A study of the male abdomen of Gyrostigma rhinocerontis Hope (Diptera: Gasterophilidae), the stomach bot of the African rhinoceroses, with notes on the ground plan and affinities of Gasterophilidae

Abstract

Our knowledge of the anatomy of the male abdomen of Gyrostigma rhinocerontis Hope is reviewed. A description of the male abdomen of this species is given, and by means of a comparison with Gasterophilu (esp. Gasterophilus pecorum (Fabricius)), a list of the more fundamental characters of Gasterophilidae is produced. Several features in the list suggest that Ephydroidea could be the area of origin for Gasterophilidae, as well as what are here regarded as that family's closest relatives, namely Glossinidae-Hippoboscidae and Oestridae.

Keywords:

• Phylogenetics;Gyrostigma;Gasterophilidae;Oestridae;Ephydroidea;Calyptratae;Genitalia