Syringogaster is a genus of small (4 to 6 mm) ant-mimicking flies with a petiolate abdomen, a long prothorax, a swollen and spiny hind femur, and reduced head size and large eyes. There are 20 described extant species and two species known from Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic. It is the only genus in the family Syringogastridae.[1]

Syringogaster
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Section: Schizophora
Superfamily: Diopsoidea
Family: Syringogastridae
Prado, 1969
Genus: Syringogaster
Cresson, 1912
Species

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Distribution

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The genus Syringogaster are found in tropical areas of the Neotropical region, with exception of the Antilles. Syringogastridae inhabit tropical forests.[1]

Biology

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Very little is known about the biology of Syringogastridae, and no larvae are known.[1]

Classification

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The descriptor Ezra Townsend Cresson placed his new genus in the family Psilidae[2] then in 1969 Angelo Pires do Prado erected a new family (Syringogastridae) to contain the genus.[3]

Species

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References

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  1. ^ a b c S.A. Marshall; M. Buck; J.H. Skevington & D. Grimaldi (2007). "A revision of the family Syringogastridae (Diptera: Diopsoidea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1996. Auckland, New Zealand: Magnolia Press: 1–80.
  2. ^ Cresson, E. T. Jr. 1912. Descriptions of several new neotropical acalyptrate Diptera. Entomol. News. 23:389-396.
  3. ^ Prado, A. P. do. 1969. Syringogastridae, uma nova familia de dipteros Acalyptratae, com a descricao de seis especies novas do genero Syringogaster Cresson. Studia Ent. (n.s.) 12:1-32.
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