Mormotomyiidae
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.3853/j.0067-1975.63.2011.1585 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C1878D-A637-9145-FED9-FF3E5845945A |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Mormotomyiidae |
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The Mormotomyiidae View in CoL View at ENA
There has been difficulty in determining the relationships of this family within the Schizophora (see Kirk-Spriggs et al., 2011, for most recent discussion). The only included species, the subapterous Mormotomyia hirsuta Austen , is only known from the type locality, Ukasi [Ukazzi] Hill, Eastern Province, Kenya, where all stages are associated with bat dung. Ashley Kirk-Spriggs has generously supplied adult males for antennal study ( Figs 178–181 View Figures 178–181 , see p. 162). Hennig (1971) has described some features of the antenna.
Segment 2 is subconical in outward form; the cleft is long and deep, completely dividing the paired dorsal lobes of the rim, but their adjacent margins remain in contact ( Fig. 178 View Figures 178–181 ). The distal articular surface ( Fig. 179 View Figures 178–181 ) is deeply concave, extensively microtrichose, with some of the microtrichia grouped into combs, but without parallel or reticulate ridging. There is no well defined pedicellar cup, but the laterodorsal part of the surface has a deeper bowl-like concavity containing the conus, somewhat as in Leucophenga . The conus is asymmetrically developed, obsolete on the lateral side of the foramen, moderately prominent on the medial side, and well removed from the medial margin of the rim. The annular ridge is indistinct and the foramen is inclined laterally. The pedicellar button ( Fig. 180 View Figures 178–181 ) is located near the dorsolateral part of the annular ridge, but is weakly developed or almost indistinguishable externally.
Segment 3 ( Fig. 181 View Figures 178–181 ) has a broadly rounded, not well defined basal stem, with the basal foramen facing medially. The basal hollow is broad and of moderate depth. The sacculus is capacious, with relatively small pore near centre of lateral surface of disc. The three-segmented arista arises laterodorsally towards the base of the disc.
The deep pedicellar cleft of Mormotomyia is similar to that occurring in both the Ephydroidea and the Calyptratae. However, the asymmetrical conus, with laterally (not dorsally) inclined foramen, and the sclerotized prothoracic precoxal bridges are typical of the Ephydroidea , not of the Calyptratae. The general structure of the antenna is reminiscent of Leucophenga , a somewhat plesiomorphic example of the Drosophilidae , or could be classed between the more plesiomorphic and more apomorphic taxa of the Ephydridae ( Figs 84–93 View Figures 84–88 View Figures 89–93 ). The three-segmented arista, the location of the preabdominal spiracles in the pleural membrane, and, in the male, the large tergite 6 and asymmetrical sternite 6 place Mormotomyia outside the limits of the Ephydridae , but general antennal structure supports its position in the Ephydroidea suggested by Kirk- Spriggs et al. (2011).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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