taxonID	type	description	language	source
6E1F87C8162CFFFFEA0D42A3FBD5F864.taxon	discussion	Hull (1962) provided an excellent and full redescription of the genus. The following keys will separate the afrotropical taxa.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8162DFFF9EB904C65FDA3FB5D.taxon	distribution	This species was described from a short series collected during April and May 1929 at Gebel Elba (22 ° 11 ' N: 36 ° 21 ' E) by M. Tewfik (Efflatoun 1937). While Efflatoun included the species in a review of Egyptian asilids the locality is in the north-eastern part of Sudan, close to the Egyptian border, and should therefore be included in any study of the afrotropical fauna. Both Hull (1962) and Oldroyd (1980) correctly dealt with the species in this way. Unfortunately the whereabouts of the type specimens is not known and so they could not be studied. In describing elbaiensis Efflatoun remarked that it was ' closely allied to S. alternatus Lw., from British Baluchistan (Quetta, 6000 ft.) but is easily distinguished from it by antennae, wing-venation and the design on the abdomen. ' According to Lehr (1988), S. alternatus has been recorded from ' USSR: SMA' (Soviet Middle Asia) and Iran - some distance from Sudan. I have studied a defective specimen (lacking terminalia) from BMNH which is labelled ' Niboi / 7. vi. 22 '; ' Kenya Colony / Northern Frontier Dist. / Juba River. / Dr. J. O. Beven'; ' Saropogon / sp? / near alternatus'; ' Pres. by / Imp. Inst. Ent. / Brit. Mus. / 1931 - 138 '. Kenyan gazetteers available to me do not list Juba River. The only Juba I found is in Sudan (4 ° S 0 ' N: 31 ° 3 S'E) and so it seems likely that this specimen may belong to elbaiensis. If this is true the specimen must be a female as the abdomen is very largely red-brown in colour (the male's being almost entirely blackish). Although this damaged specimen agrees in most respects with the description given by Efflatoun I am not entirely confident of the identification. For the present I exclude this species from my key due to the absence of good comparative material.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8162AFFFBEB9A40D4F96BFC97.taxon	description	Figs I-S	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8162AFFFBEB9A40D4F96BFC97.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for Dr David Greathead, whose collecting activities in north-east Africa added a number of interesting specimens to the collections of the British Museum, London.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8162AFFFBEB9A40D4F96BFC97.taxon	description	Description: Based on holotype 0. Head (Figs 1 - 2): Face brown-yellow, gold pruinose; frons, vertex and occiput dark red-brown to black, silver pruinose except for a transverse band across vertex, including most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of frons, vertex and occiput very short and whitish. Antenna with orange scape and pedicel, dark redbrown flagellum and rnicrosegment; setae mostly yellow, a few black; proportional lengths of segments - 1: O. S: 6.0; pedicel ca half length of scape, microsegment not clearly differentiated from flagellum, subapical pit-enclosed seta present (pit far more elongate than in other species). Width of eye: width of face ratio 0.9: 1 (i. e. face slightly wider than eye). Mystax brown-yellow and black (3 setae only); composed of 9 setae arranged in a single row along lower facial margin. Palpus dark brown. Proboscis dark red-brown with paler transverse stripe at mid-length, very gently downcurved. Thorax: Mesonotum orange-brown with 3 dark red-brown longitudinal areas, the central one reaching to anterior margin; silver pruinose especially on lateral margins. Macrosetae brown-yellow: 3 npl; 3 spal; 2 pal; ca. 4 pairs dc postsuturally; pronotal lobes with 2 brown-yellow macrosetae. Scutellum brown-yellow, 2 brown-yellow marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, silver pruinose. Pleura dark red-brown, gold-silver pruinose; katatergite with ca. 20 scattered pale yellow setae. Wing: 12.4 x 4.7 mm; cell m] closed and stalked, cup closed; membrane unstained, transparent; rnicrotrichia. confined to wing margins and tip as well as margins of major veins, giving these areas a grey appearance. Halter: Brown-red. Legs: Brown-yellow, tarsi slightly darker; setae yellow and black (macrosetae mostly black). Abdomen: Brown; macrosetae pale yellow, confined to lateral parts of Tl. Genitalia (Figs 3 - 5): not rotated; proctiger well developed and downwardly directed distally; hypandrium tapering to rounded point distally and with poorly developed membranous, distal lobe (Fig. 5); phallus moderately developed with wing-like projections laterally (Fig. 5). Variation: The paratype d is teneral, somewhat distorted, greasy and lacking the terminal segments of the antennae. The genitalia and other main diagnostic features agree well with the holotype. The 9 is unknown.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8162AFFFBEB9A40D4F96BFC97.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: ERITREA: 1 ♂ holotype, ' 15 ml N Massawa [= Mits'iwa - 15 ° 36 ' N: 39 ° 28 ' E] / Eritrea / 8 / 8 / 64 ' (BMNH); 1 ♂ paratype, ' Eritrea: / near / Massawa / l. iv. 1961 / D. 1. Greathead' (BMNH). The holotype locality label is hand-written in pencil and was probably intended as a field label. Greathead (pers. comm.) suggests that he collected the holotype as he visited the locality in both 1961 and 1964. He describes Massawa and the collecting site as follows ' Seaport for Eritrea and northern Ethiopia on salt marsh. Collecting site inland of marsh on gravel plain with sparse grass clumps and few flowering shrublets'.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81628FFF5EBAB4786FE95FD5A.taxon	description	Figs 6 - 10	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81628FFF5EBAB4786FE95FD5A.taxon	discussion	Wulp (1899) described this species on ' five male specimens from Lahej' (13 ° 01 ' N: 44 ° 54 ' E) collected by Col. 1. W. Yerbury in South Yemen. The OXUM has sent me four males (listed below); the whereabouts of the fifth specimen is not known. Wulp (1899) did not designate a holotype so all his specimens must be considered syntypes. I here designate the male labelled as Type Dip: 182 114 (accession number 7677) as lectotype and consider the other OXUM specimens to be paralectotypes. Wulp did not comment on the species' relationships with other taxa.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81628FFF5EBAB4786FE95FD5A.taxon	description	Redescription: Based on lectotype d. Head (Figs 6 - 7): Face brown-yellow, silver-gold pruinose; frons, vertex and occiput dark red-brown to black, silver-gold pruinose except for a transverse band across vertex, including most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of frons and vertex black, of occiput black and whitish. Antenna brown-yellow, slightly darker distally; setae dark red-brown; proportional lengths of segments - 1: 2.0: 5.5: 0.9; microsegment with subapical pit-enclosed seta. Width of eye: width of face ratio 1.6: 1. Mystax pale yellow-white; composed of ca. 12 setae and confined to lower facial margin. Palpus dark red-brown. Proboscis dark red-brown, straight. Thorax: Mesonotum dark red-brown, postpronotal and postalar lobes brown; fine silver pruinose, especially along lateral margins. Macrosetae pale yellow-white: 2 npl; 2 spal; 2 pal; ca. 2 pairs dc postsuturally. Scutellum dark red-brown, lateral parts slightly paler, with 2 pale yellow-white marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, silvergold pruinose. Pleura dark red-brown, silver-gold pruinose; katatergite with ca. 12 scattered pale yellowish setae. Coxae as pleura but red-brown pminose. Wing: 4.8 x 1.7 mm; cells m} and cup open; membrane unstained, transparent; microtrichia confined to wing margins and tip giving these areas a grey appearance. Halter: Pale brown-yellow. Legs: Pale brown-yellow except for tarsi which are slightly darker, metathoracic femur which has a large dark red-brown patch mid-dorsally extending onto anterior and posterior surfaces, and trochanters which are dark red-brown like coxae; setae yellowish and dark red-brown, the latter mostly on tarsi.. Abdomen: Dark red-brown to black, terminalia brown-orange, hind margins of T 2 - 4 silver pruinose; macrosetae pale yellow-white, confined to lateral parts of Tl, setation white. Genitalia (Figs 8 - 10): rotated ca. 90 ° clockwise; gonocoxite with elaborate branched distal projections; hypandrium with well-developed membranous, distal lobe (Fig. 10); phallus well developed and projecting distally to be approximately level with proctiger (Fig. 8). Variation: Paralectotypes concur remarkably with the lectotype. The 9 of this species has not been identified (although it is possible that the unique 9 of rubriventris may be conspecific - see discussion below).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81628FFF5EBAB4786FE95FD5A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Types (OXUM): SOUTH YEMEN: 1 ♂ lectotype, ' Type / v. d. Wulp / Trans. Ent. Soc. / 1899, page 82 / pI. ii, fig. 1 '; ' So W. Arabia / 15 miles N. W. of / Aden, Lahej / Capt. Mar. 28.95 [1895] by / J. W. Yerbury'; ' 1899 / 7677 '; ' Type Dip: 182 114 / Saropogon / incisuratus / van der Wulp / Hope Dept. Oxford'. 3 ♂ paralectotypes same data but Mar. 10.95, 189917681 (Type 182 2 / 4), Mar 5.95, 189917680 (Type 1823 / 4), Mar. 17.95, 189917678 (Type 1824 / 4).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81628FFF5EBAB4786FE95FD5A.taxon	discussion	Relationships: While Hull (1962) considered incisuratus to be a subspecies of eucerus (Loew), this combination was not accepted by Oldroyd (1980). A decision on this matter can only be made after taxonomic review of the palaearctic fauna. For the present incisuratus appears to be a distinctive species within the afrotropical fauna. The open cell m 3 suggests affinity with rubriventris (see below) and possibly kenyensis.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	description	Figs 11 - 15	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named after Kenya, from which all known material has been collected.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	description	Description: Based on holotype d. Head (Figs 11 - 12): Entirely dark red-brown to black; face brown-red pruinose, frons, vertex and occiput silver pruinose except for most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of frons, vertex and occiput white. Antenna orange; setae pale yellow; proportional lengths of segments - 1: 1.2: 2.7: 0.2; microsegment with subapical pit-enclosed seta. Width of eye: width of face ratio 1.3: 1 (Le. face somewhat narrower than eye). Mystax pale yellow-white; composed of ca. 60 setae arranged in 3 rows along lower facial margin. Palpus dark red-brown. Proboscis dark red-brown, gently downcurved distally. Thorax: Mesonotum dark red-brown, postpronotal and postalar lobes brown-orange; silver pruinose especially on lateral margins. Macrosetae yellow: 2 npl; 2 spal; 2 pal; ca. 2 pairs dc postsuturally; pronotal lobes equipped with 4 yellow macrosetae. Scutellum dark red-brown with orange border, 2 yellow marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, silver pruinose. Pleura dark red-brown, gold-silver pruinose; katatergite with ca. 12 scattered pale yellow setae. Wing: 6.9 x 2.6 mm; cell m 3 open, cup closed at margin; membrane yellow stained, opaque; microtrichia cover entire wing except for alula and base of anal cell (wings have an overall yellow-brown appearance). Halter: Pale yellow. Legs: Pale brown-yellow, anteroproximal parts of pro- and mesothoracic femora red-brown; macrosetae mostly yellow, but some red-brown. Abdomen: Brown-orange with dark red-brown areas as follows - entire Tl except for small lateral areas, anterodistal half of T 2, anterodistal one-third of T 3, lateral spots on T 2 - 5 (terminal segments cleared for genital illustration); macrosetae pale yellow, confined to lateral parts of Tl. Genitalia (Figs 13 - 15): not rotated; hypandrium rounded distally, with flat membranous projection between gonocoxites (Fig. 15); phallus well developed, downtumed distally (Fig. 13). Variation: The males listed below agree well with the holotype. The abdomen may be more extensively dark red-brown; the anterior faces of the metathoracic femora may be partly dark red-brown; cell cup may be narrowly open at the wing margin. There appears to be some sexual dimorphism as the single female paratype has a bright gold pruinose face and mesonotum.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: KENYA: 1 ♂ holotype, ' Kenya 6 km S Kapedo 1 Hot waterfall 760 m 1 01 ° 08 ' N: 36 ° 06 ' E 1 2 - 3. vi. 1980 B. Lamoral 1 Malaise trap. '; ' Saropogon ♂ 1? melanopygus Lw. / det. J. G. H. Londt, 1992 ' (NMSA); 1 ♂ paratype, ' Kenya / near Archer's / Post [0039 ' N: 37 ° 41 ' E] / 20. ii. 1964 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 2 ♂ I 9 paratypes, ' Kenya: Tsavo Nat. / Park. Kitani Lodge [3 ° 00 ' S: 3 rS 9 ' E] / 2600 ' 6. xii. 1969 / M. E. Irwin & / E. S. Ross' (CASC).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	biology_ecology	Biological notes: Greathead (pers. comm.) describes Archer's Post as ' Waterhole on dirt road to Ethiopia. Open sandy savanna with scattered Acacia spp. and low shrubs'.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81626FFF4EB9946C2F9EBF5D2.taxon	discussion	Relationships: The species cannot be confused with any other afrotropical species. S. kenyensis is similar to melampygus in that the wings are brown-stained and entirely covered with microtrichia, but is otherwise easily separated from that taxon. It appears that the open condition of cell m 3 is a stable character state shared only with incisuratus and rubriventris, species otherwise differing from kenyensis.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81624FFF1EB4A451FFEA8F8F2.taxon	description	Figs 16 - 20	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81624FFF1EB4A451FFEA8F8F2.taxon	description	In his original description, Loew (1851) makes no mention of the material upon which his taxon was based. The likely holotype, housed in the ZMHB, does not bear Loew's name, the hand-written identification label merely having the letter ' m' where one would expect the author's name. A survey of other major European institutions failed to produce any other material and so I accept the ZMHB specimen as the holotype of melampygus. Redescription: Based on holotype ♀. Head (Figs 16 - 17): Face brown-yellow, gold pruinose; frons, vertex and occiput dark red-brown (except for a small yellow-brown subtriangular area behind occelarium), silver pruinose except for a transverse band across vertex, including most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of frons and vertex black, of occiput yellowish and dark red-brown. Antenna brown-yellow, distal nine-tenths of flagellum and microsegment dark brown; setae mostly dark red-brown, a few yellow; proportional lengths of segments - 1: 0.9: 2.9; 0.3; microsegment with subapical pit-enclosed seta. Width of eye: width of face ratio 1.3: 1. Mystax composed of 11 setae, yellowish except for 2 black ones at lateral extremities; confined to a single row on lower facial margin. Palpus dark red-brown. Proboscis dark red-brown, straight. Thorax: Mesonotum largely dark red-brown, postpronotal and postalar lobes as well as posterior part of mesonotum brown-orange; fine silver pruinose especially along lateral margins. Macrosetae: 3 yellow-orange npl; 2 - 3 yellow-orange spal (1 black); 2 yellow-orange pal; ca. 4 pairs black dc postsuturally. Scutellum brown-orange, with 2 yellow marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, fine silver pruinose. Pleura dark redbrown to black, silver pruinose; katatergite with ca. 8 scattered fine yellowish setae. Coxae as pleura. Wing: 6.0 x 2.3 mm; cells m, and cup closed at margin; membrane yellow-brown stained, mostly opaque; microtrichia covering entire surface except alula and proximal part of anal lobe. Halter: Brown-yellow. Legs: Brown-yellow; setae yellow and dark red-brown, most microsetae dark red-brown. Abdomen: Dark yellow-brown and dark red-brown - TI- 2 yellow-brown, T 3 - 5 yellow-brown with dark red-brown anterolateral parts, T 6 - terminalia dark red-brown to black; macrosetae yellowish, confined to lateral parts of T 1. Variation: Other material listed appears conspecific and displays very limited variation except for slight colour differences. d genitalia (Senegal specimen) (Figs 18 - 20): black; rotated ca. 90 ° clockwise; proctiger characteristically heavy and downtumed distally; hypandrium tapering distally and lacking obvious membranous terminal lobe (Fig. 20); phallus well developed (Fig. 20).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81624FFF1EB4A451FFEA8F8F2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Type: SYRIA: 1 ♀ holotype, ' Syria / Chrenb. '; ' Saropogon / melampygus / m'; ' Typus [orange] ' (ZMHB). Other (Afrotropical): ERITREA: 1 ♀ ' Eritrea: / Jebbel [= Jebel] / Geddem [15 ° 20 ' N: 39 ° 35 ' E] / 9. ii. 1956 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 1 ♀ ' Eritrea: / Jebel / Geddem / 22. ii. 56 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); I ♂ ' Eritrea: / Sheb [15 ° 50 ' N: 39 ° 03 ' E] / 10. ii. 1956 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 1 ♂ I 9 ' Eritrea: / Sheb / on / Heliotropis / 17. ii. 1956 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 3 ♂ ' Eritrea: / Arkiko [= Hargigo - lS 032 ' N: 39 ° 27 ' E] / 14. iii. 1961 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 2 ♂ 1 ♀ ' Eritrea: / Arkiko / l. iv. 1961 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH). MALI: 1 9 N. Mali, 350 m / Adrar [Adrar des Infora region - ca. 20 oN: 2 ° E] / 20. x- 2. xi. 81 / G. Popov' (BMNH). MAURITANIA: 1 ♂ 2 ♀ ' Mauritania / Aounel Atrous [Ayoun el ' Atrous- 16 ° 38 ' N: 9 ° 37 ' W] / 1 O. ix. 61 / G. B. Popov' (BMNH). NIGER: 1 ♂ ' Niger: Gaya [11 ° 52 ' N: 3 ° 28 ' E] / viii. 75 / G. B. Popov' (BMNH). SENEGAL: 3 ♂ 1 ♀ ' Senegal 25 - 35 km / sud de Richard Toll [16 ° 28 ' N: 15 ° 41 ' W] / piege malaise / 29.9.1989 [& 13.9.1989,31.8.1989, 18.8.1989] / leg. H. v. d. Valk c. s. '; ' Saropogon d / longicornis (Macq. 1839) / Det. J. G. H. Londt' (NMSA); 10 ♂ 3 ♀ same date but 18. iii., 25 & 31. viii, 2, 29 & 30. ix. 89 (WAAU). SOUTH YEMEN: 1 ♀ ' Arabia: E. A. P. / Waddi / Jardan [l 5 ° 58 ' N: 46 ° 48 ' E for Ayadh - see below] / 7. vi. 1956 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH). SUDAN: 1 9 ' Sudan / EI Fau [t 4 ° 09 ' N: 34 ° 20 ' E] / (Kassala P.) [Province] / 13 - 17. x. 1978 / K. Guichard' (BMNH). Other (Palaearctic): EGYPT: 1 ♂ ' Ezbet-Naghl [?] / 12.6.21 '; ' ColI. Efflatoun / Egypt'; ' CO H. Curran / Collection / Acc. 31144 '; ' Saropogon / melanopygus Lw. / Det Efflatoun' (CASC).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81624FFF1EB4A451FFEA8F8F2.taxon	discussion	Note: Wulp (1899) records melampygus on ' several specimens of both sexes', collected by Col. Yerbury from Lahej (13 ° 01 ' N: 44 ° 54 ' E) and Shaik Othman (Shaikh ' Othman - 12 ° 53 ' N: 45 ° 01 ' E) in South Yemen. He commented on variation in the species, drawing special attention to coloration of the antennae, mystax and abdomen. His material, which I have not seen, is presumably in OXUM.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81624FFF1EB4A451FFEA8F8F2.taxon	biology_ecology	Biological notes: Greathead (pers. comm.) has provided me with the following descriptions of localities at which he collected this species: Jebel Geddem - ' Prominent volcanic mountain on coast at southern end of bay on south side of Massawa. I collected on the lower slopes where dense Acacia spp. bush grows on the outwash of silt derived from lava'. Sheb - ' Settlement by wadi at foot of escarpment, therefore relatively moist with scattered Acacia spp. and ephemeral vegetation after rain when collections were made' .. Arkiko - ' Large village by sea on bay south of Massawa. Open plain with heavily grazed short grassland. Scattered grazed Acacia spp. shrubs'. Wadi Jardan - ' Runs past the settlement of Ayadh. Dry river bed with Calotropis procera and Leptadenia pyrotechnica (both Asclepiadaceae) on sand / gravel plain with the annual grass Aristida plumosa after rain. Scarcely rains, main source of moisture from underground water draining from mountains to south'. These notes clearly indicate that melampygus is associated with Acacia savanna, a fact well supported by the distributional data available. Relationships: A distinctive species, perhaps most closely similar to kenyensis (see above).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81622FFF3EB544374FD12F70E.taxon	description	Figs 21 - 25	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81622FFF3EB544374FD12F70E.taxon	description	Redescription: Based on lectotype ♂. Head Head (( Figs Figs 21 21 - - 22 22 )) :: Face Face probably probably brown-yellow brown-yellow but but heavily heavily gold gold pruinose pruinose effectively effectively masking masking colour colour ;; frons frons ,, vertex vertex and and occiput occiput dark dark red-brown red-brown to to black black ,, silver silver pruinose pruinose except except for for transverse transverse band band across across vertex vertex ,, including including most most of of ocellarium ocellarium ,, which which is is shiny shiny apruinose apruinose .. All All setae setae pale pale whitish whitish .. Antenna Antenna pale pale brown-yellow brown-yellow ;; setae setae white white ;; proportional proportional lengths lengths of of segments segments - - 1 1 :: 1.4 1.4 :: 3.2 3.2 :: 0.3 0.3 ;; microsegment microsegment with with subapical subapical pit-enclosed pit-enclosed seta seta .. Width Width of of eye eye :: width width of of face face ratio ratio 1.1 1.1 :: 1 1 .. Mystax Mystax white white ;; composed composed of of ca ca .. 30 30 setae setae arranged arranged in in 2 2 - - 3 3 rows rows along along lower lower facial facial margin margin .. Palpus Palpus brown-yellow brown-yellow .. Proboscis Proboscis red-brown red-brown ,, slightly slightly downcurved distally. downcurved distally. Thorax: Mesonotum dark red-brown, postpronotal and postalar lobes brown-yellow; strongly silver pruinose except postpronotal lobe which is gold pruinose. Macrosetae yellow-white: 2 - 3 npl; 3 - 4 spal; 2 pal; ca. 4 pairs dc postsuturally; pronotal lobes equipped with 4 - 5 macrosetae. Scutellum brown-orange; 4 yellow-white marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, gold pruinose. Pleura red-brown, strongly gold pruinose; katatergite with ca. 20 scattered yellow-white setae. Wing: 8.4 x 3.0 mm; cell m] closed and stalked, cup very narrowly open; membrane unstained, slightly milky opaque; microtrichia largely absent except for a few at tip and along margins. Halter: Dark brown. Legs: Pale brown-yellow; setae pale yellowish and dark red-brown, the latter mostly on tarsi. Abdomen: Brown-orange except for anterior parts of TI- 2 and anterolateral parts of T 3 - 7 which are red-brown (extent progressively diminishing posteriorly); macrosetae pale yellow, confined to lateral parts of T 1. Genitalia (Figs 23 - 25): not or barely rotated; proctiger with ventrally directed process (Fig. 23); hypandrium with membranous distal lobe (Fig. 25); phallus with small terminal penisfillum (Fig. 25). Variation: Paralectotypes reasonably consistent with lectotype. Cell cup sometimes closed on wing margin; marginal scutellar macrosetae may be three in number; extent of red-brown coloration of abdomen may be greater. One specimen has dorsal parts of all femora slightly brownish.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81622FFF3EB544374FD12F70E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Types (OXUM): SOUTH YEMEN: 1 ♂ lectotype, ' Type / v. d. Wulp / Trans. Ent. Soc. / 1899, page 83 / pI. ii, fig. 2 '; ' So W. Arabia / 6 m. N. of Aden / Shaik Othman / Capt. Apr. 1.95 [1895] / & pres. 1899 by / J. W. Yerbury'; ' 1899 / 7684 '; ' Type Dip: 181 1 / 6 / Saropogon / pulverulentus / van der Wulp / Hope Dept. Oxford'. 1 ♂ 3 ♀ paralectotypes, with same data but 1899 / 7688 (Type 181 2 / 6), 1899 / 7682 (Type 181 3 / 6), Apr. 5.95, 1899 / 7686 (Type 181 4 / 6), 1899 / 7683 (Type 181 5 / 6). I? paralectotype, ' Type / v. d. Wulp / Trans. Ent. Soc. / 1899, page 83 / pI. ii, fig. 2 '; ' So W. Arabia / shore opposite / Aden, Huswah / Capt. Apr. 14.95 [1895] / & pres. 1899 by / J. W. Yerbury / MS by J. w. y. '; ' 1899 / 7685 '; ' Type Dip: 181 6 / 6 / Saropogon / pulverulentus / van der WUlp / Hope Dept. Oxford'. Other: ERITREA: 1 ♀ ' Eritrea: / Wachiro [15 ° 50 ' N: 39 ° 20 ' E] / 17. xii. 1955 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH); 1 ♀ ' Eritrea: / plain near / Karora [= Kerora - 17 ° 42 ' N: 38 ° 22 ' E] / 22. xi. 1955 / D. J. Greathead' (BMNH). OMAN: 2 ♂ 1 ♀ ' Dhofar [= Zufar] / Salalah s. l. [lrOO'N: 54 ° 04 ' E] / 21.9.1977 / K. Guichard' (BMNH); I ♀ ' Dhofar / Raysut [16 ° 56 ' N: 54 ° 00 ' E] / 7. x. 77 / KG [K. Guichard] ' (BMNH).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81622FFF3EB544374FD12F70E.taxon	discussion	Relationships: Wulp compared this species with S. vestitus Wiedemann while Hull (1962) considered pulverulentus to be a synonym of alternatus Loew. The true position of the species will probably not be understood before a complete review of all palaearctic taxa has been undertaken. The species is, however, readily separable from all other afrotropical taxa.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81620FFEDEBA44D15FDEEFC55.taxon	description	Figs 26 - 27	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81620FFEDEBA44D15FDEEFC55.taxon	discussion	Saropogon rubriventris Wu 1 p, 1899: 83. Wulp (1899) described this species on ' a single female from Lahej' (13 ° 01 ' N: 44 ° 54 ' E) collected by Col.]. W. Yerbury in South Yemen. The OXUM has sent me this specimen (listed below), which must be considered the holotype.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81620FFEDEBA44D15FDEEFC55.taxon	description	Redescription: Based on holotype 9. Head (Figs 26 - 27): Face brown-yellow, gold pruinose; frons, vertex and occiput dark red-brown, gold pruinose except for transverse band across vertex, including most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of vertex and frons black, occiput pale yellow. Antenna pale brown-yellow; setae black; proportional lengths of segments - 1: 1.3: terminal segments missing. Width of eye: width of face ratio 0.7: 1. Mystax white; composed of ca. 25 setae arranged in 2 rows along lower facial margin. Palpus brown-yellow. Proboscis brown-yellow proximally. red-brown distally, straight. Thorax: Mesonotum red-brown, darker mid-dorsally, postpronotal and postalar lobes brown; strongly gold pruinose. Macrosetae yellow-white: 2 - 3 npl; 3 - 4 spal; 2 pal; ca. 3 - 4 pairs dc postsuturally; pronotal lobes lacking macrosetae. Scutellum brown; 2 pale yellow marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, gold pruinose. Pleura brown-orange with darker red-brown patches, gold pruinose; katatergite with ca. 13 scattered yellowish setae. Wing: 7.7 x 2.8 mm; cell m 3 and cup open; membrane unstained, transparent; microtrichia absent except at tip and along margins. Halter: Yellowbrown. Legs: Uniform brown-yellow, tarsi slightly darker; setlle yellow and dark redbrown, the latter mostly on tarsi. Abdomen: Terga red-yellow, sterna brown-yellow, T 1 red-brown anteriorly, T 2 - T 7 with anterolateral dark red-brown spots, hind margins of T 2 and T 3 silver pruinose; macrosetae pale yellow, confined to lateral parts of Tl.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81620FFEDEBA44D15FDEEFC55.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Type (OXUM): SOUTH YEMEN: 1 ♀ holotype, ' Type / v. d. Wulp / Trans. Ent. Soc. / 1899, page 83 - 4 '; ' So W. Arabia / 15 miles N. W. of / Aden, Lahej / Capt. Mar. 10.95 [1895] / & pres. 1899 by / 1. W. Yerbury'; ' 1899 / 7689 '; ' Type Dip: 180 / Saropogon / rubriventris / van der Wulp / Hope Dept. Oxford'.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C81620FFEDEBA44D15FDEEFC55.taxon	discussion	Relationships: Wulp compared the species with S. vestitus Wiedemann, saying it differed only in the closed condition of the fourth posterior wing cell (i. e. m 3). Efflatoun (1937) states that both open and closed character states are found in vestitus, suggesting that rubriventris is probably a synonym of vestitus. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the unique rubriventris holotype was collected at the same locality recorded for incisuratus, although 18 days earlier. It is, therefore, possible that this female may be that of incisuratus, which is known only on males. If this is true, incisuratus demonstrates far greater sexual dimorphism than appears to be found in any other species known to me. Sexual dimorphism may, however, also occur in vestitus, as this species is also known only on females (Note: Theodor (1980) mentions the possibility that S. aegyptius may represent the male). Yet another possibility exists, and that is that jugulum (Loew, 1847) could be the male of rubriventris (? = vestitus) as Efflatoun (1937) reports numerous males having been obtained at many localities at which vestitus females were found. Quite clearly these issues need to be resolved before taxonomic stability can be achieved. For the present I retain the status quo for the afrotropical taxa, pending modem revision of the palaearctic fauna.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8163EFFEFEBDB47D5FA5CF989.taxon	description	Figs 28 - 32	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8163EFFEFEBDB47D5FA5CF989.taxon	etymology	Etymology: Named for Dr I. M. I. Abu-Zinid, whose collecting activities in Kenya aided in the discovery of this species.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8163EFFEFEBDB47D5FA5CF989.taxon	description	Description: Based on holotype d. Head (Figs 28 - 29): Entirely dark red-brown to black, strongly silver pruinose except for a transverse band across vertex, including most of ocellarium, which is shiny apruinose. Setae of frons, vertex and occiput black and white. Antenna black; setae dark red-brown to black; proportional lengths of segments - 1: 0.7: 2.5: 0.3; microsegment with pit-enclosed seta present. Width of eye: width of face ratio 1: 1 (i. e. face as wide as eye). Mystax yellow-white; composed of ca. 30 setae arranged in 2 rows along lower facial margin. Palpus dark brown to black. Proboscis dark redbrown to black, slightly downcurved distally. Thorax: Mesonotum dark red-brown to black, postalar lobes slightly paler; strongly silver pruinose. Macrosetae black and yellow: 2 npl (black and yellow); 2 yellow spal; 2 yellow pal; ca. 3 pairs black dc postsuturally; pronotal lobes equipped with 2 macrosetae (black and yellow). Scutellum dark red-brown to black, 2 black marginal macrosetae; disc asetose, silver pruinose. Pleura dark red-brown to black, gold-silver pruinose; katatergite with ca. 15 scattered yellow-white setae. Wing: 9.2 x 3.2 mm; cell m 3 closed and stalked, cup closed on or just before wing margin; membrane yellow stained along anterior margin and main veins, otherwise transparent; microtrichia confined to margins of major veins, wing margins and tip (wings have a brownish striped appearance). Halter: Dark-brown. Legs: Femora and tibiae orange (tibiae with dark red-brown distal ends), tarsi dark red-brown to black; most macrosetae black, but a few yellow. Abdomen: TI- 3 dark red-brown to black, T 4 patchy red-brown and orange, T 5 and beyond orange; macrosetae pale yellow, confined to lateral parts of T 1; most small setae black except on terminalia where many are yellow. Genitalia (Figs 30 - 32): rotated ca. 90 °; proctiger well developed and downwardly directed distally; hypandrium tapering to a rounded point distally and with a poorly-developed membranous, distal lobe (Fig. 32); phallus moderately developed with wing-like projections laterally (Fig. 30). Variation: Topotypic paratypes remarkably consistent with holotype, other material demonstrating minor differences. Tanzanian d abdomen appears to be entirely dark red-brown, but it is extensively covered with fungal hyphae.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8163EFFEFEBDB47D5FA5CF989.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: KENYA: 1 d hoiotype, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ paratypes, ' Kenya # 59 / Nguruma, Kajiado dist / 01 ° 50 ' S: 36 ° 56 ' E 700 m / iv. 1990, Rift valley / Coli: I. M. 1. Abu-Zinid / Alluvial plains' (NMSA); 1 ♀ paratype, ' Brit. E. Africa, / Masai Reserve [? Masai Mara Game Reserve - 1 ° 25 ' S: 34 ° 55 ' E] / 14.4. 1914 / T. J. Anderson. '; ' Imp Inst / Entom'; ' S W Bromley / Collection / 1955 ' (BMNH); 1 ♂ paratype, ' Kenya: Archers's Post [0039 ' N: 3 r 41 ' E] / Vaso Nyiro river. / 2300 ' 6. xii. 1969 / M. E. Irwin & / E. S. Ross' (CASC). TANZANIA: 1 ♂ paratype, Tanzania / 15 miles S. of / Longido [2 ° 44 ' S: 36 ° 39 ' E] 30. iv. 66 / 0 & A Greathead' (BMNH). UNKNOWN COUNTRY: 2 ♀ I? paratypes, ' Olgasalic [?] / May, 1944 / Meneghetti' (NMKE).	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
6E1F87C8163EFFEFEBDB47D5FA5CF989.taxon	discussion	Relationships: A distinctive species. The male genitalia have some features in common with greatheadi (e. g. the wing-like flanges of the phallus). Saropogon sp. I have studied a single unidentifiable female, in perfect condition, collected by Robert Lavigne, labelled ' Somalia / Warable [2 ° 55 ' N: 43 ° 49 ' E] / vi- 7 - 87 / unknown / 102 ', housed at NMSA. This specimen appears to belong to an undescribed species near zinidi. The obvious differences are that the mystax is entirely black, as are most of the other head setae, and the abdomen is entirely black except for the terminalia which are yellow-brown. The thorax is also blackish with black setae. The mesonotum is strongly gold pruinose except for silver pruinose lateral parts. Most of the head is blackish although the ground colour of the face, which is masked by golden pruinescence, may be brownish. I am unwilling to describe the species on a single female and so merely note its interesting appearance and locality.	en	Londt, Jason G. H. (1997): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 29. A review of the genus Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Dasypogoninae). ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 38: 137-157, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8322154
