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Issue: Vol. 5785 No. 1: 27 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-27
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5785.1.2
Page range: 44-66
Abstract views: 25
PDF downloaded: 0

Review of West Indian Asyndetus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with descriptions of five new species

Rocky Mountain Research Station; USDA Forest Service; 1648 S. 7th Avenue; Bozeman; Montana 59717; USA
Diptera Empidoidea Neotropical long-legged flies mandibles new species new synonymy Caribbean Bahamas Lesser Antilles Greater Antilles

Abstract

The species of Asyndetus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) occurring in the West Indies are reviewed and nine species are recognized, including five new species: A. ammophilus Loew, A. atratus sp. nov., A. caribeus sp. nov., A. erosicornis sp. nov., A. flabellifer sp. nov., A. fratellus Aldrich, A. interruptus (Loew), A. pogonops Robinson and A. virginensis sp. nov. An unnamed tenth species, known from females, is reported. Males of the new species have partly sclerotized, mandible-like labella, which is rare in brachyceran Diptera. Previous reports of A. syntormoides Wheeler in the West Indies are determined to be erroneous. The following new synonyms are proposed: Asyndetus deficiens Robinson = A. fratellus, syn. nov.; A. dominicensis Robinson = A. fratellus, syn. nov.; A. exiguus Van Duzee = A. fratellus, syn. nov. and A. currani Van Duzee = A. fratellus, syn. nov. The species are illustrated, distributions mapped, and a key to males is provided.

 

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How to Cite

Runyon, J.B. (2026) Review of West Indian Asyndetus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with descriptions of five new species. Zootaxa, 5785 (1), 44–66. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5785.1.2