---

Hi


It seems that some authors are thinking that Stomorhina lunata belongs (now) to the Rhiniidae family - (it was formely in Calliphoridae) - http://hbs.bishop...iidae.html
I wonder why they decided to uplift Rhiniinae subfamily to a family..

---

Well, there are actually 3 matters:

-1)What is the proper grouping, in phylogenetically sense ?

-2) How are these groups related ?

-3) What name (and rank) should they have ?


The last one is the least relevant from scientific point of view, it's a matter of drawing borders.

There is currently little consensus on the phylogenetics of the Calliphoridae. Generally accepted, there are three 'groups': Calliphorinae, Chrysomyinae and Rhiniinae. The second group is often considered to be related with the last, often even included in that one. However, recently it has been suggested that the Chrysomyinae might actually be more related to Calliphorinae. Joachim Ziegler, definitely an authority on Calyptrate flies, follows this line in his recent textbook (in German) and take the bold step to give the Rhiniinae the status of family.: Rhiniidae. The last step is always subjective and therefore, in my mind, nothing to get excited about from the scientific point of view.
Unfortunately, we have a system in which scientific names and phylogenetics interfer. A change of mind on the phylogenetics of a group implies in this system often changing of names, whereas in essence the two are none-related. Alas.


Theo

---

Theo you are great! Great explanation here.

Which is that textbook? I'm curious about the title and see a table of contents, if possible. Thank you.