Institutional acronyms. The present study was based on examination of specimens belonging to the Merodon natans group deposited in the following entomological collections (abbreviations mentioned in the material citations are given in bold): Axel Ssymank collection, Bonn, Germany (AS coll.); André van Eck collection, Tilburg, The Netherlands (AvE coll.); Dieter Doczkal collection, München, Germany (DD coll.); Daniele Sommaggio collection, Bologna, Italy (DS coll.); Miroslav Barták collection, Prague, Czech Republic (MB coll.); Michael de Courcy Williams collection, Alexandroupoli, Greece (MCW coll.); Jeroen van Steenis collection, Amersfoort, The Netherlands (JvS coll.); Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom (BMNH); Colección Entomológica de la Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain (CEUA); Entomological Museum of Isparta, Isparta, Turkey (EMIT); Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia (FSUNS); The Melissotheque of the Aegean, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece (MAegean); Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen, Brussels, Belgium (KBIN); Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (MZH); Museum of Zoology Lund University, Lund, Sweden (MZLU); Università di Firenze, Museo Zoologico “La Specola”, Firenze, Italy (MZUF); Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN); Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (NBCN); Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Vienna, Austria (NHMW); Natural History Museum of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro (PMCG); Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (TAUI); Zoologisches Museum of the Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany (ZHMB); National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (ZMBH); Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany (ZFMK); Zoological Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (ZMUC); World Museum Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom (WML).

Examined material. During our detailed investigation of the Merodon natans group in the collections mentioned above, we examined more than one thousand specimens (n=549 M. natans; n=426 M. pulveris; n=89 M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov.; n=60 M. calcaratus) collected over a 158 year period (1862–2020) from Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Somalia, Spain, Tunis and Turkey. Most of the captured adult specimens were collected using entomological nets, except for some specimens from Miroslav Barták’s collection and ZFMK collected with Malaise traps.

During three different field investigations of the localities where large populations of adult Merodon were previously recorded, two Merodon pupae were found (on Cyprus in February and in Serbia in September) and a larva (on Lesvos in April), all in the bulbs of Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta (Asparagaceae). Pupae were collected with the bulbs and reared at an ambient temperature until adults emerged. The larva was kept frozen (-20 °C) for several days and preserved in 70% ethanol. The studied material of the immature stages has been deposited in the collection of FSUNS.

Type material. All types of the known species of Merodon natans group were examined by Ante Vujić, except for the type material of M. natans because the type specimen is destroyed (Zimsen 1964; Vujić A., pers. obs.). Only the name label with number 193.20 for this type specimen exists in the collection of ZMUC. For holotypes, neotype, paralectotype and lectotypes, the original label data have been given verbatim; quotation marks (“ ”) were used to indicate separate labels, a slash (/) has been used to indicate separate lines within a label.

Morphological study of adults. External morphological features of adults and characters of the male terminalia were observed using a Nikon SMZ 745T (Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) stereomicroscope. For studying the male terminalia structure, specimens were first relaxed in a humidity chamber and then their terminalia were extracted with a hook-tipped entomological pin. The terminalia were cleaned by boiling in a 10% solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) for 3–5 minutes. This was followed by brief immersion in glacial acetic acid (CH₃COOH) to neutralize the KOH, and then by immersion in ethanol (C₂H₅OH) to remove the acid. Terminalia were examined and dissected in several drops of glycerin under stereomicroscope and finally, were stored in plastic microvials and pinned with the source specimens. Measurements of specimen size were made with the same stereoscope using an eyepiece graticule. Body length was measured from the frontal prominence, excluding the antenna to the tip of the abdomen. The length of the basoflagellomere was measured from its base to the apex (Fig. 2A:bl), and its width was measured in the widest part between its dorsal and ventral margins (Fig. 2A:bw).

Morphological study of the immature stages. Puparia were cleaned before morphological analysis. To do so, they were immersed in water for several hours. Soil and debris were removed from the surface using pins and brushes, and puparia were placed in an ultrasonic cleaner for five minutes, until adherent material had fallen off the integument. The head skeleton was removed from the antero-ventral margin of the puparium using entomological pins, then soaked in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and heated for 15 minutes in order to remove the remaining tissue. It was then soaked in acetic acid to neutralize the KOH, followed by 70% ethanol to eliminate the acid, for a few minutes each. The skeleton was then preserved and examined in glycerin. The larva was frozen (-20°C) and preserved in 70% ethanol; no special preparation for the analysis was conducted.

Morphological studies on the puparium were conducted using a Hitachi SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) S3000N (Hitachi Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) at 20 kV at variable-pressure (or low vacuum) mode and a Leica DFC 320 digital camera attached to a Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany). A Leica M205C stereomicroscope (with Leica DFC450 camera) (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany) was used for the examination of the larva and for a general view of the puparium. Olympus SZX16 (with Olympus U-TVO.5XC-3 camera) (Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and Nikon SMZ 745T (with Nikon Coolpix D7100 digital camera) (Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) stereomicroscopes were used for the examination of the head skeletons. Puparium dimensions were measured using an eyepiece micrometer attached to the stereomicroscope. Maximum puparial length, including the posterior respiratory process (prp), and maximum puparial width were recorded.

Morphological terminology. The adult morphological terminology used in descriptions and drawings follows Thompson (1999), except for terms “fossette” and “sensory pit” from Doczkal and Pape (2009), “proepimeron” from McAlpine (1981) and those proposed in Marcos-García et al. (2007) for structures of the male terminalia.

The general terminology for hoverfly immature stages follows Rotheray (1993) and Rotheray and Gilbert (1999) with characters of the head (= cephalopharyngeal) skeleton following Courtney et al. (2000), Rotheray and Gilbert (2008) and Rotheray (2019). Our descriptions of morphological characters are based on previous preimaginal descriptions of the genus Merodon (e.g., Ricarte et al. 2008, 2017; Andrić et al. 2014; Preradović et al. 2018).

Abbreviations. Abbreviations for antenna are shown in Fig. 2: bl – length of basoflagellomere, bw – width of basoflagellomere, f – fossette. Abbreviations for male genitalia structure are shown in Figs 8, 10, 14: a – anterior surstyle lobe, aa – aedeagal apodeme, ae – aedeagus, ea – ejaculatory apodeme, c – cercus, la – lateral sclerite of aedeagus, n - notch on theca to which is attached the aedeagal apodeme; p – posterior surstyle lobe, v – triangular prominence on ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe. Abbreviations for puparial head skeleton are shown in Fig. 15: c – cibarium, db – dorsal bridge, dc – dorsal cornu, is – intermediate sclerite, m – mandibles, mo – mortar, p – pestle, vc – ventral cornu, vp – vertical plate; and for the other preimaginal morphology features in Figs 16, 17, 19: am – antenno-maxillary organs, as – anterior spiracle, cs – central scar, eat – external accessory teeth, iat – internal accessory teeth, is – inter-spiracular setae, lp – lappets, mh – mouthhooks, pps – primordia of pupal spiracles, prp – posterior respiratory process, so - spiracular opening, tu – tubercle.

Drawings and photos. Drawings were made with a FSA 25 PE drawing tube attached to Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope. Leica DFC 320 digital camera (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany) attached to Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope was used to take photos for Figures 1, 3, 13. Figures were processed with CombineZ5 (Hadley 2006) software and edited with Adobe Photoshop CS3 version 10.0 (Adobe Systems Incorporated, San Jose, California, USA, 2007).

Distribution map. The geographical distribution map of all species of the Merodon natans group was produced with the aid of DIVA-GIS version 7.5 (Hijmans et al. 2012) software.

Figure 1. 

The location of 11 landmarks on the right wing in the Merodon pulveris selected for geometric morphometric analysis. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Figure 2. 

Antenna. A, B, J Merodon natans C, D, K M. pulveris E, F, I M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. G, H M. calcaratus; A, C, E, G male B, D, F, H–K female; A–H lateral view I–K dorsal view; A Greece (Olimp) B Greece (Achaia) C, D Turkey E, F, I Cyprus G, H Spain J Greece (Alexandroupoli) K Turkey. Scale bar: 0.2 mm.

Figure 3. 

Merodon natans male, dorsal view (Greece (Argalasti)). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape, based on measurements of the venation, was conducted using 285 specimens (209 specimens from Arok et al. (2019), marked with * in the Supplementary file 1: Table S1) of three species from the Merodon natans group. Out of the 111 specimens of M. natans analysed, three specimens were new including two specimens from Greece and one specimen from Italy (Sicily) providing a broader geographical analysis than given in Arok et al. (2019). A total of 36 specimens of M. pulveris were new for the analysis including two from Cyprus (Limassol) and 27 from Turkey again providing a broader geographical analysis than given in Arok et al. (2019). All 38 specimens of M. calcaratus were new to the analysis. Merodon makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. was excluded from geometric morphometric analysis due to an insufficient number of available specimens. For the population level analysis 270 specimens, from 54 different localities, grouped into 15 populations based on geographical proximity were used (Supplementary file 1: Table S1). Specimens from Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and Tunisia were not included in population level analysis due to small sample size.

Three separate geometric morphometric analyses were conducted. Two analyses for species level identification were carried out separately on males and females due to sexual dimorphism (Arok et al. 2019), and a third to explore phenotypic differentiation among populations.

The geometric morphometric analyses were based on right wings which were dissected using micro-scissors under Nikon SMZ 745T stereomicroscope and mounted on a microscopic slide using Hoyer’s medium. Each wing was labeled with a unique code for the FSUNS collection, together with other data relevant to the specimens, and photographed using a Leica DFC320 camera attached to a Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope.

Eleven homologous landmarks, evenly distributed across the wing, were digitized using TpsDig 2.05 (Rohlf 2017a) (Fig. 1). Generalised least squares Procrustes superimposition on the raw coordinates was done using TpsRelw v1.68 (Rohlf 2017b) to minimize non-shape variations in location, scale and orientation of wings, and to superimpose the wings in a common coordinate system (Rohlf and Slice 1990; Zelditch et al. 2004).

To explore wing-shape variation among specimens without a priori defined groups, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out. Next, the discriminant function analysis (DA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) were employed to analyse the shape differences among species and populations. Phenetic relationships among the species and populations were characterised using an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on squared Mahalanobis distances computed from the discriminant function analysis. Superimposed outline drawings were produced using MorphoJ version 2.0 (Klingenberg 2011) to visualise differences in mean wing shape among species. All statistical analyses were calculated using Statistica for Windows version 13 (TIBCO Software Inc. 2018).

Genomic DNA of 42 adult hoverfly specimens was obtained for the present study. For specimens processed at FSUNS, DNA was extracted from meso and metalegs using the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extraction protocol (Chen et al. 2010). The same protocol was applied for DNA extraction from the mid body part of a larva (specimen AU 1590). The DNA vouchers are deposited at FSUNS. For specimens deposited at ZFMK (identified as ZFMK-DIP numbers in the Supplementary file 1: Table S1), the extraction protocol by Mengual et al. (2018) was followed. Detailed information on analysed specimens is provided in the Supplementary file 1: Table S1.

For sequences obtained at ZFMK, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification protocol follows Rozo-Lopez and Mengual (2015). For sequences obtained at FSUNS, PCRs were carried out in 25μl reaction volumes. The PCR mixture contained 1x reaction buffer (Thermo Scientific, Vilnius, Lithuania), 2.5 mM MgCl2, 0.1 mM of each nucleotide, 1.25U Taq polymerase (Thermo Scientific, Vilnius, Lithuania), 5 pmol of each primer, and 50–100 ng of template DNA. The amplification conditions were as follows: 95°C for 2 min; 29 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 49°C (for the 3’ end of the COI gene) for 30 s or 50°C (for the 5’ end of the COI gene and D2-3 region of the 28S rRNA gene), and 72°C for 2 min; with a final extension at 72°C for 8 min. We used C1-J-2183 (also known as Jerry) and TL2-N-3014 (also known as Pat) primer pair for amplification and sequencing of the 3’COI (Simon et al. 1994), LCO1490 and HCO2198 (Folmer et al. 1994) for the 5’ COI, and F2 and 3DR (Belshaw et al. 2001) for the D2-3 region of the 28S rRNA gene. PCR products were purified using Exonuclease I and FastAP Thermosensitive Alkaline Phosphatase (Thermo Scientific, Vilnius, Lithuania) following the manufacturer’s instructions. ZFMK specimens were sequenced bidirectionally at Macrogen Europe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), while FSUNS specimens were sequenced in forward direction by the Sequencing Laboratory of the Finnish Institute for Molecular Medicine (Helsinki, Finland) and Macrogen Europe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands).

To test pairwise correlations between morphometric, genetic, and geographical distances among species, simple two-tailed Mantel tests were performed (Mantel 1967) with 10 000 permutations in PaSSaGe version 2 (Rosenberg and Anderson 2011). Morphometric distances were represented as a matrix of pairwise squared Mahalanobis distances, and genetic distances as a matrix of uncorrected p distances. Geographical distances were calculated as the minimum distance between two species using QGIS (Quantum GIS Development Team 2012).

Species belonging to the Merodon natans lineage, including M. segetum, share the following characters: posterior side of mesocoxa with less than 10 pile; pile on anterior anepisternum reduced; anterior lobe of surstylus in its inner side well developed, oval, rounded, pilose, without curved distal prolongation (Figs 5A–G, 8A, B, 10A–D); basoflagellomere elongated, 1.75 to 2.4 times as long as wide, narrowed in apical third (Fig. 2A–H) (shorter in M. calcaratus); tergum 2 with inconspicuous reddish anterolateral maculae, always absent in M. calcaratus and may be absent in some specimens of other species of M. natans group. In M. segetum, scutum with indistinct white pollinose vittae; terga 2–4 with or without narrow white pollinose fasciae.

The Merodon natans species group (Fig. 3) contains medium sized, black, short pilose species characterized by the following diagnostic features: scutum with distinct white pollinose ornamentation, vittae and fasciae (less developed in males of M. calcaratus); terga 2–4 with broad white pollinose fasciae, which may be interrupted in the middle; legs black, except reddish-brown tibiae darkened in the middle and reddish-brown first and second tarsomeres of pro-, meso- and metalegs (in M. calcaratus all tarsomeres of pro-, meso- and metalegs black); in some specimens the base and apex of femora yellowish.

Merodon calcaratus (Fabricius, 1794)

Syrphus calcaratus Fabricius, 1794: 301.

Diagnosis

Merodon calcaratus is a medium sized (8–11 mm) black species. It can be easily distinguished from other members of the M. natans group by its shorter antenna; curved dorsal margin of basoflagellomere; small fossette near apex of basoflagellomere (Fig. 2G, H); narrow metafemur (Fig. 4G, H); black tarsomeres; completely black tergum 2. Narrow, fingerlike posterior surstyle lobe of male genitalia (Fig. 5A–G).

Type material

Holotype : NORTH WEST AFRICA: 1 ♂, original labels: “Zywan Africae”, “E. calcaratus”, “type” [red label] in J.C. Fabricius collection (ZMUC) [examined; in good state, but without male genitalia]. — Other studied material. Published in van Eck (2016) and van Eck et al. (2020a). — Additional material examined. ALGERIA: 1 ♀; Tlencen, 20 km N from Maghnia Babtaza; 34.9667°N, 1.75°W; 9 Apr. 1983; NBCN 1 ♂; Alger, Daly Ibrahim; 36.7533°N, 2.985°E; 15 Mar. 1910; MNHN 1 ♂; Frais Vallon env d`Alger; 36.7763°N, 3.0350°E; 30 Oct. 1892; P. Lesni leg.; MNHN. — KENYA: 1 ♂; Taita distr., Surroundings of Voi; 3.3616°S, 38.5677°E; 31 May–3 Jun. 1994; L. Bartolozzi, B. Cecchi, A. Sforzi leg.; “num. mag. 1561”; MZUF. — LIBYA: 1 ♂; Tripolitania, Garyan hills; 32.1928°N, 13.0190°E; 5–16 Nov. 1958; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH. — MOROCCO: 1 ♂; 38 km SW of El Jadida; 32.9723°N, 8.7508°W; 600 m a.s.l.; 2 Jan. 2003; J.H. Stuke leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00069620 (ZFMK) 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK-DIP-00072941, ZFMK-DIP-00072942 (ZFMK) 10 ♀♀; Mountain de Beni-Snassen, Garbouz; 34.918°N, 2.052°W; 526 m a.s.l.; 14 Oct. 2017; A. Vujić, S. Radenković, N. Kočiš Tubić, N. Veličković leg.; FSUNS 4 ♀♀; near Nador; 35.1408°N, 2.9853°W; 13 Oct. 2017; A. Vujić, S. Radenković, N. Kočiš Tubić, N. Veličković leg.; FSUNS. — SPAIN: 1 ♂; Grazalema; 36.7254°N, 5.3293°W; 813 m a.s.l.; 30 Sep. 2016; A. Vujić, S. Radenković, A. Juslén leg.; FSUNS ID 10853 (FSUNS) 13 ♂♂; Grazalema 2; 36.7671°N, 5.3575°W; 825 m a.s.l.; 30 Sep. 2016; A. Vujić, S. Radenković leg.; FSUNS ID 10810 to 10822 (FSUNS) 11 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 10823 to 10833 (FSUNS) 1 ♂; Grazalema 3; 36.7730°N, 5.3595°W; 1 Oct. 2016; A. Vujić leg.; FSUNS ID 10793 (FSUNS) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 10794 (FSUNS). — TUNIS: 1 ♂, 1 ♀; [locality and date unknown].

Redescription

MALE. Head: Antenna: short, dark brown to blackish; basoflagellomere about 1.75 times as long as wide with curved dorsal margin; small fossette positioned near apex of basoflagellomere. Face: black, white pollinose; covered with long white pile as long as pedicel; ventral part of face and anteroventral part of gena black, shiny; frontal triangle black, white pollinose, covered with dense, long white pile as long as pedicel; eyes holoptic, covered with white pile as long as scape; vertical triangle isosceles black, shiny, except for anterior part to anterior ocellus and posterior part to posterior ocelli white pollinose; vertical triangle covered with intermixed long white and black pile as long as pile on frontal triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput blackish white pollinose covered with white pile as long as pile on vertical triangle. Thorax: Scutum black, with less developed white pollinose vittae; covered with yellow erect pile as long as pile on occiput, in some specimens black pile present on area between transverse suture and scutellum; area above wing base with short black bristles; scutellum black covered with long yellowish pile as long as pile on scutum; pleura black, white pollinose; dorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum, anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial part of anepimeron with long, dense white pile as long as pile on scutum; long white pile on katepisternum broadly separated with bare area between; proepimeron and katatergum with some white pile. Legs: femora black, yellow only at apex; metafemur narrowed (Fig. 4G), with serrated triangular lamina in its apical part; tibiae black, yellow only at base and apex; tarsomeres dorsally black, ventrally yellow; legs covered with mainly whitish pile, black pile present on apex of femora and on tarsomeres dorsally; tarsomeres ventrolaterally with bristle, which color varies from black to yellowish. Wing: hyaline, covered with microtrichia, except for some bare areas in first and second basal cells; stigma light yellow; wing veins dark brown; halter and calypter yellowish. Abdomen: Black, slightly tapering; terga 2–4 with white pollinose fasciae; pollinose fasciae on terga separated, not reaching lateral margin; terga 2–3 covered with black adpressed pile medially and white pile laterally; tergum 4 covered with intermixed black and white pile; sterna blackish covered with white erect pile in some specimens pile on sternum 4 shorter than those on sterna 2–3. Male genitalia: Epandrium: posterior surstyle lobe of male genitalia narrow, fingerlike; anterior surstyle lobe on inner side oval shaped, covered with dense, short white pile (Fig. 5A–G); cercus square-like to rounded; Hypandrium: as in other members of Merodon natans group, medially broaded. Female: Similar to male, except for normal sexual dimorphism and by following character: well developed white pollinose vittae present on scutum (in males scutum with less developed white pollinose vittae).

Figure 4. 

Metaleg without tarsomeres, lateral view. A, B Merodon natans C, D M. pulveris E, F M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. G, H M. calcaratus; A, C, E, G male B, D, F, H female; A Italy (Sicily) B Croatia C, D Turkey E, F Cyprus G Algeria H Tunis. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Figure 5. 

Merodon calcaratus epandrium, lateral view. A Morocco B, D Algeria C Tunis E left surstyle of specimen from Kenya F Kenya G Spain. Arrow marks invagination on ventral margin of surstyle. Scale bar: 0.2 mm.

Variability

Merodon calcaratus is characterized by its easily recognizable narrow and long posterior surstyle lobe which however, is highly variable in its shape amongst specimens from different geographical populations: very narrow in width in specimens from Morocco (Fig. 5A); broader in width, medioventrally with a protuberance in specimens from Algeria (Fig. 5B, D); in specimens from Tunis similar to specimens from Algeria, but narrower in width (Fig. 5C); in specimens from Spain apically rounded, similar to specimens from Morocco, but broader in width (Fig. 5G); the specimen from Kenya is unique, because of the asymmetry of the left (Fig. 5E) and the right posterior surstyle lobe (Fig. 5F). This variability of surstyle lobe is unusual among most of the species of the genus Merodon, but shape of basoflagellomere connects all these populations in one taxon. Genetic data clearly connect populations from Spain and Morocco in spite of differences in the shape of surstyle lobe. Lack of genetic data and small number of specimens in African populations prevents use of an integrative approach. We decided to keep all these populations under the name M. calcaratus until future research.

Distribution

Merodon calcaratus occurs in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal), in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria (Haffaressas et al. 2017), Tunis, Libya) and one isolated record present in East Africa (Kenya) (Fig. 6).

Figure 6. 

Distribution map of the species of Merodon natans group.

Biology

The preferred environment of the species is semi-arid, sandy calcareous grasslands with scattered Pinus pinea L. in Portugal (van Eck 2016), thermophilic and ancient pastures of a limestone massif, also in Portugal (van Eck et al. 2020a); and Pinus forest on low mountains in Morocco with large populations of potential host plant Prospero autumnale (Vujić A. pers. obs.). Flowers visited: Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn, in Portugal (van Eck 2016; van Eck et al. 2020a) and Prospero autumnale in Morocco and Spain (Vujić A. pers. obs.). Flight period on the Iberian Peninsula and in North Africa is usually Autumn or exceptionally early spring (Algeria). Preimaginal stages are not described.

Merodon makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot, sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/D37E323B-C715-488D-A28A-E1904E037CA8

Fig. 7A, B

Merodon aff. natans in van Steenis et al. 2019: 139.

Type locality

CYPRUS: Limassol, Platres, Trooditissa Picnic Site, 4 Oct. 2017, X. Mengual leg.

Type material

Holotype : 1 ♂, pinned, with genitalia in a separate microvial with glycerine. Left metaleg glued to the locality label. Original labels: “Cyprus: Limassol, Platres, / Trooditissa Picnic Site, 1340m., / 34.914736°N 32.842261°E, / 4 Oct. 2017. X. Mengual leg.”, “DNA voucher specimen / ZFMK, Lab code / D363 / Bonn, Germany”, “ZFMK DIP / 00028063 [QR code]”. Paratypes: CYPRUS: 1 ♂; Mia Milia; 2 Nov. 1926; S.J. Curry leg.; “Anti Locust Res. Centre Reg. No. 453”; FSUNS ID 04973 (TAUI) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04965 (TAUI) 1 ♀; Limassol, Eftagonya; 550 m a.s.l.; 25 Oct. 1951; G. Mavromoustakis leg.; KBIN (R.I.Sc.N.B. 24.236) 3 ♂♂; Paramali; 34.6754°N, 32.8043°E; 1 Nov. 2013; C. Makris leg.; AvE coll. 1 ♀; Limassol, Fasouri; 34.63°N, 32.92°E; 9 Nov. 2013; C. Makris leg.; AvE coll. 5 ♂♂; Episkopi; 34.87°N, 32.87°E; 4 Nov. 2014; C. Makris leg.; AvE coll. 1 ♂; Episkopi, Kourion; 34.6699°N, 32.8754°E; 7 Feb. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; collected bulbs of Prospero autumnale (Scilla autumnalis), 1 male emerged 21 Oct. 2016; CEUA 1 ♀; Episkopi; 34.8754°N, 32.8754°E; 30 Oct. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; AvE coll. 2 ♂♂; Lefkara; 34.9026°N, 33.3392°E; 31 Oct. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; on low hanging branches and leaves of carob tree; AvE coll. 1 ♀; Episkopi; 34.8754°N, 32.8754°E; 2 Nov. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; on bare ground, in Pinus brutia / Cistus-vegetation; AvE coll. 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; on the ground, in more open vegetation 1 ♀; Neo Chorio, Akamas; 35.0259°N, 32.3508°E; 200 m a.s.l.; 2 Nov. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; AvE coll. 1 ♂; Kakopetria; 34.9746°N, 32.9132°E; 3 Nov. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; AvE coll. 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Agios Sozomenos; 35.0496°N, 33.4406°E; 5 Nov. 2016; C. Makris leg.; AvE coll. 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Lemesos; 34.66°N, 32.87°E; 4 Oct. 2017; C. Makris leg.; near Prospero autumnale; AvE coll. 1 ♂; Limassol, Platres, Trooditissa Picnic Site; 34.9147°N, 32.8422°E; 1340 m a.s.l.; 4 Oct. 2017; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00028063 (DNA-voucher D363) (ZFMK) in van Steenis et al. (2019) as Merodon aff. natans; 1 ♂; Episkopi, near Ancient Kourion stadium; 34.6709°N, 32.8745°E; 112 m a.s.l.; 7 Oct. 2017; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00028064 (DNA-voucher D367) (ZFMK) in van Steenis et al. (2019) as Merodon aff. natans; 1 ♀; Paphos, Paphos Forest, Appides stream; 34.9913°N, 32.647°E; 747 m a.s.l.; 6–12 Oct. 2017; X. Mengual leg.; double-head Malaise trap; ZFMK-DIP-00027887 (DNA-voucher D395) (ZFMK) 1 ♂; Kyrenia, Lapithos; 35.3477°N, 33.1504°E; 5 m a.s.l.; 14–28 Oct. 2018; Ö. Özden leg.; Malaise trap in garden; AvE coll.; (Merodon sp. in van Eck et al. (2020b)). — Additional material examined. ISRAEL: 2 ♂♂; Mount Carmel; 32.7430°N, 35.0475°E; 30 Sep. 1971; A. Freidberg leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 1 ♀; Tel Aviv country club; 32.0780°N, 34.8128°E; 16 Nov. 1974; M. Yakubowski leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 12 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; Nahal Poleg; 32.2452°N, 34.8580°E; 7 Nov. 1977; M. Kaplan leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 4 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04892, 04893, 04950, 04951 (TAUI) 4 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; A. Freidberg leg; TAUI 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04955 (TAUI) 6 ♂♂; Yarhiv; 32.1490°N, 34.9674°E; 3 Nov. 1977; M. Kaplan leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04956 (TAUI) 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04894, 04953, 04954 (TAUI) 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; A. Freidberg leg.; FSUNS ID 04952 (TAUI) 1 ♂; Tel Aviv; 32.0780°N, 34.8128°E; 7 Nov. 1977; M. Kaplan leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 1 ♂; Ben-Shemen; 31.9516°N, 34.9353°E; 13 Nov. 1982; Ben-Shahar leg.; TAUI 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Jerusalem; 31.7784N, 35.2080E; 18 Oct. 1988; R. Kasher leg.; det. W. Hurkmans as Merodon natans; TAUI 1 ♂; Ayalon Park Canada; 31.8362°N, 34.9955°E; 4 Nov. 1996; L. Friedman leg.; TAUI 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 04895 (TAUI) 1 ♀; Yakum; 32.2508°N, 34.8383°E; 19 Oct. 1996; Hofman leg.; TAUI. — SOMALIA: 1 ♀; Galgala Oasis; 11.000°N, 49.050°E; 14 Oct. 1973; collected by the Spedizione Biologica in Somalia, 1973; MZUF 1 ♀; plateau between Hongolo and Bur Inaoski; 9.250°N, 50.330°E; 1924; G. Stefanini, N. Puccioni leg.; MZUF.

Figure 7. 

Merodon makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. A male in Cyprus, photo: C. Makris, 14 Nov. 2016 B female in Cyprus, photo: C. Makris, 24 Oct. 2013 C typical habitat in Cyprus where M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. can be collected. Bulbs of Prospero autumnale were collected in the patch in the front, from which one male specimen was reared. Photo: A. van Eck, 7 Feb. 2016.

Diagnosis

Morphological features such as a large fossette (Fig. 2E) and golden erect pile on terga in male (Fig. 7A); position of fossette close to base of arista (Fig. 2I:f) ; and dense white pile on eyes in both sexes separate this species from other species of the Merodon natans group.

Taxonomic notes

Merodon makrisi sp. nov. is a medium sized species (9–13 mm). Morphological features such as a longer basoflagellomere (Fig. 2E, F); and broader metafemur (Fig. 4E, F) in both sexes, and large, rounded posterior surstyle lobe (Figs 8A:p, B:p, 10D) of male genitalia, easily separate this species from the related M. calcaratus (in M. calcaratus posterior surstyle lobe narrow, fingerlike (Fig. 5A–G)). Merodon makrisi sp. nov. is very similar to both M. natans and M. pulveris from which males can be distinguished by a set of characters of antenna, shape of the male genitalia and pile on terga and eyes: fossette in M. makrisi sp. nov. large, extending from the base of arista to the apex of basoflagellomere (Fig. 2E) (fossette in M. natans and M. pulveris smaller, never extending to the apex of basoflagellomere (Fig. 2A, C)); posterior surstyle lobe narrower and more elongated (Figs 8A:p, B:p, 10D) (in M. natans and M. pulveris posterior surstyle lobe broader (Fig. 10A–C)); ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe with distinct triangular prominence (Figs 8A:v, B:v, 10D:v), which is not visible from lateral view in M. natans (Fig. 10A, B); pile on terga longer, erect, predominantly pale, some black adpressed pile may present near posterior margin of terga 2–3 (in M. natans and M. pulveris pile on terga shorter, semi adpressed, black pile present in anterior and posterior part of terga 2–3). Females of M. makrisi sp. nov., M. natans and M. pulveris are very similar, but fossette position is near to the base of arista in M. makrisi sp. nov. (Fig. 2F, I:f) can differentiate this species from M. pulveris and M. natans (Fig. 2B, D, J:f, K:f) (in M. natans and M. pulveris fossette position medially between the base of the arista and apex of basofagellomere).

Description

Male (Fig. 7A). Head: Antenna: dark brown; basal part of arista light brown; in some specimens basoflagellomere ventrally light brown; basoflagellomere two times as long as wide with acute apex; large fossette extending from base of arista to apex of basoflagellomere (Fig. 2E); lunule dark brown. Face: Black, white pollinose; covered with long white pile as long as pedicel, except for medial vitta extending from base of antenna to lower part of face without long white pile; ventral part of face and anteroventral part of gena black, shiny; frontal triangle black, white pollinose, covered with dense long white pile as long as pedicel; eyes holoptic, covered with dense white pile; in specimens from Israel and Somalia eyes covered with scarce, white pile as long as scapus; eye contiguity about 10 ommatidia long; vertical triangle isosceles black, shiny except for anterior part to anterior ocellus and posterior part to posterior ocelli white pollinose; vertical triangle covered with long white pile as long as pile on frontal triangle and intermixed black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput white pollinose covered with white pile as long as pile on vertical triangle. Thorax: Scutum black golden-bronze lustered with five white pollinose vittae; covered with yellow erect pile as long as pile on occiput and short black adpressed pile between transverse suture and scutellum; short black bristles present on area beyond transverse suture and above wing base; scutellum black, covered with long white pile as long as pile on scutum; pleura black, white pollinose; dorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum, anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial part of anepimeron with long dense white pile as long as pile on scutum; long white pile on katepisternum broadly separated with bare area between; proepimeron and katatergum with some white pile. Legs: Femora black, yellow only at base and apex, covered with white pile; metafemur swollen with serrated triangular lamina (Fig. 4E); tibiae of pro-, meso- and metaleg reddish-brown, medially darkened, covered with white pile; colour of basitarsomere, second and third tarsomeres of pro-, meso- and metaleg varies from yellow to dark brown; fourth and fifth tarsomeres always darkened - light to dark brown; tarsomeres mainly covered with white pile, intermixed with some black pile. Wing: Hyaline, covered with microtrichia except for some bare areas in first and second basal cells; stigma light yellow; wing veins dark brown, basally yellowish; halter and calypter yellow. Abdomen: Black with golden-bronze luster, slightly tapering; tergum 2 without antero-lateral reddish maculae; terga 2–4 with white pollinose fasciae; pollinose fascia on tergum 2 widely separated; lateral margin of abdomen blackish and white pollinose, posterior margin of terga 3–4 broadly yellowish; terga covered with long golden erect pile as long as pile on mesonotum and some short, black, adpressed pile may be present near posterior margin of terga 2–3; sternum 1 dark brown to blackish; colour of sterna 2–4 varies from dark brown to light brown; sterna covered with long, white, erect pile longer than pile on terga. Male genitalia (Figs 8, 10D): Epandrium (Fig. 8A:a, p, B:a, p): anterior surstyle lobe on inner side oval shaped, covered with dense, short, white pile (Fig. 8A:a, B:a); ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe with distinct triangular prominence (Figs 8A:v, B:v, 10D:v); cercus square-like, in some specimens rounded (Fig. 8A:c). Hypandrium (Fig. 8C, E): Broad medially (Fig. 8C); aedeagus and associated structures as in Fig. 8D: ae, la, aa, ea, n; lateral sclerite of aedeagus elongate with small protuberance in posteroventral part, covered with short, white dense microtrichia (Fig. 8D: la). — Female (Fig. 7B): Differs from male by normal sexual dimorphism and following characters: colours clearly different on mesoscutum and abdomen, golden luster lacks (Fig. 7A, B); body pilosity distinctly shorter (Fig. 7A, B); fossette smaller, never extending to apex of basoflagellomere (Fig. 2F); frons black, white pollinose except shiny ocellar triangle and medial vitta extending from anterior part of anterior ocellus to lunule; pile on terga shorter and adpressed; terga 3–4 with short black adpressed pile on anterior and posterior parts.

Variability

The population of Merodon makrisi sp. nov. in Cyprus is characterized by some stable morphological characters: eyes with dense white pile; tergum 2 without anterolateral reddish maculae; lateral margin of abdomen blackish; fasciae on terga smaller and narrower than in mainland specimens of M. makrisi sp. nov. and Autumn generation specimens of M. pulveris, while in specimens from mainland (Israel) these features are variable. The population of M. makrisi nov. from Cyprus shares very similar characteristics of its fasciae with the spring generation of M. pulveris: their smaller and narrower fasciae on terga, medially pointed at least on tergum 3, not reaching the lateral margin of terga are present also in the spring generation of M. pulveris.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the personal name Makris (a noun in genitive case). The species is dedicated to Christodoulos Makris, who collected the main part of the type series of the new species. He is an excellent observer, ecologist, photographer and author of Cyprus wildlife, insects and plants.

Distribution

Merodon makrisi sp. nov. is found in Cyprus, Israel and Somalia (Fig. 6).

Biology

In Cyprus, this species is commonly found on or near calcareous soils in rocky habitats with bulbs and orchids, around patches with open vegetation (Fig. 7C). Besides Prospero autumnale, flowers and plants such as Narcissus sp., Cistus sp., Colchicum troodi Kotschy, Juniperus sp., Pistacia sp., Asphodelus ramosus L., Drimia aphylla (Forssk.) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt are found here, as well as Pinus brutia Ten. as the dominant tree. The fly is most abundant at lower altitudes up to about 200 m a.s.l., but also found higher up in the mountains. Flies found higher up (740 m a.s.l.), fly around swiftly, and often rest on low vegetation or on the ground. Flower visits have been observed on Prospero autumnale. Flight period is in Autumn (October/November). The puparium was found in Prospero autumnale and described here. On 7 Feb. 2016 bulbs of P. autumnale were collected (Fig. 7C) and reared at ambient temperature. One adult male emerged on 21 Oct. 2016. The puparium remained in the bulb (Fig. 9A, B).

Figure 8. 

Merodon makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. male genitalia, Cyprus. A epandrium B left surstyle C, E hypandrium D aedeagus and associated structures; A, C, D lateral view B, E ventral view. Abbreviations: a - anterior surstyle lobe, aa - aedeagal apodeme, ae - aedeagus, c - cercus, ea - ejaculatory apodeme, la - lateral sclerite of aedeagus, n - notch on theca to which is attached the aedeagal apodeme, p - posterior surstyle lobe, v - triangular prominence on ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe. Scale bar: 0.2 mm.

Figure 9. 

Bulb of Prospero autumnale (A, B), from which one male specimen of Merodon makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. was reared. Photo: A. van Eck.

Figure 10. 

Epandrium, lateral view. A, B Merodon natans C M. pulveris D M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov. Abbreviation: v – triangular prominence on ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe; A Greece (Achaia) B Montenegro C Greece (Rhodes) D Cyprus. Scale bar: 0.2 mm.

Merodon natans (Fabricius, 1794)

Syrphus natans Fabricius, 1794: 283.

Syrphus annulatus Fabricius, 1794: 296. syn. nov.

Syrphus melancholicus Fabricius, 1794: 302.

Diagnosis

Merodon natans is a medium sized species (8–12 mm), which can be easily distinguished from M. calcaratus by its longer antenna (Fig. 2A, B), broader metafemur in both sexes (Fig. 4A, B) and the large, rounded posterior surstyle lobe of the male genitalia (Fig. 10A, B) (in M. calcaratus posterior surstyle lobe narrow, fingerlike (Fig. 5A–G)). Morphologically it is closely related to M. makrisi sp. nov. and M. pulveris. Males of these species can be distinguished by the structure of the male terminalia: ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe without visible triangular prominence from lateral view, although present in some specimens, but it is small and visible only from ventral view in M. natans (Fig. 10A, B) (ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe with clearly visible triangular prominence present in M. makrisi sp. nov. (Figs 8A:v, B:v, 10D:v) and M. pulveris (Fig. 10C:v)). Females of M. natans and M. pulveris are very similar, but the yellow pile, intermixed with some black pile on tarsomeres of proleg in M. natans can differentiate this species from M. pulveris (in M. pulveris tarsomeres of proleg covered with yellow pile only, except in some specimens with a very few black pile on the fifth tarsomere). Females of M. natans and M. makrisi sp. nov. can be separated based on the position of fossette, which is near the base of arista in M. makrisi sp. nov. (Fig. 2E, I:f) (in M. natans fossette position medially between the base of the arista and apex of basofagellomere (Fig. 2B, J:f)).

Type material

Syrphus natans Fabricius: Type locality: Italy. Original Puparium description was based on an unspecified number of specimens. One appropriately labelled type was located in J.C. Fabricius collection (ZMUC), but only a pin without any remaining parts of the specimen is present in the collection (“193.20”). Consequently, we decided to designate a neotype because the type material has been destroyed. Neotype (designated here): ITALY: 1 ♂, Colli Berici, Unknown leg. (DS coll.), genitalia in a separate microvial with glycerine. Both basoflagellomere with arista glued to the locality label. Original labels: “Colli Berici (VI) / Viliaga - Pr. N. 132 / 45.384722°N 11.510000°E / 10-22 Aug. 2011”, “Merodon / ♂ / natans / Det. Sommaggio 2011”, “AU1861”, “24944”. — Syrphus annulatus Fabricius: Type locality: “Gallia” [France]. Original Puparium description was based on an unspecified number of specimens. Two syntypes were found in J.C. Fabricius collection (ZMUC). Both specimens are partly destroyed, except for the remaining part of thorax and wings. Characters of both specimens match the definition of Merodon natans and we designated one of these specimens with a label as lectotype and the second specimen with a label as paralectotype. Designation of Syrphus annulatus lectotype was based on syntypes deposited in Copenhagen Museum (ZMUC). The syntypes are partly destroyed, but the polinosity and pilosity of the mesoscutum clearly demonstrated that these specimens belong to the Merodon natans group. The synonymy with M. natans is based on distribution (France), where no other species from the M. natans group occur. Lectotype (designated here): FRANCE: sex unknown, original labels: “Gallia”, “annulatus”, “P 198.7 Bosc” [based on remaining body parts sex unclear] (ZMUC). Paralectotype (designated here): FRANCE: sex unknown, original labels: “Gallia”, “annulatus”, “P 198.7 Bosc” [based on remaining body parts sex unclear] (ZMUC). — Syrphus melancholicus Fabricius: Type locality: Italy. Original Puparium description was based on an unspecified number of specimens. One syntype was found in J.C. Fabricius collection (ZMUC). Characters of the syntype match M. natans and it is designated as lectotype. Lectotype (designated here): ITALY: 1 ♂, original labels: “melancholicus”, “245.58” (ZMUC). — Other studied material. Published in Arok et al. (2019); SPAIN: 1 ♂; Soria, Miño de Medinaceli; 28 Aug. 1984; M.A. Marcos-García leg.; published in Marcos-García (1988). — Additional material examined. CROATIA: 1 ♀; Island Cres, env. Cres; 8–10 Sep. 2009; J. Halada leg.; FSUNS ID 25463 (MB coll.) 1 ♀; Nos Kalik, Krka N.P.; 43.8175°N, 15.9913°E; 130 m a.s.l.; 1 Oct. 2017; A. van Eck leg.; AvE coll. — GREECE: 1 ♂; Iraklia, Ageli; 36.8420°N, 25.4609°E; 21 Oct. 2018; J. Gavalas leg.; FSUNS ID 25448 (MAegean) 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 25449 to 25454 (MAegean) 1 ♀; Iraklia, Merichas; 36.8284°N, 25.4686°E; 28 Oct. 2018; J. Gavalas leg.; FSUNS ID 25455 (MAegean) 1 ♀; Crete, Asteri near Skala-Elos; 23–25 Apr. 1956; Brochmann leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076213 (ZFMK) 1 ♀; Crete, Agia Galini, Fourfouras; 9 Oct. 1992; N. Chalwatzis leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076212 (ZFMK) 2 ♂♂; Kefalonia, 1 km W of Fiskardo; 50 m a.s.l.; 5 Oct. 1994; S.M. Blank leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076209, ZFMK-DIP-00076210 (ZFMK) 1 ♂; Kefalonia, 1 km W of Poriarata, near Vlachata; 150 m a.s.l.; 9 Oct. 1994; S.M. Blank leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076206 (ZFMK) 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK-DIP-00076207, ZFMK-DIP-00076208 (ZFMK) 1 ♂; 42 km SW of Gythio, Cape Tenaro; 16 Oct. 1994; S.M. Blank leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076211 (ZFMK). — ITALY: 1♀; Sardinia, Siniscola, Pineta; Apr. 1989; M. Hauser leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00069590 (ZFMK). — SERBIA: 1 ♀; Pčinja, Vogance; 42.3451°N, 21.9159°E; 513 m a.s.l.; 11 Sep. 2020; A. Vujić, L. Likov, T. Tot, M. Ranković leg.; on Mentha sp.; FSUNS ID 32714 (FSUNS) 2 ♂♂, Pčinja, Donja Trnica; 42.3840°N, 22.0525°E; 11 Sep. 2020; A. Vujić, L. Likov, T. Tot, M. Ranković leg.; on/near Prospero autumnale; FSUNS ID 32720, 32724 (FSUNS) 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 32721 to 32723 (FSUNS) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 15 Sep. 2020 a female reared from pupa collected 11 Sep. 2020 in Prospero autumnale bulb by A. Vujić; FSUNS ID 34373 (FSUNS).

Redescription

Male (Fig. 11A, C). Head: Antenna: dark brown; basal part of arista light brown; in some specimens basoflagellomere light brown; basoflagellomere two times as long as wide. Face: Black, white pollinose; covered with long white pile as long as pedicel, except for medial vitta extending from base of antenna to lower part of face without long white pile; ventral part of face and anteroventral part of gena black, shiny; frontal triangle black, white pollinose, covered with long white pile as long as pedicel; eyes holoptic, covered with white pile; vertical triangle isosceles black, shiny except for anterior part to anterior ocellus and posterior part to posterior ocelli white pollinose; vertical triangle covered with long white pile as long as pile on frontal triangle and intermixed black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput black, white pollinose covered with white pile as long as pile on vertical triangle. Thorax: Scutum black, with five white pollinose vittae; covered with white erect pile as long as pile on occiput and short, black adpressed pile on area between transverse suture and scutellum; short black bristles present above wing base; scutellum black, covered with long white pile as long as pile on scutum; pleura black, white pollinose; dorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum, anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial part of anepimeron with long, dense white pile as long as pile on scutum; long white pile on katepisternum broadly separated with bare area between; proepimeron and katatergum with some white pile. Legs: Femora black, yellow only at base and apex, covered with white pile, some black pile presented on its apical part; metafemur swollen with serrated triangular lamina (Fig. 4A); tibiae yellow medially darkened, covered with white pile; colour of tarsomere dorsally varies from yellow to dark brown, ventrally yellowish; tarsomeres mainly covered with white pile, intermixed with some black pile. Wing: Hyaline, covered with microtrichia except for some bare areas in first and second basal cells; stigma light yellow; wing veins dark brown, basally yellowish; halter and calypter yellow. Abdomen: Black, slightly tapering; tergum 2 with anterolateral reddish maculae, in some specimens anterolateral reddish maculae on tergum 2 absent; terga 2–4 with white pollinose fasciae; pollinose fasciae on tergum 2 widely separated, on terga 3–4 in some specimens may merge; lateral margin of abdomen blackish covered with white pollinosity, in some specimens lateral margin of abdomen yellowish; posterior margin of terga 3–4 yellowish; terga covered with adpressed black and white pile, shorter than pile on scutum; white pile on lateral margin of abdomen longer than pile on terga; sternum 1 dark brown; colour of sterna 2–4 varies from dark brown to light brown; sterna covered with long, white erect pile longer than pile on terga. Male genitalia: Epandrium (Fig. 10A, B): posterior surstyle lobe rounded, ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe without visible triangular prominence from lateral view, although it can be present in some specimens, but it is small and visible only from ventral view; anterior surstyle lobe on inner side oval shaped, covered with dense, short white pile. Hypandrium: as in other members of Merodon natans group, hypandrium broaded medially. Female (Fig. 11B, D): Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism. Frons black covered with white pollinosity, except for black shiny vitta extending from lunule to anterior ocellus.

Figure 11. 

Merodon natans in a Serbian habitat. A, C male B, D female E typical habitat where M. natans can be collected. Photos: T. Tot, 11 Sep. 2020.

Variability

The posterior surstyle lobe in males of M. natans varies in shape, as in the case of M. calcaratus, but is less distinct. In the Montenegro (Boka Kotorska) population of M. natans and in a single specimen from Spain, the posterior surstyle lobe is narrower (Fig. 10B).

Distribution

Merodon natans occurs in most countries of southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece) and part of western Europe (France) (Fig. 6). According to Marcos-García et al. (2007) and Speight (2020), M. natans is recorded from Israel and the Caucasus. However, the records of M. natans from Israel refer to M. neolydicus Vujić in Vujić et al. (2018b) and M. makrisi sp. nov. described in this paper. We can here anticipate that specimens from the Caucasus will also likely refer to another Merodon species.

Biology

Preferred environments are forests with open ground; herb-rich open areas in thermophilous Quercus forest and phrygana with Cistus scrub; also in orchards in southern Europe (Speight 2020). Adults prefer open areas with tall herbs and scrub (Fig. 11A, B, E), within dry woodland; a secretive species, as easily collected by use of Malaise traps as by direct observation (Speight 2020). Flowers visited include: Prospero autumnale (Fig. 11C, D), Foeniculum sp., Mentha sp., Solidago sp., Drimia maritima. The flight period is in Spring (April/May) and Autumn (end August/beginning October). The puparium, described here, is found in the host plant Prospero autumnale in Serbia (Fig. 11C, D).

Additional remark

This study revealed that records from Portugal (van Eck 2016) were based on incorrect identifications. At present, M. natans is not confirmed for the Portuguese fauna and should be removed from its checklist.

Merodon pulveris Vujić & Radenković in Radenković et al. 2011

Fig. 12A, B

Merodon pulveris Vujić & Radenković in Radenković et al. 2011: 41.

Diagnosis

Merodon pulveris is a medium sized species (11–12 mm). It can be separated from M. calcaratus by its longer antenna (Fig. 2C, D), broader metafemur in both sexes (Fig. 4C, D) and the large, rounded posterior surstyle lobe (Fig. 10C) of the male genitalia (in M. calcaratus narrow, fingerlike; Fig. 5A–G). Merodon pulveris is closely related to M. natans and M. makrisi sp. nov., but differs by the following characters of the male genitalia: ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe with distinct triangular prominence (Fig. 10C:v), in M. natans without visible triangular prominence from lateral view (Fig. 10A, B), it can be present in some specimens, but it is small and visible only from ventral view (Fig. 10A, B); posterior surstyle lobe broader and shorter (Fig. 10C), narrower and more elongated in M. makrisi sp. nov. (Figs 8A:p, B:p, 10D). Fossette position medially between the base of the arista and apex of basoflagellomere distinguishes females of this species from M. makrisi sp. nov (in M. makrisi sp. nov position of fossette is near base of arista (Fig. 2I:f)). From M. natans, females of M. pulveris can be separated by the presence of only yellow pile on the proleg tarsomeres, except in some specimens only, where the fifth tarsomere has sparse black pile (in M. natans proleg tarsomeres covered with yellow pile but also with some intermixed black pile).

Figure 12. 

Merodon pulveris. A male on Drimia aphylla, in Cyprus, photo: C. Makris, 6 Oct. 2016 B female in Cyprus, photo: C. Makris, 20 Oct. 2013 C typical habitat in Agiassos (Lesvos, Greece) where M. pulveris can be collected, photo: D. Vujanović.

Type material

We studied the type material published in Radenković et al. (2011). — Other studied material. Published in Arok et al. (2019); CYPRUS: 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Limassol, Episkopi Ancient Kourion stadium; 34.6708°N, 32.8744°E; 112 m a.s.l; 7 Oct. 2017; J. van Steenis leg.; JvS coll.; published in van Steenis et al. (2019). — Additional material examined. CYPRUS: 2 ♀♀; Limassol, Eftagonya; 550 m a.s.l.; 25 Oct. 1951; G. Mavromoustakis leg.; KBIN (R.I.Sc.N.B. 24.236) 1♂; Limassol, Episkopi, Kourion; 4 Nov. 2016; A. van Eck leg.; FSUNS ID 25390 (FSUNS) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 25389 (FSUNS) 1 ♀; Pera Pedi; 34.8658°N, 32.8489°E; 881 m a.s.l.; 2 Oct. 2017; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00028080 (ZFMK) 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 2–7 Oct. 2017; Malaise trap; ZFMK-DIP-00027945 (DNA-voucher D401) (ZFMK) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK-DIP-00027945 (DNA-voucher D399) (ZFMK) 1 ♀; same data as for preceding, 8–12 Oct. 2017; ZFMK-DIP-00027916 (DNA-voucher D397) (ZFMK) 1 ♂; Episkopi, near Ancient Kourion stadium, across road; 34.6695°N, 32.8743°E; 106 m a.s.l.; 4 Oct. 2017; C. Makris leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00028071 (ZFMK) 7 ♂♂; Episkopi, near Ancient Kourion stadium; 34.6709°N, 32.87453°E; 112 m a.s.l.; 7 Oct. 2017; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00027868 (DNA-voucher D394), ZFMK-DIP-00028072 to ZFMK-DIP-00028074, ZFMK-DIP-00028075 (DNA-voucher D365), ZFMK-DIP-00028076, ZFMK-DIP-00028077 (ZFMK) 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK-DIP-00028078, ZFMK-DIP-00028079 (ZFMK) 4 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; 10 Oct. 2017; ZFMK-DIP-00027874 (DNA-voucher D396), ZFMK-DIP-00028081 to ZFMK-DIP-00028083 (ZFMK) 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK-DIP-00028084, ZFMK-DIP-00028085 (ZFMK) 2 ♀♀; S of Kelefos Bridge, N of Arminou Reservoir; 34.8866°N, 32.7463°E; 460 m. a.s.l.; 11 Oct. 2017; ZFMK-DIP-00028087, ZFMK-DIP-00028086 (ZFMK). — GREECE: 1 ♂; Rhodes, Lindos; 6 Apr. 1971; V.S. van der Goot leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076341 (ZFMK) 1 ♀; Rhodes; 18 Apr. 1970; A.C. Ellis, W.N. Ellis leg.; ZFMK-DIP-00076205 (ZFMK). — TURKEY: 1 ♀; Mugla, University campus; 37.1617°N, 28.3703°E; 720 m a.s.l.; 26 May–26 Jun. 2015; H. Kavak leg.; MT (Malaise trap); FSUNS ID 25366 (MB coll.) 4 ♂♂; Mugla, University campus; 37.1606°N, 28.3697°E; 730 m a.s.l.; Nov. 2015–Apr. 2016; M. Barták, S. Kubik leg.; MT (Malaise trap); FSUNS ID 25367 to 25369, 25371 (MB coll.) 2 ♂♂; Kizilyaka; 37.0225°N, 28.4383°E; 105 m a.s.l.; 27 Apr.–4 May 2016; M. Barták, S. Kubik leg.; FSUNS ID 25363, 25365 (MB coll.) 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FSUNS ID 25362, 25364 (MB coll.) 1 ♀; 8km S of Çine, river bank; 37.5428°N, 28.0628°E; 68 m a.s.l.; 29 Apr.–1 May 2016; M. Barták, S. Kubik leg.; SW (Sweeping); FSUNS ID 25370 (MB coll.).

Distribution

Merodon pulveris inhabits the Anatolian Peninsula, the eastern Mediterranean islands (Lesvos, Samos, Rhodes) and Cyprus, but is absent from southern and western Europe as opposed to M. natans (Fig. 6).

Biology

Preferred environments (Fig. 12C) are open areas in Eastern European maquis on limestone near coniferous forests with large populations of its host plant Prospero autumnale (Radenković et al. 2011). Flowers visited include: Foeniculum sp., Prospero autumnale (van Steenis et al. 2019), Drimia aphylla (Fig. 12A). Flight period is in spring (April–May) and autumn (late September/mid October). The larva described here was found in Prospero autumnale on Lesvos island in Greece.

The concatenated 5’-end and 3’-end COI gene sequence matrix contains 61 sequences of 1,358 bp length. The total number of the variable positions is 429, while 331 are parsimony informative. As a result of MP analysis, we inferred a strict consensus tree (length=1,242, consistency index=0.45, retention index=0.78) of four equally parsimonious trees (see Supplementary file 2: Figure S1). ML and MP analyses resulted in similar tree topologies (Fig. 20, Supplementary file 2: Figure S1). The Merodon natans species group is resolved as monophyletic with high bootstrap support (99 and 97) on both MP and ML trees. Species clades of M. natans, M. pulveris, M. calcaratus and M. makrisi sp. nov. are also well supported, each with a bootstrap value of 100. Immature specimen AU1590 (larva) from Lesvos island belongs to the M. pulveris clade. Within M. pulveris two clades can be distinguished, one which corresponds to specimens from Cyprus and the second which contains specimens from Greek islands (Samos, Rhodes and Lesvos) and from Turkey (see Supplementary file 1: Table S1). Both these clades are well supported (bootstrap values: ML=100 and 87; MP=99).

Figure 20. 

Maximum likelihood tree of Merodon natans species group based on COI gene sequence analysis. Bootstrap values ≥ 50 are presented near nodes. Coloured sections indicate different Merodon lineages (yellow – aureus lineage, light green – desuturinus lineage, dark green – albifrons lineage, blue – avidus lineage, purple – natans lineage).

Genetic distances based on concatenated 5’-end and 3’-end COI gene sequences between species pairs within the M. natans species group are in the range from 5.1% between M. natans and M. pulveris to 6.4% between M. pulveris and M. makrisi sp. nov. (Table 1). The average p distance between the two M. pulveris clades is 2.2%.

The combined COI+28S rRNA gene sequence matrix contains 48 sequences. The total length is 1,957 bp and there are 515 variable positions from which 377 are parsimony informative. Merodon makrisi sp. nov. is present with only one specimen due to lower sequencing success of 28S rRNA gene compared to COI gene. MP analysis resulted in a strict consensus tree (length=1,358 bp, consistency index=0.48, retention index=0.76) of two equally parsimonious trees and had similar topology as ML tree (Fig. 21, Supplementary file 3: Figure S2). The M. natans species group is recovered as monophyletic, as well as the species M. natans, M. pulveris and M. calcaratus (bootstrap support value of 100). The single specimen of M. makrisi sp. nov. is resolved in a separate branch, clearly divergent from all other species of the M. natans group.

Figure 21. 

Maximum likelihood tree of Merodon natans species group based on combined COI+28S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Bootstrap values ≥ 50 are presented near nodes. Coloured sections indicate different Merodon lineages (yellow - aureus lineage, light green - desuturinus lineage, dark green - albifrons lineage, blue - avidus lineage, purple - natans lineage).

Wing shape variation among specimens was quantified using PCA, which produced 18 principal components (PCs) in total within both males and females. First two principal components (PCs) described 35% of wing-shape variation among male specimens and 36% among female specimens. In the space defined by the first two PCs groupings of conspecific specimens is clearly noticeable within both males and females (Fig. 22). In both cases, PC1 depicts wing shape differences between M. natans and M. pulveris, whereas PC2 differentiates M. calcaratus from M. natans and M. pulveris (Fig. 22).

Figure 22. 

Scatter plot of individual scores of the two first principal components showing wing shape variation within the specimens of the M. natans group. PCA A Wing shape variation among male specimens B Wing shape variation among female specimens.

Discriminant analysis provided evidence for highly significant wing shape differences among all species pairs (P < 0.01; males: M. natans - M. pulveris F_{18, 129}=41.67; M. natans - M. calcaratus F_{18, 129}=13.43; M. calcaratus - M. pulveris F_{18, 129}=18.57. Females: M. natans - M. pulveris F_{18, 116}=30.43; M. natans - M. calcaratus F_{18, 116}=40.53; M. calcaratus - M. pulveris F_{18, 116}=27.86). Additionally, DA with cross-validation based on wing shape showed correct species assignment for 97.32% male specimens and 98.53% for female specimens. Among the 149 male specimens, four were misclassified, one M. pulveris and two M. calcaratus as M. natans, and one specimen of M. natans as M. pulveris. Within 136 female specimens, only two specimens of M. natans were misclassified as M. pulveris. All female specimens of M. pulveris and M. calcaratus were correctly classified.

CVA conducted on wing shape parameters gave two highly significant canonical axes within both males and females (Males: CV1: Wilks’=0.0520, χ2=406.5518, p < .01; CV2: Wilks’=0.3607, χ2=140.2089, p < .01; Females: CV1: Wilks’=0.0293, χ2=439.3760, p < .01; CV2: Wilks’=0.2190, χ2=189.0509, p < .01).

Within males, CV1 with 77% of wing shape variation clearly differentiates M. pulveris from M. natans and M. calcaratus, while CV2 with 23% of shape variation clearly separated M. calcaratus from M. natans and M. pulveris (Fig. 23A). Within females, CV1 with 64% of total wing shape variation points out the difference between M. natans and M. calcaratus and CV2 with 36% of total wing shape variation depicts the separation of M. pulveris from M. natans and M. calcaratus (Fig. 24A).

Figure 23. 

Wing shape differences among males of Merodon natans, M. pulveris and M. calcaratus. A Scatter plot of individual scores of CV1 and CV2 B, C, D Superimposed outline drawings showing differences in average wing shape for each species pair. Differences between the species were exaggerated 3-fold to make them more visible E UPGMA phenogram constructed using squared Mahalanobis distances of wing shape.

Figure 24. 

Wing shape differences among females of Merodon natans, M. pulveris and M. calcaratus. A Scatter plot of individual scores of CV1 and CV2 B, C, D Superimposed outline drawings showing differences in average wing shape for each species pair. Differences between the species were exaggerated 3-fold to make them more visible E UPGMA phenogram constructed using squared Mahalanobis distances of wing shape.

Phenogram based on squared Mahalanobis distances showed different phenetic relationships within males and females (Figs 23E, 24E). In males, M. natans and M. calcaratus had the most similar wing shape (Fig. 23E), whereas in females phenetic relationships were consistent with our molecular results, with M. natans and M. pulveris having the most similar wing shape (Fig. 24E).

Pairwise differences in average wing shape were visualised using superimposed outline drawings which allows recognition of wing regions that are contributing to the species discrimination (Figs 23B–D, 24B–D). Within males, differences between species pair M. natans and M. calcaratus were associated with most prominent landmark displacements in the central and distal parts of their wings (Fig. 23B). Differences in wing shape between M. pulveris and M. calcaratus males were most obvious in distal part of the wing (Fig. 23C), while the differences between M. natans and M. pulveris were associated with landmark shifts in the proximal part of the wing (Fig. 23D). Contrary to males, wing shape differences between females of M. natans and M. calcaratus were mainly in the distal part (Fig. 24B). Major differences in wing shape between females of M. pulveris and M. calcaratus were found in the central and distal parts of the wing (Fig. 24C). Differences in wing shape between females of M. pulveris and M. natans were associated with landmark displacements in the central and proximal parts of wings (Fig. 24D).

3.5.1. Population-level analysis

Wing shape variation among populations was measured using discriminant and canonical variate analysis. DA showed correct classification for 81.85% of the specimens. Out of 270 specimens, 49 are misclassified, 46 into other conspecific populations, and only three as other species. Based on the UPGMA cluster analysis constructed with the Mahalanobis square distances, M. natans populations were the closest to each other, forming a cluster. Within this cluster, the population from Greece, Crete had the most distinct wing shape (Fig. 25B). The second cluster consists of two isolated branches, first with two western Mediterranean populations of M. calcaratus, and second one with conspecific populations of M. pulveris (Fig. 25B). According to topology, within M. pulveris branch specimens from Greece, Lesvos have the most distinct wing shape.

CVA produced eight significant CV axes, from which the first two were describing 72% of total shape variation (Fig. 25A). In the scatter plot described with these two CV axes, all conspecific populations were grouped together following the pattern of species delimitation results. First CV with 45% of total shape variation indicates separation of M. pulveris populations from M. natans populations, while CV2 with 27% of shape variation clearly separated populations of M. calcaratus from M. natans and M. pulveris (Fig. 25A).

Figure 25. 

Wing shape differences among populations of Merodon natans, M. pulveris and M. calcaratus. A Scatter plot of individual scores of CV1 and CV2 B UPGMA phenogram constructed using squared Mahalanobis distances of wing shape C Map of Mediterranean basin showing the distribution of populations used in the analysis.

Simple two-tailed Mantel tests revealed that geographical distance was not significantly correlated with wing shape differentiation nor with genetic differentiation among M. natans, M. pulveris and M. calcaratus (wing – geography: p=0.63474, r=0.76691; genetic- geography: p=0.14519, r=0.97433).

The Merodon natans lineage as an independent evolutionary clade was first established by Radenković et al. (2018b) and here we have confirmed its monophyly on both COI and COI +28S trees.

The integrative taxonomy approach using multiple data sources implemented in this study supports species delimitation based on morphological differences within the M. natans group. Thus, it has proved useful in taxonomy of the group, as it has been in many previous studies on the genus Merodon (e.g., Popović et al. 2014, 2015; Ačanski et al. 2016; Šašić et al. 2016; Kočiš Tubić et al. 2018; Radenković et al. 2018a; Šašić Zorić et al. 2020; Vujić et al. 2020a, 2020b, 2020c). Morphological descriptions combined with molecular data resolved four species of the M. natans species group: M. calcaratus, M. pulveris, M. natans and M. makrisi sp. nov. The first three species are also supported by the results of geometric morphometry analysis. Additionally, species distribution data proved useful for discriminating among species as they are mostly allopatric, except on the island of Cyprus where both M. pulveris and M. makrisi sp. nov. can be found in sympatry.

The four closely related species of the Merodon natans group have diagnostic morphological differences. Although M. calcaratus has exhibited high intraspecific variability, this species has diagnostic characters which make it morphologically the most divergent within the M. natans group. This is also supported by the M. calcaratus specimens resolved as sister to the other three species clades on the COI and COI+28S trees. Merodon makrisi sp. nov. is morphologically similar to both M. natans and M. pulveris, while the latter two species are the most similar. Characters of antenna and male genitalia structure are the most stable features for delimiting M. natans, M. pulveris and M. makrisi sp. nov. Characters of the basoflagellomere are also very important for species delimitation.

The pattern of morphological relatedness between species of the M. natans group is supported on COI and COI+28S trees and in wing geometric morphometric analysis of M. calcaratus, M. pulveris and M. natans females, while in males M. calcaratus and M. natans have the most similar wing shape. Arok et al. (2019) provided evidence for M. pulveris and M. natans delimitation based on wing parameters. Here, we strengthened this evidence with the use of additional specimens of M. natans and M. pulveris from a broader geographical area, as well as including M. calcaratus in the analysis. These three species are significantly divergent based on wing shape. In both males and females, the percentage of correct species classification in discriminant function analysis is excellent (males: 97.32%, females: 98.53%). This segregation is also noticeable in CVA scatterplots, as well as in clear conspecific clustering in population analysis, which clearly illustrates the division of these three species. In addition, based on Mantel tests there is no significant correlation of wing and genetic differentiation with geographical proximity among M. calcaratus, M. natans and M. pulveris. As mentioned above, an interesting wing-shape pattern among male specimens is observed. Although it would be expected due to morphological and molecular results, males of M. natans and M. pulveris do not have the most similar wing shape in the UPGMA phenogram. Similar findings were recorded between sympatric species from e.g., the M. aureus group: M. aureus and M. calidus Šašić Zorić, Ačanski & Vujić, 2020 (Vujic et al. 2020c). However, according to our findings M. natans and M. pulveris do not occur in sympatry, and we can only assume that the most different wing shape between males can be the result of sympatry or secondary contact in the past. Merodon makrisi sp. nov. was not included in the geometric morphometric analysis, but molecular data and morphological characters clearly delineate it from other taxa within the M. natans group. This species was not included in the geometric morphometric analysis due to an insufficient number of available specimens with intact and undamaged wings that were available for analysis. Considering that M. makrisi sp. nov. can be separated from other investigated species based on morphology, its exclusion from the geometric morphometric analysis does not affect the strength of the provided results.

Despite their adult morphological resemblance, COI genetic distance between M. natans and M. pulveris is relatively high (5.1%) and similar to values between more distant species pairs (5.3–6.4%). The specimens of M. pulveris from Cyprus, based on COI and COI+28S analyses, segregate as reciprocally monophyletic within the M. pulveris clade. This population is morphologically indistinguishable from other analysed M. pulveris populations despite a genetic distance value of 2.2%, while the data on geometric morphometry is limited due to a small sample size. Previous studies documented genetic distances between morphologically cryptic Merodon species mostly in the range 0.3–2.5% (Marcos-García et al. 2011; Popović et al. 2015; Šašić et al. 2016; Radenković et al. 2018a; Vujić et al. 2020c). Island speciation occurs often in the M. aureus species group, where endemic species are recorded on Andros, Crete, Cyprus, Naxos, Peloponnese and Rhodes (Vujić et al. 2016; Radenković et al. 2018a; Šašić Zorić et al. 2018). However, lack of additional data and relatively high genetic distance among the other species within the M. natans species group prevent us from any further conclusion about possible speciation on Cyprus. Furthermore, variation in morphological characters is present between populations of M. makrisi sp. nov. on the mainland and Cyprus. The Cyprus population of this species is characterized by stable morphological characters, while in populations from the mainland (Israel, Somalia) these features are variable. Thus, it is possible that the population of M. makrisi sp. nov. from Cyprus belongs to a distinct taxon, but no genetic data for mainland specimens of this species are available. Additional molecular and morphometric studies would certainly help to clarify the taxonomic status of populations of M. pulveris and M. makrisi sp. nov. from Cyprus (subspecies or small populations with limited variability).

The shared character of the three species of the Merodon natans group examined in our study is the presence of two different pairs of lappets on the anal segment, the dorsolateral pair being apically divided. This trait was also reported in two species of the avidus-nigritarsis lineage: M. avidus larva (Andrić et al. 2014) and in M. opacus Vujić, Likov & Radenković, 2020 puparium (Vujić et al. 2020a). Other species, that belong to the albifrons lineage (i.e., M. geniculatus, M. hurkmansi Marcos-García, Vujić & Mengual, 2007 (larva described as M. constans in Ricarte et al. (2008), redefined in Andrić et al. (2014)), M. luteihumerus Marcos-García, Vujić & Mengual, 2007, M. equestris (Fabricius, 1794)) were described as having three pairs of lappets with the middle one consisting of two projections (Ricarte et al. 2008, 2017).

One of the most striking characters of the larva of M. pulveris is the possession of two sets of accessory teeth, a large pair on the basal outer side of the mandibular hooks and a small pair on the inner side of the hooks. Among all immature stages of Merodon species for which this character has been described, accessory teeth of the mandibular hooks were reported only for M. equestris and M. avidus larvae (Ricarte et al. 2008; Andrić et al. 2014), but only on the inner side of hooks. Nevertheless, accessory teeth were not recorded in puparia, either the ones examined here or those of other studied species including M. avidus. Furthermore, it has been suggested that there is mouthhook wear during larval development, making characters related to its shape deceptive in puparia (Preradović et al. 2018). The notable feature of the head skeleton of M. makrisi sp. nov. is that the dorsal cornu slightly exceeds the ventral cornu in its length, whereas in M. natans both cornua are approximately the same length; in other species of the genus the dorsal cornu is usually more or less shorter than the ventral. Anterior spiracles of M. pulveris larva are bilobulated at the apex, the same shape as for the other two species of the M. natans group. The two spiracular openings at the apex of the anterior spiracle of M. makrisi sp. nov. and M. natans is a feature previously reported for the anterior respiratory process of M. geniculatus, M. avidus, M. opacus and M. hurkmansi, whereas M. luteihumerus and M. equestris exhibit 3–5 spiracular openings (Ricarte et al. 2008, 2017; Andrić et al. 2014; Vujić et al. 2020a).

Shared characters of the three species examined in our study are the general shape and ornamentation of the posterior respiratory process (prp). The prp shape varies among Merodon species; for instance, very short cylinder (button-shaped) in M. avidus and M. opacus, barrel-shaped in M. calidus (puparium described as M. aureus in Preradović et al. (2018), redefined in Vujić et al. (2020c)) and markedly narrowed in the apical third in M. rufus Meigen, 1838 (Andrić et al. 2014; Preradović et al. 2018; Vujić et al. 2020a). In the M. natans group, the prp shape is a truncated cone, with a groove at the base. The prp being wider than long with base wider than apex is notable in M. makrisi sp. nov., however, these features are somewhat less pronounced in M. pulveris and even less in M. natans, with a slightly longer and more cylindrical prp. The lateral surface of the prp is entirely coriaceous, with small dents from base to apex and with slightly undulate longitudinal indentations in the basal part, somewhat resembling the prp of M. geniculatus (see figs 5D, 6D in Ricarte et al. (2017)). The part just below the spiracular plate is conspicuously ornamented in M. pulveris and M. natans, while it is smoother in M. makrisi sp. nov. Other species have different ornamentation of the prp surface; e.g., very smooth from base to apex in M. rufus (with small dents only in the area below spiracular plate) and with a network of small rounded protuberances in M. calidus (Preradović et al. 2018).

One of the problems in the morphological research of Merodon immature stages is the difficulty of finding specimens in the field, since the larval food-plants and the breeding and oviposition sites have not been recorded for most Merodon species (Hurkmans 1993; Rotheray 1993; Speight 2020). Another important handicap is the proper species identification of immature stages. Rearing phytophagous syrphid is not particularly complicated (Rotheray 1993) but can take months (Rotheray and Gilbert 2011). In our study, pupae of M. makrisi sp. nov. and M. natans were successfully reared. An identification of immature stages based on DNA COI barcode libraries generated for Merodon adults was suggested by Ståhls et al. (2009) and was successfully employed for larvae of M. avidus by Andrić et al. (2014), as well as for larva of M. pulveris in our study. Nevertheless, sequencing analysis is not possible in cases of rotten or parasitoidised specimens, as has been shown by Preradović et al. (2018). Furthermore, species-level illustrations are limited and a comprehensive identification key has been published only recently (Ricarte et al. 2017). The immature stages of only nine out of 234 species of Merodon have been described so far (Heiss 1938; Stuckenberg 1956; Ricarte et al. 2008, 2017; Andrić et al. 2014; Preradović et al. 2018; Vujić et al. 2020a).

The four species of the Merodon natans group are mostly distributed within the Mediterranean Basin, but we report the first records of the presence of this species group in the Afrotropical Region, with the distributional range of two species reaching the easternmost parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Merodon natans has been described geographically as a “Balkan” species, occurring throughout the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean islands, except Dodecanese, North Aegean islands and Cyprus (Arok et al. 2019). Additional data in the present work confirm a broader distribution to the west, including records from Spain, Italy and France. Although there are records in the literature of M. natans from Gibraltar (Ebejer and Bensusan 2010) and Portugal (van Eck 2016), voucher specimens were examined by the authors in the work frame of this survey and identified as M. obscuritarsis Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909. Merodon pulveris is characterized as having an “Anatolian” distribution, being found in western and southwestern Turkey, and on Dodecanese, North Aegean islands and Cyprus. A second species from the M. natans group occurring on the island of Cyprus is M. makrisi sp. nov., primarily distributed in Israel, but also with records from Somalia. The southernmost record of the M. natans group is one for M. calcaratus from Kenya. However, this species is mostly distributed along the northwestern (Mediterranean) coast of the African continent and on the Iberian Peninsula.

The regions with the highest diversity of Merodon taxa, such as the Mediterranean Basin, are characterized with flora rich in species of geophytes, as the bulbs and other underground storage organs of these plants are food sources for Merodon larvae (Ricarte et al. 2008, 2017). Therefore, the current geographical distributions of Merodon taxa are probably connected to areas with high diversity of this distinctive flora (Vujić et al. 2011, 2013). Since the Afrotropical Region is rich in bulbous plants, it is assumed that the Merodon species diversity in this region is underestimated (Djan et al. 2020), with only 16 species (out of a total number of 234) described for this region to date (Vujić et al. 2021). The genus Merodon has been classified into over 20 monophyletic species groups (Vujić et al. 2021), with a vast majority of species present in the Palaearctic Region and only two species groups (prior to M. natans species group), M. aureus and M. desuturinus, known to have representatives in the Afrotropical Region as well (Radenković et al. 2018b). The M. desuturinus species group has been found to represent an important link between the Palaearctic and Afrotropical faunas, consisting of two clearly separate lineages, i.e., a Palaearctic and an Afrotropical lineage (the latter including M. melanocerus and M. planifacies subgroups and the species M. cuthbertsoni Curran, 1939, all from southern Africa) (Radenković et al. 2018b). The results of our research show the presence of yet another Merodon species group in the Afrotropical Region, the M. natans species group, with the first published records of this genus in eastern Africa.

Out of the four species of the Merodon natans group, descriptions of immature stages are presented for three species: M. pulveris based on larva, and M. natans and M. makrisi sp. nov. based on puparia, all found in the bulbs of the same plant species, Prospero autumnale. With the small size of one such bulb in mind, it could be speculated that these larvae grow at a slow rate, but it is possible that larvae move from one bulb to another while they grow, since P. autumnale can be found in dense patches. However, in the locality where the puparium of M. makrisi sp. nov. was found, the loamy soil can be very dried out and hard, making it seemingly difficult to move from one bulb to another. On the other hand, bulbs of P. autumnale are found quite superficially, making it possible for the larva to migrate to another bulb over the ground. This plant had previously been recorded as a possible larval host-plant for M. natans and M. pulveris in Greece (Vujić et al. 2020d), and also for M. calcaratus in Portugal (van Eck 2016). Most of the known larval host-plants of Merodon species belong to the same plant family, Asparagaceae (Ricarte et al. 2008; Andrić et al. 2014; Preradović et al. 2018), although some are recorded within Amaryllidaceae (Heiss 1938; Ricarte et al. 2017; Popov and Mishustin pers. comm.) and Iridaceae (Stuckenberg 1956). In a recent study by Vujić et al. (2020a) it has been speculated that groups of related Merodon species might have the same host plant genus. Considering both our extant records and fitting distributions with Prospero Salisb. (WCSP 2019), M. natans species group could therefore be connected to this genus throughout most of its range. However, Prospero is not present in the Afrotropical Region, so larval development is most likely associated with other bulbous geophytes in this area, probably also from Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae (alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae). Moreover, it could be assumed that cases of aberrant distribution records may have been the result of plant introductions. More data are needed to obtain better supported conclusions about relations with food-plants. Furthermore, additional material and molecular analyses of Merodon populations from Somalia and Kenya will be useful to confirm their taxonomic identification or to reveal if they belong to a separate species. The male genitalia of M. calcaratus have very variable morphological features, even on an intrapopulation level. Nonetheless, all studied specimens are characterized with the same apomorphic characters, which clearly differentiate this taxon from other species of the M. natans group.