Limoniidae is the largest of fourcrane fly families, with more than 10,700 species in more than 150 genera. Some studies have suggested it to be aparaphyletic group, with some limoniids being more closely related toTipulidae andCylindrotomidae than to other limoniids.[1][2][3] Limoniid crane flies can usually be distinguished by the way the wings are held at rest. Limoniids usually hold/fold the wings along the back of the body, whereas other crane flies usually hold them out at right angles. Snow flies (genus:Chionea) such asChionea scita have no wings at all.[4] Limoniids are also usually smaller than other crane flies, with some exceptions.[5]
The classification of Limoniid crane flies has been varied in the past, with the group treated both as subfamily and family,[6] but the following classification is currently accepted.[7][8][9][10][11][12] (Species counts are approximate, and vary over time.).[9] Recentphylogenetic analyses have revealed the family to be paraphyletic and further research is suggested.[1][7]
Family Limoniidae (Limoniid Crane Flies, more than 10,700 species)
SubfamilyChioneinae (4,324 species and subspecies)
Limoniids are medium or small-sized, rarely large. Theproboscis orrostrum lacks a beak. The apical segment of themaxillary palpi is short and never longer than subapical one. Theantennae are, in most species, 14- or 16-segmented (rarely 6-, 10-, or 17-segmented), usually verticillate (whorls of trichia) and only exceptionally ctenidial or serrate (Rhipidia). There is a distinct V-shaped suture between themesonotal prescutum and scutum (near the level of the wing bases). The wings are monochromatic or punctate and (in females more often than in males). sometimes shortened or reduced. Thesubcosta always fuses with the costa through Sc1. Radial vein R2 does not fuse with the costa, as in most other crane flies, but with radial vein R3. The radial sector Rs has one or two forks. Additional crossveins are sometimes present in cells r3 an1 and m. Cells m1 and d are often not present. The genitalia of males have large separatedgonocoxis and one or two pairs of appendages which are sometimes greatly folded (Dicranomyia, etc.). Theovipositor of the female hassclerotizedcerci.
Mostly,larvae areaquatic or semi-aquatic. In comparison, most otherTipuloidea larvae are terrestrial, though some are aquatic and found in huge numbers inlotic habitats like the limoniid larvae. Various species have evolved to feed on different food sources, sophytophagous,saprophagous,mycetophagous andpredatory species occur.
Limoniids occupy a wide range of habitats and micro habitats: in earth rich in humus, in swamps and marshes, in leaf litter and in wet spots in woods (numerous genera and species); in soils with only moderate humus content along stream borders (Gonomyia Meigen,Rhabdomastix Skuse,Arctoconopa Alexander,Hesperoconopa Alexander); in dry to saturated decaying wood in streams, where the larvae feed on fungal mycelia (Gnophomyia Osten Sacken,Teucholabis Osten Sacken,Lipsothrix Loew); in decaying plant materials (various subgenera and species ofLimonia), in woody and fleshy fungi (Limonia (Metalimnobia Matsumura); in fresh water, especially rapidly flowing streams (Antocha Osten Sacken,Hesperoconopa Alexander,Cryptolabis Osten Sacken); intertidal zones and brackish water (Limonia (Idioglochina Alexander,Limonia (Diuanomyia) Stephens); freshwater aquatic environment during the larval stage and nearby margin areas for pupation (Limonia Meigen,Thaumastoptera Mik, manyPediciini,Limnophilinae, andEriopterini); steep cliff faces supporting a constantly wet film of algae (some species ofLimonia Meigen,Orimarga Osten SackenElliptera Schiner); in moist to wet cushions ofmosses orliverworts growing on rocks or earth (various species).[13][14]
Phantolabis lacustris was the first tipuloid species to be observed skating on the surface of water. It possesses morphological adaptations to allow for this phenomenon.[15]
^abcPetersen, Matthew J.; Bertone, Matthew A.; Wiegmann, Brian M.; Courtney, Gregory W. (2010). "Phylogenetic synthesis of morphological and molecular data reveals new insights into the higher-level classification of Tipuloidea (Diptera)".Systematic Entomology.35 (3):526–545.doi:10.1111/j.1365-3113.2010.00524.x.S2CID86724439.
^Alexander C.P., Byers G.W. (1981) Tipulidae. in: McAlpine J.F. et al. (Ed.),Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, pp. 153–1902ISBN0660107317pdfArchived 2013-12-01 at theWayback Machine
^Ujvarosi, L., Poti T., 2006: Studies on the community structure of the Tipuloidea (Insecta, Diptera) assemblages of the După Luncă Marsh, Eastern Carpathians.Acta Biol. Debr. Oecol. Hung. 14: 253-262pdfArchived 2014-01-16 at theWayback Machine
^Gelhaus, Jon K.; Johnson, Ralph (1996). "First Record of Crane Flies (Tipulidae: Limoniinae) in Upper Cretaceous Amber from New Jersey, U.S.A.".Transactions of the American Entomological Society.122 (1):55–65.ISSN0002-8320.JSTOR25078603.
^Rohdendorf, B. 1974. The Historical Development of Diptera. Edmonton: Univ. Alberta.
^Savchenko, E. N. 1966. Phylogeny and systematics of the Tipulidae.Fauna Ukraini 14:63–88. In Russian.
^Oosterbroek, P.Superfamily Tipuloidea, Family Tipulidae. Chapter 2 In: Evenhuis, N. L. (Ed.)Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions, Issue 86 of Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication. Apollo Press. 1989.
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