The Heterotricha group in New Zealand (Diptera: Sciaroidea).

Abstract

The Heterotricha group sensu Chandler has five species in New Zealand. Apart from Anisotricha novaezealandiae (Tonnoir), these are Anisotricha similis sp. n. and, classified in a new genus, Insulatricha gen. n., the species I. catrinae sp. n., I. chandleri sp. n. and I. hippai sp. n. This makes New Zealand a recent distribution centre of the Heterotricha group. Both Anisotricha and Insulatricha belong to the core of the possibly not monophyletic group, but are not sister taxa. The genus Insulatricha appears to be most closely related to the genus Chiletricha Chandler distributed in the southern Neotropics, while the closer relationship of Anisotricha remains unresolved for the time being.

Keywords

Diptera, Sciaroidea, Heterotricha group, taxonomy, new genus, new species, New Zealand.

Nomenclatural Acts

similis Jaschhof, 2004 (Anisotricha), spec. n.
catrinae Jaschhof, 2004 (Insulatricha), spec. n.
chandleri Jaschhof, 2004 (Insulatricha), spec. n.
hippai Jaschhof, 2004 (Insulatricha), spec. n.
Insulatricha Jaschhof, 2004 (Sciaridae), gen. n.