The Merodon aureus species group (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae) comprises a number of different sub-groups and species complexes. In this study we focus on resolving the taxonomic status of the entity previously identified as M. cinereus B, here identified as M. atratus species complex. We used an integrative approach based on morphological descriptions, combined with supporting characters that were obtained from molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene as well as from geometric morphometry of wing and surstylus shapes and environmental niche comparisons. All applied data and methods distinguished and supported three morphologically cryptic species: M. atratus stat. nov., M. virgatus sp. nov. and M. balkanicus sp. nov., which constitute the M. atratus species complex. We present an identification key for the sub-groups and species complexes of the M. aureus species group occurring in Europe, describe the taxa and discuss the utility of the applied methods for species delimitation. The estimated divergence times for the species splits of these taxa coincide with the Pleistocene Günz-Mindel interglaciation and the Great interglaciation (between the Ris and Mindel glacial periods).
We revise the ruficornis group of species of Merodon Meigen (Diptera, Syrphidae) providing an illustrated key, a discussion of taxonomic characters and a morphological diagnosis. A total of 18 species from the ruficornis group are treated including distributional data. Descriptions are provided for seven new species: M. gallicus Vujić & Radenkovićsp.n., M. hoplitis Hurkmans sp.n., M. lamellatus Vujić & Radenkovićsp.n., M. nigripodus Vujić & Hayat sp.n., M. ovaloides Vujić & Radenkovićsp.n., M. ponticus Vujić & Radenkovićsp.n., and M. turcicus Vujić & Hayat sp.n. The taxon M. auripes Sack, is redefined and a neotype designated. Lectotypes are designated for M. graecus Loew; M. planiceps Loew and M. crymensis Paramonov. The monophyly and systematic position of this species group was assessed based on parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences. A very high level of endemism was observed in the ruficornis species group. Among 18 taxa, 12 are limited‐range endemics, present in few mountain areas or in a small part of the total range of the group. These endemics clearly show the importance of geographic isolation in the process of speciation.
The Merodon aureus group is characterized by high endemism and the presence of morphologically cryptic species. Within one of its subgroups, M. bessarabicus, seven species and four more species complexes have been described to date. One of these complexes, the M. luteomaculatus, comprises new taxa that are the subject of the present study. Its members have allopatric ranges restricted to the Balkan Peninsula and Aegean islands. This complex exhibits morphological variability that could not be characterized using a traditional morphological approach. Thus, we used integrative taxonomy with independent character sets (molecular, geometric morphometric, distributional) to delimit species boundaries. Data on three molecular markers (COI, 28S rRNA, and ISSR) and geometric morphometry of the wing and male genitalia, together with distributional data, enabled recognition of six cryptic species within the complex: M. andriotes sp. n., M. euri sp. n., M. erymanthius sp. n., M. luteomaculatus sp. n., M. naxius sp. n., and M. peloponnesius sp. n. We discuss the possible influence of Aegean paleogeographical history on the speciation of this complex.
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