The Lauxaniidae are one of the largest families of acalyptrate Diptera (series Schizophora)
and are distributed in all the major zoogeographical regions of the world. Early taxonomic
work on the family began in Europe and some notable studies were done during the late 19th
and early 20th centuries. Since then few significant revisions on regional faunas have been
undertaken.
There are 142 recognized genera and about 1550 described species in the world fauna of
Lauxaniidae as compiled from available references (Shewell 1965, 1977, 1986, 1987;
Stuckenberg 1971a; Miller 1977a,c, 1980; Papp 1984a, 1984b; Yarom 1986; Evenhuis and
Okadome 1989; Hirashima 1989; Broadhead 1989; Sasakawa and Pong 1990; Colless and
McAlpine 1991; Sasakawa 1992; Silva, pers. comm.). The family has been divided into two
subfamilies distinguished principally by the costal form: Homoneurinae Stuckenberg 1971
having a homoneuriform costa (its spinules stop abruptly at or just before the apex of R4 + 5) and Lauxaniinae Shewell 1977 with a sapromyziform costa (the spinules stop well before the apex ofR4+ 5).
Review of biology and morphology
Descriptions of 128 new species and redescription of 25 species, in nine genera
Distribution maps of all 153 species
Six superb habitus drawings
Over 1180 high-quality drawings of terminalia, wings and body structures of 155 species
More than 180 key references
Phylogenetic analysis using a range of programs.
"An important reference work for Diptera systematics and it will be a valuable resource on a poorly known and diverse fauna for many years." T Wheeler, Annals of the Entomological Society of America
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