1. We identify local hotspots of elevated species richness and endemicity of aquatic insects in the Dinarides (Balkans) using aquatic Empididae (Diptera) as models and compared observed patterns with historical geological and hydrological changes in the region.2. We analysed species richness and reciprocal weighted endemicity. Parsimony analysis of endemism was used to generate an historical hypothesis of the relationships between the aquatic Empididae biotas of different regions of local endemism within the Dinarides and the results reconciled with the geological and hydrological history of the region.3. Hotspots of high endemicity were coincident with areas of elevated species richness and were located primarily in the northwest Dinarides, central Bosnia & Herzegovina, and southeast Montenegro. Parsimony analysis of endemism retrieved three weakly supported area clades comprising areas of southeast Dinarides together with disjunct areas at the western Dinarides, and central Bosnia & Herzegovina together with the disjunct northwest Dinarides.4. The aquatic Empididae fauna of the northwest Dinarides has been strongly influenced by dispersal from the European Alps, whereas that at the southern end of the range may have been shaped by immigration from ranges further south. In the central Dinarides, progressive fragmentation of the hydrological network through orogenesis, karstification, redistribution of flysch deposits, and saline ingressions may underlie current diversity patterns with populations becoming increasingly isolated and focused within refugia. 5. Hotspots of endemism and diversity are not necessarily coincident with protected areas and further work will be needed if they are to be reconciled with future planning of conservation priorities.

The genus Chelipoda Macquart in New Zealand is revised; full descriptions and keys are provided for all 38 species and 22 new species are recognized: C. aritarita sp. n., C. atrocitas sp. n., C. australpina sp. n., C. brevipennis sp. n., C. cornigera sp. n., C. cycloseta sp. n., C. didhami sp. n., C. dominatrix sp. n., C. ferocitrix sp. n., C. fuscoptera sp. n., C. gracilis sp. n., C. lateralis sp. n., C. macrostigma sp. n., C. mediolinea sp. n., C. monorhabdos sp. n., C. puhihiroa sp. n., C. rakiuraensis sp. n., C. rangopango sp. n., C. tainuia sp. n., C. tangerina sp. n., C. ultraferox sp. n. and C. venatrix sp n. Lectotypes are designated for C. oblinita Collin and C. oblata Collin. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for C. abdita Collin, C. abjecta Collin, C. consignata Collin, C. delecta Collin, C. inconspicua Collin, C. interposita Collin, C. longicornis Collin, C. moderata Collin, C. modica Collin, C. recurva Collin, C. secreta Collin and C. trepida Collin. C. recurva Collin syn. n. is designated a junior synonym of C. mirabilis Collin. A high incidence of profound sexual dimorphism is reported and structure-function relationships of exaggerated male characters are explored. Cladistic analysis resolved two clades characterised by degree of thoracic elongation, male genital flexion, fusion of cerci with epandrial lobes and shape of cell cup. It is hypothesized that one lineage gave rise to Palaearctic and Nearctic forms while the other lineage has a ‘Gondwanan’ distribution. Loss of crossvein dm-cu in Phyllodromia Zetterstedt is interpreted as a homoplasy which has occurred in both lineages of Chelipoda and of no generic significance. Relationships with other Chelipoda-like genera Ptilophyllodromia Bezzi and Monodromia Collin are discussed and current knowledge of diversity, distribution, ecology and behaviour is summarised.

A new dance fly (Empididae: Empidinae) with hugely modified male fore tarsus, either on the right, left, both or neither sides, is described from Japan. Such massive polymorphic asymmetry occurring with so high an incidence in a population is previously unreported. In view of the courtship behaviour of other Empidinae, we hypothesize that the oversized tarsus is a secondary sexual character employed by males for attracting females. Alternative hypotheses are also discussed. We suggest that this extraordinary new species is a potential model for the study of mating biology in Empidinae and the evolution of mating systems in general.

No abstract

Thermoanaerobium Tok6-B1 pullulanase (EC 3.2.1.41) was active on alpha 1-6-glucosidic linkages of pullulan, amylopectin and glycogen and the alpha 1-4 linkages of amylose, amylopectin and glycogen but not of pullulan. Hydrolysis of short-chain-length malto-oligosaccharides (seven or fewer glucose residues) yielded maltose as product. Pullulan hydrolysis was pH-dependent and a plot of log(V/Km) versus pH implied a carboxy group with pKa 4.3 at the active site. Modification with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodi-imide (EDAC) confirmed this view, and analysis of the order of reaction and inactivation kinetics suggested the presence of a single carboxy group at a catalytic centre of the active site. EDAC-mediated inhibition of pullulan alpha 1-6-bond hydrolysis was relieved by amylose or pullulan. Similarly both pullulan and amylose protected the activity directed at alpha 1-4 bonds of amylose from EDAC inhibition. When both amylose and pullulan were simultaneously present, the observed rate of product formation closely fitted a kinetic model in which both substrates were hydrolysed at the same active site.