Nymphomyiidae
Encyclopedia
The Nymphomyiidae are a family
of slender, delicate flies (Diptera
). Larvae are found among aquatic moss
es in small, rapid stream
s in northern regions of the world. Many fossil
species
and a few extant species are known. Under an alternative classification, they are considered the only living representatives of a separate, archaic suborder called "Archidiptera
".
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of slender, delicate flies (Diptera
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
). Larvae are found among aquatic moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
es in small, rapid stream
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
s in northern regions of the world. Many fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
species
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...
and a few extant species are known. Under an alternative classification, they are considered the only living representatives of a separate, archaic suborder called "Archidiptera
Archidiptera
Archidiptera is a suborder of Diptera under an alternative classification based largely on fossil taxa; it has not gained wide acceptance among non-paleontological dipterists....
".
External links
- Courtney,G. W. Biosystematics of the Nymphomyiidae (Insecta: Diptera): Life. History, Morphology, and Phylogenetic Relationships pdf http://www.ent.iastate.edu/scratch/files/SCZ%20No%20550.pdf