Integrative taxonomy of the Merodon aberrans (Diptera, Syrphidae) species group: distribution patterns and description of three new species Author Vujić, Ante Author Radenković, Snežana Author Tubić, Nataša Kočiš Author Likov, Laura Author Popov, Grigory Author Rojo, Santos Author Miličić, Marija text Contributions to Zoology 2023 2022-11-03 92 1 51 96 http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10037 journal article 267808 10.1163/18759866-BJA10037 1675d5af-45e3-465f-b6a2-0488c00137aa 1875-9866 8349804 Merodon retectus Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov. Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6A5CFAD5- 3CC7-4D15-A0F5-0899046F54D6 Type material. Holotype . Male. Iran , SW Iran , Lorestan , 10 km W Babazeidon rd. to Shahabad , 33.2162343N , 47.7351783E , 04.v.1976 , leg. A. G. Lavallee ( USNM ) . Paratypes . Iran , SW Iran , Lorestan , 10 km W Babazeidon rd. to Shahabad , 33.2162343N , 47.7351783E , 04.v.1976 , leg. A. G. Lavallee , 1 male , 3 females in USNM . Diagnosis: Medium-sized ( 9–12 mm ), dark species, with olive–green to brown lustre ( figs. 24 , 25 ); metaleg with short pilosity, except dorsolateral stripe of long pile on metafemur ( fig. 23A : marked with arrow); basotarsomere of metaleg elongated and narrow ( fig. 23C ); terga medially having very short adpressed pile ( figs. 24A, B , 25A, B ); antennae reddish– brown ( fig. 29E, H ); sterna 1 and 2 with long whitish pile; male genitalia: lingula short and tapering to the tip ( fig. 26C : l). Description: Male. Head ( figs. 27A , 29E ). Antennae reddish–brown ( fig. 27A , 29E ); basoflagellomere elongated, about 1.6 times as long as wide ( fig. 29E ), and about 2.1 times as long as the pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, slightly tapering to the apex; fossette dorsolateral and large; arista reddish–brown and thickened on basal third; arista about 1.7 times as long as basoflagellomere; face and frons black, with grey pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish–yellow pile, and frons with yellow–reddish pile; oral margin black, with sparse pollinosity; lunula shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity about 7–8 facets long; vertex isosceles, black; vertex with long yellow–reddish pile; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with yellow–reddish pile, covered with dense, grey pollinosity; eyes covered with dense whitish–grey pile ( fig. 27A ). Thorax ( figs. 23A, C , 24C ). Mesonotum black with olive–green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect yellow–reddish pile; scutum dull with two pollinose vittae; 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 pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypteres pale yellow; halteres yellow; legs mostly reddish–yellow, except dark basal 2/3 of pro- and mesofemura and 3/4 of metafemur, metatibia medially, and metatarsus dorsally ( fig. 23A ); metaleg with short pilosity, except dorsolateral stripe of long pile on metafemur ( fig. 23A : marked with arrow); metafemur moderately broad, about 4 times longer than wide ( fig. 23A ); basotarsomere of metatarsus elongated, 3 times longer than second tarsomere ( fig. 23C ). Abdomen ( fig. 24A–B ). about 1.2 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 each with a pair of distinct white pollinose fasciate maculae, connected on tergum 4 (and slightly on tergum 3) ( fig.24A ); pile on terga very short medially, yellow to grey– whitish laterally, medial part of terga 2–4 with short adpressed black pile ( fig. 24B ); sterna dark brown, sterna 1 and 2 covered with long whitish pile. Male genitalia ( fig. 26 ). Anterior surstyle lobe oval and elongated ( fig. 26B : al); posterior surstyle lobe rectangular ( fig. 26A : pl), with slightly developed interior accessory lobe ( fig. 26A : il); cercus rectangular ( fig. 26A : c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short and tapering to the tip ( fig. 26C : l). Female ( figs. 23B , 25 , 27B , 29H ). Similar to the male except for normal sexual dimorphism and for the following characteristics: basoflagellomere with rounded tip ( fig. 29H ), about 1.5 times longer than wide ( fig. 27B ); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; pollinose fasciate maculae on terga 2–4 more distinct ( fig. 25 ). FIGURE 23 Metaleg of Merodon retectus sp. nov. A) male, lateral view, B) female, lateral view, C) metatibia and metatarsus of male, dorsal view. Dorsolateral stripe of long pile on metafemur marked with arrow. FIGURE 24 Body parts of Merodon retectus sp. nov. , male. A) abdomen, dorsal view, B) abdomen, lateral view, C) thorax, lateral view. Etymology. Latin adjective “ retectus ”, meaning uncover, lay bare, referring to the very short pilosity on metaleg. Distribution and biological data: This species is found only in Iran ( fig. 8 ). The altitude of the sole locality where this species has been recorded is 684 m asl. The area is characterized by hot summer periods and moderate winters. The most dominant tree and bush species in the area are Quercus persica Jaub. & Spach , Ficus carica L., Pistacia khinjuk Stocks , Crataegus aronia L., Prunus sp. , Rhus coriaria L., and Amygdalus elaeagnifolia Spach. The species is collected in May. Developmental stages: not described.