Azorastia minutissima Frey, 1945

Maamri, Hajar, Ebejer, Martin J. & Kettani, Kawtar, 2025, First records and the habitats of Nannodastiidae and Xenasteiidae Diptera) from Morocco, Journal of Natural History 59 (33 - 36), pp. 2109-2126 : 2116

Azorastia minutissima Frey

(Figure 7)

Material examined

1 male, Eastern Rif , Marchica (S4), 0 m, 28 September 2023 .

Distribution

Found in Portugal: Azores ( Papp and Mathis 2001). First record from Morocco.

Ecology

This species was collected from the Marchica lagoon ( Figure 8 ), located in the eastern Rif region of and designated as a Ramsar-protected area, renowned for its high biodiversity. Its diverse flora includes such as Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Atriplex portulacoides, Limonium cymuliferum, Sarcocornia fruticosa Suaeda maritima . This habitat is characterised by stagnant waters and a high accumulation of organic reinforced by the dense and diverse vegetation that lines the banks of the lagoon. Due to its connection seawater, the salinity and water level of the lagoon are subject to permanent daily fluctuations.

Figures

Figure 8. Lagoon of Marchica (Photo: H. Maamri, 28 September 2023).