Scatophila
Becker, 1896
shore fly
Scatophila is a of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) in the tribe Scatellini. The genus contains at least 26 Nearctic , with additional species distributed across the Palearctic. Three new species were described from the Nearctic in 2021: S. angusta, S. bolwigi, and S. mystacina. Five species (S. contaminata, S. cribrata, S. iowana, S. mesogramma, and S. unicornis) have Holarctic distributions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scatophila: /skætəˈfaɪlə/
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Identification
Identification relies heavily on structures of the male terminalia, which are the primary diagnostic features used in -level . A key to and species groups of New World Scatellini is available to facilitate recognition.
Images
Habitat
Coastal and shore-associated environments; specific microhabitat details are not well documented for most .
Distribution
Nearctic Region (North America, especially Alaska); Palearctic Region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden); five with Holarctic distributions.
Similar Taxa
- Other Scatellini generaScatophila is distinguished from other New World in the tribe Scatellini by morphological features, particularly male terminalia structures; keys are available for separation.
More Details
Taxonomic history
S. carinata Sturtevant and Wheeler was synonymized with S. tuberculosa Cresson in 2021, with S. tuberculosa having priority. S. contaminata was reported for the first time from the Nearctic Region in this same revision.
Research focus
Taxonomic work on this has emphasized detailed illustration and description of male terminalia, with distribution maps provided for included .