapezoid patches, sternite 1 bare, sternite 5 broad and short, cerci long and distal sharped, surstyli not expanded distally but sharp in lateral view. However, these diagnostic characters are practically identical with the generic characters of Spilogona. Our analysis of the paratypes of Helina angulisurstyla revealed a similar external morphology; especially the male genital structures with species in the genus Spilogona. Consequently, we suggest the following new combination: Spilogona angulisurstyla.
Distribution.
China (Xinjiang).
Spilogona apicicauda
(Xue, Wang & Tong, 2003) comb. n.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Spilogona_apicicauda
Helina apicicauda Xue, Wang & Tong, 2003: 754; Xue and Wang 2006: 171.
Material studied.
Holotype, ♂: China: Qinghai, Yushu, Batang, alt. 4,200–4,500m a.s.l., 15.VI.1964, Coll. S.Y. Wang (IZCAS).
Remarks.
Diagnostic characteristics (arista short; pra absent; katepisternal setae 1+2; costa with distinct comb-like rows on the front margin, vein m-m straight; mid tibia with 2 ad and 2 p; tergites 3 and 4 with one pair dark patches, sternite1 bare; surstyli slender, the lateral margin of cerci curved in distal half, apical of cerci sharp, sternite 5 broad and short) of the holotype indicate that it belongs to Spilogona.
Distribution.
China (Qinghai).
Hebecnema arcuatiabdomina
(Feng & Fan, 2001) comb. n.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Hebecnema_arcuatiabdomina
Helina arcuatiabdomina Feng & Fan, 2001: 188; Xue et al. 2005: 47; Xue and Wang 2006: 171.
Description.
(Translated from Feng and Fan 2001.) MALE. Body length about 7.0mm. Eye bare, upper part slightly flattened, facets obviously expanded on anterior margin in upper part, frons at its narrowest point about 1/3 of the width of anterior ocellus, lower half of fronto-orbital plate with 3 frontal setae; ocelli mound-like; parafacial about half as wide as postpedicel; antennal scape and pedicel black, brown distally, postpedicel 2.5 times as long as broad, arista short plumose, the longest hairs slightly shorter than half of postpedicel width; face distally slightly raised, upper part with a flat facial ridge; gena and postgena with black hairs, front gena with subvibrissal setae into 2 rows, genal height about 1/10 of the eye height; prementum about as long as high; palpus dark. Thorax with thin greyish blue pollinosity, scutum without distinct longitudinal stripes, acr 3+5 (prescutellar acr short), dc 2+4, ia 0+2, pra absent; lateral and lower margins of scutellum bare; basisternum, notopleuron, meron, katepimeron and metanepisternum bare; spiracle dark brown, half-open; proepisternal setae 2, proepimeral setae 2, katepisternal setae 1+2. Tegula blackish-brown, basicosta brownish-yellow, costal spine inconspicuous; node of Rs bare, crossveins without a cloudy appearance, veins R4+5 and M slightly diverging in distal part; calypteres brownish, halteres dark redish-brown. Coxae and trochanters brownish-yellow; femora and tibiae brownish-yellow, tarsi black, distal part of tarsi with yellow rings; fore tibia without p; basal third of mid femur with 4 pv (short and stout distally), mid tibia with 3 p, distally with 1 p; hind coxa bare on posterior surface, hind femur with complete rows of av and p, 1 av distally. Abdomen slightly dark yellow, with thin pollinosity, without distinct stripes and round patches, syntergite 1+2, tergites 3 and 4 with narrow posterior marginal stripes, tergites 3 to 5 with median marginal setae; tergite 6 and sternite 1 bare, sternites 2 and 3 square-shaped.
FEMALE. Unknown.
Remarks.
The genus Hebecnema Schnabl, 1889 resembles the genus Helina but differs from it by the following characters: abdomen always without paired spots; fronto-orbital plate narrow, always narrower than antenna width; head in lateral view slightly flat on upper part; surstyli always slender.
According to the original descriptions and illustrations of Helina arcuatiabdomina given by Feng and Fan(2001), we can confirm that this species belongs to Hebecnema.
Distribution.
China (Sichuan).
Supplementary Material
Acknowledgements
I’m very grateful to Mr. Yan Feng (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Ya’an Municipal, Sichuan Province, China), who gave me invaluable help and extend my heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Jie Wu, Wei-bing Zhu and Xian-wei Liu (Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China); Prof. Ge-xia Qiao, Prof. Jun Chen, and Dr. Li-li Zhang (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China); Prof. Rong-man Xu (Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China) who gave us invaluable help with this study. I’m also extremely thankful to two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on the manuscript and Ms. April Gloury (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia) for her assistance in proofreading of the manuscript. This study is supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 31071957, No. 31272347 and No. 30770252).
References
- de Carvalho CJB, Couri MS, Pont AC, Pamplona D, Lopes SM. (2005) A Catalogue of the Muscidae (Diptera) of the Neotropical Region. Zootaxa 860: 1-282 [Google Scholar]
- Deng AX, Feng Y. (1995) Three new species of genus Helina from Sichuan, China (Diptera: Muscidae). Sichuan Journal of Zoology 14 (4): 139-142 [Google Scholar]
- Emden FI van. (1965) The Fauna of India and the adjacent countries. Diptera, 7, Muscidae, part 1. Government of India, Delhi, 647 pp. [Google Scholar]
- Fan ZD. (1992) Key to the common flies of China, second edition. Science Press, Beijing, 992 pp. [Google Scholar]
- Fang JM, Fan ZD. (1993) Diptera: Muscidae I. II. In Chen SX (Ed.) Insects of Hengduan Mountains. Volume 2. Science press, Beijing, 1220–1270.
- Fang JM, Fan ZD, Li R, Deng XA. (1986) Notes on some new species of Phaoniinae from Western China, (Diptera: Muscidae). Contributions from Shanghai Institute of Entomology 6: 237-245 [Google Scholar]
- Feng Y, Fan ZD. (2001) Two new species of the genus Helina (Muscidae) with a further description of Scathophaga chinensis Malloch (Scathophagidae) (Diptera) from Sichuan, China. Entomotaxonomia 23 (3): 187-192 [Google Scholar]
- Feng Y, Xue WQ. (2002) Five new species of the genus Helina (Diptera: Muscidae) from Sichuan, China. Entomotaxonomia 24 (4): 261-268 [Google Scholar]
- Hennig W. (1957–1958) Muscidae. In: Lindner E (Ed.) Die Fliegen der palaearktischen Region, 63b, Stuttgart: Schweizerbart, 145–232.
- Hennig W. (1965) Vorarbeiten zu einem phylogenetischen System der Muscidae (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde 141: 1-100 [Google Scholar]
- Ma ZY. (1981) Descriptions of five new species of Muscidae from Liaoning, China (Diptera: Muscidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 6 (3): 300-307 [Google Scholar]
- McAlpine JF. (1981) Morphology and terminology–adults. In: McAlpine JF, Peterson BV, Shewell GE, Teskey HJ, Vockeroth JR, Wood DM. (Eds). Manual of Nearctic Diptera, Vol.1. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada Monograph, 27, Ottawa: 9-63
- Pont AC. (1980) Family Muscidae. In: Crosskey RW. (Ed.). Catalogue of the Diptera of the Afrotropical Region.British Museum (Natural History), London: 721-761
- Pont AC. (1986) Family Muscidae. In: Soós Á and L Papp. (Eds.). Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera.Vol. 11. Scathophagidae-Hypodermatidae. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest: 57-215
- Qian WP, Feng Y. (2005) Three new species of the genus Helina from China (Diptera: Muscidae). Chinese Journal of Vector Biology and Control 16 (40): 258-260 [Google Scholar]
- Robineau-Desvoidy AJB. (1830) Essai sur les Myodaires. Mémoires présentés par divers Savants à l’Académie Royale des Sciences de l’Institut de France, 2: 1-813 [Google Scholar]
- Stein P. (1907) Zur Kenntnis der Dipteren von Central-Asien. II. Cyclorrhapha schizophora schizometopa. Die von Roborowsky und Kozlov in der Mongolei und Tibet gesammelten Anthomyiiden. Ezhegodnik Zoologicheskago Muzeya 12 (3): 318-372 [Google Scholar]
- Stein P. (1915) H. Sauter’s Formosa-Ausbeute, Anthomyidae (Diptera). Supplementa Entomological 4: 13-56 [Google Scholar]
- Stuckenberg BR. (1999) Antennal evolution in the Brachycera (Diptera), with a reassessment of terminology relating to the flagellum. Studia dipterologica 6 (1): 33-48 [Google Scholar]
- Thomson CG. (1869) 6. Diptera. Species nova descripsit. In Kongliga svenska Vetensk Akademiens Handlingar. Kongliga svenska fregatten Eugenies resa omkring jorden 2 (1): 523-563 [Google Scholar]
- Wang MF, Wang RR, Xue WQ. (2006a) A review of the H. obtusipennis species-group of the genus Helina R.-D. (Diptera: Muscidae) from the Palaearctic and Oriental regions, with the description of one new species. Zootaxa 1137: 63-68 [Google Scholar]
- Wang MF, Wang RR, Xue WQ. (2006b) A review of the quadrum species group of Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from China. Oriental Insects, 40: 171-178 doi: 10.1080/00305316.2006.10417469 [Google Scholar]
- Wang MF, Xue WQ, Wang RR, Zhang D. (2005a) A review of the hirsutitibia species-group of the genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from China, with the description of one new species. The pan-pacific Entomologist 81(3/4): 114–121.
- Wang MF, Xue WQ, Wang RR, Zhang D. (2005b) Notes on Helina laxifrons species-group of the genus Helina R.-D. from China (Diptera: Muscidae). Chinese Journal of Vector Biology and Control 16 (6): 416-417 [Google Scholar]
- Wang MF, Xue WQ, Zhang D. (2004) Notes on annosa species-group of Helina R.-D. (Diptera: Muscidae) in China. Entomologia Sinica 11 (4): 293-301 [Google Scholar]
- Wang MF, Zhang D, Wang RR. (2008) Two new species of the genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from China with revised diagnosis on the Chinese species. Annales de la socciété entomologique de France(Nouvelle série) 44 (2): 87-106 [Google Scholar]
- Wu JW. (1989) Five new species of the genus Helina from Gansu, China (Diptera: Muscidae). Entomotaxonomia 11 (4): 323-332 [Google Scholar]
- Xue WQ, Chao CM. (1998) Flies of China. Vol. 1. Liaoning Science and Technology Press, Shenyang, 1365 pp. [Google Scholar]
- Xue WQ, Feng Y, Tong YF. (2005) A taxonomic study on Helina R.-D. (Diptera: Muscidae) from China. Oriental Insects 39: 35-62 doi: 10.1080/00305316.2005.10417417 [Google Scholar]
- Xue WQ, Li FH. (2002) Three new species of the genus Helina from Yunnan, China (Diptera: Muscidae). Acta Entomologica Sinica 45(S1): 78–80.
- Xue WQ, Wang MF. (1982) A new species of the genus Helina from Shanxi, China (Diptera: Muscidae). Entomotaxonomia 4(1/2): 15–17.
- Xue WQ, Wang MF. (2006) Flies of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (Insecta: Diptera). Science press, Beijing, 336 pp. [Google Scholar]
- Xue WQ, Wang MF, Tong YF. (2003) Four new species of the genus Helina R.-D. from Qinghai, China (Diptera, Muscidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 28 (4): 754-758 [Google Scholar]
Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.