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Microphontes gaiophanes
Markee & Dikow, 2018
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Abstract
The genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Diptera: Asilidae: Brachyrhopalinae) is revised. Currently, three species are known from Namibia and western South Africa, i.e. Microphontes megoura Londt, 1994 from north-western South Africa, Microphontes safra Londt, 1994 from Namibia and Microphontes whittingtoni Londt, 1994 from western South Africa. Four new species, Microphontes ericfisheri sp. n. from the Little Karoo of South Africa, Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. from the Namib desert of Namibia and Microphontes jasonlondti sp. n. and Microphontes kryphios sp. 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 Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. is discussed. A unique morphological feature on tergite 8 of Microphontes females, termed postero-paramedian T8 pores, is described, illustrated and discussed.
Keywords: Assassin fly, robber fly, cybertaxonomy, open-access, male flight behaviour, female postero-paramedian T8 pores
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Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. (♂ Holotype, USNMENT01115122):
6 dorsal (Morphbank #861782) 7 lateral (#86178) 8 head anterior (#861787). Scale bar: 5 mm (6–7), 1 mm (8). |
Microphontes ericfisheri sp. n.
Etymology: The species is named after Eric M. Fisher who is one of the most knowledgeable Nearctic and Neotropical Asilidae taxonomists, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies. This species was unveiled at the 9th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised to honour a contemporary colleague, Jason Londt and entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018.
Distribution, biodiversity hotspots, phenology and biology: Known only from the type locality in the Little Karoo of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from a single specimen and collecting event in 2015 (Table 1). The species is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active in mid summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). Nothing is known of the biology.
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Photographs of Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. in nature on sand dune as in Figs 1–2:
9 ♂ resting on sand (note that pro-, mes- and metathoracic legs are held sideways and up so that tarsi do not touch sand, Morphbank #861774)
Photograph by T. Dikow. |
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Photographs of Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. in nature on sand dune as in Figs 1–2:
10 ♀ resting on dry vegetation just above ground (#861777).
Photograph by T. Dikow. |
Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n.
Etymology: Greek gaiophanes = earth-coloured. Refers to the beautiful earth tone colouration of this species.
Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the more or less square abdominal tergites, the short macrosetose dorsal anepisternum, the extensively macrosetose ante- and postpronotum, the overall brown colouration and the grey pubescent female abdominal tergite 8.
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| Habitat photographs: 1–2 sparsely vegetated sand dune on the eastern edge of the Namib Sand Sea N of Solitaire, Namibia (23°34'22"S, 015°48'37"E) where Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. was collected 3–4 slope of Elim Dune with Stipagostris sp. (Poaceae) on the eastern edge of the Namib Sand Sea W of Sesriem, Namibia (24°27'28"S, 015°46'37"E) where M. safra was collected. Photographs by T. Dikow. |
Microphontes jasonlondti sp. n.
Etymology: The species is named after Jason G.H. Londt who is without doubt the most knowledgeable Afrotropical Asilidae taxonomist, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies and who also collected the type series. This species was unveiled at the 9th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised in his honour entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018.
Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the only slightly transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, the general brown colouration and a long gonocoxite extending beyond midpoint of the epandrium (in lateral view) in the male terminalia.
Microphontes kryphios sp. n.
Etymology: Greek kryphios = hidden, secret. Refers to the fact that this species was hidden amongst the type series of M. whittingtoni.
Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the small size with a wing length of 3–4 mm, distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, partly macrosetose postpronotal lobes, setose dorsal and posterior anepisternum and features of the male terminalia such as the long postero-median projection on the hypandrium and shape of the gonostyli.
Seasonal incidence:
Species of Microphontes have been collected in the Southern Hemisphere spring to summer (Table 2). M. ericfisheri sp. n. is restricted in imago flight activity to summer (December), M. gaiophanes sp. n. to spring (September), M. jasonlondti sp. n., M. kryphios sp. n., M. megoura and M. whittingtoni to early summer (November) and M. safra to late summer (February).
Biodiversity hotspots:
Two species, M. ericfisheri sp. n. and M. whittingtoni, occur in and are endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot sensu Conservation International (Fig. 72). M. jasonlondti sp. n. and M. kryphios sp. n. occur within the same hotspot, but have also been collected outside of it in the adjacent Nama Karoo biome. M. megoura occurs in and is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot (Fig. 72). The other two species, M. gaiophanes sp. n. and M. safra, lie well outside any hotspot in the Namib Desert (Fig. 72). The unidentified specimen from Willie Nel Farm (32°10'47"S, 018°53'29"E) occurs within the Cape Floristic Region hotspot (Fig. 71).
Amanda Markee and Torsten Dikow. 2018. Taxonomic Revision of the Assassin-fly Genus
Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae).
African Invertebrates. 59(2): 195-237. DOI:
10.3897/afrinvertebr.59.30684