Mírian Morales | UFLA - Federal University of Lavras (original) (raw)

Papers by Mírian Morales

The hoverfly species Palpada panorama sp. n. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is described based on specimens... more The hoverfly species Palpada panorama sp. n. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is described based on specimens from Peru and Su-riname. It belongs to the scutellaris species group and it is most similar to P. erratica (Curran, 1930), from which it differs most notably by the strongly enlarged ommatidia in the upper half of the eye. Additional differences between these two species and an adjustment for the latest identification key for the species of the scutellaris group are given.

The syrphid subfamily Microdontinae is characterized by myrmecophily of their immature stages, i.... more The syrphid subfamily Microdontinae is characterized by myrmecophily of their immature stages, i.e., they develop in ant nests. Data on natural history of microdontines are scarce, especially in the Neotropics. Based on fieldwork in southern Brazil, this study provided new data on development and ecology of the hoverfly Pseudomicrodon biluminiferus (Hull) (Diptera: Syrphidae) as well as the first morphological descriptions of male genitalia, larvae, and pupa. Immature specimens were specifically found in colonies of the ant species Crematogaster limata Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) found in rosettes of the bromeliad species Aechmea lindenii (E. Morren) Baker (Poales: Bromeliaceae) and A. nudicaulis (L.) Grisebach. Third instar larvae were observed preying on ant larvae, revealing the parasitic nature of P. biluminiferus. In this and several other aspects, the natural history of P. biluminiferus is similar to that of Holarctic microdontine species. Exceptions include: (i) indications that adults of P. biluminiferus outlast the winter months (in contrast to 3rd instar larvae in Holarctic species) and (ii) P. biluminiferus’ relationship with bromeliads. The importance of bromeliads for this host-parasite system is evaluated in this paper. The single occurrence of another, unidentified microdontine species’ pupae in a nest of the ant species Camponotus melanoticus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is reported.

Two new species of Meropidia Hippa & Thompson, 1983 (Diptera, Syrphidae) are described, Meropidia... more Two new species of Meropidia Hippa & Thompson, 1983 (Diptera, Syrphidae) are described, Meropidia nitida Morales, sp. n. and M. flavens Hippa & Ståhls sp. n., from Bolivia and Colombia respectively. A key to all described Meropidia species is provided.

Zootaxa, Jan 1, 2009

The adult stage of a new species of flower fly, Alipumilio athesphatus Thompson (Diptera, Syrphid... more The adult stage of a new species of flower fly, Alipumilio athesphatus Thompson (Diptera, Syrphidae) is described. The gross morphology and external integumentary features of the egg, third-instar larva and pupa are also presented. All immature stages were found in association with the exudate resin of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Zootaxa, Jan 1, 1830

Invertebrate Systematics, Jan 1, 2009

Palpada Macquart, 1834 is a large genus of tropical Eristaliini flies with distribution restricte... more Palpada Macquart, 1834 is a large genus of tropical Eristaliini flies with distribution restricted to the New World (Diptera : Syrphidae : Eristalinae). Most species were initially placed within Eristalis Latreille, 1804. In 1972, most
Neotropical species were transferred to Palpada when F.C. Thompson divided Eristalis sensu lato into three genera: Eristalis, Eoseristalis Kanervo, 1938 and Palpada. The latter genus was divided by Thompson (1981) into three groups
of species: scutellaris, agrorum and vinetorum. In the present study, the species of the scutellaris group are revised and the phylogenetic relationships among its species are reconstructed based on adult morphology. The cladistic analysis of the 24 terminal species and 48 characters of external morphology and male and female genitalia, produced one cladogram under equal weights. The monophyly of the scutellaris group was corroborated. Twelve species are recognised within the group, of which one is described as new: Palpada cordiformis Morales, sp. nov., P. claudia (Curran), P. conica (Fabricius), P. doris (Curran), P. erratica (Curran), P. fuliginosa (Hull), P. megafemur Thompson, P. melanaspis (Wiedemann), P. precipua (Williston), P. rufoscutellata (Sack), P. scutellaris (Fabricius) and P. vera (Hull). Two new
synonymies are proposed: P. dorothea (Hull, 1942) = P. melanaspis (Wiedemann, 1830); and P. glabella (Hull, 1942) = P. fuliginosa (Hull, 1935). The lectotype is designated for Eristalis melanaspis. An identification key, a
catalogue, distribution maps, illustrations of general aspects, illustrations of male and female genitalia and scanning electron micrographs are provided.

Biota Neotropica, Jan 1, 2007

Marinoni, L., Morales, M.N. & Spaler, I. Illustrated key for the genera of Syrphinae (Diptera, Sy... more Marinoni, L., Morales, M.N. & Spaler, I. Illustrated key for the genera of Syrphinae (Diptera, Syrphidae) of occurrence in the South of Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Jan/Apr 2007 vol. 7, no. 1 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n1/pt/abstract?identification-key+bn03007012007 ISSN 1676-0603.

Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, Jan 1, 2008

Iheringia, série Zoologia, Jan 1, 2006

Species of Syrphidae (Diptera) as flower visitors of Eryngium horridum (Apiaceae) in Rio Pardo Va... more Species of Syrphidae (Diptera) as flower visitors of Eryngium horridum (Apiaceae) in Rio Pardo Valley, RS, Brazil. Between December 2001 and December 2003, collections of flower visitors of Eryngium horridum (Apiaceae) were carried out in areas of Rio Pardo Valley, RS, Brazil.