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Vujić A, Kočiš Tubić N, Radenković S, Ačanski J, Likov L, Arok M, Gorše I, Djan M. The Extraordinary Diversity of Merodon avidus Complex (Diptera: Syrphidae)-Adding New Areas, New Species and a New Molecular Marker. INSECTS 2024; 15:105. [PMID: 38392524 PMCID: PMC10888622 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ante Vujić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nataša Kočiš Tubić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Radenković
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Ačanski
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Ðinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Laura Likov
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maja Arok
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Ðinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Iva Gorše
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mihajla Djan
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Vujić A, Radenković S, Tubić NK, Likov L, Popov G, Rojo S, Miličić M. Integrative taxonomy of the Merodon aberrans (Diptera, Syrphidae) species group: distribution patterns and description of three new species. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/18759866-bja10037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In this paper, we revise the Merodon aberrans species group of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae), providing morphological diagnoses and descriptions, molecular data for three species, as well as an illustrated key and a discussion of the different taxonomic characters used. We also discuss distribution patterns for this species group. The results revealed that the M. aberrans group is composed of five described species (M. aberrans Egger, 1860, M. brevis Paramonov, 1926, M. flavitibius Paramonov, 1926, M. hamifer Sack, 1913, and M. warnckei Hurkmans, 1993) and three new ones, namely M. hermonensis Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov., M. petiolatus Vujić, Radenković et Rojo sp. nov., and M. retectus Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of several species is revised, one new synonym is proposed (subspecies M. aberrans isperensis Hurkmans, 1993 as junior synonym of M. flavitibius), lectotypes are designated for M. kneri Mik, 1867 and M. flavitibius, and paralectotypes are designated for M. hamifer and M. flavitibius. Seven out of eight species from the M. aberrans group are distributed in the Asian continent, namely all Caucasian countries, Turkey and Iran, confirming the notion about high diversity of Merodon species in these regions, but also highlighting the need for a systematic faunistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ante Vujić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Radenković
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nataša Kočiš Tubić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Laura Likov
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia,
| | - Grigory Popov
- I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street 15, UA-01030 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Santos Rojo
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Sciences III, Campus of San Vicente, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Marija Miličić
- University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Dr Zorana Ðinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Aracil A, Ačanski J, Pérez-Bañón C, Šikoparija B, Miličić M, Campoy A, Radenković S, Vujić A, Radišić P, Rojo S. Characterization of preimaginal developmental stages of two cryptic South African species of the Merodon planifacies complex (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae: Merodontini), with differentiation through morphometry analysis. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2022; 70:101187. [PMID: 35724447 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Merodon capi Vujić et Radenković, 2020 and Merodon roni Radenković et Vujić, 2020 are two cryptic species belonging to the Merodon planifacies Bezzi, 1915 species complex that have recently been described, with the differences between them being revealed by molecular and geometric morphometry studies of adult specimens. In the present study, the preimaginal morphology of both species is described and displayed, with the material used corresponding to samples taken from bulbs of Merwilla plumbea (Lindl.) Speta plants at two locations in KwaZulu-Natal province (South Africa). The preimaginal stages were compared, looking for morphological evidence supporting species divergence. Linear and geometric morphometric analyses of the larval posterior respiratory process were conducted for the first time and the results of these analyses support the separation of the two taxa. Information about the life cycle and the relation with the host plant is also provided. In addition, we carried out a preliminary study of the adult feeding requirements of the species, based on the description of the mouthparts and an analysis of the pollen present in the gut and on the integument of adults. The results of the study supports a close relationship between the preimaginal stages and plant species of the Hyacinthaceae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Aracil
- University of Alicante, Department of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Jelena Ačanski
- University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Celeste Pérez-Bañón
- University of Alicante, Department of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
| | - Branko Šikoparija
- University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marija Miličić
- University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Andrés Campoy
- University of Alicante, Department of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
| | - Snezana Radenković
- University of Novi Sad, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ante Vujić
- University of Novi Sad, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Predrag Radišić
- University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Santos Rojo
- University of Alicante, Department of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, PO Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
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Molecular tools for resolving Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) taxonomy. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-022-00571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Ačanski J, Vujić A, Zorić LŠ, Radenković S, Djan M, Ristić ZM, Ståhls G. Merodon chalybeus Subgroup: An Additional Piece of the M. aureus Group (Diptera, Syrphidae) Puzzle. ANN ZOOL FENN 2022. [DOI: 10.5735/086.059.0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Ačanski
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ante Vujić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Šašić Zorić
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Radenković
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mihajla Djan
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zlata Markov Ristić
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Gunilla Ståhls
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 17, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Vujić A, Radenković S, Likov L, Veselić S. Taxonomic complexity in the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). Zookeys 2021; 1031:85-124. [PMID: 33958908 PMCID: PMC8060246 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1031.62125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 is distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Regions. The present work summarizes the knowledge from recent taxonomic and systematic revisions and includes an identification key for the five monophyletic lineages (namely albifrons, aureus, avidus-nigritarsis, desuturinus and natans), 24 species groups, two species subgroups and 10 unplaced species, along with diagnosis and illustrations. A list of 234 taxa, including 194 described and 40 undescribed species, is appended. Most of the species are distributed in the Palaearctic (209 taxa, 181 described), while 27 species (14 described) are known from the Afrotropical Region. Three lineages (aureus, desuturinus and natans) are present in the Afrotropical Region, as well as in the Palaearctic. The Afrotropical melanocerus species group of the desuturinus lineage and the bombiformis species group of the aureus lineage are endemic to the Afrotropical Region, and all other species groups belong to the Palaearctic fauna. The albifrons lineage contains six species groups (albifrons, constans, equestris, geniculatus, ruficornis and rufus) and two unplaced taxa. The aureus lineage includes five species groups (aureus, bombiformis, funestus, nanus and spinitarsis). The avidus-nigritarsis lineage is divided into 10 species groups (aberrans, aurifer, avidus, clavipes, fulcratus, italicus, nigritarsis, pruni, serrulatus and tarsatus) and eight unplaced taxa. The desuturinus lineage contains two species groups: the Afrotropical melanocerus group, with the melanocerus and planifacies subgroups plus the species M. cuthbertsoni Curran, 1939, and the Palaearctic murorum species group. The natans lineage consists of the natans species group plus the species M. segetum Fabricius, 1794.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ante Vujić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
| | - Snežana Radenković
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
| | - Laura Likov
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
| | - Sanja Veselić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
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