Anypodetus fascipennis Engel, 1924

Dikow, Torsten & Dubus, Meliah, 2023, A review of the assassin-fly genus Anypodetus Hermann, 1907 with the description of a new species (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae), African Invertebrates 64 (2), pp. 165-206 : 165

Anypodetus fascipennis Engel, 1924

Figs 3 , 4 , 24-29 , 52

Anypodetus semirufus Engel, 1924 - synonymy sensu Oldroyd 1974: 90.

Anypodetus maculipennis Ricardo, 1925 - synonymy sensu Engel and Cuthbertson 1934: 43.

Taxon depository for Anypodetus fascipennis .

ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/BB65F2F8-7A94-4F30-9683-A1F286B3E141;

GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/1664903;

Plazi TreatmentBank ( Londt 2000): https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B39D2F-F04B-9D42-FF58-FA0BDE1941E7;

iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/650535-Anypodetus-fascipennis.

Taxon depository for Anypodetus semirufus .

ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/F6EF960F-426E-4015-BF13-509B3EACF10D;

GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/1664901.

Taxon depository for Anypodetus maculipennis .

ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/FD892EEF-11B9-470F-BF09-CA49E10C92E0;

GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/1664902.

Diagnosis.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the brown-stained anterior half of the wings with white transverse bands, the lateral frons being strongly developed with 3-4 short, yellow proclinate macrosetae, the circular macrosetae (female yellowish and black, male white) in the mystax, and the proximal portion of vein M2 and the distal portion of vein M3 not aligned.

Type locality.

South Africa: Eastern Cape: Willowmore (33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E, -33.28333, 23.48333).

Material examined.

Botswana - Central • 1♀ Palapye; 22°33'00"S, 027°08'00"E; 18 Oct. 1923; Stevenson, R. leg. ; SAM-DIP-A007912, SAMC • 1♂ Serowe ; 22°25'00"S, 026°44'00"E; 1000 m a.s.l.; 28 Nov. 1980; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; Malaise trap; NMSA-DIP-008961, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097062, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-008963, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 23 Oct. 1982; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008992, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 26 Nov. 1982; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008984, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097017, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 21 Dec. 1982; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008981, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; Oct. 1985; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008968, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097076, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097074, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; Dec. 1985; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008994, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 08 Nov. 1988; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008979, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 09 Nov. 1988; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-008974, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097018, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; Oct. 1989; Forchhammer, P. leg. ; NMSA-DIP-097064, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097065, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097066, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097067, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; Nov. 1989 ; NMSA-DIP-008966, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-008968, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097069, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097070, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097071, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097072 .

Namibia • 1♀ Namibia; Mar. 1923; Mus. Exped. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008972, NMSA • 1♀ Südwest-Afrika (= Namibia), F 274; Werner, G. leg.; AAM-010186, SMNS • 1♀ Südwest-Afrika (= Namibia), F 292; 04 Dec. 1955; Werner, G. leg.; AAM-010187, SMNS .

Namibia - Erongo • 1♀ Portsmut Farm 33, Hakos Mts. ; 23°06'00"S, 016°25'00"E; 07 Feb. 1969; Lamoral, B. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008973, NMSA .

Namibia - Karas • 1♂ Warmbad ; 28°27'00"S, 018°44'00"E; Feb. 1925; S.W. Africa Museum Expedition leg.; SAM-DIP-A008755, SAMC .

Namibia - Khomas • 1♀ Fort Francois , along C28 W Windhoek; 22°40'08"S, 016°37'15"E; 1633 m a.s.l.; 31 Jan. 2012; Dikow, Torsten leg.; bushland, perching on ground; USNMENT00832179, USNM .

Namibia - Kunene • 1♀ Epupa Falls ; 17°00'00"S, 013°15'00"E; 19-21 Feb. 1994; Koch, F. leg.;, MFN • 1♀ same data; MFN • 1♀ same locality; 20-22 Feb. 1994; Koch, F. leg.; MFN • 1♀ Kaross ; 19°30'00"S, 014°20'00"E; Feb. 1925; S.W. Africa Museum Expedition leg.; SAM-DIP-A008760, SAMC • 1♀ Outjo ; 20°06'21"S, 016°08'59"E; Jan. 1925; Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A008758, SAMC • 1♀ Ruacana Falls ; 17°24'05"S, 014°12'54"E; 23-24 Feb. 1994; Koch, F. leg.; MFN • 1♀ same data; MFN • 1♀ same data; MFN .

Namibia - Omaheke • 1♀ Gobabis , 130 km S; 23°33'34"S, 019°06'52"E; 30 Dec. 1960; Haacke, W. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008976, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097016, NMSA .

Namibia - Oshikoto • 1♂ Tsumeb , 45 km S; 19°27'09"S, 017°35'24"E; 10 Dec. 1956; NMSA-DIP-008978, NMSA .

South Africa - Eastern Cape • 1♀ Aberdeen Nature Reserve ; 32°28'18"S, 024°02'22"E; 762 m a.s.l.; 04 Dec. 2015; collected a.m. (9:00-noon); Dikow, Torsten leg.; Acacia bushveld and dry pan, perching on low vegetation; USNMENT01115181, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01115034, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01115113, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT01115114, USNM • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01115164, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT01115172, USNM • 1♀ same data; USNMENT01115204, USNM • 1♂ Aberdeen Nature Reserve ; 32°28'11"S, 024°01'23"E; 760 m a.s.l.; 05 Dec. 2015; collected a.m. (9:00-noon); Dikow, Torsten leg.; Acacia bushveld and dry pan, perching on low vegetation; USNMENT01115258, USNM • 1♀ 1♂ same data; in copula; USNMENT01115269, USNM • 1♂ Graaf-Reinet, 22 km SE, on Pearston Rd ; 32°27'00"S, 024°38'00"E; 750 m a.s.l.; 07 Dec. 1989; Londt, Jason, Londt, A. leg.; open Karoo scrub/flowers; NAMS-DIP-008999, NMSA • 1♀ Willowmore ; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; Feb. 1907; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008980, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 20 Jan. 1908; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008977, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 01 Jan. 1909; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008995, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 10 Feb. 1909; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008988, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; Dec. 1912; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008997, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 01 Jan. 1913; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008982, NMSA • 1♀ same data; NMSA-DIP-097037, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 02 Jan. 1913; Brauns, J. leg.; SAM-DIP-A007908, SAMC • 1♂ same locality; 01 Jan. 1915; Brauns, J. leg.; USNMENT01141005, USNM • 1♀ same locality; 01 Jan. 1919; Brauns, J. leg.; USNMENT01141005, USNM • 1♀ same locality; Dec. 1920; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008986, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 05 Jan. 1922; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008983, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 10 Dec. 1922; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008985, NMSA • 1♂ same locality; 03 Jan. 1926; Brauns, J. leg.; USNMENT01141004, USNM .

South Africa - Free State • 1♀ Bloemfontein district ; 29°10'00"S, 026°00'00"E; 12 Dec. 1920; Munro, H. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008991, NMSA .

South Africa - Gauteng • 1♀ Pretoria ; 25°44'00"S, 028°11'00"E; Jan. 1919; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-097035, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097036, NMSA • 1♀ same data; USNMENT01831271, USNM • 1♀ same locality; Jan. 1920; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-024273, NMSA .

South Africa - Limpopo • 1♀ Beacon Ranch , 20 km NW Gravelotte; 23°52'42"S, 030°27'25"E; 17 Nov. 1978; Brothers, D., Guillarmond, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008990, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097014, NMSA • 1♂ Moorddrift ; 24°17'00"S, 028°57'00"E; 07-19 Oct. 1907; Swierstra, C. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008975, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097015, NMSA .

South Africa - Mpumalanga • 1♂ Kaapmuiden ; 25°32'00"S, 031°19'00"E; 30 Oct. 1918; Tucker, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A007910, SAMC .

South Africa - North-West • 1♀ Delarey (= Delareyville); 26°41'08"S, 25°27'41"E; Jan. 1917; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-097021, NMSA • 1♀ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097022, NMSA • 1♀ same data ; NMSA-DIP-008987, NMSA • 1♂ same locality ; Jan. 1919; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008998, NMSA • 1♀ same locality ; Jan. 1919; Brauns, J. leg.; NMSA-DIP-097023, NMSA • 1♀ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097024, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097025, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097026, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097027, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097028, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097029, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097030, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097031, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097032, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097033, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097034, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; NMSA-DIP-097196, NMSA • 1♂ same data ; USNMENT01141006, USNM • 1♀ same data ; USNMENT01141007, USNM • 1♂ same data ; USNMENT01141006, USNM • 1♀ Vryburg ; 26°57'00"S, 024°44'00"E; Oct. 1939; Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A007909, SAMC .

South Africa - Northern Cape • 1♀ Hopetown , 16 km W; 29°36'46"S, 023°54'32"E; 27 Jan. 1930; Munro, H. leg.; SANC • 1♂ same data; SANC • 1♀ Upington , 35 km WNW; 28°21'23"S, 020°54'46"E; 20 Mar. 1980; Londt, Jason, Schoeman, L. leg.; roadside vegetation; NAMS-DIP-008996, NMSA • 1♂ same data; NMSA-DIP-097013, NMSA .

South Africa - Western Cape • 1♀ Merweville ; 32°40'00"S, 021°31'00"E; Feb. 1941; Zinn, H. leg.; SAM-DIP-A007911, SAMC .

Zimbabwe - Bulawayo • 1♀ Bulawayo; 20°09'00"S, 028°35'00"E; 19 Oct. 1919 ; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NHMUK013445833, Paralectotype Anypodetus maculipennis Ricardo, 1925, NHMUK • 1♀ same locality; 14 Oct. 1922 ; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NHMUK013445834, Paralectotype Anypodetus maculipennis Ricardo, 1925, NHMUK • 1♂ same locality; Nov. 1922 ; Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-009000, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 12 Oct. 1923 ; Stevenson, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A007914, SAMC • 1♂ same data; SAM-DIP-A007914, SAMC • 1♂ same locality; 04 Nov. 1923 ; Stevenson, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A007913, SAMC • 1♀ Bulawayo; 20°09'00"S, 028°35'00"E; 1924; Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-009001, NMSA .

Zimbabwe - Harare • 1♂ Hillside ; 17°50'00"S, 031°05'00"E; Nov. 1922; Swinburne, Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-009007, NMSA • 1♀ same locality; 05 Nov. 1922; Swinburne , Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-009003, NMSA • 1♂ same data; USNMENT01831270, USNM • 1♀ same locality; 04 Feb. 1923; Swinburne , Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-009002, NMSA .

Zimbabwe - Matabeleland North • 1♀ Khami; 20°09'30"S, 028°22'36"E; 01 Oct. 1938; National Museum Southern Rhodesia leg.; NMZ2733, NMBZ • 1♂ Sawmills ; 19°35'00"S, 028°02'23"E; 12 Nov. 1920; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NHMUK013445832, Lectotype Anypodetus maculipennis Ricardo, 1925, NHMUK • 1♀ same locality; 12 Oct. 1923; Rhodesia Museum leg.; NMZ2728, NMBZ • 1♂ same locality; 14 Nov. 1924; Stevenson, R. leg.; NMSA-DIP-008993, NMSA.

Distribution, biodiversity hotspots, seasonal imago flight activity, and biology.

Known from throughout southern Africa except Mozambique to date (Fig. 52 ). A commonly observed and collected species known from 121 specimens from 31 collecting events between 1907-2015 and three observations at iNaturalist (Table 2 ). The species is not known to occur in any currently recognized biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active from late spring to late summer (October-March) (Table 3 ). Specimens collected by the senior author have been recorded perching on ground or on low vegetation (see Figs 3 , 4 ).

Remarks.

Ricardo (1925: 242) described A. maculipennis on 'Type (male) from Saw Mills, S. Rhodesia. Type (female) from Bulawayo, and other males and females from the same locality (Rhodesia Museum).' In doing so she did not designate a holotype so all her listed specimens must be considered syntypes. The NHMUK specimens of A. maculipennis were labeled as Syntypes by J. Chainey in 1984. Londt (2000: 134) designated 'the male as lectotype and the female as paralectotype’ but none of the specimens are labeled as such and there are more than two specimens. We hereby designate the male from Sawmills as Lectotype (NHMUK013445832) in order to stabilize the species concept and the other two female specimens from Bulawayo in the NHMUK as Paralectotypes (NHMUK013445833 and NHMUK013445834).

Londt (1998) reported on a specimen from Willowmore that was identified by F. Hermann as ' A. varipennis ', which represents an unpublished name. The specimen in the NMSA (NMSA-DIP-008988) has been studied and verified to represent A. fascipennis .

Figures

Figure 52. Map of southern Africa with elevational relief and biodiversity hotspots (sensu Conservation International in gray) and distribution of A. fasciatus, A. fascipennis, A. macroceros, A. nigrifacies, and A. phalaros (SimpleMappr https: // www. simplemappr. net / map / 20267). Distribution and occurrence data available in Google Earth KML file https: // www. simplemappr. net / map / 20267. kml.

Figures 1 - 4. Photographs of Anypodetus species in nature 1 A. fasciatus male near Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia, 12 Nov 2012 2 A. fasciatus male at Namib-Naukluft NP, Erongo, Namibia (23 ° 34 ' 05 " S, 015 ° 48 ' 16 " E) (see habitat photo in Fig. 7, iNaturalist observation https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 63337147), 8 Feb 2012 3, 4 A. fascipennis female and male in copula at Aberdeen NR, Eastern Cape, South Africa (32 ° 28 ' 11 " S, 024 ° 01 ' 23 " E) (see habitat photo in Fig. 6, iNaturalist observation https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 152200595), 5 Dec 2015. Photographs by S. Marshall (1) and T. Dikow (2 - 4).

Figures 24 - 29. A. fascipennis 24 ♀ (USNMENT 01115204), lateral 25 same, dorsal 26 same, head anterior 27 ♂ (USNMENT 01115113), head anterior 28 same, lateral 29 same, dorsal. Scale bars: 5 mm, red arrow = vein M 2 and M 3 alignment.