taxonID	type	description	language	source
039A87FFF740FFDD071313E7FBC8F820.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Mesocoxa posteriorly with long pile. Anterior anepisternum with a pilose area ventral to postpronotum. In male genitalia, anterior surstyle lobe undeveloped (Fig. 10 A). Small-sized (8 – 13 mm) species with a short, rounded abdomen, a distinct spine on the metatrochanter in males (Fig. 11 B marked with white arrow) and a characteristic structure of the male genitalia: posterior surstyle lobe with parallel margins and rounded apex (Fig. 10 A) and a narrow, elongated, sickle-shaped hypandrium without lateral sclerite of aedeagus (Fig. 10 B, C).	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF740FFDD0591133CFA2CF966.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Species with golden reflection and rough punctate scutum and terga (Fig. 11). Mesonotum (in both sexes) and terga (in male) covered with only pale pile, reddish to yellow-grey. Tibiae and tarsi predominantly black (Fig. 11 B). Terga uniformly dark.	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF741FFDC05A115DBFD7BF902.taxon	description	Based on the results of integrative taxonomic studies, three taxa belong to this subgroup: two complexes (Merodon aureus complex and M. unicolor complex) and one species M. pumilus Macquart in Lucas, 1849.	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF742FFC506DC1660FD6DF977.taxon	description	Redescription: MALE (Figs 10, 11, 12 A, B): Length of body 6 – 10 mm, of wing 6 – 8 mm (N = 120). Head (Figs 11 A, C, 12 B): Antenna brown; basoflagellomere reddish-brown to dark-brown, 1.3 – 1.5 times longer than pedicel [length of basoflagellomere as on fig. 5 in Marcos-García et al. (2007)], dorsal margin concave between the arista and the apex, apex rounded; arista yellow basally, as long as pedicel and basoflagellomere together; face and frons shiny black with olive lustre, covered with long pale-yellow pile and indistinct scarce brownish microtrichia, most visible along eye margin; ventral part of face bare, with black lustre; vertical triangle isosceles, shiny black, predominantly covered with long, pale pile, except at anterior end with black ones; eye contiguity more than 20 ommatidia long; ocellar triangle equilateral; eye pile long, black in the upper half or more and lower corner, paler between; occiput shiny, silver-green, covered with whitish microtrichia and pale-yellow pile. Thorax (Fig. 11 A, B, D): Mesonotum brown with olive-green reflections, rough punctate, covered with long, dense, erect yellow to orange pile; scutum with three weak vittae of dark brown microtrichia; posterior anepisternum, anepimeron and dorsal part of katepisternum with long yellow pile. Wing: Hyaline, with dark-brown veins; calypteres brownish; halteres with brown pedicel and dark brown capitulum. Legs: Femora black with brown apex; pile on pro- and mesofemur predominantly yellow, except black pile medially; metafemur predominantly covered with yellow pile, except short, black ones in the apical quarter medially; tibiae and tarsi black, except dark brown basis of tibiae, covered with yellow pile with some intermixed black ones; metatrochanter with inner spine ending in two angular points (one corner more protruded). Abdomen (Fig. 11 A, E): Oval, slightly longer than mesonotum; black with olive-green reflections; terga completely covered with yellow to orange pile; sterna shiny black, covered with long, light yellow pile. Male terminalia: Similar to all other species of the M. aureus group (Fig. 10). FEMALE (Figs 13 A, 14): Similar to the male except for normal sexual dimorphism. Head: Frons shiny black; vertex mostly covered with black pile, except for posterior end covered with yellow ones. Legs: Metatrochanter without spine. Abdomen: Shiny black, with pairs of white microtrichose fasciae on terga 2 – 4; on tergum 2 these fasciae are subparallel to the anterior margin of the tergum, whereas on terga 3 – 4 these fasciae are oblique; terga partly covered with pale pile; black pile present in medial parts of posterior half of tergum 2, all of tergum 3 and on anterior half of tergum 4, except on mictrotrichose fasciae; tergum 5 covered with yellow pile with some intermixed black ones. Diagnosis: Eye pile black at least in upper half (Fig. 12 A, B) (all white in M. unicolor); pile on metafemur whitish yellow (Fig. 11 B); similar to Merodon pumilus from which it can be separated by eye contiguity longer than 16 ommatidia, approximately as long as vertical triangle (eye contiguity in M. pumilus 5 – 10 ommatidia); in female ocellar triangle equilateral or isosceles, if isosceles then two lateral sides longer than basal (Fig. 13 A), while in M. pumilus isosceles, two lateral sides shorter than basal (Fig. 13 B); distance between two posterior ocelli (in Fig. 13 A: pink line) comparing distance between posterior ocellus and eye margin shorter in M. aureus (in Fig. 13 A: yellow line), while in M. pumilus distance between two posterior ocelli (in Fig. 13 B: pink line) comparing distance between posterior ocellus and eye margin longer (in Fig. 13 B: yellow line). Material examined: Type material: Syrphus aureus Fabricius, 1805: 198. Type locality: Germany. Described based on unspecified number of specimens. There are two specimens in the collection considered here as syntypes. Lectotype, designated here, deposited in Copenhagen Museum – ZMUC, with two wings and part of thorax remains on pin, with handwritten label ‘ aureus’ (see Fig. 15). Other syntype is even more destroyed, but still with wings and small part of thorax, designated as paralectotype.	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF742FFC506DC1660FD6DF977.taxon	description	Notes: Speight (2018) reported: “ In the Biosystematic Database of World Diptera (Thompson & Brake, 2005), Merodon aeneus is given as a synonym of M. aureus Fabricius, but without providing any justification for this supposed synonymy. ” Speight (2018) also discuss the type of M. aureus: “ Unfortunately, since Fabricius' description of M. aureus is inadequate to decide the identity of the species to which it applies and the type material of M. aureus is reduced to a remnant comprising, according to Zimsen (1964), ‘ only wings’, there is no basis for establishing this synonymy, unless a neotype can be designated for M. aureus (assuming this would be a valid act in the circumstance that there remains a fragment of the original type material, however useless) and a redefinition of M. aureus can be provided, that permits its separation from the other Merodon taxa to which it is closely related and which have recently been either re-established as species or described as new species (see Marcos-García et al., 2007). No such actions have been taken in any publication produced to date and, until and unless some meaningful basis is established for the claim that M. aeneus is a synonym of M. aureus, that synonymy is here regarded as unproven. These problems are confounded by the reality that the description of M. aeneus cannot be used to separate it from other segregates of the aeneus complex now recognised as distinct species and the type material of M. aeneus cannot be found. ” Descriptions of M. aureus and M. aeneus are relatively poor with information, but some key characters can be extracted. Fabricius (1805) described males from Germany under the name Syrphus aureus and provided some useful characters: small species with orange head and dark antenna, body shining, pile orange (golden), thorax orange, without spots, abdomen black, legs dark, femora black, thickened, with dentate plate. Meigen (1822) described M. aeneus based on a single female from Austria with only few characteristics that can be used in the identification of this taxon: metallic dark-green species, with yellow pilosity and brown antenna. There is only one species morphologically in accordance with both descriptions (aureus and aeneus) in Central Europe from where the type material from both names originated (Germany, Austria, also in Switzerland). Concerning this, we believe that both names refer to the same species. Using the remaining fragment of the M. aureus type, we were able to identify this specimen as conspecific with populations cited here under this name. Scutum and coloration of pile perfectly match the M. aureus complex and the wing in our geometric morphometric analyses fit 99 % to central European populations. Among seven species known for Germany, M. aberrans, M. aeneus (M. aureus), M. armipes, M. equestris, M. moenium, M. ruficornis and M. rufus (Speight 2018), Fabricius (1805) lectotype of M. aureus fit to specimens from Germany until now identified as M. aeneus. Based on that we propose a designation of neotype for M. aeneus, and an establishment of correct synonymy. We propose here a re-evaluation of a taxon present in high Central European (and Balkans) mountains under the name M. aureus, with the name M. aeneus as a junior synonym. The taxon presented by Milankov et al. (2008) under the name M. aureus B, is conspecific with the ‘ real’ M. aureus. Biology and preferred habitat: Preradović et al. (2018) described the pupa under the name of Merodon aureus. Molecular data presented here reidentified this pupa as an immature stage of Merodon calidus. Speight (2018) listed biological data under the name M. aeneus. Preferred environment: Open ground; unimproved, calcareous montane grassland. Adult habitat and habits: Flies fast and low over ground vegetation in open situations; settles on vegetation, bare ground and stones in the sun. Flowers visited: Apiaceae; Anthericum ramosum L., Leucanthemum vulgare Lam., Mentha, Ranunculus, Solidago, Taraxacum. Flight period: End of May to August. At higher elevations, the peak is in July / August. Distribution: Distributed in high Central European (and Balkans) mountains: The Alps in France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia, the Apennine Peninsula and the Dinaric mountain range in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Bulgaria. Elevation range starts from sea level up to 2650 m (Figs 7, 16).	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF758FFC505641087FA2AF978.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Differs from other species of the M. aureus complex based on COI gene and 28 S rRNA gene sequences divergence (Figs 10, 11) and morphometric character of the wing (Fig. 13 B). Derivatio nominis: The Latin adjective calidus, warm or hot, refers to the distribution of new species in the southern mountains on the Balkan Peninsula, which	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF759FFC705A115DBFA2CF95C.taxon	materials_examined	Matrial examined: Type material: Holotype ♂, GREECE: Chelmos-Kalavryta ski centre, 06. vi. 2017, 38.0067 N 22.1948 E, A. Vujić, Z. Nedeljković, L. Likov, M. Miličić, T. Tot. leg. (FSUNS, 15975). – Paratypes GREECE: 1 ♂, Evros, Avas, 28. iv. 2000, 40.9318 N 25.9024 E, van Steenis, Bakker leg. (FSUNS, 03012); 1 ♀, Evros, Dadia, Lefkimi, Dadia forest, 30. iv. 2000, 41.1302 N 26.2266 E, van Steenis, Bakker leg. (FSUNS, 03011); 1 ♂, Magnisias, Platania, 05. v. 2000, 39.20 N 23.29 E, Standfuss leg. (D. D. coll., 03014); 3 ♀♀, 35 km NE of Kalambaka, 15. v. 2005, Halada leg. (J. H. coll., 18347 – 18349); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Evros, Mountain Sapka, 15. v. 2008, 770 m, 41.145 N 25.9094 E, de Courcy Williams leg. (FSUNS, G 0946, G 0947); 1 ♂, Mountain Pindos, Iznad Hrizopolio, v. 2011. 39.601 N 21.497 E (FSUNS, H 55); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Drama, 20 – 23. v. 2011, 41.1504 N 24.1522 E (FSUNS, I 55, I 56); 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Drama, Kato Nevrokopi, v. 2011, 41.2209 N, 23.9669 E (FSUNS, I 31 – I 35, I 57, I 58); 1 ♂, Mountain Pindos, Katara Pass, 15. v. 2011, 39.796 N 21.229 E (FSUNS, H 24); 2 ♂♂, Mountain Pindos, Desi, 16. v. 2011, 976.5 m, 39.5632 N 21.3686 E (FSUNS, H 62, H 63); 1 ♀, Drama, Sidironero 1, 18. v. 2011, 41.217 N 24.185 E (FSUNS, I 74); 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Mountain Olympos, Litochoras – Prionia 3, proplanak pored puta, 17. v. 2012, 40.106 N 22.476 E (FSUNS, H 84, H 85, H 91, I 10, I 2, I 3, I 5); 26 ♂♂, 21 ♀♀, Mega Rema (Dadia N P), Nomos Evros, 07. v. 2013, 41.0486 N 26.0738 E (FSUNS, AI 74 – AI 88, AK 29 – AK 59, AK 70); 1 ♀, Achaia, Near Erimanthos 2, 20. iv. 2014, 38.1151 N 21.7725 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, 06461); 2 ♂♂, Achaia, Near Erimanthos 2, 20. iv. 2014, 37.9571 N 21.7520 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, 06462, 06464); 1 ♀, Mountain Olympos, Near Litochoro, 21. v. 2014, 40.1083 N 22.4779 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06498); 1 ♂, Mountain Olympos, Moni Agiou Dionisiou, 21. v. 2014, 40.1127 N 22.4688 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06509); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, Lamia, Ano Mpralos, 21. v. 2014, 38.7357 N 22.4525 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06511, 06513 – 06516); 1 ♀, Achaia, Near Erimanthos 2, 22.5.2014, 37.9571 N 21.7520 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, 06688); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, Ilia, Near Panopoulos, 22. v. 2014, 37.8421 N 21.6623 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06523, 06524, 06526 – 06528); 1 ♂, Laconia, Karyes, 25 km N from Sparta, 23. v. 2014, 37.3041 N 22.4210 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06534); 2 ♀♀, Arcadia, Between Tripolis and Sparta, 23. v. 2014, 37.3041 N 22.4210 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06580, 06581); 1 ♂, Mountain Mainalo, above Kardaras, 24. v. 2014, 1640 m, 37.6597 N 22.2598 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06590); 6 ♂♂, Mountain Mainalo, ski centre, 24. v. 2014, 1550 m, 37.6460 N 22.2668 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06637, 06639, 06644, 06647 – 06649); 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, Arcadia, Kardaras, 24. v. 2014, 1108 m, 37.6264 N 22.2907 E, A. Vujić, J. Ačanski leg. (FSUNS, 06606, 06613, 06599, 06600, 06609); 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Chelmos-Kalavryta ski centre, 06. vi. 2017, 38.0067 N 22.1948 E, A. Vujić, Z. Nedeljković, L. Likov, M. Miličić, T. Tot leg. (FSUNS, 15976 – 15979); 1 ♂, near Mainalon, Ski centre, 07. vi. 2017, 37.6534 N 22.2600 E, A. Vujić, Z. Nedeljković, L. Likov, M. Miličić, T. Tot leg. (FSUNS, 15705); 1 ♂, Chelmos-Kalavryta ski centre, 08. vi. 2017, 38.0067 N 22.194826 E, A. Vujić, Z. Nedeljković, L. Likov, Miličić M., Tot T. leg. (FSUNS, 15970); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Euboea, near Dasos Stenis, 09. vi. 2017, 38.6005 N 23.8670 E, A. Vujić, Z. Nedeljković, L. Likov, M. Miličić, T. Tot leg. (FSUNS, 15879, 15880); MONTENEGRO: 4 ♂♂, Orjen (Orijen), 01. vi. 2008, 42.5691 N 18.5441 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, A 98, A 99, B 3, B 4); 1 ♂, Rumija, Oko sredine (deo ka jezeru, uz put), 02. v. 2011, 42.112 N 19.2173 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, G 0243); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Orjen (Orijen), Planinarski dom, 01. vi. 2011, 42.5121 N 18.5570 E (FSUNS, J 83, J 81); 2 ♀♀, Orjen (Orijen), Risan, Crkvice, 01. vi. 2011, 42.561 N 18.630 E (FSUNS, J 88, J 94); 4 ♂♂, Orjen (Orijen), Vratlo, 01. vi. 2011, 42.5104 N 18.5590 E (FSUNS, J 23, J 30, J 31, J 58); 2 ♂♂, Durmitor, Ka Savinom kuku, 15. vi. 2012, 43.1167 N 19.0914 E (FSUNS, X 40, X 50); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Durmitor, PoŠćensko jezero, 01 – 04. vi. 2016, 1045 m, 42.9786 N 19.0707 E, A. Vujić, L. Likov, M. Miličić, N. Veličković leg. (FSUNS, 11826 – 11829); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, JuŽne padine Žiljova, Zatrijebač – K. Korita, 02. vi. 2016, 42.5232 N 19.5381 E, S. MalidŽan leg. (PMCG, 16506, 16509, 16505); 21 ♂♂, 1 ♀, PluŽine, Pejovic’s land, 20. v. 2017, 43.027 N 18.845 E, A. Vujić, Z. Markov, S. Popov, M. Ranković, A. Šebić leg. (FSUNS, 17780 – 17795, 17797 – 17802); 1 ♂, Vojnik, Vioč ka vrhu, 14. vi. 2017, 1447 m, 42.9251 N 19.0199 E, S. MalidŽan leg. (PMCG, 16498); 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Lovćen, Lovćen 1, 17. v. 2018, 42.3830 N 18.8984 E, A. Vujić, A. Šebić, M. Ranković leg. (FSUNS, 18996, 19003 – 19005, 19007, 19010, 19013); 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Lovćen, Lovćen 2, 17. v. 2018, 42.3711 N 18.8715 E, A. Vujić, A. Šebić, M. Ranković leg. (FSUNS, 18947, 18955, 18969, 18975); 1 ♀, Lovćen, Lovćen 4, 18. v. 2018, 42.3664 N 18.8926 E, A. Vujić, A. Šebić, M. Ranković leg. (FSUNS, 18984); SERBIA: 6 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀,	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF75BFFC60558159AFABAFB52.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Differs from other species of the M. aureus complex based on COI and 28 S rRNA gene sequences divergence (Figs 10, 11) and morphometric character of the wing (Fig. 13 B). Derivatio nominis: The Latin noun ortus, east or origin, refers to the distribution of species in the Middle East. It should be treated as a noun in apposition. Ðerdap, Ciganski potok, 07. v. 2010, 44.5410 N 22.0202 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, A 81, A 82, A 84 – A 90, A 95 – A 97, D 62); 1 ♂, Ðerdap, Ciganski potok, iv. 2011, 44.541 N 22.020 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, G 65); 7 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, Ðerdap, Ciganski potok 2, iv. 2011, 44.5410 N 22.0202 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, G 43, G 46, G 48, G 49, G 51, G 57, G 58, G 80 – G 82, G 85, G 87, G 88); 1 ♂, Stara Planina, Babin zub, 21. vi. 2009, 43.3740 N 22.6201 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, G 1667); 6 ♂♂, Stara Planina, Babin zub, 21. vi. 2012, 43.3740 N 22.6201 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, U 79, U 80, U 81, U 83, U 85, U 89, U 94, U 99, W 13). Distribution: Distributed on southern parts of Balkan Peninsula, in Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Serbia. Elevation range is variable, between sea level and 1850 m (Fig. 16). Material examined: Type material: Holotype ♂, IRAN: Qaradagh forest, 05. viii. 2012, 1940 m, 38.8638 N 46.8331 E, Khaganinia leg. (IHCMM, 10291). – Paratypes AZERBAIJAN: 11 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Caucasus, Talysch (mountain range), 1885, 38.7000 N 48.3 E, Mik leg. (NHMW, 03025, 03026, 05739 – 05749); 1 ♀, Lerik, Lerik, 13. vi. 1996, 38.7752 N 48.4152 E, A. Vujić leg. (FSUNS, 03023); 1 ♂, Yardymli, Avash, 15. vi. 1996, 1200 / 1500 m, 38.8333 N 48.1666 E, Hauser leg. (M. H. coll., 03022); 1 ♂, Caucasus, Ganja (Elizavetpol), Mik leg. (03024, NHMW); IRAN: 1 ♀, Mazandaran, Kelardasht, Tuydareh, 24. v. 2003, 1400 m, 36.5166 N 51.1666 E, Gilasian leg. (HMIM, 03021); 1 ♀, Mazandaran, Anarum, 08. vi. 2006, 1400, 36.0369 N 53.1597 E, Gilasian leg. (HMIM, 03037,); 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, Tehran, Veresk, 08. vi. 2006, 1750 m, 35.9177 N 52.9597 E, Gilasian leg. (HMIM, 03034 – 03036, 03038, 03039); 1 ♂, Chichekli forest, 20. viii. 2009, 1222 m, 38.6337 N 46.3927 E, 1222 m, Khaganinia leg. (IHCMM, 10267); 1 ♂, Qaradagh forests, 05. viii. 2012, 2021 m, 38 53.815 N 46 48.800 E, Khaganinia leg. (IHCMM, 10287); 1 ♀, Qaradagh forest, 05. viii. 2012, 1313 m, 38 55.601 N 46.932 E, Khaganinia leg. (IHCMM, 10288); 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (FSUNS, 03018 – 03020). Distribution: Distributed in the Caucasus of Azerbaijan and high mountains of Iran south of the Caspian Sea at elevations between 1050 and 2100 m (Fig. 16).	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF75BFFC105AF13FFFE04FDC3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Complete body pile whitish, except few black ones on frons; eye pile white (Figs 12 D, 17 C) (black at least in upper half in M. aureus and M. pumilus); pile on metafemora whitish (Fig. 18 B, C); eye contiguity between 15 and 20 ommatidia, slightly shorter than length of vertical triangle (Fig. 12 D). Material examined: Type material: Merodon aeneus unicolor Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909: 203. Type locality: Spain. Merodon unicolor was described as a variety of M. aeneus Megerle in Meigen, 1822 from a single male. Holotype ♂, SPAIN, Escorial ‘ v. unicolor m / Spain. / Typus’ (NMBA). Biology and preferred habitat: Marcos-García et al. (2007) and Speight (2018) revealed some biological data. Preferred environment: Forest / open ground; well-drained, non-calcareous, montane and subalpine unimproved grassland; hedgehog heath; open, grassy areas in montane Betula and Pinus forest, up to and including Pinus uncinata forest in the Pyrenees. Adult habitat and habits: Fast-flying, at up to 1.5 m from the ground, through and around tall ground vegetation. Flowers visited: Anthemis mixta L. Flight period: April to September. Distribution: Distributed in south-western Europe across the Iberian Peninsula: the Pyrenees in France, Andorra and Spain, and mountainous areas in Spain. The elevation range is from sea level to 2400 m (Figs 8, 16).	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF75CFFC106CB1162FAA4FCF5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Differs from M. unicolor based on COI gene sequences divergence (Fig. 11) and morphometric character of the wing (Fig. 13 C). Derivatio nominis: The Latin adjective albidus, white, refers to white pilosity of the body of this species. Material examined: Type material: Holotype ♂, TURKEY: Isparta, Keçiborlu, Gülköy, 22. vi. 2015, 1502 m, 37.9683 N 30.2594 E, A. Vujić, Hayat, Gök, Uzal leg. (EMIT, 09932). – Paratypes TURKEY: 1 ♂, Bolu, above Göynük, 17. v. 1960, 610 m, 40.4002 N 30.7883 E, Guichard, Harvey leg. (BMNH, 04358); 1 ♀, Ankara, Ankara, 24. vi. 1984, 39.9272 N 32.8644 E, Lucas leg. (NBCN, AM- 05 - 109); 3 ♀♀, Ankara, 10 km from Ankara, 05. vi. 1988, 39.9272 N 32.8644 E, Warncke leg. (NBCN, AM- 05 - 108, AM- 05 - 113); 1 ♀, Muğla, 16 km NNW from Üzümlü, brooklet near Kukpunar, 28. v. 2000, 1350 m, 36.7336 N 29.2333 E, Smit leg. (J. S. coll., 04063); 5 ♀♀, Isparta, Keçiborlu, Gülköy, 22. vi. 2015, 1502 m, 37.9683 N 30.2594 E, A. Vujić, Hayat, Gök, Uzal leg. (EMIT, 09931, 09933, 09934, 09935, 09936); 2 ♀♀, Isparta, Keçiborlu, Kavak – Kapanlı Arası (II), 22. vi. 2015, 1500 m, 37.9269 N 30.1908 E, A. Vujić, Hayat, Gök, Uzal leg. (EMIT, 09939, 09940,); 1 ♀, Isparta, Keçiborlu, Kozluca – Gülköy Yolu, 22. vi. 2015, 1522, 37.8981 N 30.1830 E, A. Vujić, Hayat, Gök, Uzal leg. (EMIT, 09938); 1 ♀, Burdur, Burdur Aziziye Yolu — 1 -, 02. vii. 2015, 1300 m, 37.5622 N 30.1780 E, A. Vujić, Hayat, Uzun, Uzal, Gök, Demirözer leg (EMIT, 09937). Distribution: Mountainous species, distributed in south-western and north-western Turkey (Fig. 7). According to available data, the elevation range is from 610 to 1522 m (Fig. 16). SPECIES NOT PART OF A COMPLEX	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
039A87FFF75CFFC1055517BAFA2CF966.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Eye pile black at least in upper half; eye contiguity in male short, between 5 and 10 ommatidia, about two times shorter than length of vertical triangle (Fig. 12 C); female of M. pumilus (Fig. 17 A) similar to M. aureus, but differs with shorter distance between posterior ocellus and eye margin (in Fig. 13 B: yellow line) comparing distance between two posterior ocelli (in Fig. 13 B: pink line), while in M. aureus distance between two posterior ocelli (in Fig. 13 A: pink line) comparing distance between posterior ocellus and eye margin (in Fig. 13 A: yellow line) shorter; ocellar triangle isosceles, two lateral sides shorter than basal (Fig. 13 A); pile on metafemora pale (Fig. 18 A). Material examined: Type material: Merodon pumilus Macquart in Lucas, 1849: 466. Type locality: Algeria, Constantine. Merodon pumilus was described from a single female. Holotype: ♀, ALGERIA, Constantine, ‘ pumilus Macq. sp. nova / Type’ (MNHN). Biology and preferred habitat: Marcos-García et al. (2007) and Speight (2018) listed some biological data. Preferred environment: Forest / open ground; open areas in thermophilous Quercus forest and evergreen oak forest; maquis and matorral; xeric grassland. Adult habitat and habits: No data. Flowers visited: Apiaceae; Anthericum ramosum, Leucanthemum vulgare, Mentha, Ranunculus, Solidago, Taraxacum. Flight period: April to June. Distribution: Distributed in north-western parts of Africa (the Atlas mountain range in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and south-western parts of Europe (Portugal and Spain). According to available data, the elevation range is from sea level to 1700 m (Figs 9, 16).	en	Vujić, Ante, Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić, Ačanski, Jelena, Likov, Laura, Radenković, Snežana, Djan, Mihajla, Milić, Dubravka, Šebić, Anja, Ranković, Milica, Khaghaninia, Samad (2020): Hide-and-seek with hoverflies: Merodon aureus - a species, a complex or a subgroup? Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 190: 974-1001
