Morphological, Genetic and Biological Evidences to Understand Meromacrus Rondani Diversity: New Species and Early Stages (Diptera: Syrphidae).

Abstract

Simple SummaryHoverflies or flower flies, technically known as syrphids, are insects providing important ecosystem services. They are used as indicators of biodiversity and habitat quality, as well as models for evolution studies. The better syrphids are known the better can be used with different aims. Meromacrus is a genus of showy syrphids that pollinate plants and decompose organic materials in the Americas. However, their classification and biology are still being investigated. In this study, morphology and DNA were used in combination to define species concepts. Two species new to science were discovered, one from Mexico and the other from Peru. The immatures (e.g., larvae or pupae) and breeding sites of these species were also described, with the larva of the Peruvian species happening to be the first ever found in a rotting cactus. To assist those working with immatures, we provide here an identification key to Meromacrus species. Our work represents the starting point for a modern revision of the Meromacrus classification and provides data that, in future, can be used to interpret evolutionary relationships within this genus.Meromacrus is a genus of conspicuous syrphids with saprophagous larvae, ranging from the southern United States to Argentina and Chile. However, this genus is in need of a taxonomic revision. Adults reared from larvae collected in Mexico and Peru, and other material available at different institutional collections were examined. Meromacrus cactorum sp. nov., from Peru, Meromacrus yucatense sp. nov., from Mexico, their puparia and breeding sites were described. A key to Meromacrus puparia is provided. The holotypes of Meromacrus canusium, Meromacrus gloriosus, Meromacrus laconicus and Meromacrus melmoth were also examined. The name Meromacrus draco is proposed as a junior synonym of M. gloriosus. Larvae of M. cactorum sp. nov. were found in decaying columnar cacti in Peru, while those of M. yucatense sp. nov. in a rot-hole of a Ceiba pentandra stump. Obtained results on both taxonomy and biology of these species serve as a first step towards a revision of the entire genus.