IRAN: Māzandarān Province, Baladeh District, Nesen; 36°14’24”N, 51°27’27”E; 2920 m a.s.l.

Holotype : ♂; HMIM [specimen dry pinned, in very good condition with genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “Mazandaran-Baladeh / Nesan / N 36 14 24.2 E 051 27 27.0 / 2920m. / Gilasian / 9.VI.2006” [left part of the label vertical], “02532”. — Paratypes: IRAN • 1 ♀; Yazd Province, Taft County, Sānij; 31°33’36”N, 54°01’46”E; 3020 m a.s.l.; 15 May 2007; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM 04461 • 2 ♂♂; N. Iran, Alborz (mountain range), Tochal; 35°53’50”N, 51°25’05”E; 2000–2500 m a.s.l.; 29–30 Jun. 1973; Loc. no. 261 Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha; HMIM 02530, 02536 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; HMIM 02537 • 1 ♂; N. Iran, Alborz (mountain range), Tochal; 35°53’50”N, 51°25’05”E; 2000–2500 m a.s.l.; 29–30 Jun. 1973; Loc. no. 261 Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha; NMPC 05924; • 1 ♂; N. Iran, Kuh-e Tochal-top; 3500–4000 m a.s.l.; 16–26 Jul. 1977; Loc. no. 403 Exped. Nat. Mus. Praha; HMIM 02526 • 5 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; HMIM 02527 to 02529, 02589, 02531 • 1 ♀; Tehran Province, Dizin, Velāyatrud; 36°09’03”N, 51°22’12”E; 2250 m a.s.l.; 30 May 1991; Ebrahimi E., Badii M. leg.; HMIM 02593 • 1 ♀; Khorāsān-e Razavi Province, Ghoochan, Emamgholi, Chovinli; 37°27’59”N, 58°34’45”E; 2300 m a.s.l.; 1 Jun. 2006; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM 02542. — TURKMENISTAN • 1 ♀; Ahal Region, Gökdepe District, SW of Geok Tepe; 38°04’52”N, 57°52’48”E; 8 May 1988; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN 05803 • 1 ♀; Ahal Region, Gökdepe District, SW of Geok Tepe; 38°04’52”N, 57°52’48”E; 11 May 1988; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN 05849.

Figure 6. 

Metabasotarsomere. A–F M. smirnovi, G M. turkestanicus, H–K M. oidipous, L–N M. tarsatus. (A, B, H, I, L, M) male, (C–G, J, K, N) female; (A, E, F, H, K, N) lateral view, (B–D, I, J, L) ventral view, (G, M) dorsal view. Arrows mark length of brush-like area of dense pile. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–L, N), 1 mm (M).

IRAN • 1 ♀; Fārs Province, Road Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid; 29°30’N, 52°E; 29 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; Paratype of Merodon ankylogaster; NBCN 02591.

Figure 7. 

Metatarsi. A–C M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., D, E M. hypochrysos. (A, D, E) male, (B, C) female; (A) ventro-lateral view, (D) ventral view, (B, C, E) lateral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–C), 1 mm (D, E).

Medium sized (8–10 mm), medium long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Figs 19A, 21A); antennae reddish-brown, basoflagellomere elongated, 1.8–1.9 times as long as wide with convex dorsal margin (Figs 10A, 12A); femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly yellow (Figs 14A, 16A); body pile whitish, yellow to gray. Male: metafemur broad, about 3.7–3.8 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 14A); basotarsomere of metatarsus less expanded, about 1.3 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 7A), with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 7A), and ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in basal half (Fig. 7A); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular (Fig. 14A); sternum 4 with long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4A); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe rectangular with convex ventral margin (Fig. 22A: al), and posterior surstyle lobe broad, trapezoidal, with angular protrusion on the margin (Fig. 22A: pl); ejaculatory apodeme as long as broad (Fig. 22C: ea); lingula elongated and narrow (Fig. 22C: l). Female: tarsi brown (Fig. 16A), second tarsomere of metaleg longer, about half of basotarsomere (Fig. 7B, C); frons with broad lateral pollinose vittae along eye margins (Fig. 29A); terga 3–4 usually with narrow fasciae, extends less than 1/6 of the length of terga (Fig. 21A).

Figure 8. 

Metabasotarsomere. A–D M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., E M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., F–H M. marginicornis. (A, B, E–G) male, (C, D, H) female; (A, G) dorso-lateral view, (B, D, F) ventral view, (C, E, H) lateral view. Arrow marks length of brush-like area of dense pile. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Male clearly differs from Merodon rufitarsis by a longer basotarsomere of metaleg in M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. (Fig. 14A), while shorter in M. rufitarsis (Fig. 15C); by presence of ventrolateral row of setae on basotarsomere of metaleg in M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. (Fig. 7A), while absent in M. rufitarsis; and by the shape of the surstyle lobes of male genitalia (Fig. 22A, B, D, E).

Figure 9. 

Metabasotarsomere of male. A–C M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., D M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., E–F M. turkestanicus. (A) dorsal view, (B, D, E) lateral view, (C, F) ventral view. Arrows mark length of brush-like area of dense pile. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–D, F), 0.75 mm (E).

MALE. Head: Antenna reddish-brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10A) elongated, about 1.8–1.9 times as long as wide, and about 2 times as long as pedicel, convex dorsally, strongly tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 10A: f); arista black, 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 8–12 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black, anterior part pollinose; vertex with long, gray-yellowish 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. 30A); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 2–2.5 : 1 : 1.2–2. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect yellow to white pile; scutum with four 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; calypteres pale yellow; halter brown; femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly yellow; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately broad, about 3.7–3.8 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about 2/3 of width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 14A); apicomedial lamina on metatibia small, covered with a few long gray pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus about 1.3 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 7A), with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 7A), and ventrally with weakly defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 7A). — Abdomen (Fig. 19A): About 1.3 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 each with pair of narrow white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga gray-whitish except black pilosity on medial part of terga 2 and 3; sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe rectangular with convex ventral margin, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense, short pile (Fig. 22A, B: al); posterior surstyle lobe broad, trapezoidal, with angular protrusion on lateral margin (Fig. 22A, B: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 22A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections (Fig. 22C); lingula very elongated and narrow (Fig. 22C: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere about 2.2 times longer than wide (Fig. 12A); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins (Fig. 29A); frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile, intermixed with black pile; ocellar triangle covered with gray to whitish pile, mixed with black ones (Fig. 29A); medial part of terga 2–4 usually with short adpressed black pile; pollinose fasciae on terga 2–4 extends less than 1/6 of length of terga (Fig. 21A); basotarsomere of metatarsus brown, with a few distinct spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae, and in ventral view more or less with parallel margins; length of second tarsomere of metaleg subequal to or less than half length of basotarsomere (Fig. 16A).

Figure 10. 

Basoflagellomere of male, lateral view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., D M. marginicornis, E M. smirnovi, F M. turkestanicus. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

The name “angustitarsis”, as arbitrary combination, derives from the Latin adjective “angustus” meaning narrow, and the noun “tarsus” referring to the fifth part (terminal segments) of the leg. This describes the distinctive narrow shape of the basotarsomere of the metaleg.

Figure 11. 

Basoflagellomere of male, lateral view. A M. hypochrysos, B M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. oidipous, D M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., E M. rufitarsis, F M. tarsatus. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Merodon angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. occurs in Iran and in southern Turkmenistan (Fig. 27). It was found within a cold-desert steppe scrubland ecosystem with Artemisia sieberi – Zygophyllum sp. as dominant vegetation type, cold and arid semi steppe scrubland and grasslands ecosystem (Astragalus spp.), and cold and humid prairies ecosystem (Trifolium spp.) (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020). These localities belong to four ecoregions: Elburz range forest steppe, Kopet Dag woodlands and forest steppe, Zagros mountains forest steppe, and Central Persian desert basins (Olson et al. 2001). Nesen, the locality where the holotype of M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. was collected, is a mountainous area located in Alborz mountain range with very cold winters and moderate warm summers (–30 to 20°C), and 400–500 mm annual precipitation; Plantago major L. and Allium ursinum L. are the dominant plant species. Most paratypes of M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. were collected in Tochal, a mountainous area located in the Alborz mountain range, with 16.7°C average annual temperature and 300–400 mm annual precipitation; Astragalus spp. are the dominant plant species of this area. Other paratypes were collected in mountainous areas of: Dizin, located in the central part of the Alborz mountain range with very cold winters and moderate summers (-20 to 20°C), with Juniperus spp., Rhus coriaria L., Crataegus pontica K. Koch., and Thymus vulgaris L. as the dominant plant species; Chovinli, with very cold winters and moderate summers, with 310 mm annual precipitation and 12.5°C average annual temperature, with Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb., Ficus carica L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., Celtis australis L., and Atriplex spp. as the dominant plant species; Sānij, a semi-arid mountainous area close to the Zāgros mountain range with cold winters and hot summers (12 to 34°C), with 300–350 mm annual precipitation, with Zygophyllum atriplicoides subsp. eurypterum (Boiss. & Buhse) Popov, Artemisia sieberi Besser, and Lactuca orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. as the dominant plant species. On the basis of our data the flight period is from late April to July, mostly independent of altitude.

Figure 12. 

Basoflagellomere of female, lateral view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. smirnovi. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

ISRAEL: Mount Hermon [Hebrew: Har Hermon]; 2000 m a.s.l.

Holotype : ♂; TAUI 04907 [specimen dry pinned, in very good condition with genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “ISRAEL: Har / Hermon, 2000m / 12.vi.1996 / A. Friedberg”, “04907”. — Paratypes: IRAN • 1 ♀; Kermān Province, Bāft County, Deh Sard; 28°45’22”N, 56°31’22”E; 2280 m a.s.l.; 22 Apr. 2006; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM 02571 • 1 ♂; Kermān Province, Bāft County, Ghale Asgar; 29°30’13”N, 56°38’19”E; 2740 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian M. leg.; HMIM 02570 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; HMIM 02534 • 1 ♂; Kermān Province, Rayen District, Kuh-e Hazaran; 29°30’42”N, 57°16’18”E; 3800 m a.s.l.; 25 May 1978; Warncke K. leg.; NBCN 04151 • 1 ♀; Fārs Province, Sepidān; 30°16’20”N, 51°59’04”E; 2510 m a.s.l.; 9 May 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian M. leg.; HMIM 02533 • 1 ♀; Isfahān Province [Esfahān Province], Fereydunshahr, Kamaran; 2600 m a.s.l.; 1 Jul. 2004; Gilasian E., Serri S., Ziegler J., Frisch J. leg.; HMIM 02535. — ISRAEL • 1 ♀; Mount Hermon [Hebrew: Har Hermon]; 2000 m a.s.l.; 8 Jun. 1975; Kaplan M. leg.; NBCN 02573 • 2 ♂♂; Mount Hermon [Hebrew: Har Hermon]; 2000 m a.s.l.; 12 Jun. 1996; Merz B., Friedberg A. leg.; NBCN 02572, 04096 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; NBCN 04095 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; Friedberg A. leg.; TAUI 04957 • 1 ♀; Mount Hermon [Hebrew: Har Hermon]; 2100 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 1999; Friedberg A. leg.; TAUI 04908.

Figure 13. 

Basoflagellomere of female, lateral view. A M. hypochrysos, B M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., C M. marginicornis, D M. oidipous, E M. rufitarsis, F M. tarsatus. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Medium to large (10–13 mm), long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Figs 20A, 21B); antennae reddish to dark brown, basoflagellomere elongated, 1.9–2 times as long as wide with straight to convex dorsal margin (Figs 10B, 12B); basotarsomere of all legs with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 8A–D); femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi from black to partly brown-reddish (Figs 14B, 16B); body pile whitish, yellow to gray. Male: metafemur moderately curved, broad, about 3 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 14B); basotarsomere of metatarsus less expanded, about 2 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 14B), with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 8A, B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in basal half (Fig. 8B); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4B); male genitalia: posterior surstyle lobe broad and oval, anterior surstyle lobe oval, enlarged, and longer than posterior surstyle lobe (Fig. 23A, B: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme large, about as long as broad (Fig. 23C: ea); lingula narrow and medium size (Fig. 23C: l). Female: tarsi at least on metaleg brown dorsally; basotarsomere of metatarsus from ventral view with parallel margins and without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 8C, D), while spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae very strong and distinct; frons with narrow lateral vittae along eye margins, medially with shiny vitta (Fig. 29B); terga 3–4 usually with broad fasciae, extends about 1/4 of the length of the terga (Fig. 21B).

Male clearly differs from similar species, Merodon latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. and M. marginicornis by ventrolateral row of strong setae on basotarsomere of all legs (Fig. 8A, B), absent in M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. and weaker in M. marginicornis (Fig. 8F, G); by shorter basotarsomere of metaleg in M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (about 2.5 times longer than second tarsomere) (Fig. 15K) in regard to M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. (about 3.5 times longer) (Fig. 15J); by the shape of basoflagellomere (Fig. 10B–D); and by the shape of the male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe broad and oval (Fig. 23A, B: al), while smaller and narrower in M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. (Fig. 23D, E: al) and M. marginicornis (Fig. 23G, H: al).

Male. Head: Antenna reddish to dark brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10B) elongated, about 1.9–2 times as long as wide, about 2 times as long as pedicel, convex dorsally in basal corner, strongly tapered to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 10B); arista black and thickened at basal third; face and frons black with sparse 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 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black, anterior part pollinose; vertex with long, gray-yellowish 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. 31A); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 3 : 1 : 2.5. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect pale yellow to white pile; scutum without 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 brown; femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi black to partly brown-reddish; pile on legs pale yellow-white; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately curved, broad, about 3 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about 2/3 of width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 14B); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with tuft of long orange pile; basotarsomere of all legs with ventrolateral row of long, strong setae (Fig. 8A, B); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 8A, B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in basal half (Fig. 8B). — Abdomen: About 1.3 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, medial part of terga 3–4 (and 2) usually with short black pile (Fig. 20A); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe oval and enlarged, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense, short pile (Fig. 23A, B: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval and broad (Fig. 23A, B: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 23A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections (Fig. 23C); lingula narrow and medium sized (Fig. 23C: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere about 1.7 times longer than wide (Fig. 12B); 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 ones (Fig. 29B); 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. 21B); basotarsomere of metatarsus brown dorsally, at least on metaleg, less expanded, in ventral view with parallel margins and without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 8C, D); spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae very strong and distinct.

The name “dumosus” is a Latin adjective in masculine, derived from the noun “dumus” meaning “overgrown with thorns”. This term refers to a row of strong setae on the basotarsomere.

Merodon dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. occurs in Iran and Israel (Fig. 28). Its Iranian localities are within arid and semi-arid forests ecosystem with Quercus brantii Lindl. as the dominant vegetation type, cold-desert steppe scrubland ecosystem (Artemisia sieberi – Zygophyllum sp.), and cold and arid semi steppe scrubland and grasslands ecosystem (Astragalus spp.) (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020). These ecosystems belong to ecoregions of the Zagros mountains forest steppe and Central Persian desert basins (Olson et al. 2001). Iranian localities in the Zāgros mountain range include: Fereydounshahr, a mountainous area with very cold winters and moderate summers, with 11.5°C average annual temperature and 550 mm annual precipitation, with Lamiaceae, Fabacaea, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae and Brassicaceae as dominant plant families; Deh Sard, a mountainous area with very cold winters and moderate summers, with 250 mm annual precipitation and 20°C average annual temperature, with Amygdalus spp., Pistacia atlantica Desf., Ebenus stellata Boiss., Stipa barbata Desf., Poa sinaica Steud. as dominant plant species; Sepidān, a semi-arid and cold mountainous area with very cold winters and moderate summers, with 14.8°C average annual temperature and 695 mm annual precipitation, with Acer monspessulanum L., Amygdalus elaeagnifolia Spach., Berberis integerrima Bunge, Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L., Fraxinus rotundifolia Miller, Cotoneaster persica Pojark, Pyrus spp. as dominant plant species. Rayen is a dry and cold mountainous area with cold winters and hot summers (–1 to 40°C), with less than 300 mm annual precipitation, with Astragalus spp., Nepeta spp., Acantholimon spp., Artemisia aucheri Boiss., Ferula aucheri (Boiss.) Piwczynski, Spalik, M. Panahi & Puchalka as dominant plant species. The western part of the range of M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. belongs to the Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests ecoregion; in Israel this species was registered only in a locality on Mount Hermon with montane forest dominated by Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris (A. Kern.) Meikle, Q. libani G. Olivier, Juniperus drupacea Labill., and Acer monspessulanum subsp. microphyllum (Boiss.) Bornm., accompanied by Mediterranean maquis and semi-steppe bathas (Danin 1988). On the basis of our data the flight period is from April to early July.

Hurkmans & Friedberg identified this species in an unpublished manuscript.

Turkey, Adiyaman province; Iran, Fārs province.

Merodon ankylogaster Hurkmans: Original description was based on male holotype and female paratype from the same locality (Hurkmans 1993). —

Figure 14. 

Metaleg of male, lateral view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. hypochrysos, D M. marginicornis, E M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., F M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. Scale bar: 1 mm.

IRAN • ♂; Fārs Province, Road Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid; 29°35’N, 52°E; 29 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; NBCN [specimen dry pinned, head glued on the locality label, right mesoleg, left metaleg and right tarsi are missing, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “Iran, Fars 1937 / Rd Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun / Fort Sine-Sefid / coll F.H. Brandt 29.IV.” [written with pencil], “Holotype of / Merodon ankylo- / gaster Hurkmans” [red label handwritten], “Museum Leiden / Collectie / Van Doesburg / rec.1973”, “Lampetia ♂ batumica Param. / det. v. Doesburg ”, “02559”. — Paratype. IRAN • 1 ♀; Fārs Province, Road Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid; 29°35’N, 52°E; 29 Apr. 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; NBCN.

Merodon hypochrysos Hurkmans: Original description was based on holotype and 20 paratypes from Hakkari province in Turkey (Hurkmans 1993). This species was described based on only males and classified as member of “alexeji group” (= serrulatus group) by Hurkmans (1993). — Holotype: TURKEY • ♂; Adiyaman, 10 km North of Celikhan, Alti Haral Gölű; 38°05’N, 38°22’E; 1450 m a.s.l.; 1 Jul. 1986; Lucas J.A.W. leg.; NBCN [specimen dry pinned]. Original label: “Turkey, Adiyaman, 10 kms. North of Celikhan, Alti Haral Gölű (38°05’N, 38°22’E), 1450 m, 1.vii.1986, leg. Lucas”. — Paratypes: TURKEY • 20 ♂♂; Hakkari, Sat Dağlari, Varegös; 37°25’N, 43°55’E; 1600–1650 m a.s.l.; 15–18 Jun. 1984; Lucas J.A.W. leg.; NBCN.

Hurkmans designated Merodon ankylogaster as a member of the “tarsatus group”. The male holotype of M. ankylogaster, designated by Hurkmans (1993), belongs to M. hypochrysos. Based on prior citation of M. hypochrysos in the same publication, M. ankylogaster becomes a junior synonym. The character of elongated basoflagellomere with pointed apex clearly shows that the female paratype of M. ankylogaster does not belong to M. hypochrysos, but to M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. here described (in M. hypochrysos basoflagellomere short with rounded apex).

IRAN • 1 ♂; Kermān Province, Bāft County, Ghale Asgar; 29°30’13”N, 56°38’19”E; 2740 m a.s.l.; 3 May 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian M. leg.; HMIM • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Fārs 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; Obořil M. leg.; J.H. coll. • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Fārs Province, Dasht-e Arjan; 29°37’48”N, 51°54’43”E; 2040 m a.s.l.; 5 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province, Yāsuj, 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 ♀; Isfahān Province (Esfahān Province), Semirom County, Kommeh; 31°01’01”N, 51°35’28”E; 2760 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2007; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM • 5 ♂♂; Lorestān Province, Dorud County, Lanjabad; 33°25’08”N, 48°59’10”E; 950 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 1 ♂; Lorestān Province, Dorud County, Lanjabad; 33°25’59”N, 49°01’44”E; 670 m a.s.l. (+/-300 m); 11 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 2 ♀♀; Lorestān Province, Dorud County, Lanjabad; 33°25’59”N, 49°01’44”E; 1670 m a.s.l.; 10–11 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 2 ♂♂; Tehran Province, Damāvand Village, Damāvand Mt area, 75 km NE Teheran (Tehran); 35°58’32”N, 52°06’20”E; 27 Jul. 1976; Lavalle A.G. leg.; USNM ENT 00036574, USNM ENT 00036575, 05120 (NMNH) • 1 ♂; East Azerbāijan Province, Arasbārān, Keleybar forest; 38°50’29”N, 47°00’02”E; Khaghaninia S. leg.; MMH 10277. — ISRAEL • 1 ♂; Mount Hermon; 2000 m a.s.l.; 8 Jun. 1975; Friedberg A. leg.; TAUI • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 12 Jun. 1996 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 30 May 1979; Kaplan M. leg. • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 20 May 1986; Eldar G. leg. • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 12 Jun. 1996; Merz B., Friedberg A. leg.; NBCN 02561. — TURKEY • 1 ♀; Hakkari, Sat Dağlari, Varegös; 37°25’N, 43°55’E; 2000 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 1984; Warncke K. leg.; NBCN 04211 • 1 ♂; Adiyaman Province, Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dağı); 1600 m a.s.l.; 1 Jun. 1983; Schacht W. leg.; D.D. coll. • 1 ♂; Adiyaman Province, Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dağı); 9 Jun. 1996; Snizek M. leg.; D.D. coll.

Small sized (6–8 mm), short to medium long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Fig. 20B); antennae dark brown, basoflagellomere short, about 1.6 times as long as wide, with concave dorsal margin and rounded apex (Figs 11A, 13A); femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow (Figs 14C, 17A); body pile whitish, yellow to gray. Male: metafemur broad, about 3 times longer than wide, covered with shorter pile, except a few long pile ventrally (Fig. 14C); basotarsomere of metatarsus with parallel margins from dorsal view, about 1.3 times broader than the second tarsomere, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 7D, E); ventral margin of metatrochanter rounded; sternum 4 with medium sized laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4C); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe oval, elongated, and posterior surstyle lobe broad, triangular to trapezoid (Fig. 22G, H: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme broader than long (Fig. 22I: ea); lingula very elongated and narrow (Fig. 22I: l). Female: basoflagellomere short and rounded (Fig. 13A); tarsi black to brown; basotarsomere of metaleg with very short pilosity, without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile ventrally.

Differs from other species from the Merodon tarsatus group by shorter pilosity on metafemur (especially dorsally), with pile shorter than base of metatibia in lateral view (Figs 14C, 17A); by shorter basoflagellomere with rounded apex (Figs 11A, 13A); by male basotarsomere of metatarsus narrow in lateral view (Fig. 7E) and with parallel margins from ventral view (Fig. 7D); and by characteristic shape of the surstyle lobes in male genitalia (Fig. 22G, H).

Male. Head: Antenna dark brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 11A) short, about 1.6 times as long as wide, about 2 times as long as pedicel, concave dorsally, rounded at apex; fossette dorsolateral and small (Fig. 11A); arista brown 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 small, with sparse microtrichia; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity short, about 4–6 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black (except in front of ocellar triangle); vertex with gray-yellowish pile, 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. 31B); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 4 : 1 : 2.5. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect yellow to white pile; scutum without 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-whitish; ventral margin of metatrochanter rounded; metafemur moderately broad, about 3 times longer than wide, with shorter pilosity, except a few longer pile on ventral surface, about half of width of metafemur (Fig. 14C); apicomedial lamina on metatibia very small, covered with a few white pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus not expanded, about 1.3 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 7E), 2 times longer than broad, with parallel margins in dorsal view, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile, without spine-like setae along ventrolateral margin (Fig. 7D, E). — Abdomen (Fig. 20B): Short pilose, about 1.1 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 without or with poorly visible pair of narrow, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga gray-whitish, medial part of terga 3–4 usually with black pile; sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile; sternum 4 with medium sized laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4C). — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe oval and elongated, about 2 times longer than wide, covered with dense, short pile (Fig. 22G, H: al); posterior surstyle lobe broad, triangular to trapezoidal (Fig. 22G, H: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 22G: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula very elongated and narrow (Fig. 22I: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere short, about 1.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 13A); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with intermixed gray-yellow and black 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 more distinct; basotarsomere of metatarsus longer, 2.5 times longer than broad (Fig. 17A).

Merodon hypochrysos occurs in the region of the Middle East, including Iran, Israel and southeastern Turkey (Fig. 26). It was recorded in Iran within arid and semi-arid forests ecosystem with Quercus brantii as 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). These localities belong to ecoregions of the Zagros mountains forest steppe and Elburz range forest steppe (Olson et al. 2001). Iranian collection sites of M. hypochrysos in the Zāgros mountain range include: Yāsuj, with very cold winters and moderate summers, 15.2°C average annual temperature and 864 mm annual precipitation, with Quercus persica Jaub. & Spach 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 (Spach) C. K. Schneid) (‘Arjan’ in Persian) as dominant plant species; Dorud, with cold winters and moderate summers, 670 mm annual precipitation, with Asteraceae, Papilionaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae as dominant plant families; Semirom, with very cold winters and moderate summers, 335 mm annual precipitation and 12.5°C average annual temperature, with Astragalus verus Olivier, Poa bulbosa L. and Bromus tomentellus Boiss. as dominant plant species. Damāvand is located close to the highest mountain in Iran with the same name Damāvand with 5671 m a.s.l, in the Alborz mountain range, with cold winters and moderate summers, with 540 mm annual precipitation and with about 10°C average annual temperature; 370 plant species belonging to 206 genera and 56 families have been recorded from this area; Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicacaea and Caryophyllaceae are dominant plant families in this area. The Keleybar forest, with 400–600 mm annual precipitation and about 10°C average annual temperature is located in the north-east of Iran; Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Carpinus betulus L. and Cornus mas L. are the dominant plant species in this area. The western part of the range of M. hypochrysos (Turkey and Israel) belongs to the Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests. The vegetation of this ecoregion includes maquis, coniferous forests of Pinus halepensis Mill. and P. brutia Ten., dry Quercus spp. woodlands and steppe formations (WWF 2022). The montane forest of Mt. Hermon (locality in Israel) is dominated by Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris, Q. libani, Juniperus drupacea, and Acer monspessulanum subsp. microphyllum, accompanied by Mediterranean maquis and semi-steppe bathas (Danin 1988). On the basis of our data the flight period is from early May to late July.

AFGHANISTAN: Kabul Province, Paghman District, Paghman; 2500–2600 m a.s.l.

Holotype : ♂; SIZK 25352 [specimen dry pinned in good condition, the right wing is glued on locality label, right meso- and metaleg are missing, taken for molecular analysis, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “AFGHANISTAN / KABUL PROV., PAGHMAN / H=2500–2600m / 9.06.2016 O. PAK”, “TS797”, “25352”. — Paratypes: AFGHANISTAN • 1 ♀; Kabul Province, Paghman District, Paghman; 2600 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 2010; SIZK 25353 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 2700 m a.s.l.; SIZK • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; Pak O. leg. • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 1 Jul. 2013 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 4 Jul. 2013 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 2 Jul. 2013; Skrylnik Yu. leg. • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 2500–2600 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2016; Pak O. leg.

Figure 15. 

A–I Metaleg of male, lateral view J, K metatarsus, dorsal view. A, J M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., B M. oidipous, C M. rufitarsis, D M. smirnovi, E–G M. tarsatus, H, I M. turkestanicus, K M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. Abbreviation: mt – metatrochanter. Scale bars: 1 mm (A–I), 0.5 mm (J, K).

Small (7–8 mm), dark species, with bluish reflection (Fig. 20C); antennae orange (Figs 10C, 13B), basoflagellomere short, broad, triangular, about as long as wide, with large dorsal fossette in male, which extends laterally and medially (Fig. 10C); femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow (Figs 15A, 16C); body pile whitish to gray. Male: eyes dichoptic, separated by distance of three facets (Fig. 31C); metafemur about 3.2 times longer than wide, covered with medium long pilosity (Fig. 15A); basotarsomere of metatarsus elongated, more than 4 times longer than the second tarsomere, less expanded, about 1.5 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 15A), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended in 3/4 of its length (Figs 8E, 15A); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5A); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe rounded, and posterior surstyle lobe short and broad (Fig. 23D, E: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme much broader than long (Fig. 23F: ea); lingula very elongated and rugose on ventral margin (Fig. 23F: l). Female: basoflagellomere and tarsi orange-brown; basotarsomere of metaleg long and narrow, more than 3 times longer than the second tarsomere with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile ventrally (Fig. 16C).

Figure 16. 

Metaleg of female, lateral view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., D M. marginicornis, E M. oidipous, F M. rufitarsis. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Similar to Merodon marginicornis from which male differs in shorter and less spiky basoflagellomere (Fig. 10C), while strongly tapered to the apex and longer in M. marginicornis (Fig. 10D); and by basotarsomere of metaleg with brush-like area of dense pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 8E), while in M. marginicornis in basal half (Fig. 8F). Clearly differs from male of M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. by more elongated basotarsomere of the metaleg, more than 3.5 times longer than the second tarsomere in M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. (Fig. 15J), while about 2.5 times in M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 15K); by the absence of a ventrolateral row of strong setae on basotarsomere of all legs, while is present in M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 8A, B); by shape of basoflagellomere (Fig. 10B, C); and by the shape of the male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe smaller and narrower (Fig. 23D, E: al), while in M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. broad and oval (Fig. 23A, B: al). Female can be differentiated from M. marginicornis by narrow, elongated basotarsomere of metaleg (Fig. 16C), while broader and shorter in M. marginicornis (Fig. 16D).

Figure 17. 

Metaleg of female, lateral view. A M. hypochrysos, B M. tarsatus, C M. smirnovi. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Male. Head: Antenna orange; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10C) short, broad, triangular, about as long as wide, about 1.3 times as long as pedicel, with large dorsal fossette which extends laterally and medially (Fig. 10C); 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; eyes dichoptic, separated by distance of three facets (Fig. 31C); vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with gray-yellowish pile; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with white-gray pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 31C); vertical triangle: frons = 1.5 : 1. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black, covered with erect gray to white pile; scutum without 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 dark brown; calypter yellow; halter brown-yellow; femora black, tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur about 3.2 times longer than wide, with medium long pile on ventral surface, about half of width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 15A); apicomedial lamina on metatibia small, covered with long yellowish pile; ventrolateral row of setae on basotarsomere of all legs present, but less distinct; basotarsomere of metatarsus not expanded, about 1.5 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 15A), about 3.5 times longer than second tarsomere (Fig. 15J), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 15A). — Abdomen (Fig. 20C): About 1.2 times longer than mesonotum; terga black with bluish lustre; terga 2–4 each with pairs of indistinct, white pollinose fascia; pile on terga gray-whitish; sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile; sternum 4 with long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5A). — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe rounded, about as long as wide, covered with dense, short pile (Fig. 23D, E: al); posterior surstyle lobe short and broad (Fig. 23D, E: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 23D: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; ejaculatory apodeme extremely broad (Fig. 23F: ea); lingula very long and rugose on ventral margin (Fig. 23F: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere orange-brown, tapering to apex, about 2 times longer than wide, with small fossette (Fig. 13B); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered with gray to whitish pile 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 more distinct; basotarsomere of metatarsus elongated, about 3.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 16C), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile, but less defined than in males.

Figure 18. 

Metatibia of male. A M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., B M. turkestanicus. (A) lateral view, (B) medial view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

The name “latiantennatus”, as arbitrary combination, is derived from the Latin adjectives “latus” meaning “wide, broad” and “antennatus” meaning “having antenna”, referring to the shape of the male basoflagellomere.

Merodon latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. has so far only been recorded in eastern Afghanistan (Fig. 26), at the foot of the southern Hindu Kush mountain range (at 2500–2700 m a.s.l.). It was collected at only one locality which belongs to the Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands (Olson et al. 2001), an open woodland ecoregion, characterized by Prunus L. trees at 2000–2800 m a.s.l. marking the transition zone between Pistacia atlantica communities at lower altitudes and higher sub-alpine vegetation. The main vegetation types in the area are Thorny Cushions, subalpine and alpine semi deserts, dry steppes, and meadows (a mixture of several plant formations), and Amygdalus-Woodlands (Breckle 2007). The Amygdalus scrublands (often intermixed with the Pistacia woodlands) are rich in geophytes such as Eremurus M. Bieb., Tulipa L., Iris Tourn. ex L., Allium spp., Gagea Salisb., Corydalis D.C., and Rheum L. The type locality of M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. is presented on Fig. 32D. On the basis of our data the flight period is from June and July.

Iran, Fārs province, Shirāz.

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 Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković 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 Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., B M. hypochrysos, C M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., D M. marginicornis, E M. oidipous, F M. turkestanicus. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Hurkmans designated M. xanthipous as a member of “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 Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. marginicornis, D M. rufitarsis, E M. tarsatus. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Additional material examined. IRAN • 1 ♂; Fārs 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 ♂♂; Fārs 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; Obořil M. leg.; J.H. coll. 18257, 18258, 18259 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; J.H. coll. 18269, 18275 • 1 ♂; Fārs Province, Sepidān; 30°17’13”N, 51°58’15”E; 2540 m a.s.l., 8 May 2007; Gilasian E., Nematian M. leg.; HMIM 04460 • 1 ♀; Kermān Province, Māhān 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, Yāsuj, 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 ♀; Isfahān Province (Esfahān 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 ♀; Chāhārmahāl & Bakhtiāri Province, 30 km SE of Lordegān; 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, Gökdepe 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.

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 Vujić, 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 Vujić, 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 Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 8E). Clearly differs from M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković 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 Vujić, Likov & Radenković 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 Vujić, Likov & Radenković 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).

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).

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 Zāgros mountain range include: Sepidān, 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; Yāsuj, 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; Lordegān, 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.

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 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 tarsatus group.

IRAN: Razavi Khorasan Province, Torbat-e Jām County, Bezd village, 20 km SW of Torbat-e-Jām; 35°21’00”N, 60°44’00”E; 1274 m a.s.l.

Holotype : ♂; FSUNS [specimen dry pinned, right mesoleg and metaleg except tarsi are missing taken for molecular analysis, left metatarsi are glued on triangular shaped paper pinned with the source specimen, genitalia and right metatarsi are in separate microvials]. Original labels: “Iran, Bezd village, / 20km south west Torbat-e-jam / 35°21’N 60°44’E, 1274m / 08.05.2015. / Leg. Amirreza Bidel”, “Hussein Sadeghi coll. Iran”, “117”, “13262”, “TS879”, “Merodon Merodon / det. A. Vujic 2016”.

Figure 22. 

Male genitalia. A–C M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., D–F M. rufitarsis, G–I M. hypochrysos. (A, B, D, E, G, H) epandrium, (C, F, I) hypandrium. (A, C, D, F, G, I) lateral view, (B, E, H) ventral view. Abbreviations: al – anterior surstyle lobe, c – cercus, ea – ejaculatory apodeme, l – lingula, pl – posterior surstyle lobe. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Medium sized (10 mm), long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Fig. 19B); antennae dark brown, basoflagellomere elongated, 2.4 times as long as wide (Fig. 11B); legs entirely black (Fig. 18A); body pile pale yellow to gray. Male: eyes dichoptic, separated by distance of 2–3 facets (Fig. 31G); metafemur broad, about 3.3 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 14E); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2.5 times broader than the second tarsomere, ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 9B, C); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with very long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4D); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe rectangular and posterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 1G: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme large, broader than long (Fig. 2D: ea); lingula elongated and narrow (Fig. 2D: l).

Similar to Merodon turkestanicus from which differs in shape and size of basotarsomere of metaleg, broader in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 9A–C) and narrower in M. turkestanicus (Fig. 9E, F); and by the shape of male genitalia: ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe angular (Fig. 1G) and ejaculatory apodeme wider than basal width of hypandrium in lateral view (Fig. 2D), while in M. turkestanicus ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 1E) and ejaculatory apodeme narrower than basal width of hypandrium in lateral view (Fig. 2C). Differs from M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. smirnovi and M. tarsatus by dichoptic eyes (Fig. 31G), holoptic in these three species with eye contiguity more than 6 facets long (Fig. 30C, E, F).

Description. Male. Head: Antenna dark brown to black; basoflagellomere (Fig. 11B) elongated about 2.4 times as long as wide, more than 2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 11B); arista dark and thickened at basal third; face and frons black with gray microtrichia; face covered with dense whitish-yellow pile, frons with gray-yellowish pile; oral margin black; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye dichoptic, separated for length of 2–3 facets (Fig. 31G); vertex isosceles (Fig. 31G), shiny black; vertex with long, pale gray-yellowish pile, mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral (Fig. 31G); occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 31G); vertical triangle: frons = 1.2 : 1. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect yellowish pile; scutum without 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 pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypter pale yellow; halter yellow; legs black; pile on legs pale yellow to whitish; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately broad, about 3.3 times longer than wide, with pile on ventral surface as long as width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 14E); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long yellow pile (Fig. 18A); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2.5 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 9B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extending 3/4 of its length (Fig. 9B, C). — Abdomen: About 1.2 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 without white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish (Fig. 19B); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish-yellow pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe rectangular, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 1G: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 1G: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 1G: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections (Fig. 2D); lingula elongated and narrow (Fig. 2D: l). — Female. Unknown.

The new species “namaghijamii” was named after the famous Persian writer, poet: Ahmad Ibn Abolhasan Jāmi-e Nāmaghi-e Torshizi. He was born in Namagh, Iran (1048) and died in Torbat-e Jām, Iran (1141). The holotype was collected from the county named Torbat-e-Jām, located near the border of Iran and Afghanistan. This name was proposed by Hussein Sadeghi Namaghi from Iran. A noun in the genitive case.

Merodon namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. has only been recorded in northeastern Iran so far (Fig. 28). Its only known locality is within the cold-desert steppe scrubland ecosystem, with Artemisia sieberi – Zygophyllum sp. as dominant vegetation type (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020). It belongs to the Central Persian desert basins ecoregion (Olson et al. 2001). The single specimen of M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. was collected using a malaise trap, placed at the edge of an alfalfa field (Medicago sativa L.) in Bezd village in the vicinity of Torbat-e-Jām. Torbat-e Jām is located in northeastern Iran close to Afghanistan, with very hot summers and cold winters, with 26°C average annual temperature and 260 mm annual precipitation. Artemisia sieberi, Peganum harmala L. and Ziziphora tenuior L. are the dominant plant species in this area. On the basis of our data the flight period is May.

Turkey, Hakkari province; Iran, Fārs province.

Merodon persicus Hurkmans: Original description was based on one male specimen designated as holotype (Hurkmans 1993). — Holotype: IRAN • ♂; Fārs Province, Road Chiraz (Shiraz)-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid; 25 May 1937; Brandt F.H. leg.; NBCN [specimen dry pinned, left antenna, right proleg, left third, fourth and fifth tarsomeres, left metaleg, right fourth and fifth tarsomeres and genitalia are missing, left wing partly damaged. Metafemur glued on locality label together with some tarsomeres]. Original labels: “Iran Fars 1937 / Rd Chriraz-Kazeroun / Fort Sine-Sefid / coll F.H. Brandt 25.V.” [day and month with graphite pencil written], “Merodon persicus / HURKMANS / HOLOTYPE” [red label, handwritten], “Lampetia ♂ / smirnovi Param. / det. v. Doesburg” [Lampetia smirnovi handwritten], “Museum Leiden / Collectie / Van Doesburg / rec. 1973”, “LML-05-26”, “02590”. — Merodon Merodon Hurkmans: Original description was based on holotype and two paratypes from Hakkari province in Turkey (Hurkmans 1993). This species was described based on only males and classified as a member of “tarsatus group” by Hurkmans (1993). — Holotype: TURKEY • ♂; Hakkari, Suvarihalil pas W. side; 2100 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 1984; Lucas J.A.W. leg.; NBCN [specimen dry pinned in good condition, third, fourth and fifth tarsomeres of metaleg are missing, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “TURKIJE : Hakkâri / Suvarihalil pas / W. side 2100m / 14-6-1984 / Leg. J.A.W. Lucas”, “Holotype of Merodon / oidipous Hurkmans [handwritten, red label]”, “Merodon Merodon / Hurkmans 1993 / det. Vujić 2008”, “AM-05-45”, “02592”. — Paratypes: TURKEY • 2 ♂♂; Hakkari, Suvarihalil pas W. side; 2100 m a.s.l.; 14. Jun. 1984; Lucas J.A.W. leg.; NBCN.

Figure 23. 

Male genitalia. A–C M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., D–F M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., G–I M. marginicornis. (A, B, D, E, G, H) epandrium, (C, F, I) hypandrium; (A, C, D, F, G, I) lateral view, (B, E, H) ventral view. Abbreviations: al – anterior surstyle lobe, c – cercus, ea – ejaculatory apodeme, l – lingula, pl – posterior surstyle lobe. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Hurkmans designated Merodon persicus as a member of “tarsatus group”. Specimens described as M. oidipous and M. persicus belong to one species and based on prior citation of M. oidipous in the same publication, M. persicus becomes a junior synonym.

IRAN • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Fārs Province, Dasht-e Arjan; 29°33’07”N, 51°56’31”E; 2260 m a.s.l.; 5 May 2016; Kafka M. leg.; M. B. coll. • 1 ♂; Fārs 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; Obořil M. leg.; J.H. coll. • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; J.H. coll. 18265, 18273, 18275 • 1 ♂; Fārs Province, 10 km E Kazeroun; 29°34’00”N, 51°52’00”E; 1300 m a.s.l.; 23 May 2014; Halada J. leg.; M. B. coll. • 1 ♀; Fārs Province, 1 km W of Sangar; 29°59’50”N, 52°08’07”E; 2093 m a.s.l.; 4–5 May 2016; Obořil M. leg.; J.H. coll. 18268 • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province, Yāsuj, 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 ♂; Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province, 20 km S of Yāsuj (Jásúdž); 30°29’26”N, 51°39’27”E; 2144 m a.s.l.; 30 May 2015; Baňař P. leg.; J.H. coll. 18266 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; J.H. coll. 18272 • 1 ♂; Isfahān Province (Esfahān Province), Semirom County, Kommeh; 31°01’01”N, 51°35’28”E; 2760 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2007; Gilasian E. leg.; HMIM 04462.

Medium sized (8–11 mm), long pilose, dark species with olive-brown to bluish reflection (Fig. 20E); antennae reddish-brown to dark brown, basoflagellomere elongated, about 2 times as long as wide (Figs 11C, 13D); tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow (Figs 15B, 16E); body pile pale yellow to gray; sterna with long white pilosity. Male: metafemur curved, broad, about 3.2 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 15B); basotarsomere of metatarsus extremely expanded, more than 3 times broader than the second tarsomere (Figs 6H, I, 15B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile on basal 1/3 (Fig. 6H, I), with ventrolateral row of strong setae; sternum 4 with very long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 4E); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe enlarged and trapezoidal, posterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 24F, G: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme large, about as broad as long (Fig. 25C: ea); lingula elongated and narrow (Fig. 25C: l). Female: tarsi brown, at least dorsally; in ventral view broad, medially extended, but from lateral view with sunken and twisted ventral surface (Fig. 6J, K).

Similar to Merodon smirnovi and M. tarsatus from which differs in smaller ventral brush-like area of dense pile on basotarsomere of metaleg, limited to basal 1/3 (Fig. 6H, I), while is about 2/3 in M. smirnovi (Fig. 6A, B) and 3/4 in M. tarsatus (Fig. 6L); and by shape of the male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe as long as posterior surstyle lobe in M. oidipous (Fig. 24F: al), while is shorter in M. smirnovi (Fig. 24A, C: al) and M. tarsatus (Fig. 1A: al).

Male. Head: Antenna reddish-brown to dark brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 11C) elongated about 2 times as long as wide, about 2.2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 11C); arista dark and thickened at basal third; face and frons black to dark blue with gray microtrichia; face covered with dense whitish pile, frons with gray-yellowish pile; oral margin with sparse microtrichia; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity about 6–8 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long, pale yellow-whitish pile, in some cases mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 30B); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 3 : 1 : 2.5. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect, yellow pile; scutum usually without 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 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; metafemur broad, curved about 3.2 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about as long as width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 15B); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long pale yellow pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, more than 3 times broader than second tarsomere (Figs 6H, I, 15B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile limited to basal 1/3 (Fig. 6H, I), with ventrolateral row of strong setae (Fig. 6I). — Abdomen: About 1.3 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 each with pairs of narrow, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish, except medial part of terga 2–4 usually with short black pile (Fig. 20E); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish-yellow pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe enlarged and trapezoidal, covered with dense, short pile (Fig. 24F: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 24F: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 24F: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula elongated and narrow (Fig. 25C: l). — Female (first description). Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere slightly tapering to apex, about 1.5 times longer than wide (Fig. 13D); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins variable in shape and size; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered 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; basotarsomere of metatarsus brown (at least dorsally), from ventral view broad, medially extended, without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 6J), but from lateral view with sunken and twisted ventral surface (Fig. 6K); basotarsomere of metaleg with a few distinct strong spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae (Fig. 6J, K).

Figure 24. 

Male genitalia, epandrium. A–C M. smirnovi, D, E M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., F, G M. oidipous. (A, C, D, F) lateral view, (B, E, G) ventral view. Abbreviations: al – anterior surstyle lobe, c – cercus, pl – posterior surstyle lobe. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Merodon oidipous occurs in southern Iran and southeastern Turkey (Fig. 27). It was recorded within arid and semi-arid forests ecosystem with Quercus brantii as the dominant vegetation type, and cold and arid semi steppe scrubland and grasslands ecosystem (Astragalus spp.) (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020), at localities which belong to the Zagros mountains forest steppe ecoregion (Olson et al. 2001). Iranian collection sites of M. oidipous located in the Zāgros mountain range include: Yāsuj, 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 range of 853–3041 m a.s.l., with wild almond trees (Prunus scoparia) (‘Arjan’ in Persian) as the 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 the dominant plant species. On the basis of our data the flight period is May.

PAKISTAN: Balochistan Province, Qilla Saifullah District, Kan Mehtarzai.

Holotype : ♂; NARC 18120 [specimen dry pinned, the right wing, the head, antero-dorsal part of mesonotum and mesoleg without tarsomeres are glued on locality label, metaleg taken for molecular analysis, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “Kan Mwhterzai / (Qilla Saifulah) / 27-v-2017 / Banafsha”, “10 [serial number] ♂”, “18120”, “TS512”.

Medium sized (10 mm), long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection; antennae black, basoflagellomere 1.8 times as long as wide (Fig. 11D); legs mostly black (Fig. 14F); body pile pale yellow to gray. Male: metafemur about 3.4 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 14F); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than the second tarsomere (Figs 9D, 14F), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for more than 1/2 of its length (Fig. 9D); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with long laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5C); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe rectangular, posterior surstyle lobe trapezoidal (Fig. 24D: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad (Fig. 25B: ea); lingula small and narrow (Fig. 25B: l).

Figure 25. 

Male genitalia, hypandrium, lateral view. A M. smirnovi, B M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C M. oidipous. Abbreviations: ea – ejaculatory apodeme, l – lingula. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Differs from Merodon namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. and M. turkestanicus by holoptic eyes, eye contiguity about 10 facets long (Fig. 30C), while in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. and M. turkestanicus eyes dichoptic (Fig. 31E, G) or shortly connected by distance of 1–5 facets long (Fig. 31F). Similar to M. tarsatus, but differs with less incrassate basotarsomere of metaleg (Fig. 9D versus 6L), male genitalia: ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad in M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 25B: ea), while broader than long in M. tarsatus (Fig. 2A, B: ea), and by molecular data (Figs 33, 34).

Figure 26. 

Distribution map of M. hypochrysos, M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. rufitarsis and M. smirnovi.

Figure 27. 

Distribution map of M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., M. tarsatus, M. turkestanicus and M. oidipous. * marks overlapping locality of M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. and M. oidipous.

Male. Head: Antenna black; basoflagellomere (Fig. 11D) about 1.8 times as long as wide, about 2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 11D); arista dark 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 10 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long, pale yellow-whitish pile, in some cases mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 30C); 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 pile; scutum without 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 pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypter yellow; halter brown-yellow; legs mostly black, except partly brown-yellow tarsi, tibiae and apex of femora; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately broad, about 3.4 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about as long as width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 14F); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long yellow pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than second tarsomere (Figs 9D, 14F), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for more than 1/2 of its length (Fig. 9D). — Abdomen: About 1.4 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 without pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish; sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish-yellow pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe oval to rectangular, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 24D, E: al); posterior surstyle lobe trapezoidal (Fig. 24D, E: pl); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad (Fig. 25B: ea); lingula small and narrow (Fig. 25B: l). — Female. Unknown.

Figure 28. 

Distribution map of M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. marginicornis and M. nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov.

The new species “pakistanicus” was named after the country of origin of the holotype (Pakistan).

Merodon pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. has only been recorded in western Pakistan so far (Fig. 26). Its single known locality belongs to central-western part of Baluchistan xeric woodlands ecoregion (Olson et al. 2001), within the area of temperate coniferous and subtropical dry evergreen forests. The montane vegetation includes Juniperus forests, open woodlands with Pistacia L., Prunus, Berberis, Lonicera, Artemisia spp., and Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata accompanied by Dodonaea viscosa as the transition between the subtropical woodlands and the alpine vegetation of sclerophyllous forest (WWF 2022). Climate of the collection site 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 with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) intercropped. On the basis of our data the flight period is May.

Tajikistan, the Alajsski Mountains.

Holotype : TAJIKISTAN • ♂; original label: ‘Alai mont’ Hurkmans (1993): the Alajasski Mountains, Tadzhikistan, approx. 39°30’N, 71 to 73°E (ZHMB).

KAZAKHSTAN • 1 ♀; Aksu-Zhabagly; 42°17’33”N, 70°40’15”E; 1400–1500 m a.s.l.; 4 Jun. 1996; Dolin W. leg.; M. H. coll. 02575. — KYRGYZSTAN • 1 ♀; 40 km S of Jany Bazar; 41°42’00”N, 71°06’00”E; 8–11 Jun. 1995; Halada J. leg.; AM-05-216; NBCN 02576 • 1 ♂; Tash-Arik, 11 km E of Talas; 42°31’00”N, 72°22’00”E; 4 Jul. 1992; Halada J. leg.; NBCN 04217. — TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♂; Sughd Province, Iskanderkul, Sarytag Village; 39°05’00”N, 68°32’00”E; 2374 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 2018; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 17 Jun. 2018. — TURKMENISTAN • 1 ♀; Kuhitang Mountain, Airibaba, plateau Dzheilyau; 37°47’19”N, 66°33’22”E; 1800–1900 m a.s.l.; 10 May 1991; Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN 05802 • 1 ♂; near Chalatsh Amudarva; 20 May 1996; Dolin W. leg.; M. H. coll. 02574.

Figure 29. 

A, B Head of female, frontal view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., C, D Thorax of female, lateral view: C M. tarsatus, D M. turkestanicus. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A, B), 1 mm (C, D).

Medium sized (8–11 mm), medium long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Figs 19C, 21D); antennae reddish-yellow to brown (Figs 11E, 13E), basoflagellomere elongated, about 2 times as long as wide with more or less straight dorsal margin; femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi entirely reddish-yellow, except brown medial ring on tibiae (Figs 15C, 16F); body pile whitish, yellow to gray. Male: metafemur broad, about 3.2 times longer than wide, covered with long and dense pilosity (Fig. 15C); basotarsomere of metatarsus less expanded, about 1.2 times broader than second tarsomere, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with medium-size laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5D); male genitalia: surstyle lobe with deep invagination between lobes (Fig. 22D); anterior surstyle lobe narrow from lateral view, elongated (Fig. 22D: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval, beak-like (Fig. 22D: pl); ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad (Fig. 22F: ea); lingula very long and narrow (Fig. 22F: l). Female: metafemur broad, covered with long and dense pilosity (Fig. 16F).

Similar to Merodon angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. from which differs by absence of ventrolateral row of setae on basotarsomere of metaleg, present in M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov. (Fig. 7A–C), and by very different shape of surstyle lobe of male genitalia (Fig. 22A, D). Similar in shape of male genitalia to M. hypochrysos, but differs with beak-like ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe (Fig. 22D: pl), oval in M. hypochrysos (Fig. 22G: pl).

Male. Head: Antenna reddish-yellow to brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 11E) yellowish, elongated, about 2 times as long as wide, about 2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, gradually tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 11E); arista black and thickened at basal third; face and frons black with sparse gray microtrichia; face covered with dense whitish pile, frons with gray-yellowish pile; oral margin black; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity short, about 4–6 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long, whitish-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. 30D); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 3–4 : 1 : 3–4. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect reddish-yellow to gray and white pile; scutum without 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-yellow; calypter pale yellow; halter yellow; femora mostly black, tibiae and tarsi entirely reddish-yellow, except brown medial ring on tibiae; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur broad, about as 3.5 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about half width of metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 15C); apicomedial lamina on metatibia medium long, covered with yellowish pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus about 1.2 times broader than second tarsomere, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile. — Abdomen: About 1.3 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 without or with pair of indistinct, narrow, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga yellow to gray-whitish (Fig. 19C); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe narrow from lateral view, elongated (Fig. 22D: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval, beak-like (Fig. 22D: pl); ejaculatory apodeme longer than broad (Fig. 22F: ea); cercus rectangular (Fig. 22D: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula very long and narrow (Fig. 22F: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere about 1.5 times longer than wide, with slightly rounded apex (Fig. 13E); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with mostly yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered with black and yellowish-gray pile; terga covered with gray-whitish to yellow pilosity; pollinose fasciae on terga 2–4 distinct (Fig. 21D); all tarsi bright yellow; basotarsomere of metaleg narrow, without spine-like setae along ventrolateral margin (Fig. 16F).

Merodon rufitarsis occurs in northwestern Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, eastern Turkmenistan and southern Kazakhstan (Fig. 26). Localities where M. rufitarsis was found belong to three ecoregions: Tian Shan foothill arid steppe, Gissaro-Alai open woodlands and Alai-Western Tian Shan steppe (Olson et al. 2001). A variety of landscapes of Gissaro-Alai open woodlands range from foothill semideserts to alpine meadows, combined with characteristic mountain forests (WWF 2022). Many geophytes (e.g., Allium L., Iris, Tulipa, Gagea, Eremurus, Rheum) are present. The steppe grasses grow alongside wild fruit and nut forests, and at the higher altitudes a mosaic of open coniferous evergreen Juniperus forests forms the montane belt. The valleys of mountain rivers house riparian forests. Tall-forb vegetation of the localities of M. rufitarsis in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan includes: mesic mown and grazed subalpine meadows and pastures on fertile soils, forb rich mesophilious tall-forb communities of the western Pamir-Alai Mountains, scree-like tall-forb communities of the eastern Irano-Turanian region, dry tall-forb communities of the subhumid zone of the eastern Irano-Turanian region (Nowak et al. 2020a). The habitat of adults of M. rufitarsis in Tajikistan is presented in Fig. 32C. On the basis of our data the flight period is May to early July.

This species was described as subspecies of Merodon fulcratus, but Hurkmans (1993) revised the status of the holotype, established it as distinct and valid species, and classified it as a member of “alexeji group”.

Turkestan, Tashkent.

Lectotype (designated here in order to fix identity of the species): UZBEKISTAN • 1 ♂; Turkestan, d. Tashkent, Ak-Tash; 21 Jun. 1925; Smirnov E.S. leg.; SIZK [specimen dry pinned in good condition, left fourth and fifth tarsomeres of metaleg missing, genitalia in separate microvial]. Original labels: “Ak-Tash / d. Tashkent / Turkestan / 21.VI.25. Smirnov l.” [yellowish, pale violet ink, black-bordered label], “Merodon / "smirnovi n. sp. / ♂. Cotypus / Paramonov. det” [pink double black-bordered, pale violet ink label], “Lectotypus / Merodon smirnovi Param., 1927 G.V. Popov des. 2007” [red label], “02568”. — Paralectotype (designated here): UZBEKISTAN • 1 ♀; Turkestan, d. Tashkent, Ak-Tash; 21 Jun. 1925; Smirnov E.S. leg.; SIZK [specimen dry pinned in very good condition]. Original label: “Ak-Tash / d. Tashkent / Turkestan / 21.VI.25. Smirnov l.” [yellowish, pale violet ink, black-bordered label], “ Merodon / "smirnovi n. sp. / ♀ Cotypus / Paramonov. det” [pink double black-bordered, pale violet ink label], “Paralectotypus / Merodon Merodon smirnovi Param., 1927 G.V. Popov des. 2007” [red label], “02569”.

Figure 30. 

Head of male, dorsal view. A M. angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., B M. oidipous, C M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., D M. rufitarsis, E M. tarsatus, F M. smirnovi. Scale bar: 1 mm.

KAZAKHSTAN • 1 ♀; Fabritchny, 40 km E of Alma Ata; 43°13’21”N, 77°20’54”E; 23 Jun. 1992; Halada M. leg.; NBCN 02553 • 1 ♂; Karatau Mountains, 15 km N of Atabaj; 43°38’39”N, 68°19’45”E; 550–700 m a.s.l.; 9 May 1994; Merz B. leg.; NBCN 02550 • 2 ♂♂; Almaty Region, Raiymbek District, Charyn River (also known Sharyn River); 43°17’47”N, 78°59’24”E; 20 May 2003; Selin A. leg.; S.K. coll. 02549, 02556 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; S.K. coll. 02557 • 1 ♀; Almaty Region, Enbekshikazakh District, Kokpek; 43°29’56”N, 78°37’10”E; 21 May 2003; Selin A. leg.; S.K. coll. 02555 • 1 ♂; Almaty Region, Tamgaly; 43°48’07”N, 75°32’02’’E; 886 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2015; Bot S. leg.; S.B. coll. 25467 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; S.B. coll. 25468, 25469 • 1 ♂; Almaty Region, Altyn-Emel National Park, Kalkan field station; 43°51’00”N, 78°45’00”E; 29 Apr. 2012; Barkalov A. leg.; on flowers on Ferula sp.; SZMN 05811 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SZMN 05814 • 1 ♂; Almaty Region, Altyn-Emel National Park, near Ayak-Kalkan mount; 43°52’00”N, 78°43’00”E; 23–30 Apr. 2012; Barkalov A., Danilov Yu. leg.; SZMN • 33 ♂♂, 26 ♀♀; Almaty Region, Altyn-Emel National Park; 23 Apr.–4 May 2012; Barkalov A., Danilov Yu. N., Zinchenko V. leg.; on Ferula sp.; SZMN • 1 ♀; Almaty Province, Sarkand District, Koylyk; 45°41’30”N, 80°18’13”E; 25 May 2004; Selin A. leg.; S.K. coll. 02552. — KYRGYZSTAN • 1 ♀; Talasskij mountain ridge; 12 Jul. 1964; Shabalina leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Alay (Alai Range), valley of Gulcha river; 22 Jun. 1963; Peck L. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Alay (Alai Range), Kirgizata river; 5 Jun. 1965; Peck L. leg.; SZMN • 2 ♂; Chatkal Range, Chap-Chyma pass; 41°31’00”N, 70°50’00”E; 2400 m a.s.l.; 2 Jul. 1966; Milko D. leg.; SZMN • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Environs of Ala-Köl lake; 42°17’46”N, 78°30’17”E; 19 Jun. 1966, 12 Jul. 1968; Ibraimova, Peck L. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♀; 12 km S Sosnovka, Kara-Balta; 42°39’00”N, 73°54’00”E; 1630 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun. 1997; Dolin W. leg.; NHMW 02554 • 1 ♂; Chüy Region, valley of Kara-Balta river; 1800 m a.s.l.; 28 May 1995; Milko D. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Chüy Region, near Bishkek, Holodnaja Woda; 42°42’00”N, 75°51’00”E; 1260 m a.s.l.; 12 Jun. 1998; Hartmann P. leg.; D.D. coll. 02551 • 1 ♂; vic. of Talas, Talas River; 42°31’00”N, 72°14’00”E; 1280 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2000; Pak O. leg.; flood-plane forest; SIZK. — TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♂; Zeravshan Mountain, Marguzorskie Lakes, Padrut settlement; 39°10’09”N, 67°50’14”E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 29 Jun. 1987; Zaitsev V. leg.; SZMN. — UZBEKISTAN • 1 ♀; Tashkent Region, Bostanlik District, Chimgan; 41°30’58”N, 70°01’44”E; 1820 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2008; Selin A. leg.; MZH G0932 • 1 ♀; Tashkent Region, Bostanlik District, Chimgan, 85 km NE of Tashkent; 41°43’18”N, 70°07’39”E; 1700–2000 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 1982; Chvála M. leg.; NMPC 18247.

Figure 31. 

Head of male, dorsal view. A M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., B M. hypochrysos, C M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., D M. marginicornis, E, F M. turkestanicus, G M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Medium sized to large (9–13 mm), long pilose, dark species with olive-brown reflection (Fig. 19D); antennae dark brown to reddish-brown, basoflagellomere elongated, about 2.5 times as long as wide (Figs 10E, 12C); tibiae and tarsi partly reddish-yellow (Figs 15D, 17C); body pile pale yellow to gray; sterna with short white pilosity, except sternum 2 with medial patch of long whitish pile (Fig. 35A, B). Male: metafemur about 3.5 times longer than wide, covered with long whitish pilosity (Fig. 15D); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 3 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 6A, B), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for about 2/3 of its length (Fig. 6A, B); ventral margin of metatrochanter strongly angular; sternum 4 with very elongated laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5E); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe rectangular, while posterior surstyle lobe oval to triangular (since intraspecific variability), with angular ventral margin (Fig. 24A, C: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme large, broader than long (Fig. 25A: ea); lingula very elongated and narrow (Fig. 25A: l). Female: tarsi yellow to reddish (Fig. 17C).

Similar to Merodon tarsatus from which differs in sternum 2 with medial patch of long white pile (Fig. 35A, B), while pile are uniformly distributed on sternum 2 in M. tarsatus (Fig. 35C); by partly reddish-yellow tibiae and tarsi (usually black in M. tarsatus); by longer basoflagellomere, more than 2.5 times as long as wide in M. smirnovi (Fig. 10E), while less than 2.4 times as long as wide in M. tarsatus (Fig. 11F); in male basotarsomere of metaleg with ventral area of strong setae extends on about 2/3 (Fig. 6A, B), while in M. tarsatus on 3/4 (Fig. 6L); and by male genitalia: angular ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe in M. smirnovi (Fig. 24A, C: pl), while ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe oval in M. tarsatus (Fig. 1A, C, D: pl). Differs from male of M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. by holoptic eyes, eye contiguity more than 6 facets long in M. smirnovi (Fig. 30F), while in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. eyes dichoptic (Fig. 31G); by partly reddish-yellow tarsi, black in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov.; and by different shape of posterior surstyle lobe (Fig. 24A, C: pl, 1G: pl). Similar to M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., but male differ by strongly incrassate basotarsomere of metaleg (Fig. 6A, B), while is less incrassate in M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 9D); and by different shape of male genitalia (Figs 24A–C, 25A). Differs from M. turkestanicus by the shape of posterior surstyle lobe (Figs 1E: pl, 24A, C: pl); by eye contiguity more than 10 facets long (Fig. 30F) in male, while in M. turkestanicus eyes dichoptic or shortly connected by distance of 1–5 facets long (Fig. 31E, F).

Male. Head: Antenna dark brown to reddish-brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10E) elongated about 2.5 times as long as wide, more than 2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 10E); arista dark and thickened at basal third; face and frons black to dark blue with gray microtrichia; face covered with dense whitish pile, frons with gray-yellowish pile; oral margin with sparse microtrichia; lunule shiny brown, bare; eye contiguity about 6–14 facets long (Fig. 30F); vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long, pale yellow-whitish pile, in some cases mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 30F); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 2.5 : 1 : 1.5–2. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect, yellow pile; scutum without or with indistinct 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 pile; wings entirely 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 strongly angular; metafemur broad, about 3.5 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about as wide as metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 15D); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long yellow pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, more than 3 times broader than second tarsomere (Figs 6A, B, 15D), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for about 2/3 of its length (Fig. 6A, B). — Abdomen: About 1.3 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 each with pair of narrow, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish (Fig. 19D); sterna dark brown, covered with short whitish-yellow pile, except sternum 2 with medial patch of long white pile (Fig. 35A). — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe rectangular, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 24A, C: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval to triangular, with angular ventral margin (Fig. 24A, C: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 24A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; ejaculatory apodeme large, broader than long (Fig. 25A: ea); lingula very elongated and narrow (Fig. 25A: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere with slightly rounded apex, about 2.7 times longer than wide (Fig. 12C); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered with black pile; terga covered with gray-whitish to yellow pilosity; medial part of terga 2–4 usually with short adpressed black pile in some specimens; pollinose fasciae on terga 2–4 distinct; basotarsomere of metatarsus less expanded, ventrally without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile and without distinct spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae (Fig. 6C–F); sternum 2 with sparse medial patch of long pile (Fig. 35B).

Merodon smirnovi occurs in Kyrgyzstan, southeastern Kazakhstan, northeastern Uzbekistan (near borders with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan) and western Tajikistan (Fig. 26). Its localities are within four ecoregions: Tian Shan foothill arid steppe, Tian Shan montane steppe and meadows, Central Asian northern desert, and Gissaro-Alai open woodlands (Olson et al. 2001). The latter ecoregion includes localities in Uzbekistan within the tau (mid-mountain) zone distinguished by the dominance of Juniperus forests and presence of deciduous forests, and within the upper adyr (lowlands and foothills) zone characterized by the ephemeroid vegetation, dry forb steppes, and shrub communities (Sennikov et al. 2016). A variety of landscapes of Gissaro-Alai open woodlands in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan range from foothill semideserts and sage deserts (Artemisia spp.) to alpine meadows; the steppe grasses grow alongside wild fruit and nut forests, and at the higher altitudes a mosaic of Juniperus forests forms the montane belt. Many geophytes (e.g., Allium, Iris, Tulipa, Eremurus) are present. The valleys of mountain rivers house riparian forests. Tian Shan foothill arid steppe and montane steppe and meadows vegetation in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan includes Artemisia spp. steppe, dry sparse Stipa spp. and Festuca spp. grassland, Kobresia spp. meadows in the alpine zone, intermixed with Picea spp. forest stands in the subalpine zone (WWF 2022). Semidesert ecosystems of southern Kazakhstan (and true deserts further south) are characterized by Artemisia spp.; Calligonum L. and Astragalus L. are widespread. In the West Tien-Shan, there are characteristic mountain riparian forests, xerophile woodlands, spruce forests, Juniper forests and wild fruit and nut forests. Tall-forb vegetation of the localities of M. smirnovi in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan includes: mesic mown and grazed subalpine meadows and pastures on fertile soils, forb rich mesophilous tall-forb communities of the western Pamir-Alai Mountains, scree-like tall-forb communities of the eastern Irano-Turanian region, and dry tall-forb communities of the subhumid zone of the eastern Irano-Turanian region (Nowak et al. 2020a). Ferula sp. (Apiaceae) was noted as a flower visited by the adults of M. smirnovi in Kazakhstan (Fig. 36). On the basis of our data the flight period is from April to July.

Original description was based on two syntypes from Uzbekistan (Paramonov 1927). Type material studied. Merodon Merodon was revised by Hurkmans (1993) without examination of types and he proposed synonymy with Merodon M.. We established an independent position of this taxon and revised its status from Hurkmans (1993) and confirmed the validity of the species.

Tajikistan, Pamir.

Lectotype : syntype cited as “holotype” in Hurkmans (1993) is designated here as lectotype: TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♂; original label: “Pamir 49409 / Merodon Mer. Sack det. Sack” (ZHMB).

AFGHANISTAN • 1 ♀; Badakschan, Schiva high steppe; 7 Jul. 1953; Klapperich J. leg.; Bańkowska R. det. as Merodon Merodon Paramonov; NMPC 18240 • 3 ♂♂; Badakschan, Sarekanda; 2800 m a.s.l.; 21 Jul. 1953; Klapperich J. leg.; Bańkowska R. det. as Merodon Merodon Paramonov; NMPC 18234, 18236, 18231 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; NMPC 18233, 18235, 18237, 18238. — KYRGYZSTAN • 1 ♂; Alay (Alai Range), valley of Gulcha river; 14 Jun. 1963; Peck L. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Alay (Alai Range), Gulcha; 2 Jun. 1965; Peck L.V. leg.; SZMN 05812 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SZMN 05813 • 1 ♂; Chüy Region, valley of Kara-Balta river; 1800 m a.s.l.; 30 May 1995; Milko D. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♀; 40 km S of Jany Bazar; 41°42’00”N, 71°06’00”E; 8–11 Jun. 1995; Halada J. leg.; NBCN 02578 • 1 ♂; near Fergansky mountain range, Wabhang 2; 2800 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 1997; Dolin W. leg.; M. H. coll. 02577. — TAJIKISTAN • 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Gorno Badakhshan, Environs of Barchadev settlement (3–7 km in gorge Bijondara from Barchadev village); 37°17’00”N, 71°31’00”E; 2640–2748 m a.s.l.; 27 Jun.–30 Jul. 2021; Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 13 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; 27 Jun.–7 Jul. 2021; Barkalov A. leg. • 1 ♂; Gorno Badakhshan, Bogevdara gorge; 2700 m a.s.l.; 29 Jun. 2021; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Tavildara District, near Tavildara, Dehi-Kolon village; 38°23’24”N, 70°18’36”E; 24–27 May 2016; Danilov Yu., Barkalov A., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 111 ♂♂, 45 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 29 May 2016 • 1 ♂; Tavildara District, near Tavildara, Dehi-Kolon village; 38°39’00”N, 70°31’00”E; 7–8 May 2016; Danilov Yu., Barkalov A., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN 15139 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SZMN 15137 • 1 ♂; Tavildara District, Dehi-Kolon village; 38°39’00”N, 70°31’12”E; 1800–2000 m a.s.l.; 20 May 2016; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN 15138 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 24 May 2016; SZMN 15135 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SZMN 15136 • 2 ♂♂; Environs of Tavildara settlement (4–6 km S Tavildara settlement); 38°39’00”N, 70°31’00”E; 1965 m a.s.l.; 17–22 Jun. 2021; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♀; Tavildara District, N spurs of Hazratisho Ridge, Belanga River valley; 38°39’36”N, 70°30’36”E; 1880–1975 m a.s.l.; 19 May 2016; Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN 18350 • 34 ♂♂, 18 ♀♀; Tavildara District, Sary Jangal Village; 38°39’36”N, 70°29’24”E; 1826–1945 m; 25 May 2016; Barkalov A., Danilov Yu., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 2 ♂♂, 1♀; Alay (Alai Range), 30 km NE of Lyakhsh; 38°29’05”N, 71°31’34”E; 2700 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 1975; Zaitsev V. leg.; SZMN • 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Kondara gorge; 38°48’00”N, 68°48’00”E; 2190 m a.s.l.; 25–27 May 2021; Barkalov A., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 27 May 2021; Zinchenko V. leg. • 2 ♀♀; Kondara gorge, Varzob river; 29 May 1934; Gussakowski W. leg.; SZMN • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Kondara gorge, Varzob river; 5–8 Jun. 1943; Stackelberg A.A. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♀; 35 km N Dushanbe, Kondara; 38°54’01”N, 68°44’22”E; 29–30 Jun. 1979; Pulawski W.J. leg.; USNM ENT 00036586, 05139 (NMNH) • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 1 Jul. 1979; USNM ENT 00036587, 05138 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 2 Jul. 1979; USNM ENT 00036588, 05136 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; USNM ENT 00036589, 05137 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 4 Jul. 1979; USNM ENT 00036590, 05135 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 5 Jul. 1979; USNM ENT 00036591, 05134 • 1 ♂; Varzob gorge, 3–7 km NE of village Kalon; 39°03’36”N, 68°52’12’’E; 2356 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun. 2018; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 11 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 3–4 Jul. 2018 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 2440 m a.s.l.; 1–4 Jul. 2017 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 5 Jul. 2017 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 2358 m a.s.l.; 3 Jul. 2018 • 114 ♂♂, 23 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 2358–2440 m a.s.l.; 7 Jun.–12 Jul. 2017, 2018; Barkalov A., Zinchenko V. leg. • 17 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 7–9 Jun. 2021; Zinchenko V. leg. • 1 ♂; 15 km Tojikobod; 39°06’23”N, 70°49’43”E; 1700 m a.s.l.; 12 Jun. 1975; Zaitsev V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Hissar (Gissar) Mountains; 6 Jun. 1943; Stackelberg A.A. leg.; Museum Leiden Collectie Van Doesburg rec. 1975; Stackelberg det. as Lampetia Lampetia Paramonov; NBCN 02545 • 1 ♀; Hissar (Gissar) Mountains; 2 May 1944; Stackelberg A.A. leg.; Museum Leiden Collectie Van Doesburg rec. 1973; Van Doesburg det. as Lampetia Lampetia Paramonov; NBCN 02548 • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Hissar (Gissar) Mountains, Kvak; 6 Jul. 1964; Zaitsev V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Khodzha Obi Garm gorge; 30 May 2021; Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Hodzhamumin mountain, 7 km SSE Vose (Khulbuk); 37°44’22”N, 69°40’41”E; 700–800 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 2003; Perepechayenko V. leg.; steppe slopes, Ferula sp.; SIZK • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; 1200 m a.s.l.; 28 May 2004; Papaver sp. • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Ganishob kishlak 10 km SW Tajikabad; 39°02’50”N, 70°47’54”E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2003; Pak O. leg.; steppe slope, Prangos Prangos; SIZK • 1 ♀; 3 km S Mazarkoza Pass, 25 km NE Tursunzade; 38°45’12”N, 68°27’59”E; 2000 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 2004; Perepechayenko V. leg.; Juniperus belt; SIZK • 1 ♂; Romit env.; 38°42’32”N, 69°17’46”E; 1175 m a.s.l.; 14–16 Jun. 2010; Tomkovich K. leg.; SIZK.

Figure 32. 

A Male of Merodon tarsatus on Prangos pabularia; B habitat of adults of M. tarsatus in Tajikistan; C habitat of adults of M. rufitarsis in Tajikistan; D type locality of M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov. Photos by: A. Barkalov (A–C), Yu. E. Skrylnik (D).

Medium sized to large (9–13 mm), long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Figs 19E, 21E); antennae dark brown; basoflagellomere elongated, 2.2–2.4 times as long as wide (Figs 11F, 13F); legs mostly black; tarsi dark (Figs 15E, F, 17B); body pile pale yellow to gray. Male: metafemur broad, more or less curved, about 2.5–3.5 times longer than wide, covered with long pilosity (Fig. 15E, F); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 3 times broader than the second tarsomere (Figs 6L, M, 15E, F), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for 3/4 of its length (Fig. 6L); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with very long laminate extension on posterior margin (Fig. 4F); male genitalia: anterior and posterior surstyle lobes oval (intraspecific variability in shape of posterior surstyle lobe, from oval to triangular) (Fig. 1A–D: al, pl); ejaculatory apodeme large, broader than long (Fig. 2A, B: ea); lingula very narrow and short (Fig. 2A: l).

Similar to Merodon smirnovi from which differs in sternum 2 with pile uniformly distributed (Fig. 35C), while sternum 2 with medial patch of long white pile in M. smirnovi (Fig. 35A, B); usually black tarsi and tibiae in M. tarsatus (Figs 15E, F, 17B), while is partly reddish-yellow in M. smirnovi (Figs 15D, 17C); basotarsomere of metaleg in male with ventral brush-like area of dense pile extends for 3/4 of its length (Fig. 6L), while in M. smirnovi is limited to about 2/3 (Fig. 6A, B); male genitalia with oval ventral margin of posterior surstyle lobe in M. tarsatus (Fig. 1A, C, D: pl), while angular in M. smirnovi (Fig. 24A, C: p). Differs from male of M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. by holoptic eyes, eye contiguity more than 10 facets long in M. tarsatus (Fig. 20E), while in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. eyes dichoptic (Fig. 31G). Additionally, similar to M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., but differs in more incrassate basotarsomere of metaleg in M. tarsatus (Fig. 6M), narrower in M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 9D). Differs from male of M. turkestanicus by eye contiguity more than 10 facets long (Fig. 30E), while in M. turkestanicus eyes dichoptic or shortly connected by distance of 1–5 facets long (Fig. 31E, F), and by broader basotarsomere of metaleg in M. tarsatus (Fig. 6L), narrower in M. turkestanicus (Fig. 9E, F).

Male. Head: Antenna black to dark brown (Fig. 11F); basoflagellomere elongated about 2.2–2.4 times as long as wide, more than 2 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 11F); arista dark and thickened at basal third; face and frons black with gray microtrichia; face and frons covered with dense gray-yellowish pile; oral margin black, with sparse microtrichia; lunule shiny black to brown, bare; eye contiguity 6 facets or more long; vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long yellow-whitish pile, in some cases mixed with black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense, long whitish-gray pile (Fig. 30E); vertical triangle: eye contiguity: frons = 2.5–3 : 1 : 2. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to purple lustre, covered with dense, erect yellow pile; scutum usually without or with indistinct 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 pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypter pale yellow; halter yellow; legs mostly black, except apex of femur, tibia basally, and brown tarsi ventrally in some specimens; pile on legs pale yellow; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular (Fig. 15G: marked with arrow); metafemur moderately broad, about 2.5–3.0 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about as wide as metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface, variable in shape, from strongly curved (Fig. 15E) to almost straight (Fig. 15F); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long yellow pile; basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, more than 3 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 6L, M), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for 3/4 of its length (Figs 6L, 15E, F). — Abdomen: About 1.2 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 each with pair of narrow to indistinct, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish (Fig. 19E); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish-yellow pile. — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe oval, about 1.5–2 times longer than wide, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 1A–D: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval to triangular (Fig. 1A–D: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 1A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; ejaculatory apodeme large, broader than long (Fig. 2A, B: ea); lingula very narrow and short (Fig. 2A: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere about 1.75 times longer than wide, slightly tapering to apex (Fig. 13F); frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins variable in shape and size; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered with black pile; terga covered with gray-whitish to yellow pilosity; medial part of terga 3 and 4 usually with short adpressed black pile; pollinose fasciae on terga 2–4 distinct (Fig. 21E); basotarsomere of metatarsus dark, less expanded, without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile (Fig. 6N) and without distinct spine-like setae within ventrolateral row of setae (Fig. 6N).

Merodon tarsatus occurs in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and northeastern Afghanistan (Fig. 27). It was found at localities which belong to four ecoregions: Tian Shan foothill arid steppe, Gissaro-Alai open woodlands, Pamir alpine desert and tundra, and Hindu Kush alpine meadow (Olson et al. 2001). The localities in the latter ecoregion (Afghanistan) are characterized with two main vegetation types, Thorny Cushions, subalpine and alpine semi deserts and meadows (a mixture of several plant formations), and Dwarf Amygdalus-Semidesert (Breckle 2007). Artemisia spp. and Ferula spp. dominate, and many sub-shrubs and ephemeral plants are common, including geophytes like Iris, Tulipa, Allium spp., Gagea, Anemone L., Colchicum L. and Muscari Mill. A variety of landscapes of Gissaro-Alai open woodlands range from foothill semideserts to alpine meadows, combined with characteristic mountain forests (WWF 2022). The steppe grasses grow alongside wild fruit and nut forests, and at the higher altitudes of the mountain ranges a mosaic of open coniferous evergreen Juniperus forests forms the montane belt. Many geophytes (e.g., Allium, Tulipa, Eremurus, Rheum) are present. The valleys of mountain rivers house riparian forests. Tian Shan semi-desert and steppe vegetation feature Artemisia spp., Stipa spp., and Festuca spp. The Pamir alpine zone consists of Kobresia spp. and Carex spp. meadows. Tall-forb vegetation of the localities of M. tarsatus in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan includes: mesic mown and grazed subalpine meadows and pastures on fertile soils, forb rich mesophilous tall-forb communities of the western Pamir-Alai Mountains, scree-like tall-forb communities of the eastern Irano-Turanian region, and dry tall-forb communities of the subhumid zone of the eastern Irano-Turanian region (Nowak et al. 2020a). Prangos pabularia Lindl. (Apiaceae) was noted as a flower visited by the adults of M. tarsatus in Tajikistan (Fig. 32A, B) in different places, as well as Ferula sp. and Papaver sp. On the basis of our data the flight period is from May to July.

Original description was based on two syntypes from Tajikistan (Sack 1913). One syntype studied. This species was revised by Hurkmans (1993) as a member of the “tarsatus group”.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent.

Holotype : UZBEKISTAN • ♂. Original labels: “N 339”, “d. Tashkent / Turkestan / 12.V.15.” [yellowish black-bordered, pale violet ink], “Merodon / turkestanicus / n. sp. ♂ Typus / Paramonov. det” [pink double black-bordered, violet ink], “Holotypus / Merodon Merodon Par., 1927 G.V.Popov des. 2007” [red].

KAZAKHSTAN • 1 ♂; Krasnogorski, Dzhushy-Dala, near Anrakhay; 43°41’53”N, 74°49’33”E; 28 Apr. 1956; Marikovsky P. leg.; SZMN 05804 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SZMN 05805 • 1 ♂; 140 km NW of Almaty, Kanshengel; 44°19’13”N, 75°33’04”E; 600 m a.s.l.; 13 Apr. 2002; Danilevsky Merodon leg.; Sommaggio D. det. as Merodon; D.S. coll. 24945. — TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♂; 6 km N of village Kalon; 39°05’51”N, 68°49’56”E; 7 Jun. 2021; Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Barchadev gorge; 7 Jul. 2021; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN. — TURKMENISTAN • 1 ♂; Scharlouk, Hura Houdon; 37°51’23”N, 58°11’41”E; 26 Apr. 1996; Dolin W. leg.; M. H. coll. 02546 • 1 ♂; 15 km W of Firyuza, Dushak Mountain; 37°54’05”N, 57°54’44”E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 8 May 1987; Barkalov A. leg.; SZMN • 2 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; SZMN 05841, 05842 • 59 ♂♂, 25 ♀♀; Dushak Mountain; 4–11 May 1987, 16–20 May 1988; Barkalov A., Dubatolov V.V. leg.; SZMN • 1 ♂; Firyuza-Vanovski; 37°54’34”N, 58°05’20”E; 23–26 Apr. 1989; Becvar S. leg.; D.D. coll. • 70 ♂♂, 22♀♀; Environs of Ashkhabad, Firyuza settlement; 37°54’58”N, 58°05’22”E; 652 m a.s.l.; SZMN • 134 ♂♂, 80♀♀; Ahal Province, Ak bugday District, SEE of Annau settlement; 37°50’08”N, 58°36’09”E; 22–30 Apr. 1988; Barkalov A., Chekanov Yu. leg.; SZMN • 31 ♂♂, 17 ♀♀; Ahal Region, Gökdepe District, SW of Geok Tepe; 38°04’52”N, 57°52’48”E; 8–11 May 1988; Barkalov A., Chekanov Yu. leg.; SZMN • 14♂♂, 9♀♀; Kopet-dag Mountains, 20 km E Nokhur settlement, Karayalchi gorge; 38°28’25”N, 57°09’09”E; 28 Apr. 1991; Dubatolov V.V., Zinchenko V. leg.; SZMN.

Medium sized (9–11 mm), long pilose, dark species, with olive-brown reflection (Fig. 20F); antennae dark brown, basoflagellomere elongated, about 2.3 times as long as wide (Fig. 10F); legs mostly black (Fig. 15H, I); body pile pale yellow to gray. Male: metafemur about 4 times longer than wide, covered with long and pale pilosity (Fig. 15H, I); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than the second tarsomere (Fig. 9E), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for 3/4 of its length (Fig. 9F); ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; sternum 4 with large laminate extensions on posterior margin (Fig. 5F); male genitalia: anterior surstyle lobe oval (Fig. 1E: al) and posterior surstyle lobe oval to triangular (Fig. 1E: pl); ejaculatory apodeme as long as broad (Fig. 2C: ea); lingula variable, from distinct to small (Fig. 2C: l).

Differs from males of Merodon smirnovi, M. tarsatus and M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. by dichoptic eyes or shortly connected by distance of 1–5 facets long in M. turkestanicus (Fig. 31E, F), while these species have holoptic eyes, where the eye contiguity is more than 6 facets long. Similar to M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. from which differs in narrower basotarsomere of metaleg (Fig. 9E, F) compared with M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. (Fig. 9A–C); male genitalia: ejaculatory apodeme narrower than basal width of hypandrium in lateral view in M. turkestanicus (Fig. 2C: ea), while in M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. wider than basal width of hypandrium in lateral view (Fig. 2D: ea).

Male. Head: Antenna dark brown; basoflagellomere (Fig. 10F) elongated about 2.3 times as long as wide, about 2.5 times as long as pedicel, more or less straight dorsally, tapering to apex; fossette dorsolateral and large (Fig. 10F); arista dark 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 dichoptic or with short eye contiguity about 1–5 facets long; vertex isosceles, shiny black; vertex with long, pale yellow-whitish pile, in some cases mixed with a few black pile on ocellar triangle; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with gray-yellow pile, ventrally covered with dense gray microtrichia; eyes covered with dense whitish-gray pile (Fig. 31E, F); vertical triangle: frons = 1 : 2. — Thorax: Scutum and scutellum black with olive-green to brown lustre, covered with dense, erect whitish-yellow pile; scutum usually without 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 pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown; calypter pale yellow; halter yellow; legs mostly black, except brown base of metatibia and tarsi ventrally in some specimens; pile on legs pale yellow to whitish; ventral margin of metatrochanter angular; metafemur moderately broad, about as 4 times longer than wide, with long pile on ventral surface, about as wide as metafemur, longer than pile on dorsal surface (Fig. 15H, I); apicomedial lamina on metatibia distinct, covered with very long yellow pile (Fig. 18B); basotarsomere of metatarsus expanded, about 2 times broader than second tarsomere (Fig. 9E), ventrally with well-defined brush-like area of dense pile extended for 3/4 of its length (Fig. 9F). — Abdomen: About 1.2 times longer than mesonotum; terga dark brown to black; terga 2–4 without or with pair of narrow, white pollinose fasciae; pile on terga all yellow to gray-whitish (Fig. 20F); sterna dark brown, covered with long whitish-yellow pile (Fig. 35D). — Male genitalia: Anterior surstyle lobe oval, about 1.5 times longer than wide, covered with dense short pile (Fig. 1E, F: al); posterior surstyle lobe oval to triangular (Fig. 1E: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 1E: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula elongated (Fig. 2C: l). — Female. Similar to male except for normal sexual dimorphism and following characteristics: basoflagellomere with rounded apex, about 1.5 times longer than wide; frons with pollinose vittae along eye margins; frons covered with mostly gray-yellow pile; ocellar triangle covered 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 more distinct; basotarsomere of metatarsus less expanded, without well-defined brush-like area of dense pile ventrally.

Figure 33. 

Maximum-Parsimony 5′COI tree of the Merodon tarsatus species group (filled circles stand for unique changes; open circles stand for non-unique changes; bootstrap values ≥ 50 are presented near nodes). Strict consensus tree of 16 equally parsimonious trees, L = 351, Ci = 63, Ri = 75.

Figure 34. 

Maximum-Likelihood 5′COI tree of the Merodon tarsatus species group based on the Tamura-Nei model. Tree with highest log likelihood (–2540.4813) is shown. A discrete Gamma distribution was used to model evolutionary rate differences among sites (5 categories (+G, parameter = 0.1619)). Bootstrap values ≥ 50 are presented near nodes.

Merodon turkestanicus occurs in Tajikistan, Southeastern Kazakhstan, northeastern Uzbekistan and southern Turkmenistan (Kopet-Dag mountain range) (Fig. 27). It was recorded on diverse types of localities which belong to five ecoregions: Gissaro-Alai open woodlands, Alai-Western Tian Shan steppe, Central Asian northern desert, Pamir alpine desert and tundra, and Kopet Dag woodlands and forest steppe (Olson et al. 2001). Tall-forb vegetation of the localities of M. turkestanicus in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains in Tajikistan includes: forb rich mesophilous tall-forb communities of the western Pamir-Alai Mountains, scree-like tall-forb communities of the eastern Irano-Turanian region, and dry tall-forb communities of the subhumid zone of the eastern Irano-Turanian region (Nowak et al. 2020a). Many geophytes (e.g., Allium, Iris, Eremurus) are present. Artemisia spp. communities characterize desert vegetation of Southern Kazakhstan, and Pamir alpine zone consists of Kobresia spp. and Carex spp. sedge-meadows. A variety of landscapes of Gissaro-Alai open woodlands range from foothill semideserts to alpine meadows; the steppe grasses grow alongside wild fruit and nut forests, and at the higher altitudes a mosaic of open Juniperus forests forms the montane belt; the valleys of mountain rivers house riparian forests (WWF 2022). The Kopet-Dag mountains are characterized by several community types: xeric shrublike woodlands (800–2500 m a.s.l.) dominated by Acer tucomanicum Pojark. and Paliurus spina-christi Mill.; Juniperus woodlands (1300–2000 m a.s.l.); steppe vegetation (1000–2200 m a.s.l.) on mountain plateaus with Stipa spp. and Festuca valesiaca Schleich. ex Gaudin; mesophytic riparian and deciduous forest communities (1000–1500 m a.s.l.) formed by Juglans regia L., Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. syriaca (Boiss.) Yalt., Ulmus minor subsp. minor and Cornus meyeri (Pojark.) Pilip. with mesophilic herbaceous layer; Artemisia spp. communities (300–800 m a.s.l.); subtropical grasslands (800–1000 m a.s.l.) with Thinopyrum intermedium subsp. intermedium, and meadows (700–1600 m a.s.l.) with Elymus repens (L.) Gould in the depressions of mountain plateaus or in the river valleys. On the basis of our data the flight period is from April to early July.

Original description was based on a holotype from Uzbekistan (Paramonov 1927). Type material studied. This species was revised by Hurkmans (1993) as a member of the “tarsatus group” without examination of holotype.