aff. torsicus). Two species subgroups are also defi ned: E. bactrianus subgroup in the E. strigatus group (Grković et al., 2019a; Smit et al., 2020) and E. binominatus subgroup in the E. tricolor group (Grković et al., 2019b). The E. tricolor group, as defi ned by Chroni et al. (2017) based on COI mtDNA data and Grković et al. (2017) who provided a morphological diagnosis, includes a wide spectrum of species, but is clearly separated from other species groups by a set of unique apomorphic characters (radially striated basofl agellomere with clearly bounded fossette, katepisternum completely pilose and poorly developed anterior lobe on male epandrium). Most species of the E. tricolor group are characterized by partially or completely red abdominal

The nanus group of the genus Merodon Meigen (Diptera, Syrphidae) is revised, yielding an illustrated key, a discussion of taxonomic characters and morphological diagnosis for the five species of this group. Three new cryptic species are described, Merodon kopensis Vujić et Hayat sp. n., M. neonanus Vujić et Taylor sp. n. and M. rasicus Vujić et Radenković sp. n. New diagnostic characters are given for M. nanus Sack and M. telmateia Hurkmans. In addition, environmental profiles for each investigated species have been defined and compared, and maps of distribution and richness created. Niche dissimilarity was found for each species. Eastern Anatolia and the southern Aegean region of Turkey are reported as the most species rich regions for the nanus group.

No abstract

No abstract

This study provides an overview of the Eumerus minotaurus taxon group, diagnosing a new species, E. anatolicus Grković, Vujić and Radenković sp. n. (Muğla, Turkey), and unraveling three cryptic species within E. minotaurus: E. karyates Chroni, Grković and Vujić sp. n. (Peloponnese, Greece), E. minotaurus Claussen and Lucas, 1988 (Crete and Karpathos, Greece) and E. phaeacus Chroni, Grković and Vujić sp. n. (Corfu and Mt Olympus, Greece; Mt Rumija, Montenegro). We applied an integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular, morphological and wing geometric morphometric data to corroborate and delimit cryptic species within the complex. In addition, we discuss the latent biogeographic patterns and speciation processes leading to configuration of the E. minotaurus group based on palaeogeographic evolution of the Aegean. Mitochondrial phylogeographic analysis suggested that speciation within the E. minotaurus group is attributable to formation of the mid-Aegean Trench and Messinian Salinity Crisis, and was integrated at the Pleistocene. We show that more accurate estimates of divergence times may be based on geological events rather than the standard arthropod mtDNA substitution rate.