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Family SIALIDAE Leach in Brewster, 1815


Compiler and date details

G. Theischinger, Engadine, New South Wales, Australia W.W.K. Houston, Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Introduction

This family is distinguished from the Corydalidae by the absence in the adults of ocelli and a prominently bilobed 4th tarsal segment; the larvae have only seven pairs of lateral abdominal gills and the apex of the abdomen drawn out into a termina1 filament. The four Australian species are rather small (length of forewing no more than 15 mm).

The distribution of the family is world wide with about 60 described species. This probably includes a number of synonyms, but new discoveries may be expected. The Australian fauna represents 5–10% of the world fauna. A detailed taxonomic study of the family on a world wide base is urgently needed in order to clarify the status of most genera and of many species.

Intersexual communication by vibration signals has been described for sialids. The larvae of one Australian species have been found in silty, slow-flowing sections of coastal streams.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
20-May-2023 MEGALOPTERA 10-May-2023 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)