Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from Kožuf and Baba mountains (Republic of North Macedonia

Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in the southern end of the Republic of North Macedonia. A total of 36 species were recorded, of which 22 and 8 were recorded for the first time for Kožuf and Baba mountains, respectively. Limnephilus flavicornis (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first time from the country from Kožuf Mountain. In addition, new localities of several rare and endemic caddisfly species were found. The results of this study highlight Kožuf and Baba mountains as refugium for caddisfly species of conservation importance

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Europe: Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 and formerly synonymized species (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae), with new description of Rhyacophila fasciata and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 (stat. prom.).

[EN] The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of R. ferruginea is missing, the taxon is still unidentified, and thus we propose Rhyacophila ferruginea as a nomen dubium. Morphological features and genetic evidence revealed that R. septentrionis differs from R. fasciata, so we propose to change its status to status resurrectus. We therefore include new descriptions of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of R. fasciata and of R. septentrionis, together with a molecular analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and ecological notes. The species R. coppai Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. soreda Coppa & Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. sociata Navás 1916; the species R. kopasa Oláh & Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. rova Oláh & Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. denticulata McLachlan 1879; the species R. matrensis Oláh & Szcz¿sny 2020 is probably a synonym of R. fasciata, so more study of this species is needed in order to confirm or deny that it is a valid species.[ES] Se ha revisado la presencia y distribución de Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 en Europa, basada en el estudio de la bibliografía, especímenes de colecciones y en nuevo material recolectado en diferentes países. Se evaluó asimismo el estado de las especies anteriormente sinonimizadas Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) y Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan, 1865. El ejemplar tipo de R. ferruginea se ha perdido y el taxón permanece todavía sin identificar, por lo que proponemos Rhyacophila ferruginea como un nomen dubium. Las características morfológicas y las evidencias genéticas indican que R. septentrionis difiere de R. fasciata, por lo que proponemos un cambio de estatus a status resurrectus. Se incluyen nuevas descripciones de las distintas etapas (larva, pupa, machos y hembras) de R. fasciata y de R. septentrionis, junto con el análisis molecular del gen mitocondrial Citocromo Oxidasa subunidad I (COImt), y notas ecológicas. Las especies R. coppai Oláh 2020 NUEVO SINÓNIMO y R. soreda Coppa & Oláh 2020 NUEVO SINÓNIMO son sinónimos de R. sociata Navás 1916; las especies R. kopasa Oláh & Coppa 2020 NUEVO SINÓNIMO y R. rova Oláh & Coppa 2020 NUEVO SINÓNIMO son sinónimos de R. denticulata McLachlan 1879; la especie R. matrensis Oláh & Szcz¿sny 2020 es probablemente un sinónimo de R. fasciata, por lo que se necesita un estudio más detallado para confirmarla o rechazarla como especie válida.This research is a part of scientific project “DNA barcoding of Croatian faunal biodiversity” (IP-2016-06-9988) funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. The work of P. Chvojka was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (DKRVO 2019-2023/5.I.b, National Museum, 00023272)

Spatial scale effects on taxonomic and biological trait diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean streams

We examined the effect of spatial scale on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean streams from six basins distributed across southern Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. We classified the studied streams according to their long-term aquatic regime into the three following types: (i) permanent (P), (ii) intermittent with summer pools (I-P), and (iii) intermittent with summer dry channels (I-D). For each stream type, we analyzed taxonomic and trait diversity, as well as the composition of the macroinvertebrate community, following a spatially nested design at three spatial scales of analysis: microhabitat (substratum patches), mesohabitat (pools vs. riffles), and macrohabitat (streams). In order to assess intrinsic seasonal variability in streams from the Mediterranean region, 20 Surber samples were taken from each stream according to meso- and microhabitat frequency in the wet and the dry season during 2010. Given the need for adaptation to specific hydrological conditions and the fact that microhabitats should encompass the niche requirements of particular taxa, we hypothesized that this spatial scale would have a greater influence on macroinvertebrate taxa composition and biological traits than the other two larger spatial scales in intermittent streams. We observed that patterns in the relative importance of variance components across hierarchical spatial scales changed with time because low flow or droughts altered both mesohabitat preva - lence and microhabitat composition. Our results confirm the importance of the microhabitat scale in I-P streams in the wet season but not in the dry one, when a loss of microhabitat diversity occurred. Stream-to-stream variability was more important in P and I-D streams. Our study also explored the relationships between traits and aquatic regimes. We found that aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting permanent streams exhibited traits related to the longer duration of life cycles in these rivers (e.g. large size of adult stages) and adaptations to flowing conditions (e.g. modes of aquatic dispersal), whereas aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting intermittent streams with summer pools had traits adapted to depositional conditions and ecological preferences for confined habitats (i.e. disconnected pools without flow). Finally, aquatic macroinvertebrates from intermittent streams with summer dry channels had adaptations conferring ability to survive periods with no water (e.g. modes of aerial dispersal, resistant stages). These results indicate that microhabitat conditions should not be neglected as they can play an important role in certain situations

A biological tool to assess flow connectivity in reference temporary streams from the Mediterranean Basin

Many streams in the Mediterranean Basin have temporary flow regimes. While timing for seasonal drought is predictable, they undergo strong inter-annual variability in flow intensity. This high hydrological variability and associated ecological responses challenge the ecological status assessment of temporary streams, particularly when setting reference conditions. This study examined the effects of flow connectivity in aquatic macroinvertebrates from seven reference temporary streams across the Mediterranean Basin where hydrological variability and flow conditions are well studied. We tested for the effect of flow cessation on two streamflow indices and on community composition, and, by performing random forest and classification tree analyses we identified important biological predictors for classifying the aquatic state either as flowing or disconnected pools. Flow cessation was critical for one of the streamflow indices studied and for community composition. Macroinvertebrate families found to be important for classifying the aquatic state were Hydrophilidae, Simuliidae, Hydropsychidae, Planorbiidae, Heptageniidae and Gerridae. For biological traits, trait categories associated to feeding habits, food, locomotion and substrate relation were the most important and provided more accurate predictions compared to taxonomy. A combination of selected metrics and associated thresholds based on the most important biological predictors (i.e. Bio-AS Tool) were proposed in order to assess the aquatic state in reference temporary streams, especially in the absence of hydrological data. Although further development is needed, the tool can be of particular interest for monitoring, restoration, and conservation purposes, representing an important step towards an adequate management of temporary rivers not only in the Mediterranean Basin but also in other regions vulnerable to the effects of climate change

Disentangling responses to natural stressor and human impact gradients in river ecosystems across Europe

1. Rivers are dynamic ecosystems in which both human impacts and climate-driven drying events are increasingly common. These anthropogenic and natural stressors interact to influence the biodiversity and functioning of river ecosystems. Disentangling ecological responses to these interacting stressors is necessary to guide management actions that support ecosystems adapting to global change. 2. We analysed the independent and interactive effects of human impacts and natural drying on aquatic invertebrate communities—a key biotic group used to assess the health of European freshwaters. We calculated biological response metrics representing communities from 406 rivers in eight European countries: taxonomic richness, functional richness and redundancy, and biomonitoring indices that indicate ecological status. We analysed metrics based on the whole community and on a group of taxa with traits promoting resistance and/or resilience (‘high RR’) to drying. We also examined how responses vary across Europe in relation to climatic aridity. 3. Most community metrics decreased independently in response to impacts and drying. A richness-independent biomonitoring index (the average score per taxon; ASPT) showed particular potential for use in biomonitoring, and should be considered alongside new metrics representing high RR diversity, to promote accurate assessment of ecological status. 4. High RR taxonomic richness responded only to impacts, not drying. However, these predictors explained little variance in richness and other high RR metrics, potentially due to low taxonomic richness. Metric responsiveness could thus be enhanced by developing region-specific high RR groups comprising sufficient taxa with sufficiently variable impact sensitivities to indicate ecological status. 5. Synthesis and applications. Metrics are needed to assess the ecological status of dynamic river ecosystems—including those that sometimes dry—and thus to identify priority sites requiring action to tackle the causes of environmental degradation. Our results inform recommendations guiding the development of such metrics. We propose concurrent use of richness-independent ‘average score per taxon’ indices and metrics that characterize the richness of resistant and resilient taxa. We observed interactions between aridity, impacts and drying, highlighting that these new metrics should be region specific, river type specific and adaptable, promoting their ability to inform management actions that protect biodiversity in river ecosystems responding to climate change.European Cooperation in Science and Technology. Grant Number: CA1511

Hydropsyche rhadamanthys

<p> <b> Description of the 5th instar larva of <i>Hydropsyche rhadamanthys</i></b> </p> <p> <i>Body length:</i> Ranging from 16 to 20 mm (n = 9) (Fig. 1).</p> <p> <i>Head:</i> Head in dorsal view (Figs. 2 & 3) rectangular, about as long (length: 1.6–1.9 mm, mean = 1.81 mm, S.D = 0.15, n = 8) as wide (width: 1.6–1.8 mm, mean = 1.73 mm, S.D = 0.07, n = 8). Cephalic capsule (Figs. 2 & 3) brown to light brown (caramel). Frontoclypeal apotome (Figs. 4 & 5) narrow, anterior margin and anterior sides straight and slightly concave, posterior region ogival with sides rounded, posterior tip pointed. Oral light spot usually absent (Fig. 4); visible or faint in light-colored specimens (Fig. 5). Lateral light spots clearly visible and most noticeable. Lateral aboral light spots usually absent or not visible. Median aboral light spot sometimes visible and rarely joined with lateral ones. In ventral view (Fig. 6), two distinctive longitudinal, wide, dark bands usually covering most of cephalic capsule except from area behind submentum. In lightly-coloured specimens, longitudinal bands lighter and not covering most of cephalic capsule. Submentum (Fig. 7) light brown (caramel), with lateral lobes short and wide (width-length ratio a:b: 0.21–0.24, mean = 0.22, S.D. = 0.01, n = 4).</p> <p> <i>Thorax.</i> Notal plates brown to light brown. Metanotum lighter than pronotum and mesonotum (Fig. 1). Pronotum and mesonotum usually of same colour as head. Median regions of posterior prosternites strongly pigmented, brown and irregularly oblong (Fig. 8). Lateral regions of prosternites lighter, separated from median regions by light areas (Fig. 8). Ventral gills present on mesosternum and metasternum.</p> <p> <i>Abdomen.</i> Abdominal gills present on segment VII (Fig. 1). Abdominal segments with two types of gills: single-stemmed gills and bifid-stemmed gills. Ventrolateral gills with bifid stalk on each side of abdominal segments I–VI. Ventromesal gills with single-stemmed stalk on each side of abdominal segments I–VII. Lateral (pleural) gills on each side of abdominal segments III–VII. Ventral plates on abdominal segment VIII subtriangular, brown-ochre, with tapered, short, thick spike-like setae emanating from prominent sockets; posterior border with long, thick black bristles. Ventral plates IX subtriangular, brown-ochre; setae on posterior parts of plates IX almost as long and thick as those of segment VIII; posterior borders with long, thick, black bristles (Fig. 9). Anal prolegs each with bent claw and cluster of tapered, dark, long slender setae. Ventral side of each anal proleg bearing series of tapered, long, dark hair-like setae lacking prominent setal sockets. Ventral membranous area covered with hairlike setae and lacking spike-like setae.</p>Published as part of <i>Karaouzas, Ioannis, 2016, The larvae of Hydropsyche rhadamanthys Malicky 2001 and Hydropsyche sarpedon Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), endemics of Crete (South Aegean, Greece), with notes on their ecology, pp. 557-566 in Zootaxa 4097 (4)</i> on pages 558-560, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4097.4.7, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/261045">http://zenodo.org/record/261045</a&gt

The larvae of Hydropsyche rhadamanthys Malicky 2001 and Hydropsyche sarpedon Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), endemics of Crete (South Aegean, Greece), with notes on their ecology

Karaouzas, Ioannis (2016): The larvae of Hydropsyche rhadamanthys Malicky 2001 and Hydropsyche sarpedon Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), endemics of Crete (South Aegean, Greece), with notes on their ecology. Zootaxa 4097 (4): 557-566, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4097.4.

Hydropsyche sarpedon

<p> <i>Hydropsyche sarpedon.</i></p> <p>Crete: Kakopteros, 23º45’E, 35º24’N, 427 m, 5 fifth-instar larvae, 18.x.2012; Papadiana, 23º50’E, 35º24’N, 280 m, 5 fifth-instar larvae, 18.x.2012; Moni Preveli (Megas Potamos), 24°28'E, 39°24'N, 47 m, 1 ♂ adult, 19.x.2012; Mesavlia, 23º44’E, 35º24’N, 493 m, 6 fifth-instar larvae, 2 ♂ & 1 ♀ pupae, 20.viii.2015; Sirikari, 23º37’E, 35º24’N, 432 m, 15 fifth-instar larvae, 7 ♂ & 6 ♀ pupae; Sasalos, 23º42’E, 35º24’N, 339 m, 17 fifth-instar larvae, 20.viii.2015.</p> <p>All material leg. Ioannis Karaouzas and all specimens are deposited in the collection of I. Karaouzas (Athens, Greece).</p> <p> <b>Diagnostic features.</b> Characterisation of the larvae was based on the presence or absence of gills on abdominal segment VII, pattern of the head (i.e., shape and colour of the frontoclypeal apotome) and submentum form of the last instar larvae (5th instar). Submentum, mentum, ventral apotome, and gular sclerite are names used for the same structure throughout the literature. Here, the commonly used name of submentum is employed (Zamora-Muñoz <i>et al</i>. 1995; De Pietro 1999; Waringer & Graf 2011). Terminology of larval characters by Schefter & Wiggins (1986) and De Pietro (1999) is used. Photographs of the larvae were taken through a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX7) with a built-in camera (Infinity 1).</p>Published as part of <i>Karaouzas, Ioannis, 2016, The larvae of Hydropsyche rhadamanthys Malicky 2001 and Hydropsyche sarpedon Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), endemics of Crete (South Aegean, Greece), with notes on their ecology, pp. 557-566 in Zootaxa 4097 (4)</i> on page 558, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4097.4.7, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/261045">http://zenodo.org/record/261045</a&gt

The larvae of the Aegean endemic caddisflies <i>Hydropsyche debirasi</i> Malicky 1974 and <i>Hydropsyche kleobis</i> Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) with notes on their ecology and zoogeography

Karaouzas, Ioannis (2013): The larvae of the Aegean endemic caddisflies Hydropsyche debirasi Malicky 1974 and Hydropsyche kleobis Malicky 2001 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) with notes on their ecology and zoogeography. Zootaxa 3636 (4): 472-477, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3637.4.

The larvae of three Greek species of Hydropsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) and key for larvae of known Aegean Hydropsyche species

Karaouzas, Ioannis (2018): The larvae of three Greek species of Hydropsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) and key for larvae of known Aegean Hydropsyche species. Zootaxa 4382 (2): 381-392, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4382.2.