The relationship between the Milichiidae and Carnidae

The question of whether the Carnidae is a subfamily of the Milichiidae or a separate family has for long been a subject for discussion. The reason for this is the similarity between the carnid genera Meoneura and Hemeromyia, and several Madizinae. Both groups are characterised by the presence of two medioclinate "frontal" setae and two lateroclinate orbital setae. This condition is unique in the Schizophora.

Hendel (1903) added Meoneura to the Milichiidae, but in 1921 Frey separated both taxa on the basis of the shape of the proboscis and established the new family Carnidae for the genera Meoneura and Carnus. Hennig (1937) added the Carnidae to the Milichiidae. In several papers (Hennig 1937, 1958) he discussed whether the Carnidae and Milichiidae are sister-groups or whether the Carnidae are more closely related to one part of the Milichiidae. But in the end (1971) Hennig accepted Sturtevant's views (1925-1926) and treated the Carnidae as a separate family. Since then, the separation of the Milichiidae and Carnidae has not been questioned. However, the exact relationship between the Milichiidae, Chloropidae, and Carnidae, and the position of these families within the Schizophora, has remained a matter for discussion (Griffiths 1972, J. F. McAlpine 1989, Brake 2000).