The genus can be delineated by its small size with a wing length of only 3.0–5.5 mm, mystacal setae restricted to the lower facial margin, at least weakly macrosetose ante- and postpronotum, short to long setose dorsal anepisternum, male terminalia rotated by 90–180°, short or long postero-median projection on the hypandrium of males and presence of postero-paramedian pores on abdominal tergite 8 in females.

Wing (Figs 6, 11, 15, 26, 30, 36, 38, 42, 44, 54): 3.0–5.5 mm, hyaline, evenly microtrichose; C circumambient (developed around entire wing), anterior wing margin straight; R₂₊₃ distally relatively straight, r₁ open; R₄ terminating anterior to wing apex, relatively straight, stump vein (R₃) absent (except in left wing of one specimen); r₄ open, R₄ and R₅ more or less parallel; R₅ terminating posterior to wing apex; r₅ open; M₁ terminating posterior to wing apex; cell d closed by base of M₂ and m-m, M₂ and m-m not aligned, r-m situated either in proximal or distal half or in centre; m₃ open; cua open; alula reduced in size to small lobe; microtrichia on posterior wing margin arranged in a single plane.

♀ abdomen and genitalia (Figs 21–25): T7 and S7 without modifications, ovipositor comprised of 8^th and following segments, T6–8 either grey pubescent or T8 entirely or partly apubescent, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8 or entirely dorsally; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, either distinct and opening slightly elevated above tergite surface or indistinct and not elevated; T8 with or without internal apodeme anteriorly, S8 plate-like, hypogynial valves separated (surrounded by membrane); T9 and T10 entirely fused, sclerites not distinguishable, T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 6–9 acanthophorite spines per plate; cerci simple and flat, long yellowish setose; 3 spermathecae, either all equally large or median spermatheca larger than lateral ones, reaching anterior end of segment 5, 6, or 7; common spermathecal duct either short and not extending beyond tip of genital fork (S9, furca) or very long, extending well-beyond tip of genital fork, individual spermathecal ducts either short or long; ejection apparatus not observable; spermathecal reservoirs formed by either more or less expanded ducts to sac-shaped reservoirs or spherical reservoirs, heavily sclerotised; genital fork (S9, furca) formed by single sclerite either inverted Y-shaped or inverted V-shaped, median sclerite (at posterior tip) absent, anterior apodeme absent or present, short plate-like apodeme.

♂ abdomen and terminalia (Figs 17–20, 56–70): T1-T8 and S1-S8 either entire (without modifications) or T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire and T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium light brown to black, rotated either by 90°or 180°, directed posteriorly; epandrium divided medially into 2 halves, joined proximally; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with either short or long postero-median projection, distinctly separated from epandrium by gonocoxite, but approximating epandrium proximally, not fused to gonocoxite; gonocoxite entirely free from epandrium; gonocoxal apodeme present, short, entirely confined to hypopygium; gonostylus present, positioned proximally on gonocoxite; subepandrial sclerite asetose, ventrally smooth (without protuberances), laterally straight (without protuberances), distal margin simple, straight margin; cerci separate (not fused medially); phallus very short, tip at level of origin of gonostyli, 1 phallic prong, tip pointed, without any protuberance, parameral sheath short (sperm sac entirely free), lateral ejaculatory process present, large triangular sclerite, lateral ejaculatory process and ventral parameral sheath free (not surrounded by ventral parameral sheath), ejaculatory apodeme formed by single vertical plate (2 lateral surfaces).

The species is named after Eric M. Fisher who is one of the most knowledgeable Nearctic and Neotropical Asilidae taxonomists, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies. This species was unveiled at the 9^th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised to honour a contemporary colleague, Jason Londt and entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, the entirely setose postpronotal lobes and dorsal and posterior anepisternum (no macrosetae), the brown-pubescent appearing abdomen (in dorsal view), features of the male terminalia such as the long postero-median projection on the hypandrium and shape of the gonostyli and distribution in the Little Karoo in southern South Africa.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, grey pubescent, light brown setose; ocellar tubercle greyish-brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: light brown; scape 1.5× as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose dorsally and long yellowish macrosetose ventrally; postpedicel and stylus broken off.

Thorax: brown, postpronotal lobes and lateral scutum orange to light brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose medially, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotum white pubescent, long yellowish setose medially and sub-laterally, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotal lope long yellowish setose; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron long yellowish setose anteriorly; anepisternum long yellowish setose dorsally (setae directed dorsally), long yellowish setose postero-medially (setae directed posteriorly), supero-posteriorly long yellowish setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare long yellowish setose medially, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum asetose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum predominantly light brown pubescent, paramedian stripes and sub-lateral spots (divided by transverse suture) brown pubescent, scutum setation: long yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 1 npl setae, 1 spa setae, 1 pal setae, 2–3 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae long yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) long yellowish setose, setae directed anteriorly; scutellum grey pubescent, ds sctl setae present, long yellowish setae, ap sctl setae present, 6–8 long yellowish macrosetose; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: light brown to brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 3–4 postero-dorsal distally; pro tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 6 in 1 posterior row, 5 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 3–4 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa brown, grey pubescent, yellowish macrosetose; mes femur brown, short and long white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2 anterior proximally, 2–3 posterior distally; mes tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 6 in 1 dorsal row, 6 in 1 antero-ventral row, 6 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 6 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur brown, long white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 5 in 1 anterior row, 1 antero-dorsal sub-distally, 1 dorsal distally; met tibia brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 3 in 1 anterior row, 5 in 1 antero-ventral row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 7 long yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro and mes tarsomere as long as following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere longer than 2 following tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 3.6 mm.

Abdomen: shape compressed, T2–3 distinctly transversely rectangular (length to width ratio > 1:3), brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 yellowish setose, postero-laterally long yellowish macrosetose, grey pubescent, anterior ½, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, brown, grey pubescent: in dorsal view T2 appearing brown pubescent in posterior ½, T3–7 appearing entirely brown pubescent (except lateral-most margins), in lateral view T2 appearing brown pubescent in posterior ½, T3–4 appearing entirely brown pubescent (area broader distally), T5–7 appearing brown pubescent in posterior ½, short yellowish setose, long yellowish setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 brown, lightly grey pubescent, short yellowish setose.

Female: unknown.

Male (Figs 56–57): T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire, T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium dark brown, rotated by 180°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection.

Type locality: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: De Zeekoe Guest Farm, Olifantsrivier margin, 33°38'25"S, 022°08'34"E (-33.64028, 22.14278).

SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: 1♂ De Zeekoe Guest Farm, Olifantsrivier margin, 33°38'25"S, 022°08'34"E, 269 m, 2015-12-07 collected a.m. (9:00–noon), sandy riparian vegetation, perching on low vegetation, Dikow, T. (Holotype USNMENT01115122, USNM).

Known only from the type locality in the Little Karoo of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from a single specimen and collecting event in 2015 (Table 1). The species is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active in mid summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). Nothing is known of the biology.

Greek gaiophanes = earth-coloured. Refers to the beautiful earth tone colouration of this species.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the more or less square abdominal tergites, the short macrosetose dorsal anepisternum, the extensively macrosetose ante- and postpronotum, the overall brown colouration and the grey pubescent female abdominal tergite 8.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, greyish-brown pubescent, light brown macrosetose; ocellar tubercle brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, dark brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: light brown, lightly grey pubescent; scape 1.5× as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose ventrally and dorsally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), 1.5× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.28× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically on stylus.

Thorax: brown, postpronotal lobes and lateral scutum orange to light brown; prosternum grey pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum grey pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum grey pubescent, short yellowish setose and long yellowish macrosetose; postpronotum grey pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose medially and laterally, long yellowish setose sub-laterally; postpronotal lope short and long yellowish macrosetose; pleuron grey pubescent; proepimeron short yellowish macrosetose anteriorly; anepisternum short yellowish macrosetose dorsally, supero-posteriorly short yellowish macrosetose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare short yellowish setose dorsally, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum predominantly asetose, postero-dorsally yellowish setose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite white setose and long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum predominantly grey pubescent, antero-sublaterally weakly grey pubescent (almost appearing apubescent), median longitudinal stripe and medio-laterally brown pubescent, scutum setation: short light brown setose, setae with small sockets, 2 npl setae, 1–2 spa setae, 2 pal setae, 3–4 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae short brown presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) asetose; scutellum grey pubescent, ds sctl setae absent, ap sctl setae present, 6–8 long light brown macrosetae; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: light brown to brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa dark brown proximally, light brown distally, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 1 anterior proximally, 1 postero-dorsal distally, 1 dorsal distally; pro tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 2 in 1 posterior row, 3 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5–6 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and yellowish macrosetose; mes femur brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 1 antero-dorsal proximally, 1 antero-dorsal distally, 1–2 dorsal distally; mes tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 2 dorsal rows, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 3–4 in 1 anterior row, 1 proximal ventrally, 2 distal dorsally, 3 apical dorsally; met tibia brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 6 long yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro, mes and met tarsomeres longer than following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 4.2–5.5 mm.

Abdomen: shape regular, T2–3 somewhat square (length to width ratio = 1:1.2), brown to black, laterally orange to light brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 yellowish setose, postero-laterally long yellowish macrosetose, grey pubescent, anterior ¼, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, brown, grey pubescent: in dorsal view appearing brown pubescent medially (area broader anteriorly) except distal margin, in lateral view appearing brown pubescent on dorsal surface, short yellowish setose, long yellowish setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 dark brown, lightly grey pubescent, short yellowish setose.

Female (Figs 21–25): T6–8 grey pubescent, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, distinct, opening slightly elevated above tergite surface; T8 without any internal apodeme anteriorly; T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 8–9, dark brown acanthophorite spines per plate; 3 spermathecae, median spermatheca larger than lateral ones, reaching anterior end of segment 7; common spermathecal duct very long, extending well beyond tip of genital fork (S9, furca), individual spermathecal ducts short; spermathecal reservoirs formed by more or less expanded ducts to sac-shaped reservoir, heavily sclerotised; genital fork (S9, furca) formed by single, inverted Y-shaped sclerite, median sclerite (at posterior tip) absent, anterior apodeme present, short plate-like apodeme.

Male (Figs 17–20): T1–T8 and S1–S8 entire (without modifications); hypopygium black, rotated by 90°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection; gonocoxal apodeme present, short, entirely confined to hypopygium; phallus very short, tip at level of origin of gonostyli, 1 phallic prong, tip pointed, without any protuberance.

Type locality: NAMIBIA: Erongo: Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, off C14, 23°34'22"S, 015°48'37"E (-23.57278, 15.81028).

NAMIBIA: Erongo: 1♀ 12♂ Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, off C14, 23°34'22"S, 015°48'37"E, 922 m, 2017-09-26 collected a.m. (9:00–noon), sparsely vegetated sand dune, perching on sand, Dikow, T. (1♂ Holotype USNMENT01384029, NMNW; 1♂ Paratype USNMENT01384061, NMNW; 8♂ Paratypes USNMENT01384037, USNMENT01384047, USNMENT01384049, USNMENT01384080, USNMENT01384082, USNMENT01384092, USNMENT01384118, USNMENT01384134, USNM; 1♀ nontype USNMENT01384499, USNM; 2♂ nontype USNMENT01384419, USNMENT01384459, USNM); 4♀ Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, off C14, 23°34'22"S, 015°48'37"E, 922 m, 2017-09-26 collected a.m. (9:00–noon), sparsely vegetated sand dune, perching on low, dry vegetation, Dikow, T. (Paratypes USNMENT01384020, NMNW; USNMENT01384008, USNMENT01384018, USNMENT01384130, USNM).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 72). A rarely collected species known only from a single collecting event in 2017 (Table 1). Adult flies are active in summer in an arid region on the eastern edge of the Namib Sand Sea (Table 2). Not known to occur in any biodiversity hotspot.

Biological data were gathered during observations in the field at the type locality. Male flies were more active and flew in a very specific pattern of an up-and-down flight, similar to a roller coaster, around the grass boulders or vegetation (see habitat in Figs 1–2). Furthermore, the male flies would land on the sand in open spaces between the grass boulders and perch or rest with their pro-, mes- and metathoracic legs held sideways and up (see Fig. 9). The females appeared less active and were observed to perch or rest on dry, low vegetation close to the grass boulders (Fig. 10, only a single female was collected perching on sand).

The species is named after Jason G.H. Londt who is without doubt the most knowledgeable Afrotropical Asilidae taxonomist, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies and who also collected the type series. This species was unveiled at the 9^th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised in his honour entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the only slightly transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, the general brown colouration and a long gonocoxite extending beyond midpoint of the epandrium (in lateral view) in the male terminalia.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, grey pubescent, light brown setose; ocellar tubercle greyish-brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly light brown pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: light brown, lightly grey pubescent; scape 1.5× as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose dorsally and long yellowish macrosetose ventrally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), approximately 2× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.26× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically on stylus.

Thorax: brown, postpronotal lobes and lateral scutum orange to light brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose medially, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotum white pubescent, long yellowish setose medially and sub-laterally, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotal lope long yellowish setose and longer yellowish macrosetose anteriorly; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron long white setose anteriorly; anepisternum long yellowish setose dorsally (setae directed dorsally), long yellowish setose postero-medially (setae directed posteriorly), supero-posteriorly long yellowish setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare long yellowish setose medially, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum asetose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum predominantly light brown pubescent, paramedian stripes and sub-lateral spots (divided by transverse suture) brown pubescent, scutum setation: long yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 1–2 npl setae, 1 spa setae, 2 pal setae, 2–3 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae long yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) long yellowish setose, setae directed anteriorly; scutellum grey pubescent, ds sctl setae present, long yellowish setae, ap sctl setae present, 12–16 long yellowish macrosetose; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: light brown to brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur orange to light brown, short white setose, white macrosetose: 2–3 postero-dorsal distally; pro tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 5 in 1 posterior row, 6 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5–6 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa brown, grey pubescent, yellowish macrosetose; mes femur brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2 anterior proximally and medially, 1 antero-dorsal distally, 2–3 posterior distally; mes tibia light brown to brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 5 in 1 dorsal row, 5 in 1 antero-ventral row, 4 in 1 posterior row, 4 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 6 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa brown, grey pubescent, white setose and macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur brown, long white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 5 in 1 anterior row, 1 antero-dorsal sub-distally, 1 dorsal distally; met tibia brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 4 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 5 short yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro and mes tarsomere as long as following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere longer than 2 following tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 3.5–4.5 mm, stump vein (R₃) absent, rarely present, short stump vein (R₃) not reaching R₂₊₃.

Abdomen: shape somewhat compressed, T2–3 transversely rectangular (length to width ratio = 1:1.5–1:2), brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 yellowish setose, postero-laterally long yellowish macrosetose, grey pubescent, anterior ¼, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, brown, grey pubescent: in dorsal view T2–3 appearing partly brown pubescent, T4–7 appearing entirely brown pubescent, in lateral view T2 appearing brown pubescent only on posterior 1/5, T3–7 appearing brown pubescent in sub-lateral triangular pattern, short yellowish setose, long yellowish setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 brown, lightly grey pubescent, short yellowish setose.

Female: T6–7 grey pubescent, T8 apubescent, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, indistinct, opening not elevated above tergite surface; S8 plate-like, hypogynial valves separated (surrounded by membrane); T9 and T10 entirely fused, sclerites not distinguishable, T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotized acanthophorite plates, with 6, dark brown acanthophorite spines per plate; cerci simple and flat, long yellowish setose.

Male (Figs 58–59): T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire, T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium dark brown, rotated by 180°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection.

Type locality: SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: Renoster River (18 km N Sutherland), 32°15'10"S, 020°41'39"E (-32.2527803, 20.69417).

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: 1♀ Renoster River, 24 km N Sutherland, 32°12'18"S, 020°41'41"E, 1290 m, 1998-11-11, hard earth near stream, Londt, J. (Paratype, NMSA-DIP-74485, NMSA); 2♂ Renoster River, 18 km N Sutherland, 32°15'10"S, 020°41'39"E, 1290 m, 1998-11-07, Karoo macchia, Londt, J., Londt, B. (Holotype NMSA-DIP-4768, Paratype NMSA-DIP-27120, NMSA); 1♂ Williston, 10 km W, 31°21'01"S, 020°50'59"E, 1060 m, 1986-11-15, sand Acacias, Londt, J., Quickelberge, C. (NMSA-DIP-4764, NMSA).

Known only from three localities in the Northern Cape of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from three collecting events in 1986 and 1998 (Table 1). The species is primarily distributed in the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot, but also occurs in the Nama Karoo outside of any hotspot (Fig. 71). Adult flies are active in early summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). Biological data available pertain to the habitat preferences. Specimen occurrence data indicate that the species occurs in habitats near rivers.

The male specimen from near Williston (NMSA-DIP-4764) was studied by Londt (1994) and assigned paratype status of the then newly described species M. whittingtoni. The male terminalia were dissected, but not illustrated by Jason Londt and, when we studied the specimen and terminalia attached in a micro-vial, it became clear that the male terminalia of the holotype of M. whittingtoni (NMSA-DIP-4777) do not correspond to the terminalia of this specimen. In particular, the holotype of M. whittingtoni has a short postero-median projection on the hypandrium (Fig. 66) whereas this specimen has a very long hypandrial projection (Fig. 58, see also Remarks under M. kryphios sp. n.).

Greek kryphios = hidden, secret. Refers to the fact that this species was hidden amongst the type series of M. whittingtoni.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the small size with a wing length of 3–4 mm, distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, partly macrosetose postpronotal lobes, setose dorsal and posterior anepisternum and features of the male terminalia such as the long postero-median projection on the hypandrium and shape of the gonostyli.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, grey pubescent, yellowish setose; ocellar tubercle greyish-brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex greyish-light brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: orange, lightly grey pubescent; scape approximately as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose ventrally and dorsally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), approximately 2× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.15× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically in cavity on stylus.

Thorax: light brown, scutum with median longitudinal stripe and shorter sublateral longitudinal stripes brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose medially, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotum white pubescent, long yellowish setose medially and sub-laterally, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotal lope long yellowish setose and longer yellowish macrosetose anteriorly; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron long white setose anteriorly; anepisternum long yellowish setose dorsally (setae directed dorsally), long yellowish setose postero-medially (setae directed posteriorly), supero-posteriorly long yellowish setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare long yellowish setose medially, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum asetose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum white to greyish pubescent, scutum setation: long yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 1 npl setae, 1 spa setae, 1–2 pal setae, 2–3 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, rarely 3–4 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae long yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) long yellowish setose, setae directed anteriorly; scutellum white pubescent, ds sctl setae present, long yellowish setae, ap sctl setae present, 6–10 long yellowish macrosetose; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: orange to light brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur orange to light brown, short white setose, white macrosetose: 2–3 postero-dorsal distally; pro tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 5 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 5 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 1–2 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white macrosetose; mes femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2 anterior proximally and medially, 2–3 anterior distally, 4 posterior distally; mes tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 dorsal row, 5 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 antero-ventral row, 5 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 6 in 1 anterior row, 6 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3–4 long in 1 postero-ventral row, 1 distal dorsally; met tibia orange to light brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 4 in 1 antero-ventral row, 5 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 5 short yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro and mes tarsomere as long as following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere longer than 2 following tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 3.0–4.0 mm.

Abdomen: shape compressed, T2–3 distinctly transversely rectangular (length to width ratio > 1:3), orange to light brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 white setose, postero-laterally long white macrosetose, white pubescent, anterior ½, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, orange to light brown, white pubescent: in dorsal view T2–5 appearing predominantly apubescent except laterally, T6 appearing apubescent only medially, T7 white pubescent, in lateral view T2–7 appearing apubescent in posterior ¼ except lateral margin, short white setose, long white setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 orange to light brown, lightly grey pubescent, short white setose.

Female: T6–7 predominantly grey pubescent, T8 apubescent medially and posteriorly, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, indistinct, opening not elevated above tergite surface; T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 7–8, light brown acanthophorite spines per plate.

Male (Figs 68–70): T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire, T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium orange to light brown, rotated by 180°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection.

Type locality: SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: Kookfontein river (23 km N Middelpos), 31°44'00"S, 020°14'00"E (-31.73333, 20.23333).

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: 1♀ 1♂ Kookfontein river, 23 km N Middelpos, 31°44'00"S, 020°14'00"E, 1170 m, 1990-11-29, Whittington, A., Londt, J. (♂ Holotype NMSA-DIP-74620, ♀ Paratype NMSA-DIP-4775, NMSA); 1♀ 1♂ Calvinia, 12 km S, 31°34'10"S, 019°43'56"E, 1080 m, 2002-09-07, sandy roadside, Londt, J. (pinned in copula NMSA-DIP-4766, NMSA).

Known from three nearby localities in the Northern Cape of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from three collecting events (Table 1). Adult flies are active in early summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). The species occurs within the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot, but also outside of it in the Nama Karoo biome. Biological data available pertain to the mating position and habitat preferences. A pair has been collected in copula (NMSA-DIP-4766) and remarkably the flies remained in the copulation position after capture in a tail-to-tail position. Specimen occurrence data indicate that the species prefers sandy habitats along rivers.

The holotype and paratype of M. kryphios sp. n. were studied by Londt (1994) and assigned paratype status of the then newly described species M. whittingtoni. The male holotype of M. kryphios sp. n. was dissected and the male terminalia illustrated by Jason Londt (see Figs 68–70) to represent M. whittingtoni. When we studied the specimen and terminalia attached in a micro-vial, it became clear that the male terminalia of the holotype of M. whittingtoni (NMSA-DIP-4777) do not correspond to the illustrations published in figures 51–53 by Londt (1994), which were based on the 23 km N Middelpos specimen that we assign to be the holotype of M. kryphios sp. n. In particular, the holotype of M. whittingtoni has a short postero-median projection on the hypandrium (Fig. 66) whereas the holotype of our new species M. kryphios sp. n. has a very long hypandrial projection (Fig. 68, see also Remarks under M. jasonlondti sp. n.).

The species is distinguished from congeners by the small size with a wing length of 3.2–4.1 mm, distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, partly macrosetose postpronotal lobes, macrosetose posterior anepisternum and distribution in Namaqualand in western-most South Africa.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, greyish-silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, grey pubescent, yellowish setose; ocellar tubercle light brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex greyish-light brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish setae, rarely with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus light brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: orange, lightly grey pubescent; scape approximately as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose dorsally and long yellowish macrosetose ventrally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), approximately 2× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.15× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically in cavity on stylus.

Thorax: orange to light brown, scutum with median longitudinal stripe and shorter sublateral longitudinal stripes brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose medially, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotum white pubescent, long yellowish setose medially and sub-laterally, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotal lope long yellowish setose and longer yellowish macrosetose anteriorly; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron long white setose anteriorly; anepisternum long yellowish setose dorsally (setae directed dorsally), long yellowish macrosetose postero-medially (macrosetae directed posteriorly), supero-posteriorly long yellowish setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare long yellowish setose medially, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum asetose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum white to greyish pubescent, scutum setation: long yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 1 npl setae, 1 spa setae, 1–2 pal setae, 2–3 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae long yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) long yellowish setose, setae directed anteriorly; scutellum grey pubescent, ds sctl setae present, long yellowish setae, ap sctl setae present, 6–8 long yellowish macrosetose; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: orange to light brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur orange to light brown, short white setose, 5–6 long white setae in antero-ventral and postero-ventral rows, yellowish macrosetose: 3–4 posterior to dorso-posterior distally; pro tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 5–6 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 3–4 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, yellowish macrosetose; mes femur orange to light brown, short white setose, 4–5 long white setae in antero-ventral and postero-ventral rows, yellowish macrosetose: 1 anterior proximally, 2–3 antero-dorsal distally, 2–3 posterior distally; mes tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 2 dorsal rows, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and yellowish macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 6 in 1 anterior row, 6 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3–4 long in 1 postero-ventral row, 1 distal dorsally; met tibia orange to light brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 5 in 1 anterior row, 4 in 1 antero-ventral row, 5 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 5 short yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro and mes tarsomere as long as following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere longer than 2 following tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 3.2–4.1 mm.

Abdomen: shape compressed, T2–3 distinctly transversely rectangular (length to width ratio > 1:3), orange to light brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 white setose, postero-laterally long white macrosetose, white pubescent, anterior ½, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, orange to light brown, white pubescent: in dorsal view T2–7 appearing predominantly apubescent except laterally, in lateral view T2–7 appearing apubescent in posterior ½ except lateral margin, short white setose, long white setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 orange to light brown, lightly grey pubescent, short white setose.

Female: T6–7 predominantly grey pubescent, T8 apubescent medially and posteriorly, setation directed dorsally; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, indistinct, opening not elevated above tergite surface; T8 without any internal apodeme anteriorly; T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 6–8, light brown acanthophorite spines per plate; 3 spermathecae, all equally large, reaching anterior end of segment 5; common spermathecal duct short, not extending beyond tip of genital fork (S9, furca), individual spermathecal ducts short or long; spermathecal reservoirs spherical, heavily sclerotised; genital fork (S9, furca) formed by single, inverted V-shaped sclerite, median sclerite (at posterior tip) absent, anterior apodeme absent.

Male (Figs 60–61): T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire, T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium orange to light brown, rotated by 180°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection; gonocoxal apodeme present, short, entirely confined to hypopygium.

Type locality: SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: Kamieskroon, 30°12'00"S, 017°56'00"E (-30.20, 17.93).

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: 5♀ 4♂ Kamieskroon, 30°12'00"S, 017°56'00"E, 1936-11-00, Museum Staff (1♂ Holotype SAM-DIP-A015480, SAM, Paratypes 1♂ NMSA-DIP-4767, NMSA, 5♀ SAM-DIP-A015481–SAM-DIP-A015483, SAM-DIP-A015486–SAM-DIP-A015487, SAM, 2♂ SAM-DIP-A015484–SAM-DIP-A015485, SAM).

Known only from the type locality in the Northern Cape of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from a single collecting event in 1936 (Table 1). The species is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active in early summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). Nothing is known of the biology.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the more or less square abdominal tergites, the short macrosetose dorsal anepisternum, the setose ante- and postpronotum, the overall orange colouration and white pubescence and the apubescent female abdominal tergite 8.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, greyish-brown pubescent, light brown macrosetose; ocellar tubercle greyish-brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex greyish-brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus orange, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: orange, lightly grey pubescent; scape 1.5× as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose ventrally and dorsally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), 1.5× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.28× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically on stylus.

Thorax: brown, postpronotal lobes and lateral scutum orange to light brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long white setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose and long yellowish macrosetose; postpronotum white pubescent, predominantly yellowish setose, long yellowish macrosetose antero-laterally, rarely long yellowish macrosetose sub-laterally and laterally; postpronotal lope short and long yellowish macrosetose; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron short yellowish macrosetose anteriorly; anepisternum short white setose dorsally, supero-posteriorly short white setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare short yellowish setose dorsally, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum predominantly asetose, postero-dorsally yellowish setose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite white setose and long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum white to greyish pubescent, scutum setation: short yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 2 npl setae, 2–3 spa setae, 2 pal setae, 3–4 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae short yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) asetose; scutellum grey pubescent, ds sctl setae absent, ap sctl setae present, 4–6 long yellowish macrosetae; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: orange to light brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 1 antero-dorsal proximally, 1 antero-dorsal distally, 2 dorsal distally; pro tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 4 in 1 posterior row, 3 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 3–4 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, yellowish macrosetose; mes femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 1 antero-dorsal proximally, 1 antero-dorsal distally, 1–2 dorsal distally; mes tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 2 dorsal rows, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 3 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 5 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and yellowish macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2–3 in 1 anterior row, 2 distal dorsally, 3 apical dorsally; met tibia orange to light brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 6 long yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro, mes and met tarsomeres longer than following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 long yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 4.1–5.0 mm.

Abdomen: shape regular, T2–3 somewhat square (length to width ratio = 1:1.2), orange to light brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 white setose, postero-laterally long white macrosetose, grey pubescent, anterior ¼, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, orange to light brown, white pubescent: in dorsal view appearing apubescent medially (area broader proximally), in lateral view appearing apubescent on entire dorsal surface (only lateral-most margin pubescent), short white setose, long white setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 orange to light brown, lightly grey pubescent, short white setose.

Female: T6–7 grey pubescent, T8 apubescent, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, indistinct, opening not elevated above tergite surface; T8 without any internal apodeme anteriorly; T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 6, dark brown acanthophorite spines per plate; 3 spermathecae, all equally large, reaching posterior end of segment 6; common spermathecal duct very long, extending well-beyond tip of genital fork (S9, furca), individual spermathecal ducts short; spermathecal reservoirs formed by more or less expanded ducts to sac-shaped reservoir, heavily sclerotised; genital fork (S9, furca) formed by single, inverted Y-shaped sclerite, median sclerite (at posterior tip) absent, anterior apodeme present, short plate-like apodeme.

Male (Figs 64–65): T1–T8 and S1–S8 entire (without modifications); hypopygium dark brown, rotated by 90°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with long postero-median projection; gonocoxal apodeme present, short, entirely confined to hypopygium; phallus very short, tip at level of origin of gonostyli, 1 phallic prong, tip pointed, without any protuberance.

Type locality: NAMIBIA: Hardap: Aandster Farm, 25°21'34"S, 016°06'04"E (-25.35944, 16.10111).

NAMIBIA: Hardap: 2♀ 1♂ Aandster Farm, 25°21'34"S, 016°06'04"E, 1000 m, 1974-02-16, vegetated dune and grassland, Irwin, M. (1♂ Holotype NMSA-DIP-4769, 2♀ Paratypes NMSA-DIP-74617, NMSA-DIP-74618, NMSA); 1♂ Aandster Farm, 1974-02-17, Lyneborg, L. (Paratype NHMD289337, ZMUC); 1♂ Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, Sesriem, Elim Dune, 24°27'28"S, 015°46'37"E, 826 m, 2012-02-09, dune, perching on sand, Dikow, T. (USNMENT00832231, USNM).

Known from two localities in Namibia (Fig. 72). A rarely collected species known only from three collecting events (Table 1). Adult flies are active in summer in a summer rainfall region on the eastern edge of the Namib Sand Sea (Table 2). Not known to occur in any biodiversity hotspot. Biological data available pertain to the habitat and perching behaviour. All specimens have been collected on partly vegetated sand dunes (Figs 3–4) and data for one specimen indicate that the species perches directly on the sand.

A photograph of this species was erroneously included by Londt and Dikow (2017) (their figures 91–92, specimen USNMENT00832231) under the genus Afroholopogon Londt, 1994, which was a misidentification by T. Dikow at the time. The original type series of M. safra collected on the Aandster farm (now part of the NamibRand Nature Reserve) originates from two collecting events on a joint expedition by Drs Mike Irwin (3 specimens) and Leif Lyneborg (1 specimen). These specimens were collected on separate dates and, at separate sites on the Aandster farm as co-ordinates in the quarter-degree system (Larsen et al. 2009), were provided on the label as 2516Ac (M. Irwin) and 2515Bd (L. Lyneborg). Since it is impossible to decipher the exact location of the dunes from these co-ordinates, we plot a single locality (25°21'34"S, 016°06'04"E) for all specimens.

The species is distinguished from congeners by the small size with a wing length of 3.1–3.7 mm, distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, entirely setose postpronotal lobes and dorsal and posterior anepisternum (no macrosetae) and features of the male terminalia such as the short postero-median projection on the hypandrium and shape of the gonostyli.

Head: wider than high, brown; vertex and compound eyes at same level; facial swelling indistinct, only lower facial margin slightly developed, silver pubescent; mystax white macrosetose, restricted to lower facial margin, short, reaching tip of proboscis; ommatidia of same size; postgena posterior margin simple, smooth; frons (at level of antennal insertion) slightly diverging laterally, grey pubescent, yellowish setose; ocellar tubercle light brown pubescent, light brown setose; vertex greyish-light brown pubescent, yellowish to light brown macrosetose; median occipital sclerite (m ocp scl) with several yellowish macrosetose; postocular (pocl) setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, yellowish macrosetae; occiput predominantly grey pubescent, yellowish setose; compound eye posterior margin (in lateral view) straight or slightly curved throughout.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, brown; postmentum plate-like, straight, ventral margin entirely smooth, white setose ventrally; prementum circular, with dorso-median flange, asetose; labella reduced, fused to prementum only ventrally, only forming distal tip of proboscis, rounded; maxillary palpus brown, two-segmented, long yellowish setose, cylindrical; stipites fused medially, but with V-shaped indentation, apubescent, long white setose.

Antenna: light brown, lightly grey pubescent; scape 1.5× as long as pedicel, short and long yellowish setose and macrosetose ventrally; pedicel short yellowish setose dorsally and long yellowish macrosetose ventrally; postpedicel cylindrical (same diameter throughout), approximately 2× as long as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus comprised of 1 element, 0.14× as long as postpedicel, asetose; apical seta-like sensory element situated apically in cavity on stylus.

Thorax: light brown, scutum with median longitudinal stripe and shorter sublateral longitudinal stripes brown; prosternum white pubescent, separated from proepisternum, square to rectangular in shape (straight dorsally); proepisternum white pubescent, long yellowish macrosetose; cervical sclerite long yellowish setose; antepronotum white pubescent, short yellowish setose medially, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotum white pubescent, long yellowish setose medially and sub-laterally, long and weakly yellowish macrosetose laterally; postpronotal lope long yellowish setose; pleuron white pubescent; proepimeron long white setose anteriorly; anepisternum long yellowish setose dorsally (setae directed dorsally), long yellowish setose postero-medially (setae directed posteriorly), supero-posteriorly long yellowish setose (indistinguishable from other dorsal anepisternal setation); anterior basalare long yellowish setose medially, posterior basalare asetose; anepimeron asetose, katepisternum asetose, katepimeron asetose, katatergite long yellowish macrosetose, meron + metanepisternum asetose, metakatepisternum asetose, metepimeron asetose, anatergite asetose; scutum white to greyish pubescent, scutum setation: long yellowish setose, setae with small sockets, 1 npl setae, 1 spa setae, 1–2 pal setae, 2–3 long yellowish postsutural dc macrosetae, acr setae long yellowish presuturally and postsuturally, median posterior scutum (between dc setae) long yellowish setose, setae directed anteriorly; scutellum white pubescent, ds sctl setae present, long yellowish setae, ap sctl setae present, 6–8 long yellowish macrosetose; postmetacoxal area entirely membranous.

Leg: orange to light brown, apubescent, all setae circular in cross section; pro coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose; pro femur orange to light brown, short white setose, white macrosetose: 2–3 postero-dorsal distally; pro tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, 4 in 1 posterior row, 4 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 3–4 long yellowish macrosetae; mes coxa brown, white pubescent, white macrosetose; mes femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2 anterior proximally and medially, 2–3 anterior distally, 4 posterior distally; mes tibia orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 5 in 1 dorsal row, 3 in 1 anterior row, 5 in 1 antero-dorsal row, 5 in 1 antero-ventral row, 6 in 1 postero-ventral row, distal tip with 8 long yellowish macrosetae; met coxa orange to light brown, white pubescent, white setose and macrosetose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter yellowish macrosetose, cylindrical, medially without any protuberance; met femur orange to light brown, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 2–3 in 1 anterior row, 2 distal dorsally, 3 apical dorsally; met tibia orange to light brown, straight, short white setose, yellowish macrosetose: 4 in 1 anterior row, 3 in 1 antero-ventral row, 4 in 1 dorsal row, distal tip with 5 short yellowish macrosetae; proximal pro and mes tarsomere as long as following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere longer than 2 following tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; mes tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; met tarsomeres 1–5 white setose dorsally, tarsomeres 1–4 short yellowish macrosetose disto-laterally and disto-dorsally, tarsomere 5 weakly yellowish macrosetose distally; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw abruptly angled distally, pointed; empodium setiform, approximately ½ length of claw.

Wing: 3.1–3.7 mm.

Abdomen: shape compressed, T2–3 distinctly transversely rectangular (length to width ratio > 1:3), orange to light brown, tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T1 white setose, postero-laterally long white macrosetose, white pubescent, anterior ½, except laterally, membranous, dorsal surface smooth, without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotised, orange to light brown, white pubescent: in dorsal view T2–7 appearing predominantly apubescent except laterally, in lateral view T2–7 appearing apubescent in posterior ½ except lateral margin, short white setose, long white setose antero-laterally on T2, marginal macrosetae absent from T2–8, medial macrosetae absent from T2–8; S1–8 orange to light brown, lightly grey pubescent, short white setose.

Female: T6–8 grey pubescent, setation directed anteriorly on T6–7 and dorsally on T8; postero-paramedian T8 pores present, indistinct, opening not elevated above tergite surface; T8 with internal rectangular apodeme (entirely fused to T) anteriorly; T10 divided into 2 heavily sclerotised acanthophorite plates, with 6–7, light brown acanthophorite spines per plate; 3 spermathecae, all equally large, reaching posterior end of segment 6; individual spermathecal ducts long; spermathecal reservoirs spherical, heavily sclerotised; genital fork (S9, furca) formed by single, inverted V-shaped sclerite, median sclerite (at posterior tip) absent, anterior apodeme absent.

Male (Figs 66–67): T1–T7 and S1–S7 entire, T8 + S8 reduced to ring of sclerites; hypopygium orange to light brown, rotated by 180°; hypandrium well-developed, triangular, posterior margin with short postero-median projection; gonocoxal apodeme present, short, entirely confined to hypopygium.

Type locality: SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: Visrivier (23 km SE Middelpos), 32°01'00"S, 020°25'00"E (-32.01667, 20.41667).

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: 1♀ 2♂ Visrivier, 23 km SE Middelpos, 32°01'00"S, 020°25'00"E, 1990-11-28, Whittington, A., Londt, J. (1♂ Holotype NMSA-DIP-4777, Paratypes 1♀ NMSA-DIP-74619, 1♂ NMSA-DIP-74620, NMSA); 1♀ Fish River bridge, 23 km SE Middelpos, 32°01'25"S, 020°24'24"E, 1145 m, 2008-11-18, sandy riverine scrub area, Londt, J., Londt, A. (NMSA-DIP-74484, NMSA).

Known from two nearby localities in the Northern Cape of South Africa (Fig. 72). A rarely collected species known only from two collecting events (Table 1). Adult flies are active in early summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). The species is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot. Biological data available pertain to the habitat and indicate that the species occurs in sandy habitats along rivers.

The boundaries of this species have been redefined based on the study of all primary and secondary type specimens originally studied by Londt (1994) and additional specimens collected in the south-western Northern Cape Province. We postulate that M. whittingtoni represents a group of morphologically similar species and we have split the type series into three species. Londt (1994) cleared the male terminalia of two paratype specimens and illustrated one of them in his figures 51–53 (see Figs 68–70). The holotype of M. whittingtoni does not have the long postero-median projection on the hypandrium (see Fig. 66) that was illustrated by Londt (1994) based on the paratype from 23 km N Middelpos (Fig. 68), which now represents the holotype of M. kryphios sp. n. (see also Remarks under M. jasonlondti sp. n.).