Abstract
The Microphorella chiragra species group is revised and includes M. chiragra Melander, M. longitarsis Melander and M. ornatipes Melander, plus the following 17 newly described species: M. barda sp. nov., M. bicristata sp. nov., M. bradleyi sp. nov., M. dilata sp. nov., M. discreta sp. nov., M. enigma sp. nov., M. megapterna sp. nov., M. obscura sp. nov., M. paraplatypeza sp. nov., M. patrickensis sp. nov., M. platypeza sp. nov., M. sasquatchi sp. nov., M. setosa sp. nov., M. shorthousei sp. nov., M. tubula sp. nov., M. virgata sp. nov. and M. wilderae sp. nov. The species group occurs in the western Nearctic Region from Washington, Idaho and western Montana south through Oregon and California. The distribution of each species is mapped and a key to males is provided. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode analyses indicate the possible existence of additional cryptic species, and/or high intra-specific DNA barcode variation.
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