Amphibiotic insects of mountain lakes and small watercourses in the Urals

A total of 127 species of stoneflies, dayflies, caddisflies, and chironomids were found in the lakes and small watercourses of the Northern and Pre-Polar Urals. The highest species diversity (78 species) and number were the characteristics of chironomids. Along with widely distributed species, Siberian and Arctic species were revealed in the fauna. The Arctic stonefly Capnia zaicevi Klap and 24 chironomid species were found for the first time on the territory of Komi Republic. Lists of registered insect species and data on their occurrence, abundance, and biomass are given.     

Plecoptera response to acidification in several headwater streams in the Vosges Mountains (northeastern France)

Plecoptera are among the most threatened aquatic invertebrates in industrialised countries as they are very sensitive to many types of pollution. On the contrary, stoneflies are largely considered as tolerant to acidification in comparison with many other macroinvertebrate groups. However, an understanding of Plecoptera responses to acidification is lacking due firstly to the complexity of most Nemouroidea specific determinations at larval instars and secondly to the poor Plecoptera diversity in North European countries, where most studies on acidification impact were performed. In the present study, we assess the response of Plecoptera species and species assemblages to freshwater acidification by collecting adults, allowing specific determination. Significant relationships were observed between richness and several chemical parameters. The relative abundance of several species was also significantly correlated to pH and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC). The results highlight the importance of species determination to assess the effects of acidification. Direct effects, i.e. ecotoxicological effects, were not the only factor leading to the erosion of Plecoptera diversity. Finally, this study tends to demonstrate that this order of aquatic insects is more severely affected by freshwater acidification than commonly believed.     

Extended phylogeny of Aquilegia: the biogeographical and ecological patterns of two simultaneous but contrasting radiations

Studies of the North American columbines (Aquilegia, Ranunculaceae) have supported the view that adaptive radiations in animal-pollinated plants proceed through pollinator specialisation and floral differentiation. However, although the diversity of pollinators and floral morphology is much lower in Europe and Asia than in North America, the number of columbine species is similar in the three continents. This supports the hypothesis that habitat and pollinator specialisation have contributed differently to the radiation of columbines in different continents. To establish the basic background to test this hypothesis, we expanded the molecular phylogeny of the genus to include a representative set of species from each continent. Our results suggest that the diversity of the genus is the result of two independent events of radiation, one involving Asiatic and North American species and the other involving Asiatic and European species. The ancestors of both lineages probably occupied the mountains of south-central Siberia. North American and European columbines are monophyletic within their respective lineages. The genus originated between 6.18 and 6.57 million years (Myr) ago, with the main pulses of diversification starting around 3 Myr ago both in Europe (1.25–3.96 Myr ago) and North America (1.42–5.01 Myr ago). The type of habitat occupied shifted more often in the Euroasiatic lineage, while pollination vectors shifted more often in the Asiatic-North American lineage. Moreover, while allopatric speciation predominated in the European lineage, sympatric speciation acted in the North American one. In conclusion, the radiation of columbines in Europe and North America involved similar rates of diversification and took place simultaneously and independently. However, the ecological drivers of radiation were different: geographic isolation and shifts in habitat use were more important in Europe while reproductive isolation linked to shifts in pollinator specialisation additionally acted in North America.     

Filters and templates: stonefly (Plecoptera) richness in Ouachita Mountains streams, U.S.A.

1.  We collected adult stoneflies periodically over a 1-year period at 38 sites in two headwater catchments in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, U.S.A. The 43 species collected were a subset of the Ozark-Ouachita fauna and the much larger fauna of the eastern U.S.A. We estimated 78–91% species coverage in the two catchments using jackknife extrapolation of species richness from our survey.
2.  Many streams, especially small ones, lacked surface water for months, but others, both small and large, flowed permanently.
3.  Using published regional presence–absence and coarse ecological data in a discriminant function analysis (DFA), we identified stream size (negative) and regional frequency of occurrence (positive) as predictors of presence in these headwater catchments. For the combined catchments, the extrapolated richness (51 spp.) was similar to an estimate (48 spp.) based on predicted absences from DFA and the Ouachita provincial total of known stonefly species (57 spp.).
4.  Local species richness (1–27 spp. per site) was correlated strongly with stream size (catchment area) but was independent of stream drying. Generic richness was correlated negatively with stream drying and positively, but less strongly, with stream size.
5.  Regionally endemic stoneflies dominated in drying streams, and widely distributed species dominated in more permanent streams. The composition of stonefly assemblages was associated with regional factors (species pools, regional abundance, evolution of tolerant endemic species, regional climate) and local factors (drying, stream size).     

Distribution of the macrobenthos fauna in the Ola River basin,northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk

The taxonomic composition of the macrobenthos fauna and its distribution in the main stream and tributaries of the mid-size salmon Ola River, the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, were investigated for the first time. In the Ola River basin, 253 taxa of benthic invertebrates belonging to 3 phyla (Plathelminthes, Annelida, and Arthropoda) and 5 classes (Turbellaria, Clitellata, Crustacea, Arachnida, and Insecta) were revealed. Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera), and midges (Chironomidae, Diptera) showed the highest species richness and dominated the benthic communities. Chironomidae comprised most of the fauna: 140 species and species groups, or more than 55% of the total diversity. The shares of identified species of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies were subequal. Analysis of hydromorphological characteristics and the composition of aquatic insect families showed that all the areas surveyed in the Ola River basin were rhithral while the macrobenthos fauna represented there belonged to rhithron. The classification obtained by cluster analysis showed spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of the benthic fauna along the Ola River, related to changes in water temperature, slope, and altitude. The heterogeneous fauna distribution and the corresponding change in stable hydromorphological features indicated the existence of the typical epi-, meta-, and hyporhithral subzones whose boundaries were difficult to distinguish. However, the rhithral subzones selected were characterized by the habitat selectivity of certain taxa and by peculiar species richness values, thus emphasizing their individuality.     

Stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the diet of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchell) in Libby Creek,Wyoming, USA

The stonefly component of a naturally reproducing population of brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) was studied by analyzing 216 stomach pump samples collected between May 15 and August 10, 1991 and 1992, from Libby Creek, an alpine stream in the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. Stoneflies constituted 10.3% of the total items recovered and were the second most abundant order in the samples. Nineteen species of Plecoptera representing five families were identified. Approximately 43% of all stoneflies were Sweltsa lamba; the next most prevalent species was Zapada haysi (12%). The other prevalent insect orders in the samples were Diptera (57.2%), Ephemeroptera (8.4%) and Trichoptera (6.1%). Terrestrial Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera were most common in July and August. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The invertebrate fauna of the streams in Øvre Heimdalen

The lotic communities in Øvre Heimdalen were completely dominated by insects. The species distribution of stoneflies (Plecoptera), mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and caddisflies (Trichoptera) is given together with autecological notes on the Plecoptera and certain other major species. The species distribution of these groups, especially the Plecoptera, was clearly related to the deciduous vegetation along the streams. There was a reduction in species parallel to a reduction in Salix vegetation.
The main inlet stream to the lake, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, the outlet and the outlet stream had different faunal compositions. The inlet fauna consisted to a large extent of winter growing species, mainly detritus feeders, while the outlet and outlet stream had a fauna dominated by summer growing species, several of which were filter feeders.     

Community structure of benthic invertebrates in interior Alaskan (USA) streams and rivers

Taxonomic composition of benthic invertebrates in interior Alaskan streams and rivers is summarized from published and unpublished data. Diptera dominate the Alaskan stream fauna and constitute a larger proportion of the benthos in Alaskan streams than in streams of temperate North America. Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera are the next most abundant in Alaskan streams with Trichoptera generally very scarce. Several orders that occur regularly in streams of temperate North America are absent (or in very low abundance) in interior Alaskan streams: Hemiptera, Odonata, Megaloptera, Coleoptera. Net-spinning caddisflies, burrowing mayflies, and several families of stoneflies (Pteronarcyidae, Peltoperlidae and Perlidae) are conspicuous by their absence or extreme scarcity. Taxonomic composition varies significantly among hydrologic regions (major watersheds) and among stream types (springs, headwater streams, small rivers, and large rivers). Only two taxa (Chironomidae and Nemouridae) significantly increase in proportional contribution from south to north while many taxa decrease.     

The stoneflies (Plecoptera) of Belarus: Fauna and biotopic distribution

A total of 29 species of stoneflies (Plecoptera) from 7 families were found in Belarus: Perlodidae—6, Perlidae—1, Chloroperlidae—3, Taeniopterygidae—2, Nemouridae—11, Capniidae—2, and Leuctridae—4 species. The fauna is fairly diverse and includes a number of rare species in Belarus and other European countries: Diura bicaudata, Marthamea vitripennis, Isoptena serricornis, Xanthoperla apicalis, Brachyptera risi, Protonemura intricata, Nemoura cambrica, Nemoura marginata, and Capnia bifrons.     

Live cycles,drift, and standing stocks of some stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) from streams in Minnesota,U.S.A.

From analyses of monthly length frequency distributions of stonefly (Plecoptera) nymphs from stream riffles, two types of univoltine life cycles (Hynes 1961, classification) were observed: slow seasonal forIsoperla transmarina, Isoperla signata, Isogenoides olivaceus, andAllocapnia rickerii, and fast seasonal forProstoia similis. The Perlodidae stoneflies (Isoperla andIsogenoides) showed greatest propensities to drift near the end of their life cycles. Drift rates of the other two species of stoneflies were correlated to standing stock estimates.     

Phylogeography and species biogeography of montane Great Basin stoneflies

Sky islands are ideal systems for determining the effects of climatic oscillations on species distributions and genetic structure. Our study focused on montane stonefly populations in the Great Basin of western North America. We used niche-based distribution modelling, phylogeography and traditional species-based biogeography to test several hypotheses as follows: (i) genetic differentiation among Doroneuria baumanni populations will be independent of hydrologic connectivity (headwater model); (ii) Sky islands were colonized when habitat was more continuous and populations likely experienced multiple expansions and contractions; (iii) Colonization events were coincident with the late Pleistocene and Holocene; and (iv) Shared topography and climate history will result in concordant patterns of genetic differentiation in D. baumanni and occurrences of 32 stonefly species across the region. Overall, Φ(ST) 's and coalescent-based estimates of migration were consistent with the headwater model. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian gene trees identified three major nonoverlapping east-west clades. Distribution modelling indicated more suitable habitat in the Great Basin during the Last Glacial Maximum than at present, but none during the last interglacial period. Demographic analyses showed evidence of population expansion in one of the three major east-west clades. Intra-clade divergence times (60,000-183,000ybp) were well within the late Pleistocene while among-clade divergence times (499.000-719,000ybp) were deeper. Genetic differentiation in D. baumanni and distributions of stonefly species were significantly concordant. These results imply that climatic oscillations have played major roles in shaping the genetic structure and distributions of Great Basin stoneflies, but that divergence among clades occurred much earlier than our late Pleistocence/early Holocene predictions.     

Ohio USA stoneflies (Insecta, Plecoptera): species richness estimation, distribution of functional niche traits, drainage affiliations, and relationships to other states

Ohio is an eastern USA state that historically was >70% covered in upland and mixed coniferous forest; about 60% of it glaciated by the Wisconsinan glacial episode. Its stonefly fauna has been studied in piecemeal fashion until now. The assemblage of Ohio stoneflies was assessed from over 4,000 records accumulated from 18 institutions, new collections, and trusted literature sources. Species richness totaled 102 with estimators Chao2 and ICE Mean predicting 105.6 and 106.4, respectively. Singletons and doubletons totaled 18 species. All North American families were represented with Perlidae accounted for the highest number of species at 34. The family Peltoperlidae contributed a single species. Most species had univoltine-fast life cycles with the vast majority emerging in summer, although there was a significant component of winter stoneflies. Nine United States Geological Survey hierarchical drainage units level 6 (HUC6) were used to stratify specimen data. Species richness was significantly related to the number of unique HUC6 locations, but there was no relationship with HUC6 drainage area. A nonparametric multidimensional scaling analysis found that larger HUC6s in the western part of the state had similar assemblages with lower species richness that were found to align with more savanna and wetland habitat. Other drainages having richer assemblages were aligned with upland deciduous and mixed coniferous forests of the east and south where slopes were higher. The Ohio assemblage was most similar to the well-studied fauna of Indiana (88 spp.) and Kentucky (108 spp.), two neighboring states. Many rare species and several high quality stream reaches should be considered for greater protection.     

Bill Ricker’s Entomological Contributions

Synopsis Bill Ricker was an internationally recognized expert on the stoneflies (Plecoptera). These insects have aquatic larvae that live mostly in cool and clear running water. They are of ecological significance in the breakdown of leaf-litter and the cycling of detritus in aquatic lotic habitats. Since they can account for a significant portion of the diet of some fishes in cold northern waters, they are linked with Ricker’s other work in fisheries. Within 1 year of taking up the study of stoneflies, Ricker was describing species new to science. He continued such activity through most of his life, describing or co-describing some 108 species and 46 genera. Ricker made other outstanding contributions, publishing in 1952 what is regarded as the most important publication dealing with stonefly systematics in the 20th century. Many names he coined in his studies clearly demonstrated his linguistic flair and humour. He made significant contributions to an understanding of the biogeography of stoneflies, and received many honours and citations for his research.     

Aquatic insects (Insecta: Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Trichoptera) of the rivers in the Berezinskii Biosphere Reserve

The fauna of aquatic insects was studied in the rivers of the Berezinskii Biosphere Reserve. A total of 108 species of 4 orders were found: Plecoptera (10 species), Ephemeroptera (24), Odonata (25), and Trichoptera (49). The aquatic fauna is abundant and includes some species rare in Belarus and Europe.     

Egg development, nymphal growth and life cycle strategies in Plecoptera

Interspecific and intraspecific differences in egg development, nymphal growth and the life cycles of Fennoscandian stoneflies are examined in relation to zoogeographical aspects and evolutionary trends. Data on other European and North American species are also considered.
Egg development shows considerable diversity, the main categories being ovovivipary, egg development with diapause and non-diapause development. Egg development in species in the non-diapause category can be classified as eurythermal, cold stenothermal or warm stenothermal. Temperature has a marked effect on nymphal growth of some species but not others. The distribution of several species can be explained by their temperature relationships, either in the egg or nymphal stage. Several species modify their life cycle to fit local climatic conditions. In some species, such as Leuctra hippopus , environmental selection has been so strong that they have probably recently evolved into subspecies and/or species in northern Europe.
Morphological and ecological variations in the Plecoptera have facilitated their colonization of the variety of freshwater biotopes that occur in Fennoscandia.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Hoplia Illiger (Scarabaeidae: Hopliinae)

Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 34 morphological characters of 24 species of 11 genera of Hopliinae from Europe, Japan, South Africa, Madagascar, North and Central America, indicates that the genus Hoplia is a monophyletic group with species distributed in Europe, Japan and America. Based in this analysis the Asiatic genus Ectinohoplia is the closest relative of the genus Hoplia, and the South American genus Barybas (Melolonthinae: Macrodactylini) is the sister group of Hopliinae.     

Flow increases tolerance of heat and hypoxia of an aquatic insect

Recent experiments support the idea that upper thermal limits of aquatic insects arise, at least in part, from a lack of sufficient oxygen: rising temperatures typically stimulate metabolic demand for oxygen more than they increase rates of oxygen supply from the environment. Consequently, factors influencing oxygen supply, like water flow, should also affect thermal and hypoxia tolerance. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the effects of experimentally manipulated flows on the heat and hypoxia tolerance of aquatic nymphs of the giant salmonfly (Plecoptera: Pteronarcys californica), a common stonefly in western North America. As predicted, stoneflies in flowing water (10 cm s⁻¹) tolerated water that was approximately 4°C warmer and that contained approximately 15% less oxygen than did those in standing water. Our results imply that the impacts of climate change on streamflow, such as changes in patterns of precipitation and decreased snowpack, will magnify the threats to aquatic insects from warmer water temperatures and lower oxygen levels.     

Taxonomic diversity of the terrestrial bird and mammal fauna in temperate and boreal biomes of the northern hemisphere

Abstract. Using comprehensive range information of northern Hemisphere birds and mammals, we assessed the taxonomic diversity of these two groups in four different regions: Europe, east Asia, and western and eastern North America. East Asia is the richest region in the number of bird and mammal species, genera, families and orders, except that mammal species richness is highest in western North America. Eastern North America is taxonomically the poorest region, but when only forest-associated taxa were considered in mammals taxonomic diversity is equally low in Europe and in eastern North America, and in birds, Europe is the least diverse region. Patterns in endemic taxa follow overall taxonomic diversity. The proportion of shared taxa between regions is higher among boreal species and genera than among all taxa. A comparison with tree species diversity underpins the role of east Asia as the most diverse of all northern biota. Largely congruent patterns at different taxonomic levels emphasizes the role of historical processes, such as differential extinction rate in response to paleoenvironmental fluctuations, in producing these patterns, but we stress the need for more research on the coevolution of species diversity and habitat diversity.     

缅甸克钦琥珀白垩纪石蝇(襀翅目: 襀科)新属种记述

文中简述了襀翅目缅甸琥珀研究概况,并基于一件保存较好的雌虫标本,报道了襀翅目襀科新属种Burperla decolorata gen. et sp. nov.。该化石具有以下重要特征:体较长,体色浅,触须与触角较长, RP脉末端接近翅端部,下殖板宽大、圆形,后缘中部突出。这些形态特征显著区别于襀科的其它化石及现生类群。