Ragadidae is a family of true flies in the superfamilyEmpidoidea. It was formerly considered a lower taxon, but was published as a new subfamily within Empididae in 2016.[1] Since then, it has been classified as the sister group to Empididae, and has been elevated to family level based on the genetic differences which separate it from Empididae.[2]
Description
Photograph of right wing of a species within Ragadidae, Ragas unica
Ragadidae are similar to Empididae and Atelestidae in the sense that their genitalia have symmetrical and straight terminalia. In their wings, the point of origin of the Rs vein is located at a distance from the humeral crossvein (h) as long as, or longer than, h. There is also a circumambient costa in the wing, which distinguishes Ragadidae from Atelestidae. Furthermore, the prosternum being separated from the proepisternum sets Ragadidae aside from Empididae—this is true for all except one genera (Hydropezaspp.), which can instead be characterized through its recurved labrum. In Empididae, this labrum is straight.[2]
Systematics
Ragadidae consists of two subfamilies, Iteaphilinae and Ragadinae, in which 7 genera are included in total: Dipsomyia, Hormopeza, Hydropeza, Ragas, Zanclotus, Anthepiscopus and Iteaphila.
Based on the most recent phylogenetic studies,[2] the relationship between Ragadidae and other members of Empidoidea is as follows. The placement of Ragadidae is emphasized in bold formatting.
