Nycteribiidae (Samouelle 1819)

Ševčík, Martin, Benda, Petr & Lučan, Radek Kris, 2013, Diptera Pupipara from bats of two large eastern Mediterranean islands, Crete and Cyprus, Turkish Journal of Zoology 37 (1), pp. 31-37 : 32-33

3.1. Family Nycteribiidae (Samouelle 1819)

3.1.1. Subfamily Nycteribiinae Samouelle, 1819 , sensu Maa 1965

3.1.1.1. Nycteribia (Nycteribia) latreillii (Leach, 1817) Crete. New material examined: 1♂, 1♀, Lefkogeia, at Venetian bridge ca. 3 km E of Kato Preveli Monastery, 30 May 2008 (cMŠ 3962-3963, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis blythii .

Remarks: Until Theodor (1954a), the species was reported in Europe under various names, as the proper name was erroneously used for N. kolenati Theodor and Moscona, 1954 . The distribution of N. latreillii corresponds to the ranges of its primary host species, Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) , M. blythii (Tomes, 1857) , and M. punicus Felten, 1977 , i.e. almost all of continental Europe (northern limit of 51°N – 52°N), the Maghreb, the Middle East, and Central Asia ( Hůrka, 1964; Theodor, 1967). In addition, it can also occur on other species of the genus Myotis Kaup, 1829 , Miniopterus Bonaparte, 1837 , and Rhinolophus Lacépède, 1799 , as well as on other cave-dwelling bats (see Theodor, 1967). Our findings represent the first evidence of this species from Crete. Although we did not find this bat fly in Cyprus, its occurrence is to be expected due the presence of one of the principal host species, M. blythii ( Benda et al., 2007) .

3.1.1.2. Nycteribia (Nycteribia) pedicularia Latreille, 1805 Crete. Published records: Kock (1974): Piskokefalo at Sitia (host Myotis capaccinii ).

Cyprus. Published records: Kock (1974): Kyrenia (host Myotis capaccinii ).

Remarks: Nycteribia pedicularia has frequently been confused with N. latreillii and/or N. kolenati Theodor and Moscona, 1954 . N. pedicularia is distributed in south-eastern Europe, and the northern limit of its range probably reaches the Alps and southern Carpathians ( Hůrka, 1962). In the broader scale of the western Palaearctic, its distribution range encompasses Turkey, Palestine, Iran, Tunisia, and Algeria ( Theodor and

Moscona, 1954; Theodor, 1967). However, the record from Cyprus is doubtful, as the occurrence of the host species as well as the record itself is in doubt (see Benda et al., 2007). Host species of this bat fly are cave-dwelling bats of the genera Myotis , Miniopterus , and Rhinolophus ( Theodor and Moscona, 1954) .

3.1.1.3. Nycteribia (Listropoda) s. schmidlii Schiner, 1853 Crete. Published records: Theodor (1967): Limnea (host Miniopterus schreibersii ). - Kock (1974): Canea = Chaniá (host Miniopterus schreibersii ), Piskokefalo bei Sitia (host Myotis capaccinii ).

New material examined: 2♂♂, 1♀, Dramia , Petres river bridge, 6 October 2006 (cMŠ 3400, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♀ ad Myotis capaccinii ; 5♂♂, 9♀♀, Argyroupoli , Mouselas river, 3 June 2008 (cMŠ 3973-3974, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis capaccinii ; 3♂♂, 3♀♀, Omalos Plateau , Tzani cave, 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3360-3375, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 13♂♂ ad and 2♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii .

Cyprus. Published records: Theodor (1967): site unspecified (host Rhinolophus euryale ).

Remarks: The distribution of the western subspecies N. s. schmidlii corresponds to the distributional range of its principal host bat, Miniopterus schreibersii , viz. central and southern Europe, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and North Africa.

3.1.1.4. Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann, 1804 Synonym : Stylidia biarticulata Hermann, 1804 : Theodor (1967: 127).

Crete. Published records: Theodor (1967): Gonia = Mount Gonias (host Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ). - Kock (1989): Rethimnon (host Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ).

New material examined: 1♂, Kolymvari , mine above village, 9 October 2006 (cMŠ 3426, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ; 2♀♀, Omalos Plateau , Tzani cave, 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3377-3378, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♂♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum .

Cyprus. Published records: Theodor (1967): site undefined (host Rhinolophus euryale ).

New material examined: 1♀, Kakopetria , Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 13 October 2005 (cMŠ c07, leg. R. K. Lučan) from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum individual of unknown sex and age ; 1♂, Afendrika , ruins of Panagia Chrysiotissa church and Asomatos church, 17 October 2005 (cMŠ c02, leg. R. K. Lučan) from 1♂ ad Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) ; 3♂♂, 6♀♀, Kakopetria , Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 27 July 2006 (cMŠ 3335, 3336, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ ad and 1♀ sad Rhinolophus blasii (Peters, 1866) .

Remarks: This cave-dwelling bat fly lives on representatives of the genus Rhinolophus . Its distribution range is circum-Mediterranean and reaches Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ( Hůrka, 1964). While Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is the most frequent host of this bat fly ( Hůrka, 1964), other (mostly cave-dwelling) bats, e.g., Miniopterus schreibersii , Myotis myotis and M. blythii , are less-parasitised hosts ( Hůrka, 1964).

3.1.1.5. Phthiridium integrum ( Theodor and Moscona, 1954)

Cyprus. New material examined: 3♀♀, Kantara, Kantara castle ruins 3 km to NE, 25 July 2006 (cMŠ 3328, leg. P. Benda) from 1♂ ad Eptesicus anatolicus .

Remarks: This species was described by Speiser (1901) and redescribed by Karaman (1939) based on a record from Egypt. Findings are known from host species of the genera Taphozous Geoffroy, 1818 , Rhinolophus and Hipposideros Gray, 1831 from the Middle East: Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen ( Sanborn and Hoogstraal, 1953; Theodor and Moscona, 1954; Theodor, 1976; Kock and Nader, 1979; Amr and Qumsiyeh, 1993). This species is reported here for the first time from Cyprus and from a new host, Eptesicus anatolicus Felten, 1971 .

3.1.1.6. Basilia (Basilia) daganiae Theodor and Moscona, 1954

Cyprus. Published records: Bequaert (1953): Limassol (host Pipistrellus kuhlii ). - Theodor (1956): Limassol, (host Pipistrellus kuhlii ), site undefined, leg. Lilford (without host). - Theodor (1967): site undefined, leg. Lilford (host Pipistrellus kuhlii ). - Kock (1974): Larnaka (host Pipistrellus kuhlii ).

Remarks: The distribution range of this species from the “ bathybothyra group” covers the whole eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine ( Theodor and Moscona, 1954; Lewis and Harrison, 1962; Hůrka and Soós, 1986a; Benda et al., 2010). Its occurrence outside the eastern Mediterranean region is not excluded, considering the much broader distribution of its main host Pipistrellus kuhlii . B. daganiae has also been recorded from other species of the genus Pipistrellus : P. pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) from Jordan ( Benda et al., 2010).

3.1.1.7. Basilia (Basilia) mongolensis nudior Hůrka, 1972 Crete. New material examined : 2♀♀, Meskla , above creek, 5 October 2006 (cMŠ 3393, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♂ ad Myotis aurascens ; 1♂, 1♀, Katholiko monastery, Agiou Ioanni cave , 27 May 2008 (cMŠ 3958, leg. P. Benda) from 1♀ ad Myotis aurascens .

Remarks: This subspecies from the “ bathybothyra group” was described by Hůrka (1972) from the host Plecotus austriacus Fischer, 1829 . The full expansion of this subspecies is unknown, and we expect it to be in the same area distribution as the host Myotis nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) . Its occurrence on other arboreal host species is not excluded, but it occurs mostly in the “ mystacinus group”, viz. M. alcathoe von Helversen and Heller, 2001 ( Heddergott, 2009), and in our records from M. aurascens Kusjakin, 1935 . Previous records are from Croatia, Greece ( Hůrka, 1972), Bulgaria ( Hůrka, 1984), Austria ( Kock, 1984), Turkey ( Aktaş and Hasbenli, 1994; Hasbenli, 1997), and Germany ( Heddergott, 2009).

3.1.1.8. Penicillidia (Neopenicillidia) conspicua Speiser, 1901

Crete. New material examined : 3♂♂, 3♀♀, Omalos Plateau, Tzani cave , 1 October 2006 (cMŠ 3360-3375, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 13♂♂ ad and 2♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii ; 2♀♀, Milatos, Milatou cave , 7 October 2006 (cMŠ 3422-3425, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from collection 1♀ ad and 3♀♀ sad Miniopterus schreibersii .

Cyprus. Published records: Kock (1989): Emba, Paphos Distr. (host Miniopterus schreibersii ).

New material examined: 1♂, 1♀, Neo Horio, Smigies Trail, ca. 3 km to NW, abandoned chromite mine system ‘Magnesia Mine’, 12 October 2005 (cMŠ c03, c04, leg. R. K. Lučan) from 2 Miniopterus schreibersii individuals of unknown sex and age .

Remarks: Penicillidia conspicua is a species bound to its principal host, Miniopterus schreibersii , and its distribution range corresponds to the occurrence of this bat ( Hůrka, 1964). Within this range, it has frequently been found also on Myotis myotis and other cave-dwelling bat species ( Hůrka, 1964). This parasite species is reported from Crete for the first time here.

3.1.1.9. Penicillidia (Penicillidia) dufourii Westwood, 1835 Crete. New material examined : 2♂♂, 3♀♀, Lefkogeia, at Venetian bridge ca. 3 km E of Kato Preveli Monastery, 30 May 2008 (cMŠ 3962-3963, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis blythii ; 1♂, 1♀, Dramia, Petres river bridge, 6 October 2006 (cMŠ 3400, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 1♀ ad Myotis capaccinii ; 2♂♂, 2♀♀, Argyroupoli, Mouselas river , 3 June 2008 (cMŠ 3973- 3974, leg. P. Benda and V. Hanák) from 2♀♀ ad Myotis capaccinii .

Cyprus. New material examined : 2♀♀, Kakopetria , Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 4 km to SW, lower gallery, 15 October 2005 (cMŠ c05, leg. R. K. Lučan) from 1♂ ad Myotis blythii ; 1♂, Kakopetria , Troodos Forest, abandoned mine 5 km to SW, upper gallery, 13 October 2005 (cMŠ c06, leg. R. K. Lučan) from Myotis nattereri individual of unknown sex and age .

Remarks: The subspecies P. d. dufourii is distributed over continental Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia to the western Himalayas and eastern Kazakhstan. Myotis myotis and M. blythii are the main hosts of this species, but it can also be found on Miniopterus schreibersii , though much more rarely. This parasite species is recorded here for the first time from Crete and Cyprus.