Abstract
The current taxonomic understanding of the genus Riekoperla McLellan, 1971 (Gripopterygidae) is poor, with 15 of the 28 species and subspecies having unknown or uncertain larval associations. Sequences of a 657 bp fragment from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) were obtained from 122 specimens of 13 species collected throughout the alpine areas of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Of these, sequence data associated adults and larvae for the following 10 species: R. alpina McLellan, 1971, R. cf. intermedia, R. compressa Theischinger, 1985, R. hynesorum Theischinger, 1985, R. karki McLellan, 1971, R. montana Theischinger, 1985, R. reticulata (Kimmins, 1951), R. rugosa (Kimmins, 1951), R. trapeza Theischinger, 1985, and R. tuberculata McLellan, 1971. Adults of R. intermedia Theischinger, 1985, R. triloba triloba McLellan, 1971 and R. williamsi McLellan, 1971 were sequenced but no larvae were associated with them. The 13 species were reciprocally monophyletic and had minimum interspecific sequence divergences ranging from 7.2–19.5%, higher than the maximum intraspecific sequence divergences (0.6–5.8%). The combination of morphology and molecular data enabled rapid life stage association for alpine Riekoperla species and this method should be used more frequently for other environmentally significant aquatic insects.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
