The Purus group, a newly recognised natural species-group in the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), including species from Australia, New Guinea and Sulawesi

Abstract

The Purus group is a newly recognised aggregate of closely related species inthe genus Culicoides, including species from Australia(4 species), New Guinea (1) and the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (1).Redescription of the nominate species, C. purus Lee & Reye, is presented together with original descriptions ofC. eupurus,C. elizabethae,C. capricorniae,C. queenslandaeand C. dubiosum. Akey to species is included and the geographic origin and systematicrelationships of the group are discussed.