The genus Rhyacophila Pictet, 1834 (Insecta: Trichoptera) in Kosovo

The Balkan Peninsula is known for its high species diversity, but it is also one of the least known areas of Europe. Many previously inaccessible regions lack reliable faunistic records. There are especially few data available for the highly diverse aquatic insects of the region. To help fill the gap, we conducted an extensive survey to map the Trichoptera fauna of the Republic of Kosovo, an area where faunistic records are extremely scarce. Adult specimens were collected during 2009 and 2010, with light traps and entomologic nets. Of 84 Trichoptera species identified from the 21 investigated stations, 15 belong to the genus Rhyacophila. This makes the genus the most species-rich in Kosovo. Rhyacophila fasciata and R. tristis are widespread in many streams and rivers all over the country, while R. balcanica, R. trescavicensis, R. obtusa and R. bosnica have limited distribution. Ten Rhyacophila species presented in this paper are recorded for the first time on the area of Kosovo. We also provide new data for the disjunctive distribution of R. palmeni in south-eastern Europe, from Kosovo and Croatia.     

The larva of Rhyacophila ferox Graf, 2006 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) from the Eastern Alps (Carinthia,Austria)

The hitherto unknown larva of Rhyacophila ferox Graf, 2006, is described and discussed in the context of contemporary Rhyacophilidae keys. In addition, zoogeographical and ecological notes are included.     

New species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Paleogene resins of Europe

Two new species of caddisflies of the families Philopotamidae and Polycentropodidae, Wormaldia pobeda sp. nov. and Nyctiophylax leningrad sp. nov. are described from the Eocene Baltic and Rovno ambers.     

Phylogeny of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera)

Trichoptera are holometabolous insects with aquatic larvae that, together with the Lepidoptera, comprise the Amphiesmenoptera. Previous phylogenetic hypotheses and progress on our ongoing data collection are summarized. Fragments of the large and small subunit nuclear ribosomal RNAs (D1, D3, V4–5), the nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha gene and a fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) were sequenced, and molecular data were combined with previously published morphological data. Equally and differentially weighted parsimony analyses were conducted in order to present a phylogeny of Trichoptera, including 43 of 45 families. Our phylogeny closely resembles that proposed by Herbert Ross with respect to the relationships among suborders, with a monophyletic Annulipalpia at the base of the tree, and a clade consisting of Spicipalpia plus a monophyletic Integripalpia. The monophyly of Spicipalpia is weakly supported in the combined equally weighted analysis, and Spicipalpia is paraphyletic in the differentially weighted analysis. Within Integripalpia, our phylogeny recovered monophyletic Plenitentoria, Brevitentoria and Sericostomatoidea. Leptoceroidea was unresolved in the equally weighted analysis and monophyletic in the differentially weighted analysis. Within Annulipalpia, we recovered a basal but paraphyletic Philopotamoidea and a monophyletic Hydropsychoidea.     

Phylogeny of the Ecnomidae (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Ecnomidae are a family of seven previously accepted extant genera having a typical Gondwanan distribution, except one genus ( Ecnomus ) being widely distributed also in the Oriental and Palearctic regions. We analysed a molecular data set of 3379 characters representing the sum of four different protein-coding genes (COI, CAD, EF-1a and POL-II). Six equally most parsimonious trees were generated from the combined data set, distributed into two distinct islands. In all maximum parsimony (MP) trees the Ecnomidae is monophyletic when the genus Zelandoptila (Psychomyiidae) is included. The sister group to Ecnomidae including Zelandoptila is Pseudoneureclipsis , previously classified in the other families. This sister-group relationship contradicts earlier findings that the Polycentropodidae are the sister group to Ecnomidae. A Bayesian analysis resulted in a monophyletic Ecnomidae when accepting inclusion of Pseudoneureclipsis , which contradicts the results from the MP analysis by leaving Zelandoptila as the sister group to Ecnomidae including Pseudoneureclipsis . In the majority rule tree from this analysis Polycentropodidae form the sister group to Ecnomidae. We were not able to obtain a monophyletic Ecnomus due to the inclusion of Psychomyillodes . We conclude that the genus Zelandoptila or Pseudoneureclipsis probably belongs to the Ecnomidae, and that Psychomyiellodes and Ecnomus are synonyms. Three additional, as yet undescribed monotypic genera from Australia and New Caledonia remain to be erected in Ecnomidae.
© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.     

Microhabitat type selection of caddisfly larvae (Insecta: Trichoptera) in a shallow lowland stream

The relationship between caddisfly assemblage structure and four selected environmental variables (substrate, water depth, flow type and amount of the coarse particulate organic matter) was investigated in a Slovenian lowland stream. Caddisflies were sampled at four stream reaches according to selected microhabitat types. All together, 168 quantitative samples were taken at 21 sampling points between October 1998 and July 1999. Of 48 collected species, 30 were included in the analysis. Significant correlation was observed between species and environmental variables. As a complement to a CCA biplot representation, species assemblages within the community were also determined using cluster analysis. Nine groups and subgroups were established. Most caddisfly species prefer coarse substrate in shallow water (5–10 cm) with chute water flow, whereas few species were found on fine substrate in deep water. A significant positive correlation was found between mean substrate size and total number of species, and between indices of species richness and diversity, whereas depth did not show any correlation with these parameters. Seven species were found mostly in marginal habitats, whereas four (Potamophylax rotundipennis, Anabolia furcata, Athripsodes bilineatus and Lithax obscurus) did not show any strong preferences for selected parameters. In addition, habitat preferences were associated with the feeding types of the caddis larvae.     

Assessing stream dwelling caddisfly assemblages (Insecta: Trichoptera) collected by light traps in Hungary

In the present study the conservation status of light trap-collected stream dwelling caddisfly assemblages was evaluated on the basis of original data and also from the literature representing different regions in Hungary. Altogether the catches of eight complete seasons were compared. Species richness, diversity and endangerment indices as well as a newly introduced rarity index (RI) expressing the average rarity of the collected species in Hungary were calculated to evaluate the conservation status of the streams in the Bakony, Börzsöny and Bükk Mountains and in the Zala Hills. The results highlight the importance of streams in maintaining endangered species of caddisfly in Hungary and bring to attention the fact that species richness or diversity are not necessarily the best indicators of conservation status of caddisfly assemblages. Indicators, for instance RI, which take into consideration the general rarity of the species seem to reflect more sharply conservation status and thus are more appropriate for the assessment of caddisfly assemblages.     

Biological diversity of the Minnesota caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera)

The caddisfly fauna of Minnesota contains at least 277 species within 21 families and 75 genera. These species are based on examination of 312,884 specimens from 2,166 collections of 937 Minnesota aquatic habitats from 1890 to 2007. Included in these totals is my own quantitative sampling of 4 representative habitat types: small streams, medium rivers, large rivers, and lakes, from each of the 58 major Minnesota watersheds from June through September during 1999-2001. All species are illustrated herein, and their known Minnesota abundances, distributions, adult flight periodicities, and habitat affinities presented. Four species: Lepidostoma griseum (Lepidostomatidae), Psilotreta indecisa (Odontoceridae), and Phryganea sayi and Ptilostomis angustipennis (Phryganeidae) are added to the known fauna. An additional 31 dubious species records are removed for various reasons. Of the 5 determined caddisfly regions of the state, species richness per watershed was highest in the Lake Superior and Northern Regions, intermediate in the Southeastern, and lowest in the Northwestern and Southern. Of the 48 individual collections that yielded >40 species, all but 1 were from the Northern Region. Many species, especially within the families Limnephilidae and Phryganeidae, have appeared to decrease in distribution and abundance during the past 75 years, particularly those once common within the Northwestern and Southern Regions. Many species now appear regionally extirpated, and a few have disappeared from the entire state. The loss of species in the Northwestern and Southern Regions, and probably elsewhere, is almost certainly related to the conversion of many habitats to large-scale agriculture during the mid-20th century.     

Two new species of the genus Rhyacophila Pictet (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) from India

Two new species of the genus Rhyacophila Pictet from the Indian Himalayas, i.e. Rhyacophila himalayensis n. sp. from Badrinath (Uttarakhand) of the R. divaricata branch and Rhyacophila indica n. sp. from Gangtok (Sikkim) of the R. vulgaris branch are described and illustrated.     

Use and partition of space and resources by two coexisting Rhyacophila species (Trichoptera) in a high mountain stream

Life history, distribution, drift and food habits of two coexisting Rhyacophila species, Rhyacophila evoluta and Rhyacophila intermedia were studied in a high mountain stream in the Pyrénées.The life histories of both species took two years downstream and three years upstream. Several generations and a large range of larval instars permanently coexisted in the river.Slight temporal segregation of the life histories and differences in size and food habits of the coexisting larvae partially reduced the interspecific competition and allowed an optimal use of space. Instars IV of R. evoluta and V of R. intermedia, which had the most similar biological characteristics had the same microdistribution when they lived alone but used different habitats when they coexisted.     

The larva of Rhyacophila loxias Schmid, 1970 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) with notes on its ecology

The larva of Rhyacophila loxias Schmid, 1970 is re-described. The diagnostic features of the species are listed and illustrated, and some information on the ecology and distribution of R. loxias is included.     

Global diversity of caddisflies (Trichoptera: Insecta) in freshwater

The not yet uploaded Trichoptera World Checklist (TWC) [], as at July 2006, recorded 12,627 species, 610 genera and 46 families of extant and in addition 488 species, 78 genera and 7 families of fossil Trichoptera. An analysis of the 2001 TWC list of present-day Trichoptera diversity at species, generic/subgeneric and family level along the selected Afrotropical, Neotropical, Australian, Oriental, Nearctic and Palaearctic (as a unit or assessed as Eastern and Western) regions reveals uneven distribution patterns. The Oriental and Neotropical are the two most species diverse with 47–77% of the species in widespread genera being recorded in these two regions. Five Trichoptera families comprise 55% of the world’s species and 19 families contain fewer than 30 species per family. Ten out of 620 genera contain 29% of the world’s known species. Considerable underestimates of Trichoptera diversity for certain regions are recognised. Historical processes in Trichoptera evolution dating back to the middle and late Triassic reveal that the major phylogenetic differentiation in Trichoptera had occurred during the Jurrasic and early Cretaceous. The breakup of Gondwana in the Cretaceous led to further isolation and diversification of Trichoptera. High species endemism is noted to be in tropical or mountainous regions correlated with humid or high rainfall conditions. Repetitive patterns of shared taxa between biogeographical regions suggest possible centres of origin, vicariant events or distribution routes. Related taxa associations between different regions suggest that an alternative biogeographical map reflecting Trichoptera distribution patterns different from the Wallace (The Geographical Distribution of Animals: With a Study of the Relations of Living and Extinct Faunas as Elucidating the Past Changes of the Earth’s Surface, Vol. 1, 503 pp., Vol. 2, 607 pp., Macmillan, London, 1876) proposed biogeography patterns should be considered. Anthropogenic development threatens biodiversity and the value of Trichoptera as important functional components of aquatic ecosystems, indicator species of deteriorating conditions and custodians of environmental protection are realised.     

New Insects (Insecta: Trichoptera,Reculida, Eoblattida) from the Mesozoic of Asia

New caddisflies, reculid and eoblattid insects from the Mesozoic of Asia are described. Caddisflies of the families Philopotamidae (Mesoviatrix paradoxa gen. et sp. nov. and Kempia piotri gen. et sp. nov.) and Polycentropodidae (Polylongevus eskovi gen. et sp. nov.) from the Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous of the Kempendyai locality in Yakutia are described. A short review and comparison of fossil members in these families are provided. New Gryllones insects, Shurabia tanga sp. nov., Sauk batkenicus gen. et sp. nov. from the Sauk Tan’ga locality (Lower Jurassic of Kyrgyzstan), Say kirgizicus gen. et sp. nov. from the Shurab III locality (Reculida: Geinitziidae; Lower or Middle Jurassic of Kyrgyzstan) Griphopteron iya sp. nov. (Eoblattida: Blattogryllidae) from Iya locality (Middle Jurassic of Russia) are described.     

New insects (Insecta: Trichoptera,Eoblattida) from the Lower Permian of Russia

The insect fauna of the Lower Permian Tyulkino locality in the Perm Region of Russia is considered. New members of the orders Trichoptera and Eoblattida are described. Members of the primitive family Microptysmatidae (suborder Protomeropina) are typical of the Lower and Middle Permian deposits of Eurasia and are represented by the two genera: Microptysmella Kukalová-Peck et Willmann, 1990 and Kamopanorpa Martynov, 1928. Kamopanorpa tyulkiana sp. nov. and K. tamarae sp. nov. (Trichoptera, Microptysmatidae) and Parakhosara kamica sp. nov. (Eoblattida, Megakhosaridae) are described.     

Larvae of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Mesozoic of Siberia

Body fossils of caddisfly larvae are described for the first time based on material from the Lower Cretaceous of Siberia (Baissa locality, Neocomian). The material includes a fully grown larva of Baissoplectrum separatum gen. et sp. nov. (Brachycentridae), Creterotesis coprolithica gen. et sp. nov. (Leptoceridae), and Cretolype minuta gen. et sp. nov., a tiny larva probably belonging to an uncertain family of the suborder Annulipalpia (Hydropsychina). C. coprolithica built unusually soft larval cases of pellets; these cases are described as a separate new indusigenus and indusispecies Coprindusia pallida gen. et sp. nov. Bionomics, taxonomy, and evolution of the Mesozoic larvae of Trichoptera are discussed.     

Trichoptera fauna from Nakhon Si Thammarat Range (southern Thailand), with the description of a new species of Rhyacophila Pictet, 1834 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae)

Seventy-five species of caddisflies were found near eight waterfalls in the Tai Rom Yen National Park and the Khao Luang National Park, within Nakhon Si Thammarat Range, in southern Thailand. Rhyacophila suratthaniensis sp. n. is described and figured, based on adult males. Rhyacophila suratthaniensis sp. n. is distinguished from other species of the genus by the shape of its paramere: their basal part is broader than the apical one and is separated from it by a step; apex of the paramere bears many strong spines, which are arranged like in a toothbrush. Occurrence of Trichoptera species in the observed and neighbouring areas is discussed.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:336401B5-DAAA-4818-90EA-5DCB1944D1F0     

Species assemblages and community structure of adult caddisflies along a headwater stream in southeastern Ghana (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Adult caddisflies were collected at 12 sites along a 5 km stretch of a forested headwater stream in southeastern Ghana in March and November 1993 and the catches are related to environmental variables. Some 34,000 specimens, belonging to 178 morphospecies in 43 genera and 11 families, were caught with Malaise traps and light traps. Many species demonstrate differences between sampling method, seasonal occurrence, and sex-ratios, with the light trap in the second wet sunny season (November) being most efficient with respect to the diversity of the catches. A Moran index analysis for global structures indicates a major transition in the fauna from the ravine with waterfalls to the forest, and secondly, a gradient through the forest. A Geary index analysis for local structures indicates further faunal turnovers in the lower reaches of the stream. Species-environment relationships were analyzed through correspondence analysis and co-inertia analysis, allowing ordination of both species and the environment into three zones. The first co-inertia axis reveals a transition between the waterfalls in the open ravine (sites 1–3), and the stream through the riverine forest (sites 4–12), while the second co-inertia axis reveals a gradient from the lotic stream in the moist semi-deciduous forest (sites 4–8) to more lentic stretches of the stream in a gradually more depleted forest (sites 9–12). The most important environmental factors related to the species transition are: riparian moss growth (r=0.94), leaves in the stream substratum (r=0.91), forest type (r=0.90), hygropetric surfaces (r=0.88), bedrock (r=0.87), lotic [riffle] (r=0.85) and lentic [pool] (r=0.85) stretches. The most important environmental factors related to the species gradient are: lotic [riffle] stretches (r=0.92), gravel (r=0.88) and leaves (r=0.85) in the stream substratum, forest type (r=0.81), and agricultural use (r=0.76). Three clusters representing three major environmental zones (zone I, II and III) along the stream are identified by projecting the average species positions on the co-inertia plane. By analyzing the Malaise trap samples significant indicator values are found for 29 species in zone I, 16 species in zone II, and 18 species in zone III. By analyzing the light trap samples significant indicator values are found for 17 species in zone I, 57 species in zone II, and 38 species in zone III. The high diversity of caddisflies in the sanctuary might be reflected both in the geological and climatological history of West Africa, as well as in the recognition of three major environmental zones, and the clean water with high diversity of stream microhabitats favorable for Trichoptera larvae. The closed forest seems to play an important role for the Trichoptera community, and the study demonstrates the importance of protecting forested headwater streams in order to maintain a sustainable aquatic biodiversity in tropical Africa.     

Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Middle Miocene of the Stavropol Region,Russia

Paleontological Journal - A caddisfly fauna from the Middle Miocene of the Stavropol Region (Vishnevaya Balka and Temnolesskaya localities) is described. The formal species Limnephilus kaspievi...     

Biochemical activity and multiple locations of particulate guanylate cyclase in Rhyacophila dorsalis acutidens (Insecta: Trichoptera) provide insights into the cGMP signalling pathway in Malpighian tubules

In insect renal physiology, cGMP and cAMP have important regulatory roles. In Drosophila melanogaster, considered a good model for molecular physiology studies, and in other insects, cGMP and cAMP act as signalling molecules in the Malpighian tubules (MTs).However, many questions related to cyclic nucleotide functions are unsolved in principal cells (PC) and stellate cells (SC), the two cell types that compose the MT. In PC, despite the large body of information available on soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in the cGMP pathway, the functional circuit of particulate guanylate cyclase (pGC) remains obscure. In SC, on the other side, the synthesis and physiological role of the cGMP are still unknown. Our biochemical data regarding the presence of cyclic nucleotides in the MTs of Rhyacophila dorsalis acutidens revealed a cGMP level above the 50%, in comparison with the cAMP. The specific activity values for the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase were also recorded, implying that, besides the sGC, pGC is a physiologically relevant source of cGMP in MTs. Cytochemical studies showed ultrastructurally that there was a great deal of pGC on the basolateral membranes of both the principal and stellate cells. In addition, pGC was also detected in the contact zone between the two cell types and in the apical microvillar region of the stellate cells bordering the tubule lumen. The pGC signal is so well represented in PC and, unexpectedly in SC of MTs, that it is possible to hypothesize the existence of still uncharacterized physiological processes regulated by the pGC-cGMP system.     

Life history and bionomics of Arctopsyche grandis (Trichoptera) in a Central Idaho stream

Arctopsyche grandis was studied for two years In a cold stream in central Idaho. Larvae have a one year life cycle consisting of five instars. Three to four instars are present in most months. Growth is rapid in summer with instar I and II passing to IV and V in 30 d or less. Little or no growth occurs during winter. Maximum larval densities were 547 (1977) and 2060 m⁻² (1978) of planar rock surface area. Populations fitted a negative exponential survivorship curve with similar exponents (−0.0078, −0.0103) in both years. Larval growth was generally isometric with head capsule width (403–2197 μm) and weight (0.05–16.23 mg AFDW) increasing by a factor of 1.5 between instars. Net dimensions correlated with head capsule width and nets were made by all instars and maintained throughout the year. Larvae fed preferentially on animals and diatoms avoiding vascular plant detritus. No differences were detected in diet among the instars.