Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Omphalophora sp. (Rhagionidae)

Posted by PeterKerr on 03-03-2011 23:55
#28

Wow, quite interesting. Nice job Rui! Yes, Spatulina engeli Szilady is enigmatic. From what is known, it is a Ptiolina (and I synonymized these genera), but additional evidence may be used to support this idea or otherwise, certainly. Having fresh specimens helps!!

There is little evidence that the damaged Chinese specimen is Spatulina. See my comments in Kerr (2010). Again, more specimens would help.

The fact that it has a setose laterotergite and tibial spur formula of 0:2:2 is remarkable, given the antennal morphology. Stylospania is a monotypic chrysopiline genus found in the Philipines (a single specimen) that has a setose laterotergite, 0:2:2 tibial spurs, and stylate antennae. This is the only genus that is known to have this suite of character states, afaik.

A good synapomorphy for the Chrysopilinae is the presence of femoral scales (Kerr 2010: figs. 65, 66). These are often difficult to see because they are often the same color as the leg and lie flat. It is worth checking for, anyway. I'm beginning to believe that this is what you have. Very unusual, in any case.

Paul, perhaps we can work on it together! I'd like to see more of this, I'm sure it'd make a worthwhile paper!