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The phytophagous hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae) presently comprises 205 described species distributed in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions, and it is differentiated into multiple species groups. In this work, we revise the Merodon tarsatus species group, providing an illustrated key to species, a detailed discussion on relevant taxonomic characters, and a morphological diagnosis. We summarize morphological characteristics of the 12 species in the M. tarsatus group, together with available distributional data. Moreover, we provide descriptions for five new species, namely Merodon angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. and M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. Additionally, we describe one more species, Merodon nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., that belongs to the same lineage and is related to the Merodon tarsatus group based on molecular markers and structure of male genitalia, but lacks modifications of the metatarsus and sternum 4 that are the main diagnostic features of the group. Furthermore, we redefine and redescribe seven taxa of the M. tarsatus group. Following detailed analyses of type material, we revise the status of all available taxa related to M. tarsatus and we propose the following new synonyms: M. ankylogaster Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. hypochrysos Hurkmans, 1993); M. persicus Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. oidipous Hurkmans, 1993); and M. xanthipous Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. marginicornis Hurkmans, 1993). We apply Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood analyses of the 5′ end of the mitochondrial COI gene sequences to genetically characterize species in the M. tarsatus group and the related species, M. nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov.

In the present work, the Afrotropical species of the bombiformis species group, part of the aureus lineage, are revised. Six species are recognized, based on a combination of morphological and genetic features. Three of these species are new to science: Merodon lotus Vujić & Radenković sp. nov., M. vittatus Vujić & Likov sp. nov., and M. zebra Vujić & Radenković sp. nov. Redescriptions are provided for the other three species: M. bombiformis Hull, 1944, M. multifasciatus Curran, 1939, and M. nasicus Bezzi, 1915. The female of M. bombiformis is described. The name Merodon edentulus Macquart, 1855 is considered here as a nomen dubium. One new synonymy is proposed: M. apimima Hull, 1944 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. multifasciatus). The distribution of the bombiformis species group is discussed. The larval host plant of M. multifasciatus is identified as Gladiolus. A key to the identification of both males and females of the bombiformis group is provided.

Abstract Merodon natans group (Diptera, Syrphidae) taxa are reviewed using an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological, morphometric and molecular techniques. The approach substantiates recognition of the three species: M. calcaratus (Fabricius, 1794), M. natans (Fabricius, 1794) and M. pulveris Vujić & Radenković in Radenković et al. 2011, and reveals the existence of a new species, M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov., which is described. It also highlights the existence of a series of natans group populations, especially on some of the Mediterranean islands, in the Levant and in the Afrotropical Region, for which more comprehensive data are required to clarify their status. A key is provided to the natans lineage species currently recognised, and preimaginal stages of some natans-group species are described for the first time. Redescriptions for M. calcaratus and M. natans are provided. A neotype is selected for M. natans. Lectotypes are designated for M. annulatus (Fabricius, 1794) and M. melancholicus (Fabricius, 1794). Merodon annulatus is recognised as a synonym of M. natans.

Two new species of the genus Paragus Latreille, 1804 are described from the Republic of South Africa: Paragus longipilus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. and Paragus megacercus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. These new species belong to the subgenus Pandasyopthalmus Stuckenberg, 1954a. Paragus longipilus sp. nov. is a member of the P. jozanus group, whereas Paragus megacercus speng. nov. belongs to the P. tibialis group. The taxonomic status of Paragus chalybeatus Hull, 1964 is revised and proposed as synonym of Paragus punctatus Hull, 1949. Additionally, an identification key to males of the South African species of Paragus is provided. Results of the present study confirm a significant level of endemism of Paragus in the Afrotropical Region (12 out of 29).

In this study, we investigated 3,086 adult specimens (974 females and 2,112 males) of the genus Paragus collected in the period 1950-2017 and deposited in the collections of the Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad (FSUNS). All four subgenera of Paragus are present in the FSUNS collection. We provide data on 59 species, most of which belong to the subgenus Paragus (37), followed by Pandasyopthalmus (16), Serratoparagus (5) and Afroparagus (1). We conclude that some taxa of this genus require revision because of unresolved taxonomic problems.