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. 2015 Oct 5:(525):117-27.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.525.6143. eCollection 2015.

New species without dead bodies: a case for photo-based descriptions, illustrated by a striking new species of Marleyimyia Hesse (Diptera, Bombyliidae) from South Africa

Stephen A Marshall  1 , Neal L Evenhuis  2
Affiliations

New species without dead bodies: a case for photo-based descriptions, illustrated by a striking new species of Marleyimyia Hesse (Diptera, Bombyliidae) from South Africa

Stephen A Marshall et al. Zookeys. .

Abstract

A new bombyliid species Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n., an apparent mimic of the carpenter bee Xylocopa flavicollis (De Geer), is described from South Africa on the basis of photographs only. The pros and cons of species descriptions in the absence of preserved type specimens are discussed.

Keywords: South Africa; Xylocopa; bee fly; mimicry; photography; taxonomy; type specimens.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Habitus of female Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n. from Ndumo Game Preserve, South Africa, 1 December 2014. Fig. 1 derives from Photo no. 7007 (Campground site) and was adjusted for brightness and contrast. Photo: Steve Marshall.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n., detail of head. Photo: Steve Marshall.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Right antenna of Marleyimyia species. A Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n. B Marleyimyia goliath (Oldroyd) [from Oldroyd 1951, fig. 5]. Fig. 3A derives from Photo no. 7015 (Red Cliffs site), was rotated slightly to match the illustration (Fig. 3B), and was adjusted for brightness and contrast. Photo: Steve Marshall.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Marleyimyia xylocopae Marshall & Evenhuis, sp. n., left wing. Fig. 4 derives from Photo no. 7007 (Campground site) and was adjusted for brightness and contrast. Photo: Steve Marshall.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Marleyimyia natalensis Hesse, male holotype. A habitus, dorsal view B Head, frontal view C habitus, lateral view D labels. Photos: Simon Van Noort, Iziko South African Museum.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Xylocopa flavicollis (De Geer) from Ndumo Game Preserve, South Africa, 8 December 2014. Photo: Steve Marshall.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Map (http://www.simplemappr.net/map/4577) showing the known localities of Marleyimyia natalensis Hesse and Marleyimyia xylocopae sp. n., in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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