Systematic position and composition of Merodon nigritarsis and M. avidus groups (Diptera, Syrphidae) with a description of four new hoverflies species

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Likov L., Vujic A., Tubic N. K., Dan M., Velickovic N., Rojo S., ...More

CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY, vol.89, no.1, pp.74-125, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 89 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1163/18759866-20191414
  • Journal Name: CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS
  • Page Numbers: pp.74-125
  • Keywords: distribution, hoverfly, Merodon cohurnus sp. n., Merodon longisetus sp. n., Merodon obstipus sp. n., Merodon rutitarsis sp. n., mitochondrial COI, nuclear 28S rRNA, RUFICORNIS GROUP DIPTERA, COMPLEX DIPTERA, INTEGRATIVE TAXONOMY, INCLUDING DESCRIPTION, CRYPTIC SPECIATION, DELIMITATION, MEIGEN, DNA, DIVERSITY, REVISION
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The putative monophyly and systematic position of Merodon nigritarsis group was assessed based on morphological and molecular data of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rRNA genes. The previously reported concept of the group has been redefined, and M. crassifemoris Paramonov, 1925 is now excluded. The related M. avidus group is redefined here, including the Merodon avidus complex and M. femoratus Sack, 1913. Species delimitation of morphologically defined species of M. nigritarsis group was well supported by COI gene analysis, with the exception of M. alagoezicus Paramonov, 1925 and M. lucasi Hurkmans, 1993. Descriptions are given for three new species of the M. nigritarsis species group: Merodon cohurnus Vujic, Likov et Radenkovic sp. n., Merodon longisetus Vujic, Radenkovic et Likov sp. n. and Merodon obstipus Vujic, Radenkovic et Likov sp. n., and one new species from the M avidus group: Merodon rutitarsis Likov, Vujic et Radenkovic sp. n. A lectotype is designated for M femoratus Sack, 1913, and two new synonymies of this species were proposed: M biarcuatus Curran, 1939 and M. elegans Hurkmans, 1993. Here we review 18 species from the M. nigritarsis group and six species from the M. avidus group and provide morphological diagnoses of the species groups. Additionally, diagnosis of 12 branches (groups or individual taxa) of M avidus-nigritarsis lineage, an illustrated diagnostic key for the males, and distribution map are provided for the new species.