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.
Highlights
Microphontes Londt, 1994 is endemic to Namibia and western South Africa (Londt 1994) and flies inhabit sandy habitats along rivers or on sand dunes (Figs 1–4)
It had not been studied in any detail since and was only included in updated identification keys to the Afrotropical Stenopogoninae by Londt (2013) and Asilidae by Londt and Dikow (2017) and in reference to the description of the genus Antiscylaticus Londt, 2010 from western Africa (Londt 2010)
Specimens of a small assassin-fly species belonging to Microphontes were collected by the junior author on sand dunes on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert in Namibia (Figs 1–2) and that initiated a closer look at this genus
Summary
Microphontes Londt, 1994 is endemic to Namibia and western South Africa (Londt 1994) and flies inhabit sandy habitats along rivers or on sand dunes (Figs 1–4). Microphontes was initially based on three species known from 18 specimens, 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 (Fig. 5). It had not been studied in any detail since and was only included in updated identification keys to the Afrotropical Stenopogoninae by Londt (2013) and Asilidae by Londt and Dikow (2017) and in reference to the description of the genus Antiscylaticus Londt, 2010 from western Africa (Londt 2010). We present a taxonomic revision of Microphontes based on 44 specimens from 14 collecting events in desert to semi-desert localities in western South Africa and Namibia and describe four new species
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