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Issue: Vol. 5831 No. 2: 15 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-15
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5831.2.1
Page range: 151-179
Abstract views: 68
PDF downloaded: 12

A new endemic species of Spelobia and new records of Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) from Azores, with notes on their biogeography

Department of Entomology; Silesian Museum; Nádražní okruh 31; 746 01 Opava; Czech Republic
Diptera lesser dung flies taxonomy faunistics distribution Macaronesia Azorean archipelago

Abstract

A synopsis of Sphaeroceridae (lesser dung flies) of Azores is given, with critical revision of published records and presentation of data based on newly obtained material. A total of 42 species are confirmed to occur in the Azorean archipelago, of which 10 species are recorded for the first time, including a new endemic species of Limosininae from Terceira I.: Spelobia rhomboidea sp. nov. is described and illustrated in detail and its relationship to the S. pseudosetaria group is discussed. General information on biology and distribution of all species is provided. The biogeography of sphaerocerid species known from Azores is discussed; they are classified according to presupposed region of origin, with remarks on probable introduction routes. A vast majority of species are widespread, often symbovilous or synanthropic taxa introduced recently to Azores by means of human-assisted dispersal. Others include two species of Nearctic, 2 of Afrotropical, 1 of Mediterranean, 1 of Macaronesian but none of Neotropical origin. Most importantly, three species are endemic to Azores: the paludicolous Rachispoda atrolimosa (Frey, 1945) obviously evolved from an early introduction from N. America; the apterous Pteremis apterina Roháček, 2024; and the brachypterous Spelobia rhomboidea sp. nov., both the latter being terricolous inhabitants of leaf-litter stratum of laurel forests. The diversity and qualitative composition of faunas of Sphaeroceridae in the Canary Is., Madeira and Azores are compared and discussed.

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How to Cite

Roháček, J. (2026) A new endemic species of Spelobia and new records of Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) from Azores, with notes on their biogeography. Zootaxa, 5831 (2), 151–179. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.2.1