Sphyracephala brevicornis
(Say, 1817)
short-horned ankle-headed fly
Sphyracephala brevicornis is a of stalk-eyed fly in the Diopsidae, order Diptera. The "short-horned ankle-headed fly" refers to its relatively short stalks compared to other members of the . Stalk-eyed flies are characterized by their laterally projected on elongated peduncles, a trait that is highly developed in this family. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1817 as Diopsis brevicornis.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphyracephala brevicornis: //sfaɪˌræ.sɛˌfɑː.lə ˌbrɛ.vɪˈkɔr.nɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from by its relatively short stalks, as indicated by the specific epithet "brevicornis" (short-horned). In Sphyracephala, males typically possess longer eye stalks than females, with eye span serving as a sexually selected trait. The can be differentiated from the more commonly studied Sphyracephala europaea and other Sphyracephala species by the degree of eye stalk elongation and associated .
Images
Distribution
Reported from North America; specific range details require confirmation from primary sources.
Behavior
Males engage in ritualized contests using their stalks as weapons, with eye span correlating with fighting success and mating success. This has been documented in related Sphyracephala and is characteristic of the .
Similar Taxa
- Sphyracephala europaeaEuropean with longer stalks; males of S. europaea show more pronounced in eye span and have been more extensively studied for .
- Other Diopsidae genera (e.g., Diopsis, Teleopsis)Other stalk-eyed flies with more extremely elongated stalks; Sphyracephala represents a more moderate expression of this trait within the .
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described by Thomas Say in 1817 under the Diopsis. Later transferred to Sphyracephala. Say's original description was based on North American material.
Sexual Selection Research
While specific studies on S. brevicornis are limited, the Sphyracephala has been important in research on and the evolution of exaggerated morphological traits. span in males is subject to directional sexual selection through female choice and male-male competition.