dcsimg

Comprehensive Description

provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Scatella (Scatella) obscura Williston

Scatella obscura Williston, 1896:403.—Wirth, 1968:26 [Neotropical catalog].—Mathis and Edmiston, 1991:836–837 [discussion].

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—BELIZE. Stann Creek District: Man of War Cay, Nov 1987, W.N. and D. Mathis (5, 5); Round Cay (near Coco Plum Cay), Mar 1988, W.N. Mathis (1); Stewart Cay, Mar 1988, W.N. Mathis (6, 11); Tobacco Range, Jul 1989, W.N. Mathis, H.B. Williams (1); Twin Cays (Aanderaa Flats, south end of East Island), Mar 1988, W.N. Mathis (1, 6); Wee Wee Cay, Nov 1987, Mar 1988, W.N. and D. Mathis (10, 12). Glover's Reef (Middle Cay), Jul 1989, W.N. Mathis, H.B. Williams (1, 2).

DISTRIBUTION.—Nearctic: USA (FL). Neotropical: Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador (mainland and Galápagos Islands), El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, West Indies (Dominica, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent).

NATURAL HISTORY.—All specimens from Wee Wee Cay were collected from the large muddy area with a covering mat of blue-green algae. The habitat is more fully described under Glenanthe ruetzleri.

DIAGNOSIS.—This species is distinguished from related congeners by the following combination of characters: general coloration brown; mesofrons partially microtomentose, subshiny; gena low, height less than one-third eye height; wing infuscate and with several pale spots; both notopleural setae inserted at about same level.
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bibliographic citation
Mathis, Wayne Neilsen. 1997. "Shore Flies of the Belizean Cays (Diptera: Ephydridae)." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-77. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.592