''Humongochela'' is a genus of

flies Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

in the family

Dolichopodidae Dolichopodidae, the long-legged flies, are a large, cosmopolitan family of true flies with more than 7,000 described species in about 230 genera. The genus ''Dolichopus'' is the most speciose, with some 600 species. Dolichopodidae generally are ...

. It is known from three of the

Marquesas Islands The Marquesas Islands (; french: Îles Marquises or ' or '; Marquesan: ' ( North Marquesan) and ' ( South Marquesan), both meaning "the land of men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in th ...

, with one species on each. All three species are found on vertical surfaces near waterfalls. Flies in the genus have extremely long tarsal claws as well as extremely reduced

pulvilli Pulvilli are soft, cushionlike pads on the feet of insects and other arthropods, such as the housefly and ixodid ticks. They are located at the base of the claws (#2 in the figure at right). The pulvilli function as an adhesive system. Their sti ...

. These are presumed to be evolutionary adaptions to allow better grip on the slippery substrata near waterfalls. The generic name is derived from the American slang "humongous" (meaning large, monstrous) and the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

''chela'' ("claw"), referring to their extremely long claws.

Species

* ''

Humongochela englundi ''Humongochela'' is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It is known from three of the Marquesas Islands, with one species on each. All three species are found on vertical surfaces near waterfalls. Flies in the genus have extremely long ...

'' Evenhuis, 2004 –

Fatu-Hiva Fatu-Hiva (the "H" is not pronounced, see name section below) is the southernmost island of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. With Motu Nao as its closest neighbor, it is also the mo ...

* ''

Humongochela hardyi ''Humongochela'' is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It is known from three of the Marquesas Islands, with one species on each. All three species are found on vertical surfaces near waterfalls. Flies in the genus have extremely long ...

'' Evenhuis, 2004 –

Nuku Hiva Nuku Hiva (sometimes spelled Nukahiva or Nukuhiva) is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. It was formerly also known as ''Île Marchand'' and ''Madison Island''. Herman M ...

* '' Humongochela polhemusi'' Evenhuis, 2004 –

Hiva Oa With its , Hiva Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Located at 9 45' south latitude and 139 W longitude, it is the largest island of the southern Mar ...

References

Dolichopodidae genera Sympycninae Fauna of the Marquesas Islands Endemic fauna of French Polynesia {{Dolichopodidae-stub