Megaselia latifrons (Wood, 1910)

Sliman, Fatima Zahra, Disney, Ronald Henry Lambert & Kettani, Kawtar, 2025, New records of Megaselia Rondani (Diptera: Phoridae) from Morocco with notes on distribution and habitats, Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 11 (2), pp. 437-453 : 442

Megaselia latifrons (Wood, 1910) ( Fig. 2K )

Material examined. 1♂, Rif , Larache , Tazia, Dayat Tazia ( PNPB), 35°20'52"N 05°33'12"W, 733 m, 21.v.– 6.vi.2016, MT, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif , Chefchaouen , Aïn Kchour, Marabout My Abdeslam ( PNPB), 35°18'59.3"N 5°31'16.1"W, 1140 m, 26.vi.2017, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, High Atlas , Midelt , Aït Hdiddou , Imilchil, Lac Tislit ( NPHAO), 32°19'44.33"N 03°26'25.55"W, 2254 m, 29.vi.2017, SN, leg.: Y. Fekrani ; 1♂, Eastern Morocco, Berkane , Beni Snassen, Tafoughalt ( SBEI), 34°48'40.068"N 02°24'30.477"W, 786 m, 12.iv.–22.vi.2021, MT, leg.: H. Maamri & O. Ziane ; 3♂♂, Rif , Tétouan, Aïn Lahcen, 35°33'16.2"N 5°33'02.7"W, 313 m, 10.iv.2021, SN, leg.: L. Zouhair ; 1♂, Rif , Larache , Taida, Oued Tisgriss ( PNPB), 35°21'12"N 05°31'57"W, 501 m, 20.iv.2021, SN, leg.: L. Zouhair ; 1♂, High Atlas , Midelt, Titaouine ( NPHAO), 32°34'54.244''N 04°46'1.458''W, 1732 m, 24.v.2021, SN, leg.: K. Menouar ; 1♂, Rif , Chefchaouen , Fifi, Oued Bouztate, 35°01'35.25"N 05°20'55.93"W, 1265 m, 6.v.2021, SN, leg.: K. Kettani.

Distribution. Europe, Asia ( Israel) ( Langourov, 2010, 2021), Morocco (New record).

Habitat. This species is spread over the main biogeographical regions in Morocco, including the Rif, Eastern Morocco, Middle Atlas and the High Atlas, inhabiting a variety of terrestrial and wetland environments such as forests, lakes, riverbanks, and near springs but all share a common cork oakdominated vegetation cover ( Figs 4C, 4M ).

Figures

Figure 2. Species of Megaselia from Morocco. A. M. altifrons (Wood, 1909); B. M. basispinata (Lundbeck, 1920); C. M. brevicostalis (Wood, 1910); D. M. brevior (Schmitz, 1924); E. M. diversa (Wood, 1909); F. M. elongata (Wood, 1914); G. M. flavicans Schmitz, 1935; H. M. giraudii (Egger, 1862); I. M. glabrifrons (Wood, 1909); J. M. hilaris Schmitz, 1927; K. M. latifrons (Wood, 1910); L. M. ledburiensis (Brues, 1915); M. M. limpachensis Disney & Prescher, 2015; N. M. manicata (Wood, 1910); O. M. marekdurskii Disney, 1998. (Scale bars = 0.5 mm).

Figure 4. Habitats of Moroccan Megascelia. A. Azilane (NPTS); B. El Mkhaled; C. Tazia (PNPB); D. Forest of Maâmora (SBEI); E. Zawya; F. Malaise trap set in Beni Bounsar; G. Oued Ouara; H. Talassemtane (NPTS); I. Amghart; J. Zarka River; K. Sidi Boughaba (SBEI); L. Riba (PNPB); M. Tafoughalt (SBEI); N. Adrou (PNPB); O. Lemtahane (PNPB). (© A., C., F–J., L., O.: K. Kettani; B., D., E., K.: F.Z. Sliman; M.: H. Maamri).