Symplecta

Meigen, 1830

Species Guides

Symplecta is a of crane flies in the Limoniidae, established by Meigen in 1830. The genus contains multiple subgenera, with subgenus Symplecta sensu stricto comprising Arctic and partly Arctic distributed . Species-level within this group has undergone recent revision, with several species redescribed, new species described from Canada and Russia, and taxonomic synonyms resolved. The genus is characterized by distinctive male and female terminalia used for species identification.

Symplecta by (c) Martin Rady, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martin Rady. Used under a CC-BY license.

Symplecta cana by (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma. Used under a CC-BY license.

Symplecta cana by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Symplecta: /sɪmˈplɛktə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Identification relies heavily on examination of male and female terminalia. within subgenus Symplecta sensu stricto can be distinguished by genitalic characters illustrated in taxonomic revisions. The distinction between S. (S.) cana and S. (S.) hybrida has been clarified based on morphological differences, though these species may occur sympatrically and syntopically. Formal identification keys to Arctic species are available in taxonomic literature.

Images

Distribution

Arctic and partly Arctic regions. Specific distributions include: Northwest Territories and Yukon, Canada (S. edlundae); eastern Siberia, Russia (S. echinata); and broader Arctic distributions for S. novaezemblae, S. scotica, S. mabelana, S. sheldoni, and S. horrida. Sympatric and syntopic occurrences of S. cana and S. hybrida have been documented.

Similar Taxa

EriopteraS. (S.) horrida was previously placed in Erioptera (Mesocyphona) before transfer to Symplecta sensu stricto; historical confusion between these has been taxonomically resolved.

More Details

Taxonomic revision status

The subgenus Symplecta sensu stricto was revised in 2008, resulting in: two new descriptions (S. edlundae, S. echinata); five new synonym proposals; reinstatement of S. scotica and S. mabelana as full species from rank; and transfer of S. horrida from Erioptera to Symplecta.