A review of the assassin-fly genus Anypodetus Hermann, 1907 with the description of a new species (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae) Author Dikow, Torsten https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4816-2909 Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 10 th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA dikowt@si.edu Author Dubus, Meliah Front Range Community College, Denver, Colorado, USA text African Invertebrates 2023 2023-05-05 64 2 165 206 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.104283 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.104283 2305-2562-2-165 238328039A79416EBF0D7462CEC2A862 BCE941E87E045542A3EABDFBCB0A750E Anypodetus fasciatus Hermann, 1907 Figs 1 , 2 , 18-23 , 52 Anypodetus rigidis Oldroyd, 1974 - synonymy sensu Londt 2000 : 132. Anypodetus unicolor Oldroyd, 1974 - all paratypes from Namibia misidentified. Taxon depository for Anypodetus fasciatus . ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/53FF2374-1FC7-468A-9DC1-46D9F367606E; Original description online: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/12637582; GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/1664906; Plazi TreatmentBank ( Londt 2000 ): https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B39D2F-F047-9D42-FF58-FC4BD98E4127; iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/650534-Anypodetus-fasciatus. Taxon depository for Anypodetus rigidis . ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/19EF6F46-00B2-402E-B493-5DD836414974; GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/1664905. Diagnosis. The species is distinguished from congeners by the mystax with long, loosely arranged black (male) or yellow (female) macrosetae and shorter white to yellowish interspersed setae and the unstained wing that is densely covered by microtrichia. Type locality. South Africa: North-West: Lichtenburg ( 26°08'50"S , 026°09'37"E , -26.14722, 26.16028). Material examined. Botswana • 1♀ Kalahari; Schultze, L. leg.; Paralectotype , MFN . Botswana - Central • 1♀ Serowe ; 22°25'00"S , 026°44'00"E ; 24 Dec. 1982 ; Forchhammer, P. leg.; Malaise trap ; NMSA-DIP-008948, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097008, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 07 Jan. 1983 ; Forchhammer, P. leg.; Malaise trap ; NMSA-DIP-008949, NMSA . Botswana - Kweneng • 1♂ Matokwe (= Motokwe); 24°03'30"S , 023°18'07"E ; 07 Mar. 1963 ; Oatley, T. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008943, NMSA . Botswana - Ngamiland • 1♀ Xugana Island ; 19°04'00"S , 023°03'00"E ; 22-26 Nov. 1979 ; Lamoral leg.; Malaise trap ; NMSA-DIP-008942, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097009, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097010, NMSA . Namibia - Erongo • 1♂ Namib-Naukluft National Park , off C14; 23°34'25"S , 015°48'39"E ; 917 m a.s.l. ; 20 Nov. 2018 ; collected a.m. (9:00-noon); Dikow , Torsten leg.; base of sparsely vegetated sand dune, perching on sand; USNMENT01518048, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01518049, USNM • 1♂ Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park , off C14; 23°34'05"S , 015°48'16"E ; 892 m a.s.l. ; 08 Feb. 2012 ; Dikow , Torsten leg.; sand dune and adjacent sandy area, perching on sand or vertically on low vegetation; USNMENT00832250, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832251, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832253, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832254, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832255, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832256, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832257, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832258, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832259, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00832260, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832261, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832262, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832264, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832265, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832267, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00832268, USNM . Namibia - Khomas • 1♀ Rooisand Desert Ranch ; 23°16'27"S , 016°06'51"E ; 1206 m a.s.l. ; 19 Nov. 2018 ; collected p.m. (noon-15:00); Dikow , Torsten leg.; partly vegetated sand dune, perching on sand; USNMENT01518045, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01518051, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01518052, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT01518053, USNM . Figures 18-23. A. fasciatus 18 ♀ (USNMENT01518045), lateral 19 same, dorsal 20 same, head anterior 21 ♂ (USNMENT01518051), head anterior 22 same, lateral 23 same, dorsal. Scale bars: 5 mm , red arrow = vein M2 and M3 alignment. Namibia - Kunene • 1♀ Kamanyab (= Kamanjab ); 19°37'43"S , 014°50'33"E ; Jan. 1925 ; Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A008765, SAMC • 1♀ same data; SAM-DIP-A008766, SAMC • 1♀ Otjitambi Farm , 43 km ESE Kamanjab ; 19°44'47"S , 015°11'15"E ; 13-15 Feb. 1972 ; BMNH Southern Africa Expedition leg.; NHMUK013445838, Paratype Anypodetus unicolor , NHMUK • 1♀ same data; NHMUK013445841, Paratype Anypodetus unicolor , NHMUK • 1♀ Outjo ; 20°06'21"S , 016°08'59"E ; Jan. 1925 ; Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A008764, SAMC . Namibia - Ohangwena • 1♂ Mafa ; 17°37'30"S , 016°07'30"E ; Feb. 1923 ; Mus. Exped. leg.; SAM-DIP-A008762, SAMC • 1♀ same data; NHMUK013445843, Paratype Anypodetus unicolor , NHMUK • 1♀ same data; NHMUK013445844, Paratype Anypodetus unicolor , NHMUK . Namibia - Omusati • 1♀ Ongandjera ; 17°55'00"S , 015°05'34"E ; Mar. 1923 ; NHMUK013445845, Paratype Anypodetus unicolor , NHMUK . Namibia - Oshana • 1♂ Ondongoa (= Ondangwa); 17°54'26"S , 015°58'33"E ; Feb. 1921 ; Barnard, H. leg.; SAM-DIP-A008763, SAMC . Namibia - Oshikoto • 1♂ Tsumeb , 5 km SW, road 1/9; 19°19'00"S , 017°39'00"E ; 22 Mar. 1984 ; Londt , Jason , Stuckenberg , Brian leg.; mixed woodland with sandy soil; NMSA . Namibia - Otjozondjupa • 1♀ Farm Marburg , Otjiwarongo ; 20°04'24"S , 016°44'58"E ; 25 Dec. 1954 ; Werner, G. leg.; AAM-010182, SMNS • 1♀ same data; AAM-010183, SMNS • 1♀ same data; AAM-010184, SMNS • 1♂ same data; AAM-010185, SMNS • 1♀ Okahandja ; 21°58'19"S , 016°54'23"E ; 17 Jan. 1970 ; Lindner, E. leg.; AAM-010178, SMNS • 1♀ same data; AAM-010179, SMNS • 1♂ same data; AAM-010180, SMNS • 1♂ same data; AAM-010181, SMNS • 1♀ same data; AAM-010178, SMNS • 1♂ same data; AAM-010179, SMNS • 1♀ same data; AAM-010180, SMNS • 1♂ same data; AAM-010181, SMNS • 1♀ Otjituo (= Otjituuo ); 19°38'25"S , 018°35'43"E ; Jan. 1920 ; Tucker, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A008761, SAMC • 1♂ Otjituo (= Otjituuo ); 19°38'25"S , 018°35'43"E ; Jan. 1920 ; Tucker, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A008761, SAMC • 1♀ Waterberg National Park entrance, Road 251; 20°32'00"S , 017°20'00"E ; 22 Mar. 1984 ; Stuckenberg , Brian , Londt , Jason leg.; Acacia thornveld; NMSA-DIP-008959, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097011, NMSA . South Africa - Gauteng • 1♂ Boekenhoutskloof ; 24°27'00"S , 028°10'00"E ; 05 Nov. 1977 ; Bernon, G. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008964, NMSA . South Africa - Limpopo • 1♂ Blouberg Nature Reserve ; 23°02'00"S , 029°04'00"E ; 884 m a.s.l. ; 22 Nov. 1997 ; Barraclough, D. , James, A. leg.; bushveld; NAMS-DIP-008965, NMSA • 1♀ Nylsvley , Naboomspruit ; 24°39'00"S , 028°40'00"E ; 1000 m a.s.l. ; 12 Dec. 1975 ; Holm, E. , Kirsten, P. , Scholtz, C. , Savanna Ecosystem Research Project leg.; NMSA-DIP-008958, NMSA . South Africa - North-West • 1♂ Lichtenburg ; 26°08'50"S , 026°09'37"E ; Brauns, J. leg.; Lectotype , SNSB-ZSM • 1♀ Lichtenburg ; 26°08'50"S , 026°09'37"E ; Brauns, J. leg.;, Paralectotype , SNSB-ZSM • 1♀ Molopo Game Reserve , Motopi camp area; 25°50'55"S , 022°55'45"E ; 14 Mar. 2003 ; Londt , Jason leg.; dry Acacia savanna; NAMS-DIP-8970, NMSA • 1♀ Vryburg ; 26°57'00"S , 024°44'00"E ; Oct. 1939 ; Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A007906, SAMC • 1♀ same data; SAM-DIP-A007906, SAMC • 1♂ same data; SAM-DIP-A007906, SAMC • 1♂ same data; SAM-DIP-A007906, SAMC . South Africa - Northern Cape • 1♀ Bloubos farm, 10 km W; 28°07'00"S , 020°45'00"E ; 900 m a.s.l. ; 17 Mar. 1991 ; Londt , Jason , Whittington, A. leg.; red dunes; NAMS-DIP-008960, NMSA • 1♂ Groblershoop , 4 km SE; 28°57'00"S , 022°01'00"E ; 900 m a.s.l. ; 18 Mar. 1991 ; Londt , Jason , Whittington, A. leg.; red dune grassland; NAMS-DIP-008967, NMSA • 1♀ Hotazel , 20 km N; 27°01'15"S , 022°49'00"E ; 1050 m a.s.l. ; 14 Mar. 1999 ; Whittington, A. , Londt , Jason leg.; Kuruman river banks; NAMS-DIP-008963, NMSA • 1♂ Narugas ; 28°22'30"S , 020°07'30"E ; Jan. 1919 ; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A007907, SAMC • 1♂ Newcastle Farm ; 27°46'00"S , 023°21'00"E ; 29-30 Jan. 1979 ; Lamoral, B. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008956, NMSA • 1♂ Olivier ; 26°36'00"S , 022°41'00"E ; 01 Mar. 1980 ; Whitehead, V. leg.; SAM-DIP-A008767, SAMC • 1♀ Witsand Farm ; 28°32'00"S , 022°30'00"E ; 02-04 Feb. 1974 ; Lamoral, B. , Bampton, I. , Barnley, J. leg.; Malaise trap ; NAMS-DIP-008957, NMSA • 1♂ Witsand Nature Reserve ; 28°34'49"S , 022°28'43"E ; 06 Mar. 2001 ; Londt , Jason leg.; white sand, low vegetation, few trees; NAMS-DIP-008951, NMSA • 1♀ Witsand Nature Reserve ; 28°33'40"S , 022°29'39"E ; 1200 m a.s.l. ; 30 Jan.-02 Feb. 2004 ; Londt , Jason , Dikow , Torsten leg.; Acacia savanna, red sandy ridge; USNMENT00870115, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00870116, USNM • 1♂ Witsand Nature Reserve ; 28°33'37"S , 022°29'06"E ; 1160 m a.s.l. ; 31 Jan.-01 Feb. 2004 ; Londt , Jason , Dikow , Torsten leg.; Acacia savanna + white sand dune area; USNMENT00870112, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT00870113, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT00870114, USNM • 1♂ Witsand Nature Reserve ; 28°33'51"S , 022°29'11"E ; 11 Nov. 2011 ; Londt , Jason , Londt, A. leg.; white sand, low vegetation, few trees; NAMS-DIP-188711, NMSA . Zimbabwe - Matabeleland North • 1♂ Lupani (= Lupane); 18°55'50"S , 027°45'34"E ; Dec. 1938 ; National Museum Southern Rhodesia leg.; NMZ2725, NMBZ • 1♀ same data; NMZ2747, NMBZ • 1♂ Sawmills ; 19°35'00"S , 028°02'23"E ; 31 Dec. 1921 ; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NHMUK013445831, Holotype Anypodetus rigidis Oldroyd, 1974, NHMUK • 1♀ Victoria Falls ; 17°55'00"S , 025°50'00"E ; 17 Feb. 1920 ; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NMZ2726, NMBZ. Distribution, biodiversity hotspots, seasonal imago flight activity, and biology. Known from throughout southern Africa except Mozambique to date (Fig. 52 ). A commonly observed and collected species known from 85 specimens from 35 collecting events between 1919-2018 and a single observation at iNaturalist (Table 2 ). The species is not known to occur in any currently recognized biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active from late spring to late summer (October-March) (Table 3 ). Engel and Cuthbertson (1934) report grasshoppers as prey but no predator or prey specimens were studied by them. Specimens collected by the senior author have been recorded on or near sand dunes perching on sand or vertically on low vegetation (see Figs 1 , 2 ).