The old primary classification of the Tabanidae, based on the presence or absence of hind tibia1 spurs, has been replaced by one based primarily on the genitalia of both sexes, but supported by a significant, though not complete, correlation with external characters. The early stages, so far as known, support the new arrangement. The following subfamilies and tribes are recognized: Pangoniinae Scepsidinae Chrysopinae Tabaninue Pangoniini Bouvieromyiini Diachlorini Scionini Chrysopini Haematopotini Philolichini Rhinomyzini Tabanini Distribution of the family is world-wide, but can be divided into three main sections. More primitive groups are predominantly southern, occurring in some or all of South America, southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, with occasional northern extensions, and, in one case (Pangoniini), an extensive Holarctic arc. More specialized groups show two patterns. Southern regional radiations have occurred in South America and Africa, with extensions respectively into the Nearctic and Oriental-Australasian regions. Northern radiation of Chrysopini,Haematopotini, and Tabanini has resulted in a radial distribution like that of the eutherian mammals.
Eight species and one subspecies of Simuliidae are now known from Queensland, five of which are new. The life-histories of eight are recorded in this paper.
Four species of trypanosomes have been described from birds, Trypanosoma myzanthae from Myzantha melanocephala being new. Several other possibly distinct species are known, but have not been named owing to lack of material. Malaria parasites (Plasmodium) are relatively uncommon. They have been recorded in sparrows, a starling, a falcon, a seagull, and four species of wild anseriform birds. Haemoproteus is common. Seven named species have been recorded, but many birds are known to harbour parasites of this genus, some of which may be new. Leucocytozoon is fairly common. Five species have been recorded, and several other unnamed parasites are known to occur. Lankesterella picumni, sp. nov., is described from Climacteris picumnus, being apparently the first record of a haemogregarine from a bird in Australia. Lankesterella paddae is known in sparrows, and possibly silvereyes.
Classifications proposed in the past are reviewed, the male and female genitalia described in some detail, and the relationships which they indicate found to agree with those suggested by the known larvae and pupae. Parallel evidence from external characters of the adults is partly obscured by convergent evolution between the subfamilies. Pelecorhynchus, Bequaertomyia, and Heterostomus are excluded from the Tabanidae. The genera of Pangoniinae are defined. The following cannot be placed from descriptions: Palaearctic - Scaptiella End. ; spp. described as Corizoneura. Nearctic - Zophina Philip. Neotropical- Leptofidena Krob. The suggested arrangement of the remaining genera is as follows, those placed tentatively from descriptions being indicated by an interrogation mark. PANGONIINI Palaearctic - Pangonius Latr., with possible subgenera Pangonius Latr., Tanyglossa Mg., and ?Ectinocerella Seg. Nearctic-Esenbeckia Rond.; Apatolestes Will.; Brennania Philip; Pilimas Bren.; Stonemyia Bren.; Asaphomyia Stone. Neotropical- Esenbeckia Rond.; Proboscoides Phil.; Chaetopalpus Phil.; Protodasyapha End.; ?Histriosilvius Krob.; ?Protosilvius End. Australasian - Austroplex, gen. nov. (type goldfinchi, sp. nov.) ; Ectenopsis Macq., with subgenera Ectenopsis Macq., Leptonopsis, subgen. nov. (type vittata, sp. nov.), Parasilvius Ferg., and Paranopsis, subgen. nov. (type lutulentus Hut.); Caenoprosopon Ric.; Therevopangonia, gen. nov. (type insolita, sp. nov.). SCIONINI Nearctic - Goniops Aldr. Neotropical - Mycteromyia Phil.; Pityocera G.-T.; Elaphella Bezzi; Scione Walk.; Fidena Walk.; Scaptia Walk., with subgenera Scaptia Walk., Pseudoscione Lutz et al., and'Pseudomelpia End. Ethiopian - Scaptia Walk., subgenus Pseudoscione only.* Australasian -Australia : Scaptia Walk., with subgenera Scaptia, Pseudoscione, Myioscaptia, subgen. nov. (type violacea Macq.), Plinthina Walk., and Palimmecomyia Tayl. New Guinea : Pseudoscione only. New Zealand : Pseudoscione only. PHILOLICHINI Ethiopian - Buplex Aust.; Ommatiosteres End.; Philoliche Wied. (syns. Nuceria Walk., Metaphara End.) ; Stenophara End.; Dorcaloemus Aust.; Phara Walk.; Subpangonia Surc. Oriental and Northern Australasian - Philoliche Wied.
The Australian Scionini belong to five subgenera of the genus Scaptia, namely: Scaptia, known from South America and Australia, with 28 Australian species; Pseudoscione, known from South America, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, with 25 Australian species; Myioscaptia (7 species), Plinthina (7 species), and Palimmecomyia (2 species), known only from Australia. Many of the species suck blood, but some appear to feed only on flowers, chiefly of Leptospermum. Larvae and pupae of one species each of the subgenera Scaptia, Pseudoscione, and Myioscaptia are known. The principal concentration of species is in eastern New South Wales, with radiation north end south, and subsidiary concentrations in north Queensland and south-western Western Australia. The subgenus Plinthina has developed mainly in Western Australia. The Pleistocene glacial cycles are believed to have had a profound effect on speciation in the genus. The following new species and subspecies are described in the respective subgenera : Scaptia: barbara, B @, N.S.W., S. Qld. ; norrisi, B @, N.S.W., N. Qld. ; aurinotum, @, N.S.W. ; minuscula, B @, W.A. ; auranticula, B @, W.A. ; orba, @, N.S.W. ; alpina alpina, B @, N.S.W., Vic. ; alpina hardyi, B @, N.S.W. ; similis, B @, N.S.W., Qld. Pseudoscione: orientalis, B @, N.S.W., Vic.; guttipennis occidentalis, B @, W.A.; calabyi, B @, W.A.; neoconcolor, B @, N.Qld.; anomala, B @, N.S.W., Vic. Myioscaptia: calliphora, B @, N.S.W.; nigrocincta, @, N. Qld.; nigroapicalis, B @, N.S.W. Plinthina: nigerrima, @, N.S.W. ; subcinerea, B @, W.A. Palimmecomyia: pictipennis, @, S. Aust., ? W.A. Scaptia (Scaptia) monticola, nom. nov., is proposed for montana Ricardo nec Hutton. Two species are added to the Pangoniini: Ectenopsis (Ectenopsis) erratica (Walk.), B, W.A., previously unrecognized; and Caenoprosopon dycei, sp, nov., B, N.S.W. Ommia prisca End. is transferred from the synonymy of Ectenopsis (Parasilvius) victoriensis Ferg. to the synonymy of Mesomyia (Lilaea) lurida (Walk.), Chrysopinae.
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