Crumomyia
Macquart, 1835
Crumomyia is a of small flies in the Sphaeroceridae, commonly known as lesser dung flies. in this genus have been documented from caves in Europe, including a troglophilous in the Czech Republic that shows morphological adaptations to subterranean life. The genus is distributed across northern and central Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Crumomyia: /kruːˈmoʊmiə/
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Identification
Members of Crumomyia can be distinguished from other Sphaeroceridae by their small size and typical copromyzine . Cave-dwelling of C. parentela alpicola exhibit reduced and shorter wings compared to surface-dwelling conspecifics.
Images
Habitat
Includes cave ; at least one (C. parentela alpicola in cave Cyrilka, Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.) is classified as troglophilous (cave-loving) but not troglobiont (obligate cave-dweller). Surface habitats are likely similar to other Sphaeroceridae, though not explicitly documented in available sources.
Distribution
Northern and central Europe: recorded from Denmark, Norway, Sweden (GBIF), and Czech Republic (first record of C. parentela from cave Cyrilka); previously known from Alps and Carpathians.
Ecological Role
Member of cavernicolous fauna; at least one interpreted as a glacial relict surviving long-term in cave .
Similar Taxa
- Other Copromyzinae generaCrumomyia shares characteristics with other Copromyzinae but differs in specific morphological features not detailed in available sources; precise distinguishing characters require taxonomic keys.
- Herniosina bequaertiBoth are troglophilous Sphaeroceridae in Czech caves, but Herniosina is a distinct with different morphological features.
- Terrilimosina racovitzaiAnother troglophilous Sphaeroceridae co-occurring in Czech caves, belonging to a different .
More Details
Cave adaptation
The Czech of C. parentela alpicola shows more reduced and shorter wings than Alpine and Carpathian specimens, interpreted as to long-term cave residence.
Ecological classification
Among 15 Sphaeroceridae recorded from caves in the Czech Republic, Crumomyia p. alpicola is one of only three classified as troglophilous; no troglobiont Sphaeroceridae have been found in this region.