Hydatostega
Philippi, 1865
Species Guides
2Hydatostega is a of long-legged flies in the Dolichopodidae. The genus was restored from synonymy with Hydrophorus and is now recognized as distinct. It contains approximately 11 described with a disjunct distribution pattern.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hydatostega: /ˌhaɪdətoʊˈstiːɡə/
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Identification
Distinguished from the closely related Hydrophorus by genitalic characters and subtle morphological differences; precise diagnostic features require examination of male terminalia. within Hydatostega generally lack the distinctive hydrophorous adaptations for shoreline seen in Hydrophorus.
Habitat
Montane and high altitudes or latitudes in the Americas. Three are to Tristan da Cunha, a remote volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Distribution
Americas (Canada, USA, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Juan Fernández Islands) and Tristan da Cunha (South Atlantic Ocean).
Similar Taxa
- HydrophorusFormerly considered congeneric; separated based on morphological and likely ecological differences, with Hydatostega occupying montane and insular rather than shoreline environments.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Hydatostega was originally described by Philippi in 1865, later synonymized with Hydrophorus, and recently restored as a valid based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence.
Biogeographic pattern
The distribution of Hydatostega shows a notable disjunction between the Americas and the isolated Tristan da Cunha islands, suggesting either long-distance or relictual distribution patterns.