Apystomyia
Melander, 1950
Species Guides
1Apystomyia is a of flies comprising the sole living member of the Apystomyiidae. The genus contains a single extant , Apystomyia elinguis, which is restricted to California. Molecular phylogenetic studies have repositioned this group from the Asiloidea to a sister relationship with within . details remain largely unknown.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Apystomyia: /əˌpɪstoʊˈmaɪə/
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Identification
Distinguished from other dipteran by its unique phylogenetic position as sister to . The single living , A. elinguis, is the only extant representative of Apystomyiidae, separating it from the extinct Cretaceous Hilarimorphites known only from amber fossils.
Habitat
Associated with California where the single living has been collected; specific microhabitat preferences are undocumented.
Distribution
Restricted to California, USA, based on collection records of the sole living A. elinguis.
Similar Taxa
- HilarimorphitesExtinct Cretaceous also placed in Apystomyiidae (or Hilarimorphidae), known only from Burmese and New Jersey amber fossils; distinguished by being extinct versus extant.
- CyclorrhaphaSister group within ; distinguished by Apystomyia's more basal phylogenetic position and lack of the defining cyclorrhaphan puparial characteristics.
More Details
Phylogenetic repositioning
Formerly classified within Asiloidea, molecular phylogenetic studies in 2010 unambiguously placed Apystomyia as sister to , making it significant for understanding the evolutionary origins of the diverse cyclorrhaphan flies.
Taxonomic family placement
NCBI lists the as Hilarimorphidae rather than Apystomyiidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic debate; most sources recognize Apystomyiidae for the extant .