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 complete mitochondrial genome of Potomida acarnanica (Kobelt, 1879)

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) play essential roles in the well-functioning of ecosystems, even providing essential services to humans. However, these bivalves face numerous threats (e.g. habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change) which have already led to the extinction of many populations. This underscores the need to fully characterize the biology of these species, particularly those, such as Potomida acarnanica, that are still poorly studied. This study presents the first mitogenome of P. acarnanica (Kobelt, 1879), an endemic species of Greece with a distribution limited to only two river basins. The mitochondrial genome of a P. acarnanica specimen, collected at Pamisos River (Peloponnese, Greece), was sequenced by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. This mitogenome (16,101 bp) is characterized by 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. The size of this mitogenome is within the range of another Potomida mitogenome already published for the species Potomida littoralis. In the phylogenetic inference, P. acarnanica was recovered as monophyletic with P. littoralis mitogenome in the Lamprotulini tribe, as expected. This genomic resource will assist in genetically characterizing the species, potentially benefiting future evolutionary studies and conservation efforts.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) supported EF by project reference CEECINST/00027/2021/CP2789/CT0003 and DOI identifier https://doi.org/10.54499/CEECINST/00027/2021/CP2789/CT0003, and MLL (2020.03608.CEECIND).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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

Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications

The global decline of freshwater mussels and their crucial ecological services highlight the need to understand their phylogeny, phylogeography and patterns of genetic diversity to guide conservation efforts. Such knowledge is urgently needed for Unio crassus, a highly imperilled species originally widespread throughout Europe and southwest Asia. Recent studies have resurrected several species from synonymy based on mitochondrial data, revealing U. crassus to be a complex of cryptic species. To address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties hindering effective conservation, we integrate morphometric, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses to examine species diversity within the U. crassus complex across its entire range. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (815 specimens from 182 populations) and, for selected specimens, whole mitogenome sequences and Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) data on ∼ 600 nuclear loci. Mito-nuclear discordance was detected, consistent with mitochondrial DNA gene flow between some species during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Fossil-calibrated phylogenies based on AHE data support a Mediterranean origin for the U. crassus complex in the Early Miocene. The results of our integrative approach support 12 species in the group: the previously recognised Unio bruguierianus, Unio carneus, Unio crassus, Unio damascensis, Unio ionicus, Unio sesirmensis, and Unio tumidiformis, and the reinstatement of five nominal taxa: Unio desectus stat. rev., Unio gontierii stat. rev., Unio mardinensis stat. rev., Unio nanus stat. rev., and Unio vicarius stat. rev. Morphometric analyses of shell contours reveal important morphospace overlaps among these species, highlighting cryptic, but geographically structured, diversity. The distribution, taxonomy, phylogeography, and conservation of each species are succinctly described.We thank Ana-Maria Benedek, Monica Sîrbu and Jouni Leinikki for their assistance with the fieldwork, and to Jeroen Goud, Sankurie Pye, Fiona Ware, Emily Mitchell, and Aleksandra Skawina for their assistance with the taxonomic investigation. We would also like to thank the editor, Dr. Guillermo Ortí, and two anonymous reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing our manuscript and for their insightful comments and valuable improvements to our work. This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18239: CONFREMU - Conservation of freshwater mussels: a pan-European approach, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), including STSMs, the interaction of the authors and the writing of the paper. This work was supported by the project ConBiomics: The Missing Approach for the Conservation of Freshwater Bivalves Project No. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030286, co-financed by FEDER through POCI and by FCT - Fundaç˜ao para a Ciˆencia e a Tecnologia, through national funds. Strategic funding UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 was provided by FCT. FCT also supported DVG (2020.03848.CEECIND), EF (CEECINST/00027/ 2021/CP2789/CT0003) and MLL (2020.03608.CEECIND). INB, AVK and IVV were supported by the Russian Science Foundation under grants (19-14-00066-P), (21-17-00126) and (21-74-10130) respectively. BVB acknowledges the bioinformatics platform of UMR 8198 for the computing resources to perform time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses; this platform is in part funded by CPER research project CLIMIBIO through the French Minist`ere de l’Enseignement Sup´erieur et de la Recherche, the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) and the region Hauts-de-France (HdF). Support to KD came from the Czech Science Foundation (19–05510S). TT and MT were supported by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria under the project ‘Conservation of freshwater mussels on the Balkan Peninsula’ (KP-06-COST-9/20.07.2022). Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the United States Government.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

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.

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.