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Humongochela

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Humongochela
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Dolichopodidae
Subfamily: Sympycninae
Genus: Humongochela
Evenhuis, 2004[1]
Type species
Humongochela hardyi
Evenhuis, 2004

Humongochela is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae.[2] It is known from three of the Marquesas Islands, with one species on each. All three species are found on vertical surfaces near waterfalls. Flies in the genus have extremely long tarsal claws as well as extremely reduced pulvilli. These are presumed to be evolutionary adaptions to allow better grip on the slippery substrata near waterfalls. The generic name is derived from the American slang "humongous" (meaning large, monstrous) and the Latin chela ("claw"), referring to their extremely long claws.[1]

Species

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References

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  1. ^ a b Evenhuis, N. L. (2004). "Humongochela, a new genus of waterfall-loving flies from the Marquesas Islands (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)" (PDF). Bishop Museum Bulletins in Entomology. 12: 35–43.
  2. ^ Evenhius, N. L. (17 April 2016). "Family Dolichopodidae". In Evenhius, N. L. (ed.). Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions (online version). Retrieved 17 January 2023.