Cretaceous Antodicranomyia (Diptera: Limoniidae) and their paleohabitat

Abstract

AbstractNew representatives of the Cretaceous cranefly genus Antodicranomyia (Diptera: Limoniidae) are reported from Albian-Cenomanian Charentese (French) amber. The newly reported specimens allow for an emended diagnosis of the type species A. azari, as well as the description of a new species, Antodicranomyia rubra sp. nov., which is mostly distinguished from the type species by features of its wing venation, antennae, and genitalia. As a rare, extinct genus known only from French amber, Antodicranomyia is compared with its closest relative genera Antocha, Dicranomyia and Antohelia. The evolutionary implications and paleohabitat of Antodicranomyia are discussed. The new discovery adds to the knowledge of the crane flies’ diversity and evolution in the mid-Cretaceous.