Systematics Empidoidea



empidoidea sp.


the familiar families in group empididae , dolichopodidae, both of occur worldwide , contain thousands of species. smaller families formerly included in empididae, have since been accorded family status. brachystomatinae , microphorinae elevated full family status, too, apparently make empididae , dolichopodidae paraphyletic , retained subfamilies here.


the present systematic treatment seems reflect phylogeny rather well; of more basal taxa in each lineage of more uncertain position in cladistic analyses, @ least interim solution, four-family approach seems warranted. arranged in phylogenetic sequence, families are:



atelestidae
hybotidae – dance flies
dolichopodidae – long-legged flies (including microphoridae)
empididae – dagger flies , balloon flies (including brachystomatidae)




^ sinclair & cumming (2006)
^ cite error: named reference m+w2007 invoked never defined (see page).






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