Neossos tombstonensis
Solecki & Wheeler, 2015
Neossos tombstonensis is a recently described of small acalyptrate fly in the Heleomyzidae, to the Yukon Territory, Canada. It is the fourth described Nearctic species of the rarely collected Neossos. The species is extremely small (1.9–2.1 mm) and was described from only two specimens collected by sweeping vegetation in subarctic . Despite the collection method, the species is hypothesized to be an obligate associate of bird nests based on consistent habits documented across other members of the genus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neossos tombstonensis: //nɛˈɒsɒs tɒmbstəˈnɛnsɪs//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Nearctic Neossos by the following combination of characters: black posteriorly (not yellow); male genitalia with surstylus that narrows sharply in the middle in lateral view, with apex curved anterodorsally; surstylus without strong swelling. A revised key to Nearctic species is provided in the original description.
Images
Habitat
Subarctic tundra and mesic meadow. collected from wet tundra at 1200 m elevation; from mesic meadow. Both localities in southern and central Yukon Territory.
Distribution
Known only from two localities in Yukon Territory, Canada: Dempster Highway near North Fork Pass () and Klondike Highway near Robinson Road House (). Represents a significant northward extension of the 's Nearctic range.
Behavior
Extremely rarely collected. Two specimens were obtained by sweeping vegetation after multiple years of intensive sampling failed to produce additional specimens. The collection of by sweeping, rather than from nests, is atypical for the .
Similar Taxa
- Neossos cressoniOther Nearctic ; distinguished by yellow posteriorly and different male surstylus (not sharply narrowed in middle)
- Neossos puncticollisOther Nearctic ; distinguished by different male genitalic structure including surstylus shape
- Neossos tinctusOther Nearctic ; distinguished by different male genitalic structure including surstylus shape