A review of the Neotropical genus Drepanocnemis Stein (Diptera, Muscidae), with phylogenetic analysis and biogeographic considerations of its species

Abstract

Drepanocnemis Stein (Diptera, Muscidae) includes three species until now only recorded from Peru and Bolivia, basically known only from their type‐material and original descriptions. This review is based on the analysis of the type‐material of D. griseovirens Malloch and D. hirticeps Stein and two specimens from Ecuador collected more recently. A key, and illustrations of head, tibia and terminalia (male and female) make easier the identification of the species. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in a cladogram where the monophyly of Drepanocnemis was supported by three characters: disposition of katepisternal setae in male 0:1, male fore tibia very broad and with one long anterodorsal seta. The cladogram of Drepanocnemis species was superimposed with its geographical distribution on a map of South America. The pattern of the distribution of the species was compared and discussed with historical biogeographic areas previously indicated in literature.

Keywords:

• biogeographic analysis
• pattern of distribution
• phylogeny
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Dr Bjöern Rulik (Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Dresden, Germany) for the loan of the type‐material of D. hirticeps and together with Dr Adrian Pont (Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, UK), for the information on the holotype of D. dorae. The authors are also thankful for Kirstern Lica F. Haseyama for helpful assistance in preparing the map. To Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the support provided (MCS process number 300370/2004–0; CJBC process number 302454/2005–5). M.S. Couri is also grateful to Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) for the financial support for her project (process number. E–26/170.511/2007).