Ropalomeridae Explained

The Ropalomeridae are a family of acalyptrate flies.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Ropalomeridae are robust flies of 6mm12mm body length, with a superficial resemblance to the Sarcophagidae in terms of body colour. The hind femora are conspicuously enlarged and the hind tibia is often laterally flattened and broadened and with broad, excavated vertex.^[3]

Biology

The biology of ropalomerid flies is little known, although they are thought to associated with rotting wood.^[2]

Classification

The Ropalomeridae currently comprise about 30 species distributed in 9 genera. Ropalomera is by far the largest genus of the family, with 15 known species.^[3]

These nine genera belong to the family Ropalomeridae:

• Acrocephalomyia Ibáñez-Bernal & Hernández-Ortiz, 2012

^g

• Apophorhynchus Williston, 1895

^{c g}

• Dactylissa Fischer, 1932

^{c g}

• Kroeberia Linder, 1930

^{c g}

• Lenkokroeberia Prado, 1966

^{c g}

• Mexicoa Steyskal, 1947

^{i c g}

• Rhytidops Lindner, 1930

^{i c g b}

• Ropalomera Wiedemann, 1824

^{i c g}

• Willistoniella Mik, 1895

^{i c g}Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net

Distribution

The Ropalomeridae are predominantly Neotropical, found from the southern United States to northern Argentina, with a single species (Rhytidops floridensis) known from the Nearctic realm. Most species occur in the central portion of South America.^[2]

External links

• Family Ropalomeridae at EOL
• bizarre sap flow fly - Rhytidops floridensis

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ropalomeridae . Brake . Irina . 5 December 2011 . The Diptera Site . 20 January 2012.
2. Book: Ibáñez-Bernal . Sergio . Hernández-Ortiz . Vicente . Brown, B.V. . Borkent, A. . Cumming, J.M. . Wood, D.M. . Woodley, N.E. . Zumbado, M. . Manual of Central American Diptera. . Print . 2 . 2010 . NRC Research Press . Ottawa, Canada . 0-660-19958-0 . 1025–1030 . 76 .
3. Kirst . Frederico Dutra . Ale-Rocha . Rosaly . 2012 . Taxonomic revision of the Amazonian species of Ropalomera Wiedemann, 1824 (Diptera: Ropalomeridae) . . 3151 . 1–27 . PDF excerpt .