A taxonomic synopsis and identification key to the genera of the Myaptex group (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilinae), with description of a remarkable new genus and three new species from the South American Chaco

Author(s)

Soares, Matheus M. M. ; Camargo, Alexssandro ; Lamas, Carlos J. E.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOKEYS; v. N/A, n. 1232, p. 31-pg., 2025-01-01.

Abstract

Cardiasilus gen. nov. is erected to include the following three new species from Brazil and Paraguay: C. aysu sp. nov. and C. dangeloi sp. nov. (both from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) and C. ruda sp. nov. (Paraguay), which are herein described and illustrated. The new genus is placed into the Myaptex group of the subfamily Asilinae based on the following set of characters: wing with cells r2+3 and r4 not separated by a recurrent vein (i.e., only two submarginal cells); costal section between tips of veins R5 and M1 much shorter than costal section between tips of R4 and R5, with R5 ending bellow wing apex; scutellum tumid, with no sign of an impressed rim and with at least one pair of well-developed apical scutellar macrosetae; claws acute; and abdominal tergites with lateral marginal macrosetae. It can be differentiated from the other genera of the group by the scutum lacking anterior dorsocentral setae, male epandrium inflated (which resembles the ideogram of a heart in dorsal view), male and female sternites 2-6 with lateral macrosetae, and the male sternite 8 with a long digitiform projection at middle of posterior margin. An illustrated identification key to the genera of the Myaptex group, as well as to the males of Cardiasilus gen. nov., are also provided. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/12640-3 - Systematics, taxonomy and curation of Asiloidea (Insecta: Diptera): discovering and safeguarding the material evidence of the biodiversity, with emphasis on the families Asilidae, Bombyliidae and Mythicomyiidae
• Grantee: Carlos José Einicker Lamas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/52314-0 - The SISBIOTA - Diptera Brazilian network: a long term survey of Diptera from unexplored central areas of Brazil
• Grantee: Carlos José Einicker Lamas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 23/17951-0 - Increasing knowledge about the biodiversity of robber flies (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae) based on the collection deposited at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo
• Grantee: Matheus Mickael Mota Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral