Genus Paraclius Loew, 1864

(Fig. 14D)

DIVERSITY. — 50 species (2.0- 4.4 mm).

MORPHOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION

Apparently the most speciose genus in Mitaraka with small to rather large species (Fig. 14D). There is a considerable size variation, and males can be separated by the colour and shape of the postpedicel, the leg colour, the shape of the hypandrium and cercus (hypopygial appendages), and Male Secondary Sexual Characters (MSSCs) that are found in the femur, tibia and tarsus. Thirty species and 75% of all specimens were collected only by sweep net, and FITs were the only other productive collecting method (14 sp., 108 specimens). This genus was encountered at 21 sampling sites but the highest species diversity was definitely reached in palm swamps and the forested area around the drop zone. One species, Paraclius sp. GF-017, was nearly entirely found on low vegetation at the bottom of rocky outcrops. Contrary to Cheiromyia pennaticornis, in palm swamps Paraclius species were also found higher up in the shrubs and both in well-lit (insolated) and darker conditions. This genus also appeared much easier to collect using a sweep net.