Neoparentia
Robinson, 1967
Species Guides
1Neoparentia is a of long-legged flies in the Dolichopodidae, Sympycninae. The genus was established by Robinson in 1967 and contains seven extant and one extinct species described from Chiapas amber. Species are distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neoparentia: /ˌniːoʊpəˈrɛntiə/
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Identification
Members of Neoparentia can be distinguished from other Sympycninae by combinations of setal patterns on the legs and , particularly the presence of two setae on the mid tibia in N. bisetosa. The genus name reflects its similarity to the genus Parentia. Specific identification relies on male genitalia structure and leg chaetotaxy patterns described in Robinson's 1967 revision.
Distribution
Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Documented from the United States (southern states), Mexico, and Central America. The extinct N. chiapensis is known from Miocene amber in Chiapas, Mexico.
Similar Taxa
- ParentiaSimilar name and general sympycnine ; Neoparentia was named in reference to this resemblance but differs in specific leg chaetotaxy patterns and male genitalia structure.
- SympycnusAnother in Sympycninae with similar long-legged fly habitus; distinguished by wing venation details and leg setation patterns.
More Details
Species composition
The includes seven extant : N. bicolor (originally described in Rhaphium), N. bisetosa, N. caudata (originally described in Rhaphium), N. deformis, N. obscura, N. schildi, and N. tarsalis. One fossil species, N. chiapensis, was described from Mexican amber in 2016.
Taxonomic history
Two were transferred from Rhaphium when Robinson established the in 1967. The genus has been retained in Sympycninae based on morphological characters, though phylogenetic relationships within the remain incompletely resolved.