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Heteropsilopus

Heteropsilopus is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. The genus comprises large-sized sciapodines mostly with a strongly sinuate m-cu and simple digitiform cercus. The strongly sinuate m-cu is considered to be a distinctive group autapomorphy.

Distribution

Heteropsilopus is divided into three species groups: the triligatus group of southern India and Sri Lanka, and the cingulipes and brevicornis groups of southern Australia and Tasmania. Both Indian and Australian species are similar. Development of similar characters on some species, such as the stub-vein on m-cu, further unites the two disjunct groups. The separation of Heteropsilopus into Australian and Indian groups is more a matter of geographical convenience than sharp morphological difference.

The disjunction of Heteropsilopus in Australia and India suggests a widespread eastern Gondwanan distribution in place during the Lower Cretaceous.

In India the genus is restricted to mountains above 900 m in the elevated physiographic region of the 'Western Ghats' or 'Southern Blocks', and is unknown from the lowlands.

Species

References