Limoniidae

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Limoniidae
Temporal range: Late Triassic–Present
Limonia nubeculosa01.jpg
Limonia nubeculosa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Infraorder: Tipulomorpha
Superfamily: Tipuloidea
Family: Limoniidae
Diversity
ca. 150 genera

Limoniidae is the largest of four crane fly families, with more than 10,700 species in more than 150 genera. Some studies have suggested it to be a paraphyletic group, with some limoniids being more closely related to Tipulidae and Cylindrotomidae than to other limoniids. [1] [2] [3] Limoniid crane flies can usually be distinguished by the way the wings are held at rest. Limoniids usually hold/fold the wings along the back of the body, whereas other crane flies usually hold them out at right angles. Snow flies (genus: Chionea ) such as Chionea scita have no wings at all. [4] Limoniids are also usually smaller than other crane flies, with some exceptions. [5]

Contents

The classification of Limoniid crane flies has been varied in the past, with the group treated both as subfamily and family, [6] but the following classification is currently accepted. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] (Species counts are approximate, and vary over time.) [9] . Recent phylogenetic analyses have revealed the family to be paraphyletic and further research is suggested. [1] [7]

Family Limoniidae (Limoniid Crane Flies, more than 10,700 species)
Subfamily Chioneinae (4,324 species and subspecies)
Subfamily Dactylolabinae (59 species and subspecies)
Subfamily Limnophilinae (2,593 species and subspecies)
Subfamily Limoniinae (3,873 species and subspecies)
Subfamily †Architipulinae (extinct)
Subfamily †Drinosinae (extinct)
Subfamily †Eotipulinae (extinct)

These flies are found in damp places throughout the world, and many species form dense swarms in suitable habitats.

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera

Wing venation (Dicranomyia spp. and Dicranoptycha spp.) Limoniidae wing veins-5.svg
Wing venation ( Dicranomyia spp. and Dicranoptycha spp.)
Radio forks diagram Radio forks diagram (Limoniidae).svg
Radio forks diagram

Limoniids are medium or small-sized, rarely large. The proboscis or rostrum lacks a beak. The apical segment of the maxillary palpi is short and never longer than subapical one. The antennae are, in most species, 14- or 16-segmented (rarely 6-, 10-, or 17-segmented), usually verticillate (whorls of trichia) and only exceptionally ctenidial or serrate ( Rhipidia ). There is a distinct V-shaped suture between the mesonotal prescutum and scutum (near the level of the wing bases). The wings are monochromatic or punctate and (in females more often than in males). sometimes shortened or reduced. The subcosta always fuses with the costa through Sc1. Radial vein R2 does not fuse with the costa, as in most other crane flies, but with radial vein R3. The radial sector Rs has one or two forks. Additional crossveins are sometimes present in cells r3 an1 and m. Cells m1 and d are often not present. The genitalia of males have large separated gonocoxis and one or two pairs of appendages which are sometimes greatly folded ( Dicranomyia , etc.). The ovipositor of the female has sclerotized cerci.

Biology

Mostly, larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic. In comparison, most other Tipuloidea larvae are terrestrial, though some are aquatic and found in huge numbers in lotic habitats like the limoniid larvae. Various species have evolved to feed on different food sources, so phytophagous, saprophagous, mycetophagous and predatory species occur.

Limoniids occupy a wide range of habitats and micro habitats: in earth rich in humus, in swamps and marshes, in leaf litter and in wet spots in woods (numerous genera and species); in soils with only moderate humus content along stream borders ( Gonomyia Meigen, Rhabdomastix Skuse, Arctoconopa Alexander, Hesperoconopa Alexander); in dry to saturated decaying wood in streams, where the larvae feed on fungal mycelia ( Gnophomyia Osten Sacken, Teucholabis Osten Sacken, Lipsothrix Loew); in decaying plant materials (various subgenera and species of Limonia ), in woody and fleshy fungi (Limonia ( Metalimnobia Matsumura); in fresh water, especially rapidly flowing streams (Antocha Osten Sacken, Hesperoconopa Alexander, Cryptolabis Osten Sacken); intertidal zones and brackish water (Limonia (Idioglochina Alexander, Limonia ( Diuanomyia ) Stephens); freshwater aquatic environment during the larval stage and nearby margin areas for pupation (Limonia Meigen, Thaumastoptera Mik, many Pediciini, Limnophilinae, and Eriopterini); steep cliff faces supporting a constantly wet film of algae (some species of Limonia Meigen, Orimarga Osten Sacken Elliptera Schiner); in moist to wet cushions of mosses or liverworts growing on rocks or earth (various species). [13] [14]

Phantolabis lacustris was the first tipuloid species to be observed skating on the surface of water. It possesses morphological adaptations to allow for this phenomenon. [15]

Species lists

Evolution

Limoniids are not particularly common in amber deposits, but a few finds (e.g. Tipunia intermedia Krzeminski & Ansorge, 1995 from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen limestones) suggest the group has been extant since the Jurassic period. [16] Another specimen ( Limonia dillonae ) preserved in amber in the Raritan-Magothy Formation suggests limoniids have been extant since the Upper Cretaceous period. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crane fly</span> Superfamily of flies

A crane fly is any member of the dipteran superfamily Tipuloidea, which contains the living families Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, as well as several extinct families. "Winter crane flies", members of the family Trichoceridae, are sufficiently different from the typical crane flies of Tipuloidea to be excluded from the superfamily Tipuloidea, and are placed as their sister group within Tipulomorpha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipulidae</span> Family of flies

Tipulidae is a family of large crane flies in the order Diptera. There are more than 30 genera and 4,200 described species in Tipulidae, common and widespread throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipulomorpha</span> Infraorder of flies

The Tipulomorpha are an infraorder of Nematocera, containing the crane flies, a very large group, and allied families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nematocera</span> Suborder of flies

The Nematocera are a suborder of elongated flies with thin, segmented antennae and mostly aquatic larvae. This group is paraphyletic and contains all flies but species from suborder Brachycera, which includes more commonly known species such as the housefly or the common fruit fly. The equivalent clade to Nematocera is the whole Diptera, with Brachycera as a subclade. Families in Nematocera include mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats, black flies, and multiple families commonly known as midges. The Nematocera typically have fairly long, fine, finely-jointed antennae. In many species, such as most mosquitoes, the female antennae are more or less threadlike, but the males have spectacularly plumose antennae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chioneinae</span> Subfamily of flies

The Chioneinae are a subfamily of limoniid crane flies.

<i>Ctenophora</i> (fly) Genus of flies

Ctenophora is a genus of true crane flies. The species are large, shiny black craneflies with large yellow, orange, or red markings to mimic wasps. Males have comb-like antennae. The larvae are saproxylic. The species are confined to old deciduous forests, orchards, and other habitats with continuity of the presence of dying and fallen trees. Ctenophora species are important bioindicators.

<i>Dactylolabis</i> Genus of flies

Dactylolabis is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae. It is placed in its own subfamily, Dactylolabinae. Dactylolabis contains the following species:

Idioptera is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.

<i>Pilaria</i> Genus of flies

Pilaria is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cylindrotomidae</span> Family of flies

The Cylindrotomidae or long-bodied craneflies are a family of crane flies. More than 65 extant species in 9 genera occur worldwide. There are more than 20 extinct species.

<i>Diogma</i> Genus of flies

Diogma is a genus of crane flies in the family Cylindrotomidae.

<i>Liogma</i> Genus of flies

Liogma is a genus of crane fly in the family Cylindrotomidae.

Stibadocerodes is a genus of crane fly in the family Cylindrotomidae.

Triogma is a genus of crane fly in the family Cylindrotomidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ctenophorinae</span> Subfamily of flies

The Ctenophorinae are a subfamily of Tipulidae, the true crane flies. Most species are large, colourful crane flies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipulinae</span> Subfamily of flies

Tipulinae is a subfamily of crane flies. It contains the typical crane flies from the genus Tipula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eriopterini</span> Tribe of flies

Eriopterini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are more than 20 genera and 3,800 described species in Eriopterini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limoniini</span> Tribe of flies

Limoniini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are about 7 genera and more than 1,400 described species in Limoniini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limoniinae</span> Subfamily of flies

Limoniinae is a subfamily of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are more than 30 genera and 3,700 described species in Limoniinae, found worldwide.

References

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