Minjerribah (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), a new genus from coastal Queensland, Australia

Zootaxa. 2019 Oct 17;4686(4):zootaxa.4686.4.8. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4686.4.8.

Abstract

A monotypic new genus, Minjerribah (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), and an included new species, M. litoura, are described from North Stradbroke Island in southeastern Queensland. The genus is assigned to the subfamily Hydrophorinae based on the pair of distinct converging postvertical setae on the dorsal postcranium, out of line with the postocular setae. Other diagnostic characters in Minjerribah include the highly encapsulated and reduced male postabdomen, the antennal pedicel with a conus (visible both in lateral and median view) projecting into the postpedicel, strong setation on tibia I, and very few male secondary sexual characters. It has only been collected in August from low coastal habitat and is probably a winter flying species.

Keywords: Diptera, Dolichopodidae, Hydrophorinae, Sympycninae, Australia, Minjerribah, austral winter faunas.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Diptera*
  • Ecosystem
  • Male
  • Queensland
  • Seasons