taxonID	type	description	language	source
7213A751C5585A71BC29313125550CD3.taxon	description	Figs 1 A, 3 A, 4 G, 7 A, 9, 12 C	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7213A751C5585A71BC29313125550CD3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (only male known). Similar to Merodon vandergooti (Fig. 4 C) from which differs with less broad metafemur (in M. aenigmaticus sp. nov. is ~ 3.5 ×, while in M. vandergooti is ~ 2.5 × longer than wide) (Fig. 4 G), less curved metafemur and metatibia (Fig. 4 G), and quite rounded posterior surstylar lobe (Fig. 9 A: pl, marked with red arrow), while posterior surstylar lobe is strongly angulated ventrally in M. vandergooti (Fig. 10 A: pl, marked with red arrow). It differs from M. rufofemoris sp. nov. by partly black femora (Fig. 4 G) (orange-yellow in M. rufofemoris sp. nov.; Fig. 4 E), and quite rounded posterior surstylar lobe (Fig. 9 A: pl) (strongly angulate ventrally in M. rufofemoris sp. nov.; Fig. 11 A: pl, marked with red arrow).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7213A751C5585A71BC29313125550CD3.taxon	description	Description. Male. Head. Basoflagellomere orange-yellow (Fig. 12 C), elongated, ~ 2 × longer than wide, and ~ 2.2 × longer than pedicel, convex dorsally; fossette dorsolateral; arista reddish to brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 1.5 × longer than basoflagellomere; face and frons black with whitish pollinosity, while face covered with dense whitish pilosity; pile on frons dense, greyish white; oral margin small, black, sparsely pollinose; lunula shining black to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 12 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, black, shiny, except grey pollinose anterior corner, covered with greyish white pilosity; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with a grey-yellow pile, densely covered with grey pollinosity along eyes; eyes covered with short, whitish grey pile (Fig. 12 C). Thorax. Scutum and scutellum black with bronze lustre, covered with short, reddish yellow pile; pilosity between wing bases mostly black; scutum with indistinct pollinose vittae; posterior margin of scutellum with very long reddish yellow to whitish pilosity, reduced medially (Fig. 3 A); posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with long, dense greyish white pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins yellowish to brown; calypteres whitish yellow; halteres yellowish; legs reddish yellow, except black basal half of pro- and mesofemora, and basal 4 / 5 of metafemur; metafemur broad, covered with long, whitish yellow pilosity (Fig. 4 G). Abdomen. Elongated (Fig. 1 A), ~ 1.3 × longer than mesonotum; terga black, except lateral sides of tergum 2 with reddish yellow maculae; terga 2 – 4 with broad, distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae interrupted medially; pile on terga reddish yellow to whitish; sterna black, covered with whitish grey pile; posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic posteromedial incision (Fig. 7 A). Male genitalia (Fig. 9). Anterior surstylar lobe large, elongated (up to 3 × longer than wide) and sickle-like (Fig. 9 A: al); posterior surstylar lobe rectangular with quite rounded ventral margin (Fig. 9 A: pl), ~ 1.5 × longer than wide, covered with short pile; cercus rectangular (Fig. 9 B: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short and tapering (Fig. 9 D: l). Female. Unknown.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7213A751C5585A71BC29313125550CD3.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Unknown. The species is described based on a male holotype from the MNHN collection lacking any label or information about the origin of the specimen.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7213A751C5585A71BC29313125550CD3.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name aenigmaticus derives from the Latin adjective, meaning ‘ enigmatic, like an enigma’, in the masculine form. This term describes the absence of any information related to the holotype, including collecting place, date or collector. Species epithet to be treated as an adjective. Merodon clavipes (Fabricius, 1781) Syrphus clavipes Fabricius, 1781: 427. Musca clauda Villers, 1789: 463. Musca curvipes Gmelin, 1790: 2871. Syrphus gravipes Rossi, 1790: 286. Merodon curvipes Meigen, 1803: 274. Merodon senilis Meigen, 1822: 356. Merodon canipilus Rondani, 1865: 131. Merodon clavipes var. alba Paramonov, 1926: 90. Merodon clavipes var. atra Paramonov, 1926: 91. Merodon clavipes var. niger Paramonov, 1926: 90. Merodon clavipes albus Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Merodon clavipes ater Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Merodon clavipes niger Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Merodon splendens Hurkmans, 1993: 182, syn. nov. Syrphus clavipes Fabricius, 1781: 427 Type locality. Italy. The original description (Fabricius 1781) was based on an unspecified number of syntypes. The lectotype was designated by Hurkmans (1993: 178): male in Sehestedt and Tonder Lund collection (ZMUC). Unfortunately, the type material was destroyed (AV pers. obs.). Two pins from the type collection possess only labels: [Syrphus clavipes] and [P 195 - 1]. Neotype (designated here). Male, Italy, Sicily, 20. vi. 1914, leg. Trautmann (ZMUC). A neotype was designated to clarify the taxonomic status of Merodon clavipes. Lectotype was designated by Hurkmans (1993) in his revisionary work on genus Merodon, but has been destroyed. Data and description are sufficient to ensure recognition of the specimen designated, and the neotype is consistent with what is known of the former name-bearing type from the original description and latter revision. Neotype belongs to the same country (Italy) cited as the original type locality and it is deposited in the same Museum where lectotype was kept (ZMUC). Musca clauda Villers, 1789: 463 Type locality. France. Synonymy with Merodon clavipes was cited in Peck (1988: 168) and Hurkmans (1993: 178). Type material presumably lost. Syrphus gravipes Rossi, 1790: 286 Type locality. Italy. Synonymy with Merodon clavipes was cited in Peck (1988: 168) and Hurkmans (1993: 178). Type material presumably lost. Merodon senilis Meigen, 1822: 356 Type locality. Italy. Synonymy with Merodon clavipes was cited in Peck (1988: 168) and Hurkmans (1993: 178). Lectotype was designated by Hurkmans (1993: 178): female “ senilis ” (NHMW) (not found). Merodon canipilus Rondani, 1865: 131 Type locality. Italy. Synonymy with Merodon clavipes was cited in Peck (1988: 168) and Hurkmans (1993: 178). Lectotype was designated by Hurkmans (1993: 178): male in Rondani collection [52] (LSF) (examined). Merodon clavipes var. alba Paramonov, 1926 а: 90 Merodon clavipes albus Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Holotype (examined). Female with labels: white, handwritten, bold ink [N 327]; yellowish, handwritten, pale ink, with bluish typographical frame [Valegotsulovo / d. Balta / g. Odessa / 2. vi. 25], 47.566923; 29.9389105, Ukraine; pink, handwritten, pale ink, with double typographical frame [Merodon / clavipes Fabr. / var. alba ♀ / Typus var. nov.] (SIZK). Notes. This taxon was described from a single female, but the specimen storage location was not indicated (Paramonov 1926 a: 90) and, until recently, it was not known (Liepa 1969: 4, 20; Hurkmans 1993: 179 “ types of either of the varieties ... are considered to be lost ”, 205 “ lost ”, 206). The original description is based on a single specimen, which is the holotype according to article 73.1. 2 ICZN (1999) and it is kept in the SIZK collection (Popov 2011). Type locality: Ukraine. The species name is clearly infrasubspecific (1.3. 4, 10.2 ICZN 1999) because, as stated by Paramonov himself, the specimen was collected together with the nominal taxon (45.6. 1, 45.6. 4 ICZN 1999, also see Lingafelter and Nearns 2013). Therefore, this name is not subject to Code 45.6.4.1 (ICZN 1999). The name was first given subspecies rank in Peck’s Catalogue (1988: 169), i. e., « M. clavipes albus Paramonov » (the original gender ending was incorrect and changed, see Article 34.2, ICZN 1999), according to article 45 (g) (ii) ICZN (1985), now corresponding to 45.6. 4 (ICZN 1999) (see 45.6.4.1 of ICZN, 1999). However, this is a violation of article 45 (f) (ii) ICZN (1985), now corresponding to 45.6. 1, 45.6. 4 (ICZN 1999). According to article 45.5. 1 (ICZN 1999), Peck adopts authorship of this species name, so we present it as Merodon clavipes albus Peck, 1988, which is a syn. nov. for M. clavipes (Fabricius 1781). Later, Hurkmans (1993: 178) erroneously indicated that Peck (1988: 169) listed the name as a “ variety ”. He also erroneously indicated that S. Ya. Paramonov published the name in 1927 and that the single specimen is a syntype. He left the ranking “ variety ” for the name (Hurkmans 1993: 179). Colour varieties of M. clavipes have been found in multiple populations of this species, similar to the variations reported for Merodon equestris (Conn 1976; Han et al. 2018). Merodon clavipes var. atra Paramonov, 1926 а: 91 Merodon clavipes ater Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Notes. This variety was established without reference to the type material, for the male specimens that were in the possession of P. Sack (Germany, now his collection is conserved in the Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main) (Paramonov 1926 a: 91). The number of types was not given in the original description and their storage location was not indicated, nor were they discovered subsequently (Liepa 1969: 4, 20). The type locality is also unknown. The types of this variety were also not found in the SIZK Department of Entomology collection (G. Popov, in prep.), where the vast majority of Paramonov’s types are stored. Thus, the types are considered lost, as already indicated by W. Hurkmans (1993: 178, 179, 205). The name “ atra ” by Paramonov is clearly infrasubspecific (see Articles 1.3. 4 and 10.2, ICZN 1999), because S. Paramonov (Paramonov 1926 а) placed this variety together with others he described for this species (see Articles 45.6. 1 and 45.6. 4, ICZN 1999). Moreover, he did not report the type locality (see the same Articles; also see Lingafelter and Nearns 2013). Therefore, this name is not subject to the Code (see Article 45.6, ICZN 1999). The name was given subspecies rank for the first time (see Article 45.6.4.1, ICZN 1999), « M. clavipes ater Paramonov » (the original gender ending was incorrect and changed, see Article 34.2, ICZN 1999), in Peck’s Catalogue (1988: 169) according to article 45 (g) (ii) ICZN (1985), now corresponding to Article 45.6. 4 (ICZN 1999). However, this is a violation of Article 45 (f) (ii) ICZN (1985), now corresponding to Articles 45.6. 1 and 45.6. 4 (ICZN 1999). So, according to the Articles 45.5. 1 and 50.3. 1 (ICZN 1999), L. Peck established her own authorship of this name, and we use subspecies name ater Peck, 1988 that we consider to be a new synonym (syn. nov.) for M. clavipes (Fabricius, 1781), since according to our data, this colour form has no geographical reference and is inherent to some specimens of the species throughout the range. Colour varieties of M. clavipes have been found in multiple populations of this species, similar to variations described for Merodon equestris (Conn 1976; Han et al. 2018). Merodon clavipes var. nigra Paramonov, 1926 а: 90 Merodon clavipes niger Peck, 1988: 169 (sic! non Paramonov), syn. nov. Holotype (examined). Female with labels: white, handwritten, bold ink [N 328]; yellowish, handwritten, pale ink, with bluish typographical frame [Valegozulovo / d. Balta / g. Odessa / 28. v. 25.], 47.566923; 29.9389105, Ukraine; pink, handwritten, pale ink, with double typographical frame [Merodon / clavipes Fabr. / var. nigra ♀ / Typus. var. nov.] (SIZK). Notes. The situation for variety niger is identical to that described above for variety alba (see above clavipes var. alba Paramonov, 1926). The taxon was described from a single female, but the specimen storage place was not indicated (Paramonov 1926 a) and, until recently, it was not known (Liepa 1969; Hurkmans 1993). The original description is based on a single specimen, which is the holotype that is kept in the SIZK collection (Popov 2011). Type locality: Ukraine. This name is clearly infrasubspecific because, as indicated by Paramonov himself, the specimen was collected together with the nominal taxon. Therefore, this name is not subject to Code 45.6.4.1 (ICZN 1999). The name was given subspecific rank for the first time in Peck’s Catalogue (1988), i. e., « M. clavipes niger Paramonov » (the original gender ending was incorrect and changed, see Article 34.2, ICZN 1999). Thus, Peck assumes authorship of this name, so we use Merodon clavipes niger Peck, 1988, which is a syn. nov. for M. clavipes (Fabricius, 1781). Later, Hurkmans (1993) mistakenly indicated that Peck (1988) listed the name as a “ variety ”, that Paramonov published the name in 1927, and that the single specimen is a syntype. He left the rank variety for the name (Hurkmans 1993). Colour varieties of M. clavipes have been found in multiple populations of this species, similar to variations described for Merodon equestris (Conn 1976; Han et al. 2018).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
1633D18005BB5E449967F9DFBE95BB36.taxon	description	Figs 23, 24 A, E, F, 25 A, 26 A, B, 28 A, 30 A, 31 A, 32, 33, 34	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
1633D18005BB5E449967F9DFBE95BB36.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Sternum 3 with long, equally distributed pilosity (Fig. 30 A). In male the metatrochanter has a small calcar, almost absent (Fig. 25 A); metafemur broad, ~ 3.5 × longer than wide, strongly curved, covered with long and dense pilosity ventrally (Fig. 25 A); sternum 4 on Fig. 28 A. Female with rounded metatrochanter (Fig. 31 A) and shorter but dense pilosity on metafemur ventrally than in male (Fig. 31 A). Similar to Merodon pallidus stat. rev. from which differs by sternum 3 with equally distributed pilosity of the same length (Fig. 30 A) (in M. pallidus stat. rev. with a conspicuous area of very long pilosity medially; Fig. 30 D: marked with arrow), the shape of sternum 4 of male (Fig. 28 A) (slightly different in M. pallidus stat. rev.; Fig. 28 D), small calcar on metatrochanter in male, almost absent (Fig. 25 A) (male of M. pallidus has a distinct calcar; Fig. 25 D, while female of M. pallidus stat. rev. has the metatrochanter angular; Fig. 31 C).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
1633D18005BB5E449967F9DFBE95BB36.taxon	description	Description. Male. Head (Fig. 24 A, E). Pedicel and scapus reddish yellow; basoflagellomere from reddish yellow to brown (Fig. 24 A), short, oval, ~ 1.3 × longer than wide, and ~ 2 × longer than pedicel, concave dorsally; fossette large, dorsolateral; arista reddish to brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 2.5 × longer than basoflagellomere; face and frons black, with dense whitish pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish pilosity; pile on frons yellow-whitish; oral margin shiny black, without pollinosity; lunula reddish to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 10 – 12 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, shiny, black, covered with grey-yellowish pilosity mixed with black pile around equilateral ocellar triangle; occiput with grey-yellow to whitish pile, and grey pollinose; eyes covered with short, whitish grey pile (Fig. 24 E). Thorax (Fig. 32 A). Scutum and scutellum black with brownish lustre, covered with short, grey-yellow to whitish pile; pilosity between wing basis mostly black, at least around wing basis; lateral sides of scutum, excluding wing basis covered with long, golden to yellowish pile; scutum with two narrow pollinose vittae; posterior margin of scutellum with long yellowish pilosity (Fig. 32 A); posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with longer, dense whitish to yellow pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins yellowish to light brown; calypteres and halteres whitish yellow; angular calcar on metatrochanter small, almost absent; femora black except yellowish apex; metafemur broad, ~ 3.5 × longer than wide, sparsely covered with long ventral pilosity (Fig. 25 A); tibiae yellow to reddish, except brown medial ring; tarsi yellowish red, in some specimens brown dorsally. Abdomen. Elongated, ~ 1.3 × longer than mesonotum; tergum 1 black, terga 2 – 4 reddish yellow, medially partly brown; terga with a pair of broad, distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae; pile on terga yellow to whitish, medially short, adpressed, in some specimens black pile present on dark parts of terga 3 and 4 medially (Fig. 26 A); sterna brown, covered with long, equally distributed whitish pile (Fig. 30 A); posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic posteromedial circular incision (Fig. 28 A). Male genitalia (Fig. 33). Anterior surstylar lobe rectangular (Fig. 33 A: al); posterior surstylar lobe large and broad, ~ 1.5 × longer than wide (Fig. 33 A: pl); cercus rectangular (Fig. 33 A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short (Fig. 33 C: l). Female. Similar to the male except for normal sexual dimorphism and the following characteristics: frons with broad pollinose vittae along eyes or completely pollinose, and reddish at the level of the ocellar triangle (Fig. 24 F); scutum with five distinct pollinose vittae (Fig. 32 B); metatrochanter rounded; pilosity on the ventral surface of metafemur shorter but denser than in male (Fig. 31 A); tergum 2 all reddish, while terga 3 – 5 more brownish (Fig. 26 B).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
1633D18005BB5E449967F9DFBE95BB36.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. The range is restricted to Israel and the State of Palestine (Fig. 34). Its preferred environment is Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests. The vegetation of this ecoregion includes maquis, coniferous forests of Pinus halepensis Mill. and P. brutia Ten., dry Quercus spp. woodlands and steppe formations (WWF 2022). Flight period: April / October. Developmental stages: not described.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
1633D18005BB5E449967F9DFBE95BB36.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Adjective aequalis meaning equal, similar, refers to the equally distributed pilosity of the same length on sternum 3 in males opposite to the related species Merodon pallidus stat. rev. with a conspicuous area of very long pilosity medially. Species epithet to be treated as an adjective.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
EA5FF18B893652B88AC7B7928DE3CFBE.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Bumble bee mimic species (similar to species from clavipes species group) with pile on scutum longer than basoflagellomere (shorter in other species of the pruni species group); mesonotum with whitish pile except for broad black-pilose fascia between wing bases (Fig. 27 B); tergum 2 black (mostly reddish yellow in other species of the pruni group); tergum 2 with whitish to yellow pile, and terga 3 and 4 covered with yellow to reddish pilosity (Fig. 26 C); legs black; calcar on metatrochanter distinct; metafemur curved and covered with long, dense pilosity (Fig. 25 B); sternum 3 medially with distinct pilosity (Fig. 30 B: marked with arrow); sternum 4 in Fig. 28 B. Male genitalia in Fig. 35. Similar to Merodon clavipes and M. quadrinotatus from which it clearly differs by its short basoflagellomere, which is as long as broad (as on Fig. 24 A) (basoflagellomere> 2 × longer than wide in M. clavipes (Fig. 2 A) and M. quadrinotatus (Fig. 2 C )).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
EA5FF18B893652B88AC7B7928DE3CFBE.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. The species is solely distributed in Turkey (Fig. 34; Suppl. material 2), including the eastern Pontic and Taurus mountains belonging to the Irano-Anatolian hotspot. These chains of high mountains form a natural barrier between the Mediterranean Basin and the dry plateaux of Western Asia. This topographically complex and extensive system of mountains and closed basins includes major parts of central and eastern Turkey. Historically, the mountains have served both as refuge and corridor between the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia, giving rise to multiple patches of local endemism. The principal habitat of the species inside the hotspot is mountainous forest steppe, supporting oak-dominant (Quercus spp.) deciduous forests (CEPF 2022). Flight period: June / August. Developmental stages: not described.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
83AB027E25BE5118A1D43B9D07D2046F.taxon	description	Figs 1 D, E, 2 B, 3 B, 4 B, 5 B, 6 A, B, 7 C, 8 C, 12 A, B, 13, 14 B, 15, 17	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
83AB027E25BE5118A1D43B9D07D2046F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Merodon clavipes from which differs by the less broad metafemur of the male (from lateral view ~ 4 × longer than wide; Fig. 4 B) (<3 × longer than wide in M. clavipes; Fig. 4 A), less curved metafemur basally (strongly curved in M. clavipes; Fig. 4 A), and ventral pilosity on metafemur <2 × longer than dorsolateral (Fig. 4 B) (while> 2 × longer in M. clavipes; Fig. 4 A). Male genitalia are very similar to M. clavipes (Fig. 8 A), with the single difference in the shape of surstylus, especially of the posterior surstylar lobe: more arcuate ventrally in M. latens sp. nov. (Fig. 8 C: pl), and more or less straight in M. clavipes (Fig. 8 A: pl). Female of M. latens sp. nov. has less dense ventral pilosity on metafemur, with ventral pile as long as a dorsolateral pile (Fig. 14 B), while female of M. clavipes has denser and longer ventral pilosity on metafemur (Fig. 13 A). Molecular and morphometric data clearly separated these two species (Figs 15, 16, 17 and Suppl. material 3). Merodon latens sp. nov. is an Iberian endemic.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
83AB027E25BE5118A1D43B9D07D2046F.taxon	description	Description. Male. Head. Basoflagellomere dark brown (Fig. 2 B), elongated, ~ 2 × longer than wide, and ~ 2.3 × longer than pedicel, convex dorsally; fossette dorsolateral; arista brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 1.3 × longer than basoflagellomere (Fig. 2 B); face and frons black, with whitish grey pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish pilosity; pile on frons dense, grey-yellow; oral margin small, black, sparsely pollinose; lunula shining black to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 13 – 15 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, black, shiny, except grey pollinose anterior corner, covered with both black and yellow pile; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with grey-yellow, dense pollinosity; eyes densely covered with whitish grey pile (Fig. 12 A). Thorax. Scutum and scutellum black with bronze lustre, covered with short, greyish yellow pile in anterior half; pilosity between wing bases entirely or mostly black; scutum with indistinct pollinose vittae; transverse suture with two medial pollinose maculae; posterior margin of scutum and all scutellum with long whitish pilosity (Fig. 3 B); posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with long, dense, whitish pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins brown to black; calypteres whitish yellow; halteres yellow to brown; legs black; metafemur moderately broad, from lateral view ~ 4 × longer than wide, covered with long, whitish, yellow, and black pile (Fig. 4 B). Abdomen. Elongated (Fig. 5 B), as long as mesonotum; terga black; terga 3 and 4 with distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae interrupted medially; pile on terga 1 and 2 whitish, while on terga 3 – 5 grey-yellow to reddish; sterna black, covered with whitish yellow pile; posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic circular posteromedial incision (Fig. 7 C). Male genitalia (Fig. 8 C). Anterior surstylar lobe large, elongated and sickle-like (Fig. 8 C: al); posterior surstylar lobe rectangular, arcuate ventrally (Fig. 8 C: pl). Female (Fig. 6 A, B). Similar to the male except for typical sexual dimorphism and the following characteristics: frons with broad pollinose vittae along eyes, occupying ~ 1 / 3 of the width of the frons from frontal view (Fig. 12 B); scutum between wing bases without black pilosity, only wing basis with few black pile in some specimens (Fig. 6 B); metafemur narrower (~ 3.5 × longer than wide), with ventral pilosity shorter than in male (Fig. 14 B); lateral sides of tergum 2 with reddish yellow maculae (Fig. 6 A); terga 3 – 5 with short adpressed black pilosity medially.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
83AB027E25BE5118A1D43B9D07D2046F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. The species range is limited to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) (Fig. 13). It preferentially occurs in open sparsely-vegetated semi-arid environments, typically unimproved stony pasturage and open grassy areas within thermophilous Quercus forest. Adult males and females both showed territorial behaviour, flying close to the soil and through the vegetation. Flowers visited by adults are mostly umbellifers and Euphorbia. Flight period: April / June. Developmental stages: undescribed.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
83AB027E25BE5118A1D43B9D07D2046F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name latens derives from the Latin adjective meaning hidden, secret, not revealed. This term refers to the discovery of Iberian populations, previously cited as Merodon clavipes, as distinct species. Species epithet to be treated as an adjective.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
3B3B308993D15DCD98DA2D2569ACDB25.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Sternum 3 with long, equally distributed pilosity (Fig. 30 C). In male calcar at metatrochanter distinct (Fig. 25 E); metafemur medium broad, ~ 5 × longer than wide, with ventral margin slightly curved and covered with sparse pilosity ventrally (Fig. 25 E); sternum 4 in Fig. 28 C. Female with angular metatrochanter and sparse pile on metafemur ventrally (Fig. 31 B). Male genitalia in Fig. 36. Similar to Merodon pruni except for the posterior surstylar lobe that is broader (~ 2.2 × longer than wide) and more rounded apically (Fig. 36 A: pl) (in M. pruni the posterior surstylar lobe is ~ 2.5 × longer than wide and tapering to the tip; Fig. 29 A: pl). Merodon obscurus stat. rev. occurs in North Africa, while M. pruni is an Eastern Mediterranean species (Fig. 37). Molecular and morphometric data clearly separated these two species (Figs 15, 16, 17, Suppl. material 3).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
3B3B308993D15DCD98DA2D2569ACDB25.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. This species occurs in Algeria, Libya and Morocco (Fig. 37; Suppl. material 2). The preferred environment of Merodon obscurus stat. rev. includes sparsely-vegetated open ground and dry / semi-arid grassland with scattered tall herbs. Flowers visited: Ferula, Foeniculum. Flight period: April / September. Developmental stages: not described.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
E4B2B9DF9C765C3E94B55F60A43D3F0C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Sternum 3 with long and dense pile medially (Fig. 30 D: marked with arrow). In male the metatrochanter has a less distinct calcar (Fig. 25 D); metafemur broad (~ 3 × longer than wide), strongly curved, covered with long and dense pilosity ventrally (Fig. 25 D); sternum 4 in Fig. 28 D. Female with angular metatrochanter and long and sparse pile on metafemur ventrally (Fig. 31 C). Male genitalia in Fig. 38. Similar to Merodon aequalis sp. nov. from which differs by sternum 3 with an area of long pilosity medially (Fig. 30 D: marked with arrow) (in M. aequalis sp. nov. sternum 3 has equally distributed pilosity of the same length; Fig. 30 A); the shape of sternum 4 of male (Fig. 28 D), which is slightly different in M. aequalis sp. nov. (Fig. 28 A); and a distinct calcar on the metatrochanter of the male (Fig. 25 D) and female with an angular metatrochanter (Fig. 31 C) (in M. aequalis sp. nov. the calcar is almost absent in both sexes; Figs 25 A, 31 A).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
E4B2B9DF9C765C3E94B55F60A43D3F0C.taxon	description	Re-description. Male. Head. Pedicel and scapus reddish yellow; basoflagellomere from reddish yellow to brown (Fig. 24 C), short, oval, ~ 1.3 × longer than wide, and ~ 2 × longer than pedicel, concave dorsally; fossette large, dorsolateral; arista reddish to brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 2.5 × longer than basoflagellomere; face and frons black, with dense whitish pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish pilosity; pile on frons yellow-whitish; oral margin shiny black, with sparse pollinosity; lunula reddish to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 12 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, shiny, black, covered with grey-yellowish pilosity; ocellar triangle isosceles; occiput with grey-yellow to whitish pile, and grey pollinose; eyes covered with short, whitish grey pile. Thorax. Scutum and scutellum black with brownish lustre, covered with short, greyish white pile; pilosity near wing bases mostly black; lateral sides of scutum covered with long, golden to the greyish white pile; scutum with five distinct pollinose vittae (Fig. 27 A); posterior margin of scutellum with long pilosity; posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with dense greyish white pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins yellowish to light brown; calypteres and halteres whitish yellow; angular calcar on metatrochanter distinct; femora black except yellowish apex; metafemur broad, ~ 3 × longer than wide, covered with long whitish pilosity (Fig. 25 D); tibiae yellow to reddish, except brown medial ring; tarsi yellowish red, in some specimens brown dorsally. Abdomen. Elongated, ~ 1.3 × longer than mesonotum; tergum 1 black, terga 2 – 4 usually reddish yellow, in some specimens medially partly black; terga with a pair of broad, distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae (Fig. 27 A); pile on terga whitish, medially short, adpressed; sterna brown, covered with long, whitish pile; sternum 3 with an area of long pilosity medially (Fig. 30 D: marked with arrow); posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic medial circular structure (Fig. 28 D). Male genitalia (Fig. 38). Anterior surstylar lobe triangular (Fig. 38 A: al); posterior surstylar lobe large and broad (~ 2 × longer than wide) (Fig. 38 A: pl); cercus trapezoid (Fig. 38 A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula long (Fig. 38 C: l). Female. Similar to the male except for normal sexual dimorphism and the following characteristics: frons covered with whitish pollinosity; scutum between wing bases with more black pilosity; metafemur narrower (~ 3.5 × longer than wide), with ventral pilosity shorter than in male (Fig. 31 C); terga 3 and 4 with short adpressed black pilosity medially on dark parts.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
E4B2B9DF9C765C3E94B55F60A43D3F0C.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. The species range includes Iran, Israel, Pakistan, the State of Palestine and Turkey (Fig. 39; Suppl. material 2). In Iran, it has been recorded within arid and semi-arid forest ecosystems where Quercus brantii is the dominant vegetation type (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020) belonging to the Elburz range forest steppe ecoregion (Olson et al. 2001). The western part of the range of Merodon pallidus (Turkey, State of Palestine and Israel) belongs to the Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests ecoregions The vegetation of this ecoregion includes maquis, coniferous forests of Pinus halepensis Mill. and P. brutia Ten., dry Quercus spp. woodlands and steppe formations (WWF 2022). In Pakistan, M. pallidus occurs in warm conifer / mixed forests (Siddiqui et al. 1999). Flight period: April / August. Developmental stages: not described. Merodon pruni (Rossi, 1790) Syrphus pruni Rossi, 1790: 293. Merodon fulvus Macquart, 1834: 514. Merodon sicanus Rondani, 1845: 258, 264. Merodon fuscinervis Von Röder, 1887: 73. Syrphus pruni Rossi, 1790: 293 Type locality. Italy (Toscana). The original description was based on an unspecified number of syntypes (Rossi 1790: 293). Type material could not be traced ‘ in provinciis Florentina et Pisana’ [Firenze and Pizza, Italy] [not located, not examined]. Based on the description and figure from the original publication (Rossi 1790), the identity of types is clear and fits the actual concept of species presented in Hurkmans (1993: 185). This species was cited in recent European publications (e. g. Speight 2020; Vujić et al. 2021 a). Merodon fulvus Macquart, 1834: 514 Type locality. France (“ France méridionale ”). Synonymy with Merodon pruni was cited in Sack (1931), Peck (1988: 172) and Hurkmans (1993: 185). Type material presumably lost. Merodon sicanus Rondani, 1845: 258, 264 Type locality. Italy, “ Sicilia ”. The original description was based on two female syntypes. One syntype was designated as a lectotype by Hurkmans (1993: 185): Original label [58] [number referring to the description of Merodon sicanus in the museum’s catalogue of Rondani collection]. This designation was based on syntype (examined) deposited in the LSF. Merodon fuscinervis Von Röder, 1887: 73 Type locality. Greece (“ Crete ”). Synonymy with Merodon pruni was cited in Sack (1913), Peck (1988) and Hurkmans (1993). Type material presumably lost. Diagnosis. Sternum 3 with more or less equally distributed pilosity (Fig. 30 E). In male calcar at metatrochanter distinct (Fig. 25 C); metafemur medium broad (~ 4.5 × longer than wide), ventral margin slightly curved, and covered with sparse pilosity ventrally (Fig. 25 C); sternum 4 in Fig. 28 E. Female with angular metatrochanter and sparse pile on metafemur ventrally (Fig. 31 D). Male genitalia in Fig. 29. Similar to Merodon obscurus stat. rev. from which differs by posterior surstylar lobe tapering to the tip (Fig. 29 A: pl) (rounded apically in M. obscurus stat. rev.; Fig. 36 A: pl) and its distribution in the Eastern Mediterranean (M. obscurus stat. rev. is restricted to North Africa). Distribution and biology. It occurs throughout much of southern Europe (Italy, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Romania), eastwards to Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, State of Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Hurkmans (1993) lists North Africa as part of the species range, but those specimens most likely belong to Merodon obscurus. Speight (2020) also mentions Austria and southern France (with the remark that it is most probably extinct), but species presence in those countries could not be confirmed (Fig. 37; Suppl. material 2). The preferred environment of species M. pruni is sparsely-vegetated open ground, dry / semi-arid grassland with scattered tall herbs, open areas in low-altitude Abies cephalonica forest on limestone, and Castanea forest (Speight 2020). At the northern edge of its range, i. e., in Ukraine, the species occurs in steppe habitats. Hurkmans (1985) provides some information on male territorial behaviour; also stating that females fly fast and very close to the ground and are much less noticeable than the males. Both sexes fly silently (Speight 2020). Flowers visited: Ferula, Foeniculum. Flight period: May / October, with peaks in May and September. Developmental stages: not described (Speight 2020).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7E37F932033457618539C190D05A0479.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Male similar to Merodon clavipes (Figs 4 A, 5 A) from which differs by the metafemur slightly broad (in M. quadrinotatus is 3.75 ×, while in M. clavipes is 2 × longer than wide) and less curved basally (Fig. 4 D) and by tergum 3 with a pair of tear-like, pollinose fasciate maculae separated from lateral margins (Fig. 5 D) (in M. clavipes tergum 3 with a pair of rectangular pollinose fasciate maculae, ending close to lateral margins). Female with black terga and very characteristic pairs of pollinose, rounded maculae covered with dense whitish pile on terga 3 and 4 (Fig. 6 D); a unique abdominal pattern in Merodon. Male genitalia as in Fig. 18.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7E37F932033457618539C190D05A0479.taxon	description	Description. Male. Head. Basoflagellomere dark-brown (Fig. 2 C), elongated, ~ 2 × longer than wide, and ~ 1.9 × longer than pedicel, convex dorsally; fossette dorsolateral; arista reddish to brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 1.5 × longer than basoflagellomere; face and frons black, with greyish pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish to yellowish pilosity; pile on frons dense, yellowish; oral margin small, black, not pollinose; lunula shining black to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 15 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, brown-black, shiny, except grey pollinose anterior corner, covered with greyish white and black pilosity; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with grey-yellow pile, densely covered with grey pollinosity along eyes; eyes covered with short, whitish grey pile. Thorax. Scutum black with bronze lustre, covered with greyish yellow pile; pilosity between wing bases mostly black; scutum with indistinct pollinose vittae; scutellum covered with whitish pile; posterior margin of scutellum with very long grey-yellow to whitish pilosity, reduced medially (as on Fig. 3 C); posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with long, dense whitish to greyish white pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins yellowish to brown; calypteres whitish; halteres brownish; legs black; metafemur moderate broad, ~ 3.75 × longer than wide, covered with long, whitish pilosity (Fig. 4 D). Abdomen. Elongated (Fig. 5 D), ~ 1.3 × longer than mesonotum; terga black; terga 3 and 4 with a pair of broad, tear-like, distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae; pile on tergum 2 and lateral sides of terga 3 and 4 grey-yellow to whitish; terga 3 and 4 medially with short, golden-yellow pile (Fig. 5 D); sterna black, covered with whitish grey pile; posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic posteromedial incision (Fig. 7 D). Male genitalia (Fig. 18). Anterior surstylar lobe short (~ 1.4 × longer than wide) and rectangular (Fig. 18 A: al); posterior surstylar lobe rectangular, with a dorsal prominence (Fig. 18 A: dp); cercus rectangular (Fig. 18 A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short, with tapering narrow tip (Fig. 18 C: l). Female. Similar to the male except for normal sexual dimorphism and the following characteristics: face and frons covered with white pilosity; frons with broad pollinose vittae along eyes and a narrow shiny central stripe; scutum with short erect white pilosity, except for broad fascia of black pile between wing bases; long whitish pilosity on metafemur absent; metafemur covered with short black pilosity and few longer black pile ventrally; terga covered with short black pilosity, except for long white pile on lateral sides of terga 2 – 4, posterior margin of tergum 4, and pairs of pollinose, rounded maculae covered with dense whitish pile on terga 3 and 4 (Fig. 6 D).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
7E37F932033457618539C190D05A0479.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. The range of this species includes Turkey, Iran and Iraq (Fig. 19; Suppl. material 2). Merodon quadrinotatus has been recorded predominantly in Iranian ecoregions, specifically, forest steppe of the Zagros Mountains, Eastern Anatolian montane steppe, and woodlands and forest steppe of Kopet Dag (Kopeh Dagh) (Olson et al. 2001) but also in nearby localities within Iraq and Turkey. The Iranian localities are typified by arid and semi-arid forest ecosystems with Quercus brantii Lindl. as the dominant vegetation type, as well as cold and arid semi-steppe scrubland and grasslands (Astragalus spp.) (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020). The preferred environment is sparsely-vegetated open ground in semi-arid regions, with unimproved stony pasturage and open grassy areas within thermophilous forest being typical. Flight period: April / June. Developmental stages: undescribed.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
46E4029A75095397B1CF71858ACFECF4.taxon	description	Figs 2 D, 3 C, 4 E, 5 C, 7 E, 11, 12 D, 13, 20 A, B	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
46E4029A75095397B1CF71858ACFECF4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (only male known). Similar to Merodon vandergooti from which differs by all femora completely reddish yellow (Figs 4 E, 20 B), while in males of M. vandergooti pro- and mesofemora are partly orange-yellowish and metafemur is almost completely black (Figs 4 C, 20 D), a less curved metafemur (Fig. 4 E), and an elongated anterior surstylar lobe in M. rufofemoris sp. nov. (Fig. 11 A: al) (shorter in M. vandergooti; Fig. 10 A: al). It differs from M. aenigmaticus sp. nov. by the reddish yellow femora (Fig. 4 E) (partly black in M. aenigmaticus sp. nov.; Fig. 4 G), and the posterior surstylar lobe angulate ventrally (Fig. 11 A: pl) (rounded in M. aenigmaticus sp. nov.; Fig. 9 A: pl).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
46E4029A75095397B1CF71858ACFECF4.taxon	description	Description. Male. Head. Basoflagellomere orange-yellow (Fig. 2 D), elongated, ~ 2 × longer than wide, and ~ 1.9 × longer than pedicel, convex dorsally; fossette dorsolateral; arista reddish to brown and thickened at basal third; arista ~ 1.5 × longer than basoflagellomere; face and frons black, with whitish pollinosity; face covered with dense whitish pilosity; pile on frons dense, whitish; oral margin small, black, sparsely pollinose; lunula shining black to brown, bare; eye contiguity ~ 10 facets long; vertical triangle isosceles, black, shiny, except grey pollinose anterior corner, covered with greyish white pilosity; ocellar triangle equilateral; occiput with grey-yellow to reddish pile, densely covered with grey pollinosity along eyes; eyes covered with short, whitish grey pile (Fig. 12 D). Thorax. Scutum and scutellum black with bronze lustre, covered with short, greyish yellow pile; pilosity between wing basis mostly black; scutum with indistinct pollinose vittae; transverse suture with two medial pollinose maculae (Figs 3 C, 20 A); posterior margin of scutellum with very long grey-yellow to whitish pilosity, reduced medially (Fig. 3 C); posterodorsal part of anterior anepisternum, posterior anepisternum (except anteroventral angle), anterior anepimeron, dorsomedial anepimeron, and posterodorsal and anteroventral parts of katepisternum with long, dense greyish white pile; wings mostly covered with microtrichia; wing veins yellowish to brown; calypteres whitish yellow; halteres yellow to white; legs reddish yellow; metafemur broad, ~ 3.5 × longer than wide, covered with long, whitish yellow pilosity (Fig. 4 E). Abdomen. Elongated (Fig. 5 C), ~ 1.3 × longer than mesonotum; terga black, except lateral sides of tergum 2 with reddish yellow maculae; terga 3 and 4 with a pair of broad, distinct silver-grey pollinose fasciate maculae; pile on terga grey-yellow to whitish; sterna black, covered with whitish grey pile; posterior margin of sternum 4 with characteristic posteromedial incision (Fig. 7 E). Male genitalia (Fig. 11). Anterior surstylar lobe large, elongated (~ 3.5 × longer than wide) and sickle-like (Fig. 11 A: al); posterior surstylar lobe rectangular (Fig. 11 A: pl, marked with red arrow); cercus rectangular (Fig. 11 A: c); hypandrium sickle-shaped, without lateral projections; lingula short, with tapering but rounded tip (Fig. 11 C: l). Female. Unknown.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
46E4029A75095397B1CF71858ACFECF4.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. This species is only found in the Fars Province of Iran (Fig. 13). This Iranian locality lies within the Zagros Mountains forest steppe ecoregion (Olson et al. 2001), representing an arid and semi-arid forest ecosystem with Quercus brantii as the dominant vegetation type (Azizi Jalilian et al. 2020). Flight period: May. Developmental stages: undescribed.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
46E4029A75095397B1CF71858ACFECF4.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin adjective rufus (red, reddish) and inflection of the noun femur in genitive singular (femoris) and refers to the reddish yellow colour of femora. Species epithet to be treated as an adjective.	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
538FDA8E51ED53218E284D936B8F7DC6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Male: legs black (Fig. 4 A); antennae black (Fig. 2 A); metafemur extremely broad (~ 2 – 2.5 × longer than wide) and curved basally (Fig. 4 A); tergum 3 with a pair of rectangular pollinose fasciate maculae, ending close to lateral margins (Fig. 1 C). Female with a pair of reddish lateral maculae on tergum 2 (Fig. 6 C). Male genitalia in Fig. 8. Similar to M. latens sp. nov. from which differs by a broader metafemur, ~ 2 – 2.5 × longer than wide (Fig. 4 A) (~ 3 – 3.5 × in M. latens sp. nov.; Fig. 4 B), and the posterior surstylar lobe more straight ventrally (Fig. 8 A: pl) (more arcuate ventrally in M. latens sp. nov.; Fig. 8 C: pl).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
538FDA8E51ED53218E284D936B8F7DC6.taxon	distribution	Distribution and biology. From northern France to the Mediterranean (including Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Crete); from Italy through central and southern Europe to Greece, countries of the former Yugoslavia, as well as Albania, Romania, Ukraine (Odesa region, Zakarpattia region), and southern areas of the European parts of Russia and Turkey. Speight (2020) also mentioned North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula as within the species range. Specimens from North Africa were unavailable to us for examination, so we could not confirm if they indeed belong to Merodon clavipes. In terms of the Iberian specimens, we assert that they belong to M. latens sp. nov. (Fig. 13; Suppl. material 2). The preferred environment of Merodon clavipes in the Mediterranean is sparsely-vegetated open ground in semi-arid environments, typified by unimproved stony pasturage and open grassy areas within thermophilous Quercus forest (Speight 2020). In the more temperate zone of Europe, the preferred environments are steppe grasslands and open areas near thermophilous forests. In Ukraine, at the northern edge of its range, this species occurs in rocky steppe on the margin of Quercus forest (locus typicus of Paramonov’s varieties). Hurkmans (1985) described the territorial behaviour of males and, in Hurkmans (1993), he also noted that females fly close to the soil and through the vegetation. Flowers visited: Umbellifers; Euphorbia, Leontodon and Solidago (Speight 2020). Flight period: March / August depending on climatic zone (in central Europe adults appear during shorter period in early summer, while in southern Europe there can be two generations, spring and summer ones). Developmental stages: undescribed (Speight 2020).	en	Vujić, Ante, Radenković, Snežana, Likov, Laura, Tubić, Nataša Kočiš, Popov, Grigory, Gilasian, Ebrahim, Djan, Mihajla, Milosavljević, Marina Janković, Ačanski, Jelena (2024): Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae). ZooKeys 1203: 1-69, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.118842
