Garifuna is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae. The only known species is reported from Belize and Panama.

Garifuna
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Ephydridae
Subfamily: Ilytheinae
Tribe: Philygriini
Genus: Garifuna
Mathis, 1997[1]
Type species
Garifuna sinuata
Mathis, 1997[1]

Description edit

In the original description, under 'Remarks' (p. 64) it reads —"The patterned wing readily characterizes this species and will undoubtedly distinguish it from congeners, if any, that may be discovered. Characters of the male terminalia, especially the asymmetrical gonites, also will probably be diagnostic." Else (p. 64), for the examined specimens, it reads "TYPE MATERIAL.—The holotype male is labeled "BELIZE. Belize Dist: Turneffe Islands, Rope Walk Cay (17°13'N, 87°51'W)[,] 31 Mar 1993, W.N. Mathis." The allotype and one other paratype are from Panama. Canal Zone: Balboa, Feb 1 1958, M.R. Wheeler (1 ♂, 1 ♀; USNM)"[1]

Etymology edit

The genus name Garifuna is feminine, as defined in the original description. That further reports (p.64) that (the genus name) "is derived from the name of descendants of the Black Caribs who were deported from St. Vincent in 1797 and who eventually settled, beginning in 1823, in several villages and towns along the southern coast of Belize"[1]

Species edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Mathis, W.N. (1997). "Shore flies of the Belizean Cays (Diptera: Ephydridae)" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 592: v + 77. Retrieved 30 January 2022.