Some Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) of the Galápagos Islands

Abstract

Twelve species of Phoridae are reported from the Galápagos Islands. At least nine of these were evidently introduced by humans (Chonocephalus dominicanus Borgmeier, C. heymonsi Stobbe, Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot), Gymnoptera simplex (Brues), Megaselia scalaris (Loew), M. seticauda (Malloch), Puliciphora borinquenensis Wheeler, P. occidentalis (Melander & Brues), P. sobria Borgmeier). Megaselia edenensis Disney, sp. n., M. peckorum Disney, sp. n. and Puliciphora species A (not named until its female has been procured) are described. The majority of the specimens of M. scalaris are darker than the typical form and many are smaller than usual, especially those from upland localities, but intermediates also occur. A key to Galápagos species is provided. The use of more varied collecting methods is likely to increase this list in the future.