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| Hercostomus obtusus Samoh & Grootaert, 2024 (photos: A. Samoh). |
Abstract
The long-legged fly genus Hercostomus Loew, 1857 is reported for the first time from mangrove habitats in Thailand. Two new species, H. obtusus sp. nov. and H. squamatus sp. nov. are described based on external morphology and supported by NGS barcoding. Four described species, namely, H. brevicornis Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, H. brevidigitalis Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, H. lanceolatus Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, and H. plumatus Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, previously known only from Singapore mangroves, are recorded for the first time from Thailand mangroves. In addition, species distributions are mapped and taxonomic notes are provided.
Diptera, taxonomy, NGS barcodes, Southeast Asia
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| Hercostomus obtusus sp. nov. Male and female habitus (photos: Abdulloh Samoh). |
Hercostomus squamatus sp. nov.
Etymology. The specific epithet, squamatus refers to the numerous squamiform bristles on the apical border of the cercus.
Bionomics. This species was collected from shaded areas of mangrove creeks and back mangroves, which had an abundance of small pebbles, sand, and muddy soils in their vicinity.
Distribution. THAILAND: Phang Nga and Satun provinces, SINGAPORE: Pulau Semakau (Semakau Island).
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| Hercostomus squamatus sp. nov. Male and female habitus (photos: Abdulloh Samoh). |
Hercostomus obtusus sp. nov.
Etymology. The specific epithet, obtusus refers to the obtuse tip of the first flagellomere.
Bionomics. This species was collected from shaded areas of the back mangrove.
Distribution. THAILAND: Phang Nga and Satun provinces (Andaman Seacoasts, southern Thailand). SINGAPORE: common in the back mangrove all over the country.
Abdullah Samoh and Patrick Grootaert. 2024. New Species and Records of the Genus Hercostomus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Thailand Mangroves, with Notes on the Hercostomus Fauna of Singapore Mangroves. Zootaxa. 5446(2); 179-204. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5446.2.2
Researchgate.net/publication/380208310_New_species_and_records_of_the_genus_Hercostomus_from_Thailand_Singapore_mangroves
