Typology of large European rivers according to their Chironomidae communities (Insecta : Diptera)

The Chironomidae fauna of ten large European rivers (Rhine, Elbe, Oder, Danube, Loire, Pripjat, Po, Maas, Garonne and Rhône) were investigated by analysing their ecological traits (longitudinal zonation pattern, saprobiological affinities, feeding types) using one-dimensional and multivariate methods. The results confirm the geomorphological differentiation of these rivers in two main types, i.e. gravel-type and sand-type rivers. The analyses of the Chironomidae traits also showed that transition zones separate the two main types of rivers

Taxonomy and phenetic relationships of

Electrogena affinis (Eaton, 1883) is redescribed in all developmental stages. Larvae were analysed, in comparison with other congeneric european species, by a standard set of diagnostic characters which, in previous works, proved to be very useful in the taxonomy of Electrogena. The status of E. fascioculata (Sowa, 1974) is discussed and the synonymy E. fascioculata = E. affinis is stated. Finally, phenetic relationships between E. affinis and some other related european species are represented by cluster analysis, on the basis of quantitative characters of larvae

Makrozoobenthosbesiedlung und Sedimentumlagerung in Bundeswasserstraßen.

To avoid depth erosion in rivers and to maintain the safety and ease of navigation, sediment-management measures have to be taken in Federal waterways (dredging, artificial supply and translocation of sediment). Here, we pose the question whether sediment management has any influence on the fauna of the riverbed. To answer this question, the macrozoobenthos was compared between stretches with and without management, both in the rivers Elbe and Main. In these two rivers, sediment management is performed regularly with average intensity. The results show that the intensity of sediment management - with the current practices - does not have any influence on the distribution structure of macrozoobenthos

The Life Cycles of Mayflies of the Eastern Ukraine. Subfamily Baetinae (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)

The life cycle types of mayflies of the subfamily Baetinae in Eastern Ukraine are determined. The scheme for identification of larval age structure is given. The age structure changes of Baetis braaschi, B. nexus and Alainites muticus larvae during the year are described in detail. The flight periods of imagoes throughout the studied region are delimited for almost all species of the subfamily. B. braaschi is shown to have the bivoltine life cycle, with its populations overwintering as the larval stage (MBws) independently on temperature conditions in the water body. The peculiarities of oviposition are described for this species. The following aspects of life cycles were revealed: nymphs, subimagoes and imagoes of different generations of B. braaschi differ considerably in size; the voltinity of B. vernus in the region can vary (Us and/or MBss), mainly due to temperature conditions of the water bodies, where its development takes place; geographically isolated populations of A. muticus in the Eastern Ukraine reproduce only by thelytoky

DNA barcoding and faunistic criteria for a revised taxonomy of Italian Ephemeroptera

<p>Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) systematics has considerably changed over the years, but many questions have yet to be answered. The synergistic connection between traditional knowledge and new data sources, producing increasingly complex information, has become a compelling issue for modern taxonomy. Molecular tests and the use of reliable reference sequence libraries may constitute effective complements to the traditional method in guiding recognition of species and giving information about taxonomic incongruences which require further examination. In the present study, we sought to verify the current Italian mayfly nomenclatural system through DNA barcoding and relevant points to reliably manage the available amount of morpho-ecological and molecular data are discussed. We investigated COI (Cytochrome oxidase I) sequence variation in 163 individuals of Italian mayflies, 126 of which were previously assigned to 24 morphologically recognised species, and 37 could be attributed only to generic taxonomic entities (“sp.”, “cf.” or “gr.”). DNA barcoding statistical tests for species delimitation hypotheses based on genetic distances and inferred gene trees were integrated with GenBank searches and surveys of the historical literature to better understand the knowledge acquired on the status and diversity of the investigated taxa. Combined criteria to define three categories of reliability were then assessed. Concurrent data allowing unambiguous identification were attained for only eight species. High intraspecific genetic distances (> 3%) and a lack of reliable reference material or convincing taxonomic information evidenced 29 critical states, deserving further investigation. Solid species names, potential cryptic species and entities about which little is known are pointed out for a future upgrade/reorganisation of the taxonomy of Italian Ephemeroptera.</p