Volume 162 of Zoologica provides a comprehensive update on the morphology, taxonomy, and distribution of Central European Muscidae, building on Hennig’s earlier work from 1955–1964. The introduction outlines family characteristics and systematics. It synthesizes taxonomic and faunistic data from Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. Additional chapters explore the current understanding of morphology, development, biology, and classification of European Muscidae. Identification keys facilitate the classification of Calyptratae families and Central European Muscidae down to subfamily, genus, and species levels. The species review covers all 406 regional species, detailing distinguishing features, geographic distribution, and flight periods. Nearly one thousand figures across 54 plates illustrate the morphological traits used in the keys and species descriptions, with a focus on male and female terminalia as key identification criteria. An extensive table presents data on the geographic distribution of Central European species, including their biogeographical classification and distribution beyond Europe. This monograph serves as an essential reference for researchers and students interested in muscid evolution, phylogeny, morphology, and identification.
