A new species of long-legged fly (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) in Late Cretaceous (Coniacian) Iwaki amber from the Futaba Group of Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan

Abstract

In this study, a new species of long-legged fly (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), Avenaphora spinifemorata sp. nov., is described based on a specimen preserved in amber from the Kohisagawa Member of the Tamayama Formation, Futaba Group (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian; ca. 87–86 Ma). The extinct genus Avenaphora was previously known from only two species: A. hispida Grimaldi and Cumming, 1999 (Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber) and A. gallica Nel et al., 2017 (Upper Cretaceous French amber). Avenaphora spinifemorata sp. nov. differs from those two species in having two pairs of fronto-orbital setae, an undeveloped anal lobe, a long R₁ vein, and a relatively longer hind femur with conspicuous ventral spines. Avenaphora spinifemorata sp. nov. exhibits characteristics of both the Microphorinae and the Parathalassiinae, providing valuable insights into the taxonomic position of Avenaphora and the early evolution of the Dolichopodidae.

ZooBank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:793B243F-F66E-496F-BBC8-C8BFF73496CE