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Issue: Vol. 8 No. 3: June 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-06-27
DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.8.3.3
Page range: 249-277
Abstract views: 55
PDF downloaded: 38

Expanding diversity of Acalyptratae (Diptera) in the Eocene Baltic amber forest: new species of Acartophthalmites (Clusiomitidae) and Protanthomyza (Protanthomyzidae stat. nov.)

Silesian Museum, Nádražní okruh 31, CZ-746 01 Opava, Czech Republic
Diptera Clusiomitidae Protanthomyzidae stat. nov. Clusiomitid flies Protanthomyzid flies four new species taxonomy morphology relationships keys Tertiary

Abstract

Four new fossil species from two families of Acalyptratae (Diptera), all preserved in Baltic amber (Eocene, 48–34 Ma), are described: Acartophthalmites bicolor sp. nov., A. scotopteryx sp. nov., A. striatus sp. nov. (all Clusiomitidae), as well as Protanthomyza chelicerata sp. nov. (Protanthomyzidae). All new species are diagnosed, illustrated, and their relationships are discussed. Updated identification keys are provided. Based on newly acquired morphological data, the relationships of the subfamily Protanthomyzinae (formerly within Anthomyzidae) are revised. Since this fossil taxon is recognized as the sister group of Anthomyzidae (s. str.) (= without Protanthomyzinae) +Opomyzidae,, this group is elevated to the rank of a family, Protanthomyzidae stat. nov. The addition of four new species contributes to the knowledge of the diversity of Acalyptratae flies in the Eocene Baltic amber forest, even though they belong to extinct families.

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