Merucata vieirai Soares, Camargo & Lamas, 2025

Merucata vieirai Soares, Camargo & Lamas sp. nov.

( Figs 17 View FIGURE 17 , 18 View FIGURE 18 , 19 View FIGURE 19 )

Diagnosis (male). The new species is remarkably similar to M. caipora sp. nov., contrasting mainly by femora mostly covered with white setae ( Fig. 17A View FIGURE 17 ) (remarkable on anterior surface of femur I ( Fig. 17C View FIGURE 17 )); 2 postalar macrosetae; hypandrium only with posterolateral macrosetae at posterior edge ( Fig. 18K View FIGURE 18 ).

Description. Holotype male ( Fig. 17A View FIGURE 17 ). Body length: 9.5 mm; wing length: 6.4 mm. Similar to M. caipora sp. nov. except as noted: Thorax ( Fig. 17A, B View FIGURE 17 ). Scutum covered with more dense short black setae, slightly longer at posterior 1/2; 2–3 black postsutural dorsocentral macrosetae; 2 black postalar macrosetae. Leg I. Anterior surface of coxa I with slender white macrosetae. Femur almost wholly covered with short white setae, with 4–5 long white setae at ventral ½ ( Fig. 17C View FIGURE 17 ). Tibia with ventral to anteroventral row of 4 white macrosetae from basal 2/3 to apex. Basitarsus with 1 posteroventral white macroseta near base. Leg II. Femur wholly covered with white setae. Tibia with posteroventral row of 3–4 short white setae, 1 ventral and 1 posteroventral white setae at apical 1/2; 2–3 dorsal short white setae at apical 1/3. Basitarsus with 1–2 posteroventral white setae. Leg III. Femur wholly covered with white setae, except for 1 antero- and 1 posterodorsal and 1 posterior preapical black seta. Tibia with 2 anterodorsal and 2 anteroventral white setae at apical 1/2. Wing ( Fig. 17E View FIGURE 17 ). Cell cua closed and petiolate with petiole as long as crossvein r-m. Abdomen. Tergite 8 with wide concavity at anterior margin, with rounded posterior corners, with a few black macrosetae ( Fig. 18H View FIGURE 18 ). Sternite 8 subrectangular, covered with a few short setae at posterior edge ( Fig. 18I View FIGURE 18 ). Terminalia ( Fig. 18 View FIGURE 18 ). Orangish brown to dark brown. Inner dorsal process of epandrium longer and digitiform ( Fig. 18C View FIGURE 18 ). Hypandrium somewhat saddle-shaped, only with posterolateral macrosetae at posterior edge ( Fig. 18K View FIGURE 18 ). Gonocoxite subtriangular, dorsal edge truncated, membranous at apex; outer edge covered with short black setae; ventral edge with black macrosetae ( Fig. 18E, F View FIGURE 18 ). Gonostylus 1.5 times longer than gonocoxite, mostly subrectangular, weakly sclerotized at middle and apex; apex rounded, slightly curved dorsally, covered with spicules ( Fig. 18J View FIGURE 18 ).

Variation. Body length: 8.75–11 mm, wing length: 6.8–7.5 mm (n = 11).

Female. Similar to male, except as noted: body length: 9.3–12.2 mm, wing length: 6.6–8.2 mm (n = 8). Face and frons sometimes golden pruinose, mystax not forming dense tuft of macrosetae ventrally. Terminalia as in M. caipora sp. nov.

Type material. HOLOTYPE: ♂ ( MZUSP) labelled: “ Brasil: MS: Corguinho | Taboco | Reserva Quinta do Sol | 19º46'40,8"S 55º14'59,0"W | Malaise 12 | 12.x–12.xi.2012 | Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols.” “ HOLOTYPE | Merucata vieirai | Soares, Camargo & Lamas [red label]” GoogleMaps . Holotype condition: Good, not dissected. PARATYPES: Same data as holotype ( 1 ♂, dissected, 3 ♀, MZUSP) GoogleMaps ; same data, except: 19°46'36.8"S 55°14'55.7"W, Malaise 14, 12– 29.xi.2012 ( 2 ♂, 2 ♀, MZUSP) GoogleMaps ; same data, except: 19°46'40.8"S 55°14'59"W, Malaise 12, 12.x–12.xi.2012 ( 3 ♂, MZUSP) GoogleMaps ; Porto Murtinho , Fazenda Retiro Conceição , Trilha da Mata Bruta , 21°41'52.0"S 57°45'57.1"W, Malaise 33, 01–15.xi.2012, Lamas, Nihei e eq. cols. ( 6 ♂, 1 ♀, MZUSP; 1 ♀, NHMW) GoogleMaps ; same data, except: 21°40'59.7"S 57°46'42.5"W, Malaise 31, 26.xii.2011 – 10.i.2012 ( 1 ♂, MZUSP) GoogleMaps ; Aquidauana , Reserva Ecológica UEMS, 20°26'01.6"S 55°29'30.4"W, Ativa, 12.xii.2013, Lamas e eq. cols. ( 1 ♂, dissected, 3 ♀, MZUSP) GoogleMaps ; Camisão , Trilha do Mirante, 20°26'40"S 55°38'22.5"W, Ativa, 13.xii.2013, Lamas & eq. cols. ( 1 ♂, 1 ♀, NHMW) GoogleMaps ; Bodoquena , Fazenda Califórnia, 20°41'53.5"S 56°52'55.7"W, Ativa, 15.xii.2013, Lamas eq. cols. ( 1 ♂, NHMW) GoogleMaps .

Remarks. The new species is remarkable similar to M. caipora sp. nov. as discussed above in the remarks of M. caipora sp. nov. but it can be easily distinguished by the characteristics presented in the diagnosis and in the key to species.

Distribution. Brazil (state of Mato Grosso do Sul) ( Fig. 19 View FIGURE 19 ).

Etymology. Named after Dr. Rodrigo Vieira (SEDUC/AM) for his remarkable contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical robber fly fauna.