The gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from three restingas of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

TLDR: Sorensen's index revealed that the restingas of Barra de Marica and Itaipuacu ate more similar in Cecidomyiinae fauna, confirming a positive relation between geographical proximity and fauna similarity.

Abstract: One hundred and eight species of Cecidomyiinae (Cecidomyiidae) were found in association with 53 species of plant distributed among 42 genera and 32 families at restingas of Barra de Marica, Itaipuacu and Carapebus. Ninety four gall midge species were cecidogenous, four predaceous, five inquilinous of galls and five were free living. Galling species were associated with 47 plant species belonging to 36 genera and 28 families. The majority of the galls occurred on the leaves (N = 63); 13 on buds; nine on inflorescence, closed flower or flower peduncle; three on fruits and one on tendril. Myrtaceae were the richest plant family in number of galls followed by Burseraceae, Nyctaginaceae, Sapotaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Malpighiaceae and Solanaceae. New records of host plants and localities were recorded. Seventy nine Cecidomyiinae species were found at Restinga of Barra de Marica, 64 at Carapebus and 41 at Itaipuacu. Sorensen's index revealed that the restingas of Barra de Marica and Itaipuacu ate more similar in Cecidomyiinae fauna, confirming a positive relation between geographical proximity and fauna similarity.