The first predatory dance fly of the subfamily Ocydromiinae with specialized, raptorial legs in mid–Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Diptera: Hybotidae)

Abstract

The first ocydromiine hybotid fly is described and illustrated from a remarkable male preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. Pouillonhybos venator, gen. et sp. nov., is distinguished from other members of the subfamily Ocydromiinae as well as other lineages of living and fossil Hybotidae. The holotype of P. venator exhibits spectacular specializations of the mid and hind legs, modifications likely linked to the grasping of prey either during capture and/or while feeding. The species reported here is the earliest evidence of significant leg modifications in Hybotidae indicating an early appearance of such specializations in the family's history.

New Cretaceous empidoids and the Mesozoic dance fly revolution (Diptera: Empidoidea)

“…The phylogenetic position of Pouillonhybos varied with phylogenetic inference method; however, in contrast to Ngô‐Muller et al. (2021) we did not recover it as closely related to Ocydromiinae. In addition to atelestids, dolichopodids are well‐represented in Cretaceous amber deposits.…”

“…Our reconstruction confirmed that Cretoplatypalpus and Mesoplatypalpus are nested within Tachydromiinae in agreement with Grimaldi and Cumming (1999), who highlighted the plesiomorphic condition of the chaetotaxy of these genera in contrast with extant tachydromiines. The phylogenetic position of Pouillonhybos varied with phylogenetic inference method; however, in contrast to Ngô-Muller et al (2021) we did not recover it as closely related to Ocydromiinae. In addition to atelestids, dolichopodids are well-represented in Cretaceous amber deposits.…”

A new genus of dance fly (Diptera: Empidoidea: Hybotidae) from Cretaceous Spanish ambers and introduction to the fossiliferous amber outcrop of La Hoya (Castellón Province, Spain)

“…The genus Cretoplatypalpus is doubtfully assigned to Empidoidea sensu Jouault et al (2020) . The genus Ecommocydromia difficilis was originally assigned to Ocydromiinae but later to the Empididae s.s. by Grimaldi & Engel (2005) and as incertae sedis within Empidoidea sensu Ngô-Muller et al (2021) and in the present work. * Trichinites has been proposed as the sister group of the hybotids, it is here included for practical reasons.…”

“…However, the morphology of the mouthparts indicates the well-known predatory feeding habits of the empidoids. Diptera are very abundant in Defaunation resin, copal, and amber, and Empidoidea are among the most abundant Diptera within Cretaceous ambers ( e.g ., Grimaldi & Cumming, 1999 ; Sinclair & Grimaldi, 2020 ; Ngô-Muller et al, 2021 ). We know that selected taxa trapped in resins represent the fauna living in and around the resin-producing tree and appear in resins because of their ecology and behavior ( Solórzano-Kraemer et al, 2018 ).…”