Taxonomic revision of the assassin-fly genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae)

By

Markee, Amanda
Dikow, Torsten, 1975-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018-11-30

Original Publication

African invertebrates : a journal of biodiversity research

Volume

59

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

195--237

Subjects

Assassin fly , cybertaxonomy , female postero-paramedian T8 pores , male flight behaviour , open-access , robber fly

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Council of the Natal Museum 2001-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.59.30684

 

Abstract

The genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Diptera: Asilidae: Brachyrhopalinae) is revised. Currently, three species are known from Namibia and western South Africa, i.e. Microphontesmegoura Londt, 1994 from north-western South Africa, Microphontessafra Londt, 1994 from Namibia and Microphonteswhittingtoni Londt, 1994 from western South Africa. Four new species, Microphontesericfisherisp. n. from the Little Karoo of South Africa, Microphontesgaiophanessp. n. from the Namib desert of Namibia and Microphontesjasonlondtisp. n. and Microphonteskryphiossp. n. from western South Africa, are described. Distribution, occurrence in biodiversity hotspots sensu Conservation International and seasonal incidence are discussed. Descriptions/redescriptions, photographs and identification keys are provided and made openly accessible in data repositories to support future studies of the included taxa. An unusual flight pattern of male Microphontesgaiophanessp. n. is discussed. A unique morphological feature on tergite 8 of Microphontes females, termed postero-paramedian T8 pores, is described, illustrated and discussed.