Book excerpt: Volume 162 of Zoologica summarizes and updates all current information on morphology, taxonomy and distribution of the Central European Muscidae since Hennig�s famous monograph on the Palaearctic species of this family published in 1955-1964 and today. The introductory part describes the family characteristics and reviews its systematics. Taxonomic and faunistic data from Central Europe (Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary) are reviewed and synthesized up to the present. Additional chapters deal with current knowledge of the morphology, development, biology and classification of European Muscidae. Identification keys are provided to enable identification of the families of the Calyptratae and the various categories of Central European Muscidae down to subfamily, genus and species. The review of species discusses all 406 regional species and presents information on their distinguishing features, their known geographic distribution, and their adult flight period. Almost one thousand figures on 54 plates depict all morphological features used in the keys and in the description of species characteristics. Special attention is paid to figures of the male and female terminalia as the most important species-specific criteria. Data of the geographic distribution of the Central European species are presented in an extensive table which includes their distribution in studied countries, their biogeographical classification, and geographical distribution outside of Europe. This monograph undisputedly represents a much needed reference work for researchers as well as students interested in evolution, phylogeny, morphology and identification of muscids.