Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands

Marc Pollet1, Henk Meuffels2, Jeroen Creuwels3, Roy Kleukers4

1 Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Herman Teirlinckgebouw, Havenlaan 88 bus 73, 1000, Brussels, Belgium; 2 ; 3 NLBIF, PO Box 9517, NL-2300 RA, Leiden, Netherlands; 4 EIS Kenniscentrum Insecten en andere ongewervelden, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR, Leiden, Netherlands

Corresponding author(s): Marc Pollet (mpollet.doli@gmail.com)Henk MeuffelsJeroen Creuwels (nlbif@naturalis.nl)

Received {date}; Revised {date}; Accepted {date}; Published {date}

Citation: Combination of authors, year of data paper publication (in parentheses), Title, Journal Name, Volume, Issue number (in parentheses), and doi of the data paper.

Resource Citation

Pollet M, Meuffels H, Creuwels J (2023). Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands. Version 1.4. European Invertebrate Survey (EIS) - The Netherlands. Occurrence dataset. https://ipt.nlbif.nl/resource?r=dolichopodidae_nl&v=1.4

Abstract

This dataset of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of the Netherlands is the first of its kind for this country. In the frame of the NLBIF project "Nederlandse slankpootvliegendata voor de internationale gemeenschap en citizen scientists" (July 2021 - June 2023), all available occurrence data on this taxonomic group in the Netherlands were assembled, checked or validated and compiled into one database. The present dataset is thus the result of the processing of these distribution data on Dutch long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
Three data sources were used: (i) the private database EURODOL_NL with records of specimens from Dutch museum collections assembled by the second author, and records of specimens collected until 2016 by the first author; (ii) NLBIF, a dataset composed
of data on revised museum specimens, and data on specimens recently collected by Dutch Diptera researchers, all identified by the first author; and (iii) observations from the citizen science portal Waarneming.nl validated by the first author. The three data sources combined contain 35.454 reliable records (EURODOL_NL: 16.443, NLBIF: 7.836, Waarneming.nl: approx. 11.175), 35.130 of which contained sufficiently precise geolocation information. Over 105.000 long-legged flies were examined during specimen research, about 103.000 of which could be reliably identified. Ultimately all data were integrated into one database. Datasources (i) and (ii) are further referred to as "specimen examinations", and (iii) as "field observations".
Together with this dataset, also a distribution Atlas of Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands was produced including e.g., data sheets on each of the 264 Dutch species, with information on basic data, identification keys, global distribution and distribution pattern in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries, ecology and habitat affinity, phenology, status and relevant literature on the species in the Netherlands. It can be acquired through EIS Nederland: Pollet, M. & Meuffels, H. 2023. Verspreidingsatlas van Nederlandse slankpootvliegen (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). – EIS Kenniscentrum Insecten en andere ongewervelden, Leiden).

Keywords: Occurrence, Netherlands, distribution, ecology, first records, status

General description

Purpose: The publication of this dataset of Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands was the main objective of the NLBIF project "Nederlandse slankpootvliegendata voor de internationale gemeenschap en citizen scientists" (2021-2023).

Project details

Project title: Nederlandse slankpootvliegendata voor de internationale gemeenschap en citizen scientists (NLBIF project 2021-2023)
Personnel: Marc Pollet, Roy Kleukers
Funding: NLBIF provided funding for this project with the code: nlbif2021.011
Study area descriptions/descriptor: Geographic coverage: the Netherlands
Temporal coverage: 1864 - 2023 (March)
Taxonomic coverage: Dolichopodidae (Diptera)
Design description: The main aim of this project is to disclose as many distribution data of Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands as possible to the international community via GBIF. This dataset represents the second complete and validated GBIF dataset of a national dolichopodid fauna, after that of Portugal (Pollet et al. 2019). Also, information on the life history traits of Dutch species is assembled. This information might be relevant in all kinds of ecological analyses (e.g., functional groups in agriculture, relation between phenology and global warming, role in ecosystem services). Finally, a distribution Atlas is generated (in Dutch) for the community of Dutch fly observers and other naturists. Data from the specimen examination process will be uploaded in the citizen scientist’s portal Waarneming.nl, which might trigger an (renewed) interest in this fly family. It will also allow citizen scientists to look for rare or potentially extinct species in their neighbourhood. 

The following project objectives can thus be distinguished: (1) processing of additional samples and the identification (or examination) of additional specimens; (ii) strengthened validation of citizen scientist’s observations in the Waarneming.nl portal; (iii) compilation and enrichment of the all data in a single database; (iv) preparation and publication of a dataset to GBIF; (v) construction of a dataset with natural history traits of the species; (vi) providing the data of the specimen examination process to the citizen science community by uploading them to the Waarneming.nl portal; (vii) publication of research papers; and (viii) outreach actions on the project by small notes and contributions in newsletters and various forums.

Pollet, M., Andrade, R., Gonçalves, A., Andrade, P., Jacinto, V., Almeida, J., De Braekeleer, A., Van Calster, H. & Brosens, D. (2019) Dipterological surveys in Portugal unveil 200 species of long-legged flies, with over 170 new to the country (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). Zootaxa 4649 (1): 001–069. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4649.1.1. 

Data published through GBIF: https://ipt.nlbif.nl/resource?r=dolichopodidae_nl

Taxonomic coverage

General taxonomic coverage description: Dolichopodidae s.s. sensu Pollet & Brooks (2008). This includes species of all subfamilies except for the basal Microphorinae and Parathalassiinae. Eleven subfamilies are represented in the Netherlands: Achalcinae (2 genera, 6 species), Diaphorinae (6 genera, 31 species), Dolichopodidae (8 genera, 87 species), Hydrophorinae (8 genera, 17 species), Medeterinae (4 genera, 41 species), Neurigoninae (1 genus, 5 species), Peloropeodinae (3 genera, 4 species), Rhaphiinae (2 genera, 21 species), Sciapodinae (2 genera, 13 species), Sympycninae (7 genera, 36 species), and Xanthochlorinae (1 genus, 4 species).
Pollet, M. & Brooks, S.E. (2008) Long-Legged Flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). In: Capinera, J.L. (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Entomology. 2nd Edition. Springer: pp. 2232-2241.
Taxonomic ranks
Order: Diptera
Family: Dolichopodidae
Subfamily: Achalcinae, Dolichopodinae, Hydrophorinae, Medeterinae, Neurigoninae, Peloropeodinae, Rhaphiinae, Sciapodinae, Sympycninae, Xanthochlorinae
Genus: Achalcus, Australachalcus, Argyra, Asyndetus, Chrysotus, Cryptophleps, Diaphorus, Melanostolus, Dolichopus, Ethiromyia, Gymnopternus, Hercostomus, Muscidideicus, Poecilobothrus, Sybistroma, Tachytrechus, Aphrosylus, Hydrophorus, Liancalus, Machaerium, Orthoceratium, Scellus, Schoenophilus, Thinophilus, Dolichophorus, Medetera, Systenus, Thrypticus, Neurigona, Acropsilus, Chrysotimus, Micromorphus, Nematoproctus, Rhaphium, Amblypsilopus, Sciapus, Anepsiomyia, Campsicnemus, Lamprochromus, Sympycnus, Syntormon, Telmaturgus, Teuchophorus, Xanthochlorus
Common names: flies and midges, long-legged flies

Spatial coverage

General spatial coverage: The Netherlands, a country in Western Europe, northeast of Belgium, west of Germany and east of England. Also data from the islands in the Waddensea were included in the dataset, but no data from Dutch Caribbean islands (e.g., Bonaire) or Surinam.
Coordinates: 50°45'14.4''N and 54°8'31.2''N Latitude; 3°21'36''E and 7°12'32.4''E Longitude 

Natural collections description

Collection name: Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Naturalis, NL) (previous Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie)
Collection identifier: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/62d82928-dc6f-40dc-85b3-f2be47e7b49a
Natural collections description

Collection name: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS, BE)
Collection identifier: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8138eb72-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a
Natural collections description

Collection name: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (CAS, US)
Natural collections description

Collection name: Museumfabriek Enschede (previous Natuurmuseum Enschede) (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: Natuurmuseum Nijmegen (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection J. Lucas (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection J. Velterop (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection Jan Wind (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection K. de Kraker (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection L. van der Leij (NL)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection M. Pollet (BE)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection M. Speight (IE)
Natural collections description

Collection name: private collection P. de Boer (NL)
Formation period: Collection period of examined specimens: 1864 – 2022; validated field observations: 1982 – 2023 (march)
Specimen preservation method: Alcohol
Specimen preservation method: Mounted

Methods

Method step description: The identity of recently collected specimens and specimens of citizen scientist's observations was thoroughly checked (see Quality Control). Most of the identifications of specimens in public collections carried out previously by the late Dutch dolichopodid expert Henk Meuffels were considered reliable. From these collections, only species that had not been collected recently or did not show up in Waarneming.nl were checked by the principal investigator. 
Only reliable records (i.e. with  certain identification of the species) were included in the dataset.
Study extent description: All data on Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands were included in this dataset, regardless of the way how they were collected. Two main datasource types could be distinguished: 
(i) collected samples and specimens residing in a public or private collection (further referred to as "SPECIMEN EXAMINATION), and 
(ii) observations registered by citizen scientists in the Dutch portal Waarneming.nl. In some cases, the latter observations were supported by collected specimens (further referred to as "FIELD OBSERVATIONS").
Sampling description: SPECIMEN EXAMINATION: next to more occasional collections by e.g., light traps or pitfall traps, the most widely used collecting methods for Dolichopodidae include sweep nets (SW) (see further), Malaise traps (MT), and pan traps (PT), in particular blue (BPT), white (WPT) and yellow coloured traps (YPT). Yields of sweep net collections were retrieved in two different ways: either as individual specimens from the net (SW = sweep-netting), or as an entire yield that is stored in a collecting jar with alcohol immediately after collection (MSW = ad random sweep-netting (massive)).
FIELD OBSERVATIONS: mostly occasional observations of long-legged flies that are posted in the Waarneming.nl portal.
Quality control description: SPECIMEN EXAMINATION: specimens were identified by the principal investigator (PI) using reliable identification keys and an extensive reference collection. Specimens in public Dutch collections previously identified by Henk Meuffels (80-90'ies) were not systematically checked by the PI except for certain species that were considered doubtful by the PI.
FIELD OBSERVATIONS: all citizen science data that are included in this dataset were validated by the PI, including those that had been validated previously (prior to the NLBIF project).

Datasets

Dataset description
Object name: Darwin Core Archive Dolichopodidae of the Netherlands
Character encoding: UTF-8
Format name: Darwin Core Archive format
Format version: 1.0
Distribution: https://ipt.nlbif.nl/archive.do?r=dolichopodidae_nl
Publication date of data: 2023-12-22
Language: English
Licences of use: Public Domain (CC0 1.0)

Metadata language: English
Date of metadata creation: 2023-11-22
Hierarchy level: Dataset

References
Pollet, M. & Meuffels, H. 2023. Verspreidingsatlas van Nederlandse slankpootvliegen (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). – EIS Kenniscentrum Insecten en andere ongewervelden, Leiden.
 https://www.eis-nederland.nl/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?command=core_download&entryid=1083&language=nl-NL&PortalId=4&TabId=563