Annotated keys to the genera of Tachinidae (Diptera) found in tropical and southern Africa

A set of keys provides a means of identification for the 188 genera of Tachinidae that have up to now (1983) been recognised in the fauna of tropical and southern Africa, ie. within the Afrotropical zoogeographical region excluding the islands of the Indian Ocean. The genera are arranged by tribe, or by group of small tribes, and a master key to tribes provides the entree to the individual keys in which the genera appear. Annotations are given at each generic exit that indicate the number of species known in the genus from the area covered, and that cite pertinent references for species-level identification; when appropriate, the existence of known but undescriptionbed species or of much-needed generic revision is noted. An annotated glossary of key characters and terms precedes the keys, to­gether with a systematically arranged check-list of the genera to orientate the user into the classifica­tion adopted. The host-relations of the Tachinidae concerned in the work are briefiy reviewed for their relevance to identification, and a synoptic list of known hosts for each tachinid genus is included in the review. Study of types and other material for key preparation showed the need for a few nomenclatural changes. These include the establishment of five new synonyms in generic names, two new synonyms in specific names, eight new combinations, the resurrection of three hitherto synonymous names to use for valid genera, and the descriptionption of two new species (one for a new genus and the other for a genus not previously recognised in the area covered): all such changes are detailed in comments to the check-list of genera. Four genera are recognised as present in the tachinid fauna of southern Africa that are additional to those listed in a recent catalogue (Crosskey 1980) and are included in the keys: they are Apomorphomyia Crosskey gen. n., Plagiomima Brauer & Bergenstamm, Schembria Rondani and Stomina Robineau-Desvoidy.