Mark Robert Nelson and Dr. C. Riley Nelson, Integrative Biology
Mycetophilidae (fungus gnat) is a species-rich family of flies, existing on every continent but Antarctica, which has received little documentation on a global basis and no documentation in Utah (Vockeroth, 1981). In the most recent and comprehensive catalog of flies in North America only about sixty of the thousands of fungus gnats known are predicted to be found in Utah (Laffoon, 1965). My mentor, Riley Nelson, and I believe that this figure is likely a gross underestimate that will be rectified, in part, with the conclusion of my study. Not only will my research document the known fungus gnats in the Grand Staircase, but I also expect to describe previously undocumented species. This project has already uncovered specimens which, in early systematic testing, appear to be unknown to science.
This family is worth researching because of its complex host relationship with fungus. Mycetophilids survive in habitats rich with decomposers, like fungi, without being decomposed themselves. Consequently, these tiny flies may well be a source for a new generation of antibiotics. The first step, however, is exhaustive documentation of the diversity of these flies.
My mentor and I thought that the Grand Staircase would be a manageable area to begin studying this family. Whereas fungus gnats thrive in damp areas, the Grand Staircase is a relatively dry environment. We thought this arid environment would allow us to focus on a smaller number of Mycetophilids more easily and conclusively in a short amount of time. In short, we hoped we would not be overwhelmed by the diversity and number of Mycetophilids. However, desert provides prime habitat for other varieties of insects. Some of the week-long malaise trap caught thousands of insects. I am in the process of hand sorting the contents of each trap under a microscope, manipulating tweezers to separate the many specimens. Sorting insect traps is an immensely time consuming project. Each sample typically contains only two or three individual Mycetophilids. At times it has been difficult to know whether to focus on identifying the few Mycetophilids sorted, or to focus on more general sorting in hopes of uncovering a greater number of unique Mycetophilids.
I spent approximately five hours a week during the past semester sorting through vials of insects collected over the course of several summers, and preserved in ethanol. Although there were few Mycetophilids, there were many other interesting insects that frequently diverted me from my primary task. As my interests grew, I sorted specifically for other families as well, such as Empidae and Pipunculidae, for additional research in the future. Expanding the range of families I sorted for helped me maintain a positive attitude despite the scarcity of Mycetophilids in the samples. Nevertheless, finding Mycetophilids particularly pleased me.
Unfortunately, the time I had available for this project did not allow me to complete it yet. I must still to more sorting. I tended to sort generally rather than keying the Mycetophilids to their particular genera. In the future I will be able to focus more on identifying the particular species I have found. This requires more hours in the lab under a microscope.
If we come across a particular species that particularly interests us, we will know better how to collect more specimens. We have learned that the population of Mycetophilids tends to be bimodal—that is, populations peak during two points of the year, generally early spring and late summer. In the future we can target sites we know to be Mycetophilid rich during peak times in their gestation in order to reduce sorting time and maximize individuals collected.
This project allowed me to attend the annual national meeting of the Entomological Society of America in November, held in Salt Lake City. While my findings were not ready for presentation, I was able to see the scientific and academic environment at top levels in entomology. I attended presentations of other students and faculty from various universities. I also met the nation’s leading Dipterists, which will prove valuable if I choose to continue studying flies at a higher level. In any case, I am confident my findings will be worthy of and ready for next year’s meeting, as well as for publication in such a respected journal as Entomological News or Western North American Naturalist.
Sources:
- Vockeroth, J. R. 1981. “Mycetophilidae,” pp. 223-46, in McAlpine, J. F., B. V. Peterson, G. E. Shewell, H. J. Teskey, J. R. Vockeroth, and D. M. Wood, cords., Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Volume I. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada. Monograph 27. Ottawa. vi + 674 p. (16 March).
- Laffoon, J. 1965. “Family Mycetophilidae,” pp. 196-229, in Stone, A., C. W. Sabrosky, W. W. Wirth, R. H. Foote, and J. R. Coulson, eds., “A catalog of the Diptera of America north of Mexico.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook. 276, iv + 1696 p. (23 August).