A New Species of <i>Hemilauxania</i> Hennig (Lauxaniidae) from the Lower Eocene Oise Amber—The Oldest Record of Schizophora (Diptera)?

Abstract

Hemilauxania parvula sp. nov., a new fossil species of the family Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Acalyptratae), is described and illustrated from Oise amber, France (Eocene, lower Ypresian, ca 53 Ma), and its relationship is discussed. Inasmuch as this first finding of a member of Schizophora in Oise amber probably represents the oldest known record of this group of Diptera, the age of Schizophora, based on the known fossil records, is discussed.

Keywords

• extinct lauxaniid flies
• age of Acalyptratae
• Paleogene