title: A review of the Tabanus semiargenteus-subgroup as part of the Tabanus bovinus species-group (Diptera: Tabanidae) with the description of two new species for science.
abstract: The semiargenteus-subgroup of the Tabanus bovinus species group is reviewed. The known distribution area of the three previously known species could be significantly increased. T. semiargenteus Olsufjev, 1937 was for the first time recorded from Syria and Iran, T. olsufjevi Hauser, 1960 from Iraq and Iran and T. sarbazensisJežek, 1990 from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq. Two new species are described from this region, Tabanus beieri sp. nov. and T. lintzeni sp. nov. The male of T. sarbazensis is described for the first time. Species of the semiargenteus-subgroup are found in arid mountenous areas from the northern Levant (Lebanon, Syria) through south and east Turkey, northern Iraq and Iran towards Nakhichevan and Armenia with records typically from above 1000m, often even above 2000m. Host records are for the first time presented for the subgroup. Females were either collected on or in direct proximity of large ruminants like donkeys, horses and cows, none of the species was observed to attack man. Detailed diagnostic features as well as a key are presented for the females and males of the five species, two colour plates show the habitus as well as the heads in frontal and lateral view.
authors.affiliation: Eikenlaan 24, 3768 EV Soest, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zeegers
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Electronic address: guntercmuller@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Günter C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D004175:Diptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East; D058974:Phylogeography
keywords: Hosts; Iran; Iraq; Lebanon; Levant; Syria; Tabanidae; Tabanus beieri spec. nov.; Tabanus lintzeni spec. nov.; Turkey; Zoogeography