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Project summary:
The Tasmanian Empididae and Dolichopodidae (Diptera) are composed of two distinct elements: a Gondwana element, which shows strong similarities to the faunas of South America, New Zealand and montane Australia, is dominant in Tasmanian rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest; and an Australian Bassian element, which is closely related to the fauna of southeastern Australia (possibly of Gondwana origin although radiated in association with sclerophyll habitats) is found in dry and wet sclerophyll forests and heaths, especially eastern Tasmania.
Unlike the northern Australian fauna, or even elements of the coastal NSW fauna, there is no evidence of Oriental-Papuan influence in the Tasmanian Empididae and Dolichopodidae. Given the tentative state of knowledge concerning much of Tasmania’s Diptera fauna, it is difficult to advise specific management programmes. In general, if large tracts of undisturbed habitat are reserved based on vertebrate and floristic information, the associated invertebrate fauna will be saved in the process. (Survey included Tahune Forest Reserve, now part of the Warra LTER site).
Methodology: Collecting was undertaken between 20th January to 9th February 1989 using passive traps (yellow pans and malaise traps) and by active sweeping of vegetation with an insect net. Yellow pan traps comprise water-filled plastic pans to which are added a few drops of detergent to break the surface tension, causing insects attracted to the colour to sink to the bottom. Trap lines of 10-15 yellow pans were set out usually along creeks, which were then checked one or two days later. Malaise traps were revisited one to three days after setting up. 20 litter samples were taken in wet forest areas throughout Tasmania and flown to Sydney to have the fauna extracted by the Berlese method. Personnel were flown in and out of the remoter field areas by helicopter.
Datasets: None available.
Publications: Bickel, D.J. (1989). Report on the Diptera (Dolichopodidae and Empididae) of the Western Tasmanian world heritage area. Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, Hobart.
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