Abstract
A new genus of Baetidae, Megalabiopsgen. nov., and a new species, M. madagasikarasp. nov., are described from Madagascar based on nymphs. The new genus is characterized by having a strongly enlarged mentum; pedicelli with many long, stout, pointed setae; a brush of dense, short setae between prostheca and mola of both mandibles; an apically pointed maxillary palp with a stout seta at the tip; and a labium with many long, simple setae ventrally on glossae. The patellotibial suture is absent on the fore tibia and present on middle and hind tibiae. The claw is strongly elongated with two rows of denticles. The imago remains unknown and the relationships with other African genera of Baetidae are tentative. Despite being easily identifiable, only two nymphs were found in two highly sampled localities in Madagascar.
Highlights
IntroductionWith nearly one third of all mayfly species worldwide (ca. 1,100 species in 114 genera), the family Baetidae has the highest species diversity among mayflies (updated from Sartori and Brittain 2015; Jacobus et al 2019)
With nearly one third of all mayfly species worldwide, the family Baetidae has the highest species diversity among mayflies
140 million years ago, the landmass composed of Madagascar and the Indian subcontinent was completely separated from the African landmass, without subsequent land connection
Summary
With nearly one third of all mayfly species worldwide (ca. 1,100 species in 114 genera), the family Baetidae has the highest species diversity among mayflies (updated from Sartori and Brittain 2015; Jacobus et al 2019). 1,100 species in 114 genera), the family Baetidae has the highest species diversity among mayflies (updated from Sartori and Brittain 2015; Jacobus et al 2019). Their distribution is cosmopolitan, excluding only Antarctica, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Around 80 million years ago, Madagascar split from the Indian subcontinent and stayed isolated until today. This long-term isolation in combination with a high topographic and geological complexity, supporting speciation on the island, is responsible for the outstanding biological richness and the high level of endemism in Madagascar (Goodman 2009)
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