Taxonomic revision of the Merodon tarsatus species group (Diptera, Syrphidae) Author Vujic, Ante https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8819-8079 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Radenkovic, Snezana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7805-9614 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Barkalov, Anatolij Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia; Author Kocis Tubic, Natasa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6077-7378 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Likov, Laura https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7215-1006 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Tot, Tamara https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8776-9362 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Popov, Grigory https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2519-1937 Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 01030 Kyiv, Ukraine; Grigory Popov Author Prokhorov, Alex https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3367-260X Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 01030 Kyiv, Ukraine; Grigory Popov Author Gilasian, Ebrahim Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, 19395 - 1454 Iran; Author Anjum, Shehzad National Insect Museum, National Agriculture Research Centre, 44000 Islamabad, Pakistan; Author Djan, Mihajla https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2427-0676 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Author Kakar, Banafsha Department of Zoology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University, 87300 Quetta, Pakistan; Author Andric, Andrijana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8239-7595 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; andrijana.andric@biosense.rs text Arthropod Systematics & amp; Phylogeny 2023 2023-02-10 81 201 256 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/asp.81.e93570 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/asp.81.e93570 1864-8312-81-201 FF52A05BBDC0474E98480DC95A8155B2 6948310230AC5B61A4F483591644E453 Merodon marginicornis Hurkmans, 1993 Figs 5B , 8F-H , 10D , 13C , 14D , 16D , 20D , 21C , 23G-I , 28 , 31D Merodon marginicornis Hurkmans, 1993: 166. Type locality: Iran, Fars province, Shiraz (holotype). Merodon xanthipous Hurkmans, 1993: 175. Type locality: Iran, Fars province, Shiraz . Syn. nov. Type locality. Iran, Fars province, Shiraz . Type material examined. Merodon xanthipous Hurkmans : Original description was based on male holotype and female paratype from the localities close to the locality of holotype of Merodon Merodon ( Hurkmans 1993 ). - Holotype : IRAN • ♂; Chiraz (Shiraz); 29°30 '00" N , 52°00 '00'' E ; 11 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; NBCN [specimen dry pinned, left metaleg, metatibia metatarsi, right metatibia and metatarsi are missing, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: "IRAN Chiraz / 11.IV.1937 [11.IV. written with pencil] / coll. BRANDT", " Lampetia / crassicornis ♂ Sack / det. V. Doesburg", "Museum Leiden / Collectie / Van Doesburg / rec. 1973", "Holotype Merodon " [red label handwritten], "02540" . - Paratype : IRAN • 1 ♀; Road Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid; 19 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; Sack, V. Doesburg det. as Lampetia Lampetia ; NBCN. Figure 19. Abdomen of male, dorsal view. A M. angustitarsis Vujic & Gilasian sp. nov. , B M. namaghijamii Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. , C M. rufitarsis , D M. smirnovi , E M. tarsatus . Scale bar: 1 mm. Merodon marginicornis Hurkmans : Original description was based on one male specimen designated as holotype ( Hurkmans 1993 ). This species was classified as a member of " alexeji group" by Hurkmans (1993) . - Holotype : IRAN • ♂; Chiraz (Shiraz); 26°40'N , 52°30'E ; 11 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; NBCN. Original label: "Iran, Chiraz (Shiraz) ( 26°40'N , 52°30'E ), 11.iv.1937, Coll. F. H. Brandt". Figure 20. Abdomen of male, dorsal view. A M. dumosus Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. , B M. hypochrysos , C M. latiantennatus Vujic , Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. , D M. marginicornis , E M. oidipous , F M. turkestanicus . Scale bar: 1 mm. Notes on synonymy. Hurkmans designated M. xanthipous as a member of " Merodon tarsatus group". Both taxa belong to the same species and based on prior citation of M. marginicornis in the same publication, M. xanthipous becomes a junior synonym. Figure 21. Abdomen of female, dorsal view. A M. angustitarsis Vujic & Gilasian sp. nov. , B M. dumosus Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. , C M. marginicornis , D M. rufitarsis , E M. tarsatus . Scale bar: 1 mm. Additional material examined. IRAN • 1 ♂; Fars Province, Dasht-e Arjan; 29°33 '07" N , 51°56 '31" E ; 2260 m a.s.l. (+/-300 m); 4 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 5 May 2016 • 3 ♂♂; Fars Province, 15 km S of Dasht-e Arjan; 29°33 '09'' N , 51°56 '22" E ; 2261 m a.s.l.; 2-6 May 2016; Oboril M. leg.; J.H. coll. 18257, 18258, 18259 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; J.H. coll. 18269, 18275 • 1 ♂; Fars Province, Sepidan ; 30°17 '13" N , 51°58 '15" E ; 2540 m a.s.l., 8 May 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian M. leg.; HMIM 04460 • 1 ♀; Kerman Province, Mahan District, Bolbolouyeh Village; 30°09 '37" N , 57°22 '10'' E ; 2430 m a.s.l.; 29 Apr. 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian, M. leg.; HMIM 04459 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province, Yasuj , Sarab-e Taveh; 30°29 '24" N , 51°39 '29" E ; 2390 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 1 ♀; Isfahan Province ( Esfahan Province), Semirom County, Kommeh; 31°01 '01" N , 51°35 '28" E ; 2760 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2007; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM 02543 • 1 ♀; Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province, 30 km SE of Lordegan ; 31°21 '00" N , 51°09 '00" E ; 1900 m a.s.l.; 31 May 2014; Halada J. leg.; M. B. coll. • 1 ♂; Alborz Province, Karaj County, 10 km N of Gachsar; 36°09 '00" N , 51°18 '00" E ; 2300-2700 m a.s.l.; 7 Jun. 2014; Halada J. leg.; M. B. coll. 10433. - PAKISTAN • 1 ♀; Balochistan Province, Ziarat District, 35 km W of Ziarat; 30°23 '14" N , 67°20 '22" E ; 11 May 1984; McGinley R.J. leg.; 05117, USNM ENT00036567 (NMNH) • 2 ♂♂; Balochistan Province, Qilla Saifullah District, Kan Mehtarzai; 30°44 '35" N , 67°31 '02" E ; 5 May 2017; Banafsha K. leg.; NARC 17745, 17746 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; NARC 18121 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; NARC. - TURKMENISTAN • 50 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Kopet-dag Mountain, 15 km W of Firyuza settlement, Dushak mountain; 37°54 '05" N , 57°54 '44" E ; 4-9 May 1987, 16-20 May 1988; Barkalov A., Dubatolov V.V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 2100 m a.s.l.; 7 May 1987; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN 05843 • 14♂♂, 34♀♀; Kopet-dag Mountains, Firyuza settlement; 37°54 '58" N , 58°05 '22" E ; 3 May 1991; Dubatolov V.V., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Ahal Region, Goekdepe District, SW of Geok Tepe; 38°04 '52" N , 57°52 '48" E ; 9 May 1988; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 18 ♂♂, 27 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 11 May 1988 • 14 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; 50 km WNW Firyuza settlement, Mirzadag Mountain; 38°05 '07" N , 57°34 '27" E ; 16 May 1987; Dubatolov V.V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Kopet-dag Mountains, 20 km E Nokhur settlement, Karayalchi gorge; 38°28 '25" N , 57°09 '09" E ; 28 Apr. 1991; Dubatolov V. leg.; SZMN. Diagnosis. Small to medium sized (7-11 mm), medium long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Figs 20D , 21C ); antennae reddish-brown, basoflagellomere elongated, 1.8-2.1 times as long as wide, with concave dorsal margin (Figs 10D , 13C ); femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow (Figs 14D , 16D ); body pile whitish-yellow to gray. Male: metafemur broad, about 3.3 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 14D ); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 14D ), with ventrolateral row of strong setae (Fig. 8F, G ), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in basal half (Fig. 8F ); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with medium long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5B ); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe triangular and elongated (Fig. 23G : al), while posterior surstyle lobe triangular (Fig. 23G, H : pl); ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad (Fig. 23I : ea); lingula short and narrow (Fig. 23I : l). Female: basoflagellomere with angular apex and large fossette (Fig. 13C ); tarsi yellow-reddish (Fig. 16D ), in some specimens dorsally brown to dark, especially on metaleg; basotarsomere of metaleg more or less with parallel margins from ventral view, and with a few distinct, strong spine-like setae within the ventrolateral row of setae (Fig. 8H ); metafemur with dense long pilosity ventrally (Fig. 16D ). Male similar to Merodon latiantennatus Vujic , Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. from which differs in more elongated basoflagellomere with pointed apex (Fig. 10D ), which is shorter and more triangular in M. latiantennatus Vujic , Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. (Fig. 10C ); by basotarsomere of metaleg with ventral brush-like area of dense pile limited to basal half in M. marginicornis (Fig. 8F ), while in M. latiantennatus Vujic , Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 8E ). Clearly differs from M. dumosus Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. by less distinct ventrolateral row of setae on the basotarsomere of all legs, while the setae are long and strong in M. dumosus Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. (Fig. 8A ); by the shape of the basoflagellomere (Fig. 10 B, D ); and by shape of male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe triangular and elongated and posterior surstyle lobe short and triangular (Fig. 23G : al, pl), while in M. dumosus Vujic , Likov & Radenkovic sp. nov. anterior surstyle lobe enlarged and oval and posterior surstyle lobe large and oval (Fig. 23A : l, pl). Females can be differentiated from M. hypochrysos in sympatric populations by longer basoflagellomere in M. marginicornis (Fig. 13C ), while shorter, with oval apex in M. hypochrysos (Fig. 13A ), and broad white pollinose fascia on terga 2-4 in M. marginicornis (Fig. 21C ). Re-description. Male. Head : Antenna reddish-brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10D ) reddish, elongated, about 1.9-2.1 times as long as wide, about 3 times as long as pedicel, concave dorsally, strongly tapering to apex, pointed apically; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 10D ); arista black and thickened at basal third; face and frons black with gray microtrichia; face covered with dense whitish pile, frons with gray-yellowish pile; oral margin black, with sparse microtrichia; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity about 8-10 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black, anterior part pollinose; vertex with long, yellowish-gray pile, in some cases mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with white-gray pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 31D ); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 2.5: 1: 2. - Thorax : Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect yellow to white pile; scutum without less distinct pollinose vittae; anterior half of scutum from dull to shiny; posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with long, dense pale yellow to gray pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypter pale yellow; halter yellow; femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately broad, about 3.3 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about half width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 14D ); apicomedial lamina on metatibia covered with long yellow pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 14D ), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in basal half (Fig. 8F ), with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 8G ). - Abdomen (Fig. 20D ): About 1.4 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2-4 each with pair of distinct, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga gray-whitish; sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile; sternum 4 with medium long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5B ). - Male genitalia : Anterior surstyle lobe triangular and elongated, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 23G : al); posterior surstyle lobe triangular (Fig. 23G : pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 23G : c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short and narrow (Fig. 23I : l). - Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere about 1.8 times longer than wide (Fig. 13C ); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered with gray to whitish pile, in some specimens mixed with black pile; terga covered with gray-whitish to yellow pilosity; medial part of terga 2-4 usually with short adpressed black pile; pollinose fasciae on terga 2-4 distinct (Fig. 21C ); basotarsomere of metatarsus yellow-reddish (Fig. 16D ), less expanded, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 8H ); basotarsomere of metaleg more or less with parallel margins from ventral view, with a few distinct strong spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae (Fig. 8H ). Distribution and ecological data. Merodon marginicornis was recorded in Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and western Pakistan (Fig. 28 ). Its Iranian localities are within arid and semi-arid forests ecosystem with Quercus brantii as the dominant vegetation type, cold-desert steppe scrubland ecosystem ( Artemisia sieberi - Zygophyllum sp.), cold and arid semi steppe scrubland and grasslands ecosystem ( Astragalus spp.), and cold and humid prairies ecosystem ( Trifolium spp.) ( Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020 ). The ecosystems belong to ecoregions: Zagros mountains forest steppe, Elburz range forest steppe, Kopet Dag woodlands and forest steppe, and Central Persian desert basins ( Olson et al. 2001 ). The Iranian collection sites of M. marginicornis in the Zagros mountain range include: Sepidan , a semi-arid and cold mountainous area, with very cold winters and moderate summers, 14.8°C average annual temperature and 695 mm annual precipitation, with Acer monspessulanum , Amygdalus elaeagnifolia , Berberis integerrima , Crataegus azarolus var. aronia , Fraxinus rotundifolia , Cotoneaster persica , Pyrus spp. as dominant plant species; Yasuj , with very cold winters and moderate summers, 15.2°C average annual temperature and 864 mm annual precipitation, with Quercus persica as the dominant plant species; Dasht-e Arjan, located in the 'Arjan Biosphere Reserve' , with an altitude of 853-3041 m a.s.l., with wild almond trees ( Prunus scoparia ) ( 'Arjan' in Persian) as dominant plant species; Semirom, with very cold winters and moderate summers, 335 mm annual precipitation and 12.5°C average annual temperature, with Astragalus verus , Poa bulbosa and Bromus tomentellus as dominant plant species; Lordegan , with hot summers and cold winters, about 650 mm annual precipitation and 16°C average annual temperature, with Astragalus spp. and Quercus brantii as dominant plant species. The eastern part of the range of M. marginicornis (localities in Pakistan) belongs to Baluchistan xeric woodlands. The montane vegetation of this ecoregion includes Juniperus forests (including J. seravschanica Kom. and J. excelsa ), open woodlands with Pistacia atlantica , P. khinjuk Stocks, Prunus eburnea (Spach) Aitch., Berberis L., Lonicera L., Artemisia spp; Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. & G. Don) Cif. accompanied by Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. as the transition between the subtropical woodlands and the alpine vegetation of sclerophyllous forest ( WWF 2022 ). The climate of the collection site in Pakistan is slightly to very hot in summer and really cold in winter; temperature rises as much as 35-40°C in summer and drops to -15°C in winter; dry warm days and cool nights are common in the summertime season; most of the rain falls in winter and ranges between 50-300 mm annually. Mostly apple orchards are grown in this locality, with wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and Berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.) intercropped. On the basis of our data the flight period of M. marginicornis is from April to early June. Remarks. Hurkmans treated many species groups at the same time in the monograph ( Hurkmans 1993 ), and probably it was more difficult to have a good insight because there were many species compiled to be analyzed simultaneously, instead of more precise studies dedicated to each group separately. He assigned M. marginicornis erroneously in the alexeji group although stated that basitarsi 3 is swollen (but slightly, that was probably the reason why he did not put it in the Merodon tarsatus group), and also stated that sternum 4 is deeply emarginate posteriorly, somewhat valuated (and for M. xanthipous that there are smaller appendages on sternum 4 in comparison to other species of the group). But a detailed study of the type material of both taxa conducted in the present study has unambiguously shown that they belong to the same species of the Merodon tarsatus group.