Characterisation of Merodon albifrons+desuturinus lineage using total evidence approach

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships of many taxa belonging to European species - richest hoverfly genus Merodon (Meigen, 1803) (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae) still remain unresolved. So far, several recent publications have dealt with taxa considered to constitute monophyletic groups (eg. adenković et al. 2018; Mengual et al. 2006; Popović et al. 2015; Šašić et al. 2016). In this study we deal with the intrageneric phylogenetic relationships within the genus Merodon, with the focus on a putative subgenus comprising the taxa of the albifrons+ desuturinus species groups, which is recognized as a monophyletic lineage by total evidence approach. The study evaluated a total of 99 adult male morphological characters, of which a set of morphological diagnostic features clearly distinguishes taxa of albifrons+desuturinus lineage from all other Merodon taxa. Molecular characters used in a combined analysis were mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and nuclear 28S rRNA genes. In total 66 taxa were analyzed, of which 60 Merodon taxa, 32 belonging to albifrons+ desuturinus lineage. Additionally, three previously recognized clades (putative subgenera) (aureus, avidus- nigritarsis and natans) were confirmed within the genus.