Establishment of the Microphorella breviradia species group, with a key to the Nearctic species groups of Microphorella Becker (Diptera: Dolichopodidae sensu lato: Parathalassiinae).

Abstract

The Microphorella breviradia species group is established for three new species from western North America, namely Microphorella breviradia sp. nov., M. macdonaldi sp. nov. and M. vespera sp. nov., including an identification key to species. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences were obtained for two of the three species and possibly suggest the existence of additional cryptic species. The phylogenetic relationships of the Microphorella breviradia species group to the remainder of the Microphorella species groups are reviewed on a worldwide basis. A key to the four known Nearctic species groups of Microphorella is also provided.