Systematics of Sciadoceridae and Relatives With Descriptions of Two New Genera and Species From Canadian Amber and Erection of Family Ironomyiidae (Diptera: Phoroidea)

Abstract

AbstractThe systematic relationships of Sciadoceridae and of the other families of the superfamily Phoroidea, i.e., Platypezidae, Ironomyiidae and Phoridae, are reviewed. A new family, Ironomyiidae, is proposed for Ironomyia nigromaculata White from Tasmania. Two fossil flies in Canadian (Cretaceous) amber, representing two new genera and species of Sciadoceridae, are described and figured. These constitute the first record of the family in North America. The supposed phylogenies of the families of the Phoroidea and of the genera and species of Sciadoceridae are outlined; the evolution and biogeography of the latter family is treated in detail. Keys to the families of the Phoroidea and to the genera and species of Sciadoceridae are provided.