Affiliation:
1. Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
2. BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Ðinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Abstract
In this paper, the Merodon avidus (Diptera, Syrphidae) species complex was revised, whereupon we discovered and described four new species for science: Merodon atroavidus Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov., M. magnus Vujić, Kočiš Tubić et Ačanski sp. nov., M. nigroscutum Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov. and M. pseudomoenium Vujić, Kočiš Tubić et Ačanski sp. nov. An integrative taxonomy approach was used to delimit species boundaries. Two molecular markers (the mitochondrial COI gene and nuclear 28S rRNA gene—newly analysed marker for the complex) and geometric morphometry of the wing shape, together with morphological data and distribution, successfully separated all species from the complex. The morphological variability of the analysed species is described and discussed and an illustrated diagnostic key for typical morpho-forms of species from the M. avidus complex is presented. A distribution map of all investigated species from the complex is provided. The level of endemicity of the M. avidus complex was discussed.
Funder
Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia
Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina
Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia
H2020 Project
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