Faunistic studies on the family Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Acalyptratae) in Taleghan region

The Lauxaniidae with about 1800 described species are one of the large and diverse families of order Diptera. Most species are found in forests, on shrubs, trees, and leaves. Larvae of lauxaniids are saprophagous, having been found in decaying vegetation such as fallen leaves, rotting wood, and bird nests. Before this study 32 species of lauxaniid flies have been recorded from Iran and little information was available on the fauna of Lauxaniidae of Taleghan region. During field studies on lauxaniid flies’ fauna in Taleghan region (Alburz and Qazvin provinces) in 2016–2017 season, a total of 10 species belonging to five genera (Homoneura sp., Minettia fasciata, M. hyrcanica, M. bulgarica, Calliopum caucasicum, Sapromyza afghanica, S. biordinata, S. hermonensis, Eusapromyza martineki and E. multipunctata) are found to occur in this region. Sapromyza hermonensis is recorded for the first time for Iranian fauna. The diagnostic characters of the new record and geographical distribution of the studied species are given.