Seaweed
Guides
Coelopidae
kelp flies, seaweed flies
Coelopidae, commonly known as kelp flies or seaweed flies, is a small family of acalyptrate Diptera containing fewer than 40 species worldwide. These flies are specialized inhabitants of temperate seashore wrack zones, where their larvae develop in decaying seaweed. The family exhibits notable sexual dimorphism and complex mating behaviors involving scramble competition and sexual conflict. Coelopidae are significant decomposers in coastal ecosystems and can reach enormous biomass in their specialized habitat.
Tarphiota
Tarphiota is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) described by Casey in 1893. The genus comprises at least three described species. Members are specialized for seashore habitats where they occur in association with decaying seaweed. The genus belongs to the tribe Athetini within the subfamily Aleocharinae.
Tethininae
Beach Flies
Tethininae is a subfamily of tiny acalyptrate flies within Canacidae, comprising over 115 species across seven genera. Formerly treated as family Tethinidae, the group is now recognized as paraphyletic. These drab-colored flies are strongly associated with maritime habitats, particularly intertidal zones and rotting seaweed accumulations. Despite their global distribution across all zoogeographic regions, many tropical species remain poorly documented.