Fungus gnats are a group of nematocerans flies of Diptera comprising six families placed in the superfamily of Sciaroidea. They are considered one of the largest groups of Diptera with more than 5400 species known in the world. Adult fungus gnats are associated with humid areas, especially moist woodlands. They are usually found in shady and moist habitats such as cavities and root systems of fallen trees, overhanging stream banks, and among undergrowth of woods. Larvae of mycetophilids develop mostly in fungal fruiting bodies, or in fungal mycelia in dead wood and soil litter. Few species may develop in myxomycetes, in rotten wood, bryophytes, bird’s nests, or caves. Keroplatids are generally found on fungi in damp forests or in caves. Larvae feed on fungi. Moroccan fungus gnats are represented with four families: Bolitophilidae, Keroplatidae, Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae. The Bouhachem Natural Park Project used to shelter only the Mycetophilidae family with its 31 species present in the park. In this work, we aim to re-evaluate the current biodiversity of the fungus gnats in the Bouhachem Natural Park Project, one of the most important protected areas in terms of faunal and floral diversity, mentioning new records of species, genera and even families from the park. The novelties include new records of species (3) and genera (1) for Morocco and North Africa alongside with species (3) new to science.

Biodiversity, Bolitophilidae, Diptera, Keroplatidae, Morocco, Mycetophilidae, New Records, New Species