Hoplocyrtoma
Melander, 1928
Hoplocyrtoma is a of dance flies in the Hybotidae, first described by Melander in 1928. The genus contains five described distributed across the Palearctic region and Japan, with one fossil species known from Eocene Baltic amber. Species are characterized by distinctive leg modifications, particularly enlarged in some . The genus belongs to the tribe Bicellariini within the Hybotinae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hoplocyrtoma: /ˌhɒploʊˈsɜrtəmə/
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Distribution
Palearctic region including Japan; fossil record from Eocene Baltic amber (Hoplocyrtoma eocenica).
More Details
Type species
Hoplocyrtoma femorata (Loew, 1864), originally described as Cyrtoma femorata.
Etymology
The name combines Greek 'hoplon' (weapon/tool) with 'Cyrtoma', referring to the presumably modified or armed legs characteristic of the group.
Fossil record
Hoplocyrtoma eocenica, described from Eocene Baltic amber in 2022, represents the only known fossil and provides evidence for the 's ancient origin in the Palearctic.