Subfamily Limoniinae Speiser, 1909 (Diptera, Limoniidae) from Baltic amber (Eocene): the genus Elephantomyia Osten Sacken, 1860

PLoS One. 2015 Feb 23;10(2):e0117434. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117434. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

A revision of the genus Elephantomyia Osten Sacken (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Baltic amber (Eocene) is presented. Four species--E. baltica Alexander, E. brevipalpa Loew, E. longirostris Loew, and E. pulchella Loew--are redescribed and documented with photographs and drawings. In addition, two new species of the genus are described: Elephantomyia bozenae sp. nov., and Elephantomyia irinae sp. nov. All these fossil species are placed within the subgenus Elephantomyia. A key to the extinct species of Elephantomyia is provided, and the genus' ecological pattern and evolutionary aspects are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Amber
  • Animals
  • Baltic States
  • Diptera / classification*
  • Fossils*
  • Paleontology

Substances

  • Amber

Grants and funding

The author received no specific funding for this work.