Revisionary taxonomy of selected higher Diptera (Cyclorrhapha)

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With over 150,000 known species and at least as many awaiting formal description, the flies (order Diptera) comprise at least 20% of biodiversity and are of enormous ecological and economic importance. Despite this, many groups remain poorly known. Careful examination of particular lineages (monophyletic groups) of Diptera consistently yields new species, new distributions and other discoveries. Additionally, specimen study leading to the publication of revisions or reviews makes both new and old species names available, and provides ready access to all the associated information associated with those names. The main objective of the proposed research is to revise selected lineages of Diptera, clarifying the identity, distribution and relationships of component taxa. The major focal groups will be the ubiquitous acalyptrate family Sphaeroceridae and related groups (especially Heleomyzidae) and the smaller acalyptrate family Micropezidae and related lineages. These taxa were selected in part as a logical extension of a long-term research program on their superfamilies, and in part to follow up on research problems that arose during the preparation of chapters on various families for the recent Manual of Central American Diptera. Participation in that project led to the development of the first keys to neotropical genera of several families, and led to the discovery of numerous new genera and species. The description and revision of those genera and their included species is an essential first step to clarifying the taxonomy of the families in question, thus providing a framework for further studies in biodiversity and ecology. Existing study collections will be enhanced using specialized collecting techniques, observation and image recording, and further supplemented by borrowing existing collections from major museums worldwide. Monophyletic groups will be thoroughly revised using all practical characters, starting with morphology (especially internal morphology of the male and female terminalia) to efficiently identify component taxa, develop keys, and construct phylogenetic hypotheses. Behavioral and molecular characters will then be used to resolve problem areas and improve phylogenetic hypotheses.