Aphaniosoma
Becker, 1903
Aphaniosoma is a of small flies in the Chyromyidae, established by Becker in 1903. The genus is particularly diverse in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, with recent taxonomic work describing 19 new from this region. Species-level identification relies on detailed examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aphaniosoma: //əˌfæniəˈsoʊmə//
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Identification
Identification to requires microscopic examination of male terminalia; the is distinguished from other Chyromyidae by a combination of chaetotaxy and genitalic characters detailed in taxonomic keys. The four species described by Collin from Egypt (A. creperum, A. fissum, A. lamellatum, A. sodalis) and the 19 recently described species from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East are differentiated primarily by male genitalic structure.
Images
Distribution
Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, including Egypt. The has been documented across this region with particular concentration of in Egypt and the Levant.
Similar Taxa
- Other Chyromyidae generaAphaniosoma is distinguished from related chyromyid by genitalic and chaetotaxic characters; accurate separation requires reference to specialized taxonomic keys.