New fossil data reveal evolutionary pathways within the genus Trichoneura Loew, 1850 (Diptera, Limoniidae)

Abstract

AbstractNew inclusions of Trichoneura preserved in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Kachin amber allow the description of a new subgenus, Burmania subgen. nov., and four new species: Trichoneura (Burmania) burmitensis subgen. et sp. nov., Trichoneura (Burmania) chungkuni subgen. et sp. nov., Trichoneura (Burmania) sevciki subgen. et sp. nov. and Trichoneura (Burmania) wangi subgen. et sp. nov. The species differ mainly by the morphology of the hypopygium or wing venation but also the construction of the antenna. Based on a comparison of the wing venation and the morphology of the hypopygium it was possible to describe features which are characteristic of the new subgenus, especially the presence of vein R3+4. Moreover, it was possible to elucidate the evolutionary pattern of Trichoneura with two distinct extant and extinct branches. Trichoneura (Trichoneura) canadensis from Upper Cretaceous Canadian amber is transferred to the new subgenus Burmania.