Syneches Walker, 1852Syneches amazonicus Menezes & Ale-Rocha, 2016

Soares, Matheus M. M., Freitas-Silva, Rafael A. P. & Ale-Rocha, Rosaly, 2021, Review of Brazilian species of Syneches Walker (Diptera, Hybotidae, Hybotinae), with description of ten new species, Zootaxa 5049 (1), pp. 1-84 : 5-10

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5049.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F9647501-7F6B-4286-AEEE-19B620F697ED
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5579457
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0384CB1B-A476-C956-9689-2957FD4CFF64
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Syneches Walker Syneches amazonicus Menezes & Ale-Rocha
status

Treatment

Genus Syneches Walker View in CoL

Syneches Walker, 1852: 165 View in CoL ; Bezzi, 1904: 329 (citation, key for subgenera); Melander, 1928: 38 (cit., key for subgenera); 1965: 448 (catalogue); Smith, 1967: 9; 1969: 84; 1975: 190; 1980: 435; 1989: 389 (cat.); Wilder, 1974: 2 (revision Nearctic spp.); Chvála, 1983: 104 (cit.); Chvála & Kovalev, 1989: 184 (cat.); Yang et al., 2007: 306 (cat.); Sinclair, 2011 (rev. Fijian species); Menezes & Ale-Rocha, 2016: 403 (rev. Amazonian spp.). Type-species: Syneches simplex Walker, 1852 View in CoL (monotype).

Pterospilus Rondani, 1856: 152 ; Melander, 1928: 38 (synonym). Type-species: Asilus muscarius Fabricius, 1794 (mon.).

Harpamerus Bigot, 1859: 306 View in CoL ; Bezzi, 1904: 329 (as subgenus); Frey, 1938: 53 (key); Yang & Yang, 2004: 115 (as genus); Yang et al., 2007: 301 (cat.); Sinclair, 2011: 359 (syn.). Type-species: Harpamerus signatus Bigot, 1859 View in CoL (mon.).

Epiceia Walker, 1860: 149 ; Bezzi, 1904: 329 (as subgenus); Frey, 1938: 53 (key); Yang et al., 2007: 301 (syn.). Type-species: Epiceia ferruginea Walker, 1860 View in CoL (mon.).

Parahybos Kertész, 1899: 176 View in CoL ; Melander, 1928: 45 (cit.); Frey, 1938: 53 (key); 1953: 67 (as subgenus); Smith, 1975: 188; 1980: 434 (cat.); 1989: 389 (cat., syn.); Yang & Yang, 2004: 232 (as genus); Yang et al., 2007: 301 (cat.); Sinclair, 2011: 359 (syn.). Type-species: Parahybos iridipennis Kertész, 1899 View in CoL (mon.).

Diagnosis. Length: 1.8–7.5 mm. Color: yellow to black. Body ranging from slender to robust with slender legs, or with swollen hind femur; scutum normally arched; eyes in general flat on frons; upper facets often wider than lower; postpedicel short and oval (longer in S. longiflagellatus ), often bearing a long dorsal seta and the antennal stylus apical to subapical; palpus short and bristly, 3 to 4 x shorter than proboscis, with 1 long apical bristle; proboscis long with labellum sclerotized, lacking pseudotracheae; postcranium concave, with distinct postocellar sclerite; vein Rs long, beginning on basal half of cell br; male terminalia symmetrical and rotated 45–90° to the right.

Distribution. Cosmopolitan.

Key to Brazilian species of Syneches Walker View in CoL

1 Postpedicel elongate, about 3 x longer than scape and pedicel combined ( Fig. 27B View FIGURE 27 ); scutum yellow to pale brown, with quadrangular dark brown spot on anterior third ( Figs 27C, D View FIGURE 27 )........................ S. longiflagellatus Ale-Rocha & Vieira

- Postpedicel usually slightly longer than scape and pedicel combined ( Figs 7C View FIGURE 7 , 43C View FIGURE 43 ); scutum with variable color, never with quadrangular dark brown spot on anterior third ( Figs 1A, B View FIGURE 1 )................................................... 2

2 Scutum broader than mesopleuron in lateral view, usually pyramidal-shaped ( Figs 6B View FIGURE 6 , 7B View FIGURE 7 ); femora mostly brown to black ( Figs 6A View FIGURE 6 , 7A View FIGURE 7 ); small species (1.8–3.0 mm)...................................................................... 3

- Scutum as broad or narrower than mesopleuron in lateral view, usually dome-shaped ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3B View FIGURE 3 ); femora with variable color ( Figs 4A View FIGURE 4 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ); small to large species (3–7.0 mm)............................................................ 8

3 Pterostigma split into two spots, one posterior to apex of R 1 and one filling apex of cell r 1 ( Figs 6E View FIGURE 6 , 29E View FIGURE 29 , 47E View FIGURE 47 )........... 4

- Pterostigma continuous, single spot ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ), or inconspicuous ( Fig. 12E View FIGURE 12 )........................................ 6

4 Second section of M 1 about 1/4–1/2 length of crossvein r-m; R 2+3 strongly curved anteriorly, forming right angle with vein C ( Fig. 6E View FIGURE 6 )................................................................. S. angulatus Menezes & Ale-Rocha

- Second section of M 1 as long or longer than crossvein r-m; R 2+3 gently curved anteriorly, not forming right angle with vein C ( Figs 29E View FIGURE 29 , 47E View FIGURE 47 )....................................................................................... 5

5 Postpedicel dark brown, yellow on apical half ( Fig. 47C View FIGURE 47 ), sometimes varying from entirely dark brown to entirely yellow; scutum with dc stripe of gray pruinescence, one circle of gray pruinescence on npl and other just above npl ( Fig. 47B View FIGURE 47 ); pterostigma extended beyond apex of cell r 1 ( Fig. 47E View FIGURE 47 ); distal margin of hypandrium rather convex, with pair of bristles inserted very close to each other ( Ale-Rocha & Vieira 2008, Fig. 30 View FIGURE 30 )...................................... S. vidali Ale-Rocha & Vieira

- Postpedicel wholly dark brown ( Fig. 29C View FIGURE 29 ); scutum with dc stripe with pale pruinescence, without circles of gray pruinescence ( Fig. 29B View FIGURE 29 ); pterostigma not extended beyond apex of cell r 1 ( Fig. 29E View FIGURE 29 ); distal margin of hypandrium rather concave, with pair of bristles inserted far from each other ( Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 60)......... S. maculosum Menezes & Ale-Rocha

6 Tibiae yellow to dark yellow, hind tarsomere 1 wholly yellow ( Figs 36A, D View FIGURE 36 ); epandrium with median apical projection ( Rafael & Ale-Rocha 1995, fig. 51)............................................................. S. pyramidatus Bezzi

- Tibiae predominantly dark brown to black, hind tarsomere 1 brown with base and apex yellow ( Figs 7A View FIGURE 7 , 12A, D View FIGURE 12 ); epandrium with dorsoapical projection............................................................................. 7

7 Prescutellar disc and scutellum covered with dense gray pruinescence ( Fig. 7D View FIGURE 7 ); pterostigma small, somewhat triangular, brown, or just darkening posterior to apex of R 1, wing slightly brownish ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ).................... S. annulipes Bezzi

- Prescutellar disc and scutellum covered with reddish brown pruinescence; pterostigma inconspicuous, wing hyaline ( Fig. 12E View FIGURE 12 ).................................................................... S. bilobatus Menezes & Ale-Rocha

8 Flies medium to large size (5–7.00 mm), with strong aspect ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 9A View FIGURE 9 , 13A View FIGURE 13 , 15A View FIGURE 15 , 48A, B View FIGURE 48 ); scutellum with more than 16 bristles of various sizes; hind femur strongly swollen with 1AV and 1V rows of spiniform bristles inserted on short tubercles ( Figs 13D View FIGURE 13 , 15D View FIGURE 15 ); pterostigma colored ( Figs 9E View FIGURE 9 , 13E View FIGURE 13 , 15E View FIGURE 15 , 48H View FIGURE 48 )................................................ 9

- Flies small to medium size (3–5.5 mm), with slender aspect ( Figs 4A View FIGURE 4 , 8A View FIGURE 8 ); scutellum usually with less than 16 bristles (only S. luteus has more than 16 bristles); hind femur variable in robustness and chaetotaxy; pterostigma colored or inconspicuous... .................................................................................................. 12

9 Pterostigma short and quadrangular, with brown stain at apex of R 2+3 and anterior to crossvein r-m ( Fig. 48H View FIGURE 48 ) S. walkeri Smith

- Pterostigma elongate, 2 or 3 x longer than wide, oval, lacking brown stain at apex of R 2+3 and anterior to crossvein r-m ( Figs 9E View FIGURE 9 , 13E View FIGURE 13 , 15E View FIGURE 15 )....................................................................................... 10

10 Prosternum isolated, not fused to proepisternum ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ; cf. also Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 2); wing dark brown, pterostigma not fading out distally ( Fig. 9E View FIGURE 9 ); phallus without lateral flaps ( Soares & Ale-Rocha 2018, fig. 1)............................................................................................. S. atratus Soares & Ale-Rocha

- Prosternum fused to proepisternum ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ; cf. also Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 1); wing greyish or pale brown, pterostigma fading out distally ( Figs 13E View FIGURE 13 , 15E View FIGURE 15 ); phallus with lateral flaps ( Fig. 14A View FIGURE 14 ).................................. 11

11 Pterostigma slender, about 3 x longer than wide, fading above, not touching costal margin in cell r 1 ( Fig. 15E View FIGURE 15 ); antenna wholly dark brown ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 15C View FIGURE 15 ); proboscis and palpus pale brown to dark brown ( Fig. 15C View FIGURE 15 ); fore tibia dark brown ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 15A– C View FIGURE 15 ); postgonite rounded at apex; epandrial lamella wide in lateral view, slightly narrower on apical half ( Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, figs 34–35).................................................................... S. curvipes (Fabricius)

- Pterostigma broader than in S. curvipes , about 2 x longer than wide, fading distally, touching costal margin in cell r 1 ( Fig. 13E View FIGURE 13 ); antenna wholly brown or with postpedicel yellow ( Fig. 13C View FIGURE 13 ); proboscis and palpus yellow ( Fig. 13C View FIGURE 13 ); fore tibia yellow ( Fig. 13A View FIGURE 13 ); postgonite with truncated apex ( Fig. 14A View FIGURE 14 ); epandrial lamella wide in lateral view, narrowing abruptly towards apex (boot-like shape) ( Fig. 14C View FIGURE 14 )............................................................... S. catarinae Smith

12 Ocellar triangle flat ( Figs 8C View FIGURE 8 , 30B View FIGURE 30 , 38B View FIGURE 38 ); mid tibia with 2 bristles longer than mid tarsomere 1; hind femur usually with 1AV row of bristles inserted on finger-like tubercles ( Fig. 38C View FIGURE 38 ).................................................... 13

- Ocellar triangle protuberant ( Figs 1A View FIGURE 1 , 3C View FIGURE 3 , 10C View FIGURE 10 ); mid tibia usually lacking bristles longer than mid tarsomere 1 ( S. exilis has long bristles on mid tibia, longer than mid tarsomere 1); hind femur without prominent finger-like tubercles ( Figs 4D View FIGURE 4 , 10D View FIGURE 10 ).. .................................................................................................. 15

13 Scutum covered with reddish brown pruinescence; prescutellar disc clearly contrasting with gray pruinescence and dc stripe of yellowish-gray pruinescence ( Fig. 8B View FIGURE 8 ); hind tibia yellow with slender brown ring at mid-length ( Fig. 8A View FIGURE 8 ); hind femur with 1AV row of spiniform bristles inserted on small tubercles ( Figs 8E, F View FIGURE 8 )................... S. applanatus Menezes & Ale-Rocha

- Scutum covered with homogeneous pruinescence ( Figs 30A View FIGURE 30 , 38A View FIGURE 38 ), lacking dc stripe; hind tibia yellow or brown, lacking contrasting slender ring at mid-length ( Figs 30C–D View FIGURE 30 , 38C–D View FIGURE 38 ); hind femur with 1AV row of spiniform bristles inserted on finger-like tubercles ( Figs 30C–D View FIGURE 30 , 38C–D View FIGURE 38 )......................................................................... 14

14 Hind femur brown, yellow at base ( Figs 30C–D View FIGURE 30 ); wing hyaline, with infuscation on apical margin and at mid-length between R 1 and crossvein r-m; R 2+3 with apex strongly curved anteriorly, reaching vein C at right angle ( Fig. 30E View FIGURE 30 ); hypandrium 2 x longer than wide ( Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 67)................................................. S. manaos Smith

- Hind femur brown, with basal third to basal half yellow ( Figs 38C–D View FIGURE 38 ); wing hyaline, lacking infuscation; R 2+3 with apex gently arched anteriorly, reaching vein C at acute angle ( Fig. 38E View FIGURE 38 ); hypandrium elongated, about 3 x longer than wide ( Ale-Rocha & Vieira 2008, fig. 2)........................................................................ S. repletus Bezzi

15 Scutum distinctly narrower than mesopleuron in lateral view ( Figs 3B View FIGURE 3 , 16B View FIGURE 16 , 39B View FIGURE 39 ); prescutellar disc not distinctly flattened (mesopleuron measurements taken from end of notopleuron to mid coxa)........................................ 16

- Scutum as broad as mesopleuron or only slightly narrower than mesopleuron ( Figs 13B View FIGURE 13 , 18B View FIGURE 18 ); prescutellar disc distinctly flattened.............................................................................................. 18

16 Scutum orangish yellow; pleura yellow, except posterior half of anepisternum and central portion of katepisternum brown, forming large, well delimited vertical spot ( Figs 39A, B View FIGURE 39 ); hind tibia yellow ( Fig. 39D View FIGURE 39 )................ S. sinclairi sp. nov.

- Scutum brown ( Figs 3B View FIGURE 3 , 16B View FIGURE 16 ); pleura variable in color, without well delimited vertical spot ( Figs 3B View FIGURE 3 , 16B View FIGURE 16 ); hind tibia brown ( Figs 3D View FIGURE 3 , 16D View FIGURE 16 )...................................................................................... 17

17 Antenna yellow, except postpedicel brown ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ); palpus brown; pleura brown to pale brown ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ); hind femur slightly swollen ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ); distal margin of hypandrium without digitiform projection ( Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 4)............................................................................... S. amazonicus Menezes & Ale-Rocha

- Antenna brown, except postpedicel yellow ( Fig. 16C View FIGURE 16 ); palpus yellow; pleura yellow, except anepisternum, upper half of anepimeron and laterotergite brown ( Fig. 16C View FIGURE 16 ); hind femur strongly swollen ( Fig. 16D View FIGURE 16 ); distal margin of hypandrium with two short digitiform projections medially ( Figs 17A, D View FIGURE 17 )........................................... S. digitatus sp. nov.

18 Pterostigma hyaline ( Figs 26E View FIGURE 26 , 28C View FIGURE 28 , 31E View FIGURE 31 )................................................................. 19

- Pterostigma colored ( Figs 4E View FIGURE 4 , 10F View FIGURE 10 , 19F View FIGURE 19 ).................................................................. 21

19 Species medium size (5.0 mm); scutellum with more than 16 bristles........................... S. luteus (Wiedemann)

- Species small size (3.0 mm); scutellum with less than 16 bristles............................................... 20

20 Antenna yellow with postpedicel varying from yellow to dark brown ( Fig. 31C View FIGURE 31 ); prescutellar disc and postalar callus covered with dense gray pruinescence ( Fig. 31B View FIGURE 31 )..................................................... S. moraballi Smith

- Antenna entirely dark brown ( Fig. 26C View FIGURE 26 ); prescutellar disc and postalar callus covered with reddish brown pruinescence................................................................................ S. limeirai Soares & Ale-Rocha

21 Pterostigma quadrangular or rectangular, ending far from apex of cell r 1 ( Figs 37E View FIGURE 37 , 43H View FIGURE 43 ); shape of proepisternum and prosternum variable (however, all species with proepisternum long ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ) or fused to prosternum forming precoxal bridge keyed here) ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 )...................................................................................... 22

- Pterostigma variable, but not quadrangular or rectangular, sometimes filling apex of cell r 1; proepisternum short, prosternum isolated, not fused to proepisternum, both distinctly separated and never forming precoxal bridge ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 )............. 23

22 Hind femur yellow ( Fig. 37D View FIGURE 37 ); pterostigma short and quadrangular ( Fig. 37E View FIGURE 37 ); prosternum fused to proepisternum ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 )............................................................................. S. rafaeli Ale-Rocha & Vieira

- Hind femur brown with yellow subapical ring ( Figs 43B, F–G View FIGURE 43 ); pterostigma somewhat long, rectangular ( Fig. 43H View FIGURE 43 ); proepisternum long, not fused to prosternum ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 )...................................... S. striatus Menezes & Ale-Rocha

23 Scutum mostly orangish yellow, clearly contrasting with dark pronotum......................................... 24

- Scutum mostly brown to dark brown, concolorous with pronotum.............................................. 25

24 Scutum with dark brown acr stripe absent on prescutellar disc ( Fig. 19D View FIGURE 19 ); hind tibia yellow, dark on apical fourth ( Fig. 19E View FIGURE 19 ); second section of M 1 as long as crossvein r-m ( Fig. 19F View FIGURE 19 )....................................... S. fasciatus sp. nov.

- Scutum lacking acr stripe; hind tibia yellow ( Fig. 21C View FIGURE 21 ); second section of M 1 2 x longer than crossvein r-m ( Fig. 21D View FIGURE 21 )..................................................................................... S. flaviscutellatus sp. nov.

25 Hind femur yellow with apical third to apical half reddish brown, with 1AV row of long and sparse spiniform bristles ( Figs 10D View FIGURE 10 , 41D View FIGURE 41 ).............................................................................................. 26

- Hind femur mostly brown or yellow, lacking AV row of spiniform bristles, or present only on apical third.............. 27

26 Scutum homogeneously dark brown on ground color, covered with gray pruinescence, reddish brown on acr region, pale golden on dc stripe, absent only on prescutellar disc, visible in anterior and dorsolateral views ( Figs 10B, E View FIGURE 10 ); phallus with truncate apex, with long and strong lateral flaps ( Fig. 11A View FIGURE 11 )............................................ S. barrettoi sp. nov.

- Scutum pale yellow to brown on ground color, covered with homogenous golden pruinescence, acr region with complete dark brown stripe ( Fig. 41B View FIGURE 41 ); phallus with rounded apex, lateral flaps short and slender ( Fig. 42A View FIGURE 42 )............ S. smithi sp. nov.

27 Hind leg mostly brown ( Figs 18D View FIGURE 18 , 25D View FIGURE 25 , 34D View FIGURE 34 ).............................................................. 28

- Hind leg mostly yellow ( Figs 23D View FIGURE 23 , 32C View FIGURE 32 , 44D View FIGURE 44 , 45D View FIGURE 45 )......................................................... 30

28 Pterostigma narrow, about 6 x longer than wide ( Fig. 18E View FIGURE 18 ); R 2+3 nearly straight at apex ( Fig. 18E View FIGURE 18 ); apical scutellar bristles absent........................................................................ S. exilis Menezes & Ale-Rocha

- Pterostigma wide, 3 or 4 x longer than wide; R 2+3 slightly angulate at apex ( Figs 25E View FIGURE 25 , 34E View FIGURE 34 ); apical scutellar bristles present.. .................................................................................................. 29

29 Palpus brown; fore leg brown ( Fig. 25A View FIGURE 25 ); hind femur brown ( Fig. 25D View FIGURE 25 ).................. S. jauensis Ale-Rocha & Vieira

- Palpus yellow ( Fig. 34C View FIGURE 34 ); fore leg yellow, except tarsomeres 3–5 brown ( Fig. 34A View FIGURE 34 ); hind femur brown with base and preapical ring yellow ( Fig. 34D View FIGURE 34 )................................................................. S. plaumanni sp. nov.

30 Mid and hind coxae dark brown ( Fig. 23A View FIGURE 23 ); hind femur with AV and V spiniform bristles inserted on short tubercles on apical third ( Fig. 23D View FIGURE 23 ).......................................................................... S. fuscus sp. nov.

- Mid and hind coxae yellow ( Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 ); hind femur lacking spiniform bristles inserted on short tubercles ( Figs 4D View FIGURE 4 , 44D View FIGURE 44 , 45D View FIGURE 45 ). .................................................................................................. 31

31 Pleura yellow, except anepisternum brown, anepimeron and laterotergite with small central spot brown ( Fig. 4B View FIGURE 4 ); hind tibia brown on apical half, slightly paler on basal half ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ); pterostigma wide, about 2 x longer than wide, filling apex of cell r 1 ( Fig. 4E View FIGURE 4 )............................................................................. S. amorimi sp. nov.

- Pleura predominantly pale brown to dark brown ( Figs 44B View FIGURE 44 , 45B View FIGURE 45 ); hind tibia yellow ( Figs 44D View FIGURE 44 , 45D View FIGURE 45 ); pterostigma narrow, at least 3 x longer than wide, not filling apex of cell r 1 ( Figs 32D View FIGURE 32 , 45E View FIGURE 45 ) ........................................................................... 32

32 Postpedicel brown to dark brown ( Fig. 45C View FIGURE 45 ); pterostigma with short marginal proximal invagination ( Fig. 45E View FIGURE 45 ); phallus with rounded apex, lateral flaps short, arising close to base of phallus ( Fig. 46A View FIGURE 46 )........................ S. tomentosus Smith

- Postpedicel yellow to pale yellow ( Figs 32B View FIGURE 32 , 44C View FIGURE 44 ); pterostigma lacking short marginal proximal invagination ( Figs 32D View FIGURE 32 , 44E View FIGURE 44 ); phallus with truncate apex or with weak concavity, lateral flaps long, arising from apical half or from apex of phallus ( Fig. 33A View FIGURE 33 ).............................................................................................. 33

33 Scape and pedicel brown, postpedicel yellow to pale yellow ( Figs 32A, B View FIGURE 32 ); fore tibia brown; hypandrium with distal margin trapezoidal, with median subtriangular protuberance, with 2 short apical projections ( Fig. 33A View FIGURE 33 )....... S. nordestino sp. nov.

- Antenna entirely yellow ( Fig. 44C View FIGURE 44 ); fore tibia yellow ( Fig. 44D View FIGURE 44 ); hypandrium slightly narrowed distally, largely cleft apically forming 2 large lobes ( Menezes & Ale-Rocha 2016, fig. 88)....................... S. tenebricus Menezes & Ale-Rocha Syneches amazonicus Menezes & Ale-Rocha View in CoL