New specific synonymies and taxonomic notes on Neotropical blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Abstract

In this paper we clarify the status of some poorly known blackfly species from the Neotropical Region. Information is provided about their depositories, their condition, and already-established synonyms. Fifteen new synonyms are established, two species are assigned to a different subgenus, and five lectotypes are designated based on an examination of type material. The following new synonyms are proposed: Simulium tarsatum Macquart (= S. mexicanum Bellardi, S. seriatum Knab, S. aureopunctatum Malloch, S. placidum Knab, S. lugubre Lutz & Nuñez Továr, S. turgidum Hoffmann, Trichodagmia laticalx Enderlein, T. latidigitus Enderlein, S. bellardii Py-Daniel & Moreira Sampaio); S. nigrimanum Macquart (= T. spadicidorsum Enderlein); and S. townsendi Malloch (= S. chalcocoma Knab, T. ecuadoriensis Enderlein, T. latitarsis Enderlein, T. strigata Enderlein, S. muiscorum Bueno, Moncada & Muñoz de Hoyos). Five lectotypes are designated for the following species names: T. laticalx, T. latidigitus, T. spadicidorsum, T. ecuadoriensis and T. latitarsis. Two species, S. tarsale Williston & S. tarsatum Macquart, previously unplaced in the genus Simulium s.l. are now assigned to the subgenus Hemicnetha Enderlein.

DNA barcodes reveal cryptic genetic diversity within the blackfly subgenus Trichodagmia Enderlein (Diptera: Simuliidae: Simulium) and related taxa in the New World

“…The pattern of intraspecific variation in species with a wide distribution, and its significance for DNA-based identification has not been well evaluated, although Rivera and Currie (2009) found positive correlations in at least some species, and it seems that this could be true of S. tarsatum. Hernández and Shelley (2005) and Shelley et al (2002b) detailed the complicated taxonomy, biology and distribution of S. tarsatum, and postulated that S. tarsatum might be a species complex because it is widely distributed in South America and extends into Central America and the Caribbean. In the majority of localities S. tarsatum is zoophilic, but there are records of this species man-biting in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela (Shelley et al 1989), which is sometimes an indication of the existence of a species complex in Simuliidae (Shelley et al 2000).…”