# Aquatic Diptera in Phytotelmata of Bromeliaceae and Zingerberales

## TL;DR

This paper compiles a global database of aquatic fly species found in water pools held by bromeliads and ginger plants, highlighting their diversity and ecological roles.

## Contribution

The study provides the first global baseline database of aquatic Diptera in phytotelmata, identifying diversity and research gaps.

## Key findings

- A database of 4979 unique associations between aquatic Diptera and plant species was compiled.
- Mosquitoes (Culicidae) had the highest number of documented species, while non-biting midges (Chironomidae) had the most documented genera.
- Vector mosquitoes make up only 6% of the data, despite their ecological significance.

## Abstract

Aquatic fly larvae are uniquely adapted to live in ephemeral, small, plant-held pools called phytotelmata. We comprehensively reviewed over 100 years of published research to document the diversity of aquatic Diptera in two of the most common plants that support phytotelmata: Bromeliaceae and Zingiberales. By extracting data from published research, we assembled a database with 4979 unique phytotelma-plant and aquatic Diptera associations that we used to identify gaps in the data and make recommendations for future research. The database is designed for use as an objective, informed tool for monitoring and research.

Phytotelmata are small, plant-held water pools that support unique assemblages of fauna and flora. Aquatic Diptera are a significant component of these microecosystems. Based on an exhaustive review of over 100 years of published literature, a global database of phytotelmata-associated aquatic Diptera with Bromeliaceae and Zingiberales (7 families) was compiled to explore diversity and ecology and identify gaps in the research. This database is designed to provide a valuable baseline and to serve as an objective, informed tool for future monitoring and research. A total of 4979 unique associations between aquatic Diptera larvae and 117 species in 26 genera of Bromeliaceae and 27 species in 10 genera across 6 families of Zingiberales were assembled in the database. These reported aquatic Diptera span 369 species, 80 genera, and 14 families, and include taxa with diverse ecological roles as detritivores, filter feeders, predators, and prey. Mosquitoes (Culicidae) had the greatest number of documented species (227), and non-biting midges (Chironomidae) had the greatest number of documented genera (26) in the dataset. Several mosquito vectors (e.g., Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex) also complete their life cycles in these habitats, although records of vector mosquitoes compose only 6% of the assembled data. Because phytotelmata provide year-round aquatic refugia, they sustain regional aquatic Diptera diversity yet are threatened by habitat loss and other anthropogenic pressures. Furthermore, despite the important role of phytotelmata in freshwater ecology, diversity in these ephemeral freshwater habitats remains under-documented. This comprehensive analysis of existing literature establishes the first global baseline for aquatic Diptera in phytotelmata and offers a foundation for biodiversity assessments, conservation strategies, and future ecological research.