Eurychoromyiidae
Encyclopedia
Eurychoromyia mallea, the broad-headed fly, is a species
of fly
, the only species in the family Eurychoromyiidae.
In 1903, C. A. W. Schnuse, collecting at Sarampiuni in the foothills of the Bolivia
n Andes
, took 4 specimens, all female, of a fly with a strange broad, flat head. These were described as a new species Eurychoromyia mallea
(ευρυς — broad; χορος — field; μυια — fly; malleus — hammer) by the Austrian entomologist Friedrich Georg Hendel
. No specimens have been seen or collected since. Two of the specimens now reside in the Naturhistorisches Museum
in Vienna
. The other two specimens are in the Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde in Dresden
. Hendel rated the species as "an isolated group of acalyptrate muscids". His judgement has been sustained, and they are now recognised as belonging to a distinct family Eurychoromyiidae. No other specimens have ever been identified as belonging to this family. Classification has proved difficult, the absence of any male specimens adding to the difficulties. Following Hennig
(1958) they are here tentatively included in the superfamily Lauxanioidea
.
E. mallea is a siny, peach-brown insect, 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) in length, with a head 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in) wide. The immature stages and male specimens have not been seen.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of fly
Fly
True flies are insects of the order Diptera . They possess a pair of wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax...
, the only species in the family Eurychoromyiidae.
In 1903, C. A. W. Schnuse, collecting at Sarampiuni in the foothills of the Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
, took 4 specimens, all female, of a fly with a strange broad, flat head. These were described as a new species Eurychoromyia mallea
(ευρυς — broad; χορος — field; μυια — fly; malleus — hammer) by the Austrian entomologist Friedrich Georg Hendel
Friedrich Georg Hendel
Friedrich Georg Hendel was an Austrian Hauptsschuldirektor and entomologist mainly interested in Diptera. He described very many new species and made important contributions to the higher taxonomy of the Diptera.He was born in Vienna and died in Baden bei Wien...
. No specimens have been seen or collected since. Two of the specimens now reside in the Naturhistorisches Museum
Naturhistorisches Museum
The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien or NHMW is a large museum located in Vienna, Austria.The collections displayed cover , and the museum has a website providing an overview as a video virtual tour....
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. The other two specimens are in the Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. Hendel rated the species as "an isolated group of acalyptrate muscids". His judgement has been sustained, and they are now recognised as belonging to a distinct family Eurychoromyiidae. No other specimens have ever been identified as belonging to this family. Classification has proved difficult, the absence of any male specimens adding to the difficulties. Following Hennig
Willi Hennig
Emil Hans Willi Hennig was a German biologist who is considered the founder of phylogenetic systematics, also known as cladistics. With his works on evolution and systematics he revolutionised the view of the natural order of beings...
(1958) they are here tentatively included in the superfamily Lauxanioidea
Lauxanioidea
Lauxanioidea is a superfamily of flies that includes the two large families, the Lauxaniidae and Chamaemyiidae, and the small families Eurychoromyiidae and Celyphidae. Generally they are small to medium, densely populated, coloured flies. Chamaemyiidae and Cremifaniidae live as parasites on insects...
.
E. mallea is a siny, peach-brown insect, 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) in length, with a head 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in) wide. The immature stages and male specimens have not been seen.