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Global diversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in freshwater

  • FRESHWATER ANIMAL DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
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Abstract

Black flies are a worldwide family of nematocerous Diptera whose immature stages are confined to running waters. They are key organisms in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but are perhaps best known for the bloodsucking habits of adult females. Attacks by black flies are responsible for reduced tourism, deaths in wild and domestic birds and mammals, and transmission of parasitic diseases to hosts, including humans. About 2,000 nominal species are currently recognized; however, certain geographical regions remain inadequately surveyed. Furthermore, studies of the giant polytene chromosomes of larvae reveal that many morphologically recognized species actually consist of two or more structurally indistinguishable (yet reproductively isolated) sibling species. Calculations derived from the best-known regional fauna—the Nearctic Region—reveal that the actual number of World black fly species exceeds 3,000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Douglas C. Currie

  2. Department of Entomology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA

    Peter H. Adler

Authors
  1. Douglas C. Currie
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  2. Peter H. Adler
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Correspondence to Douglas C. Currie.

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Guest editors: E.V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens

Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment

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Currie, D.C., Adler, P.H. Global diversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia 595, 469–475 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9114-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9114-1

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