Askola Peters 1969 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebiinae): An updated review under cladistics approach

Abstract

Askola Peters is a two-winged South American genus of Atalophlebiinae (Leptophlebiidae) and currently comprises five known species primarily described based on male imagos characters, while data from female and immature stages are scarce and often unknown. Herein, Askola was revised under cladistic approach for the first time in order to test the monophyly and to propose the species relationships of the genus. A matrix of 18 species and 34 morphological data was analysed under equal weight and by implied weighting scheme varying the concavity index (k = 3–15), furthermore the script setk.run was also used to search the more adjusted concavity index (k = 1.99). The monophyly of Askola was supported in all analyses, although divergences addressing the species relationships were recovered among the analytical strategies. The diagnosis of Askola is emended to fit morphological reinterpretations and characters from seven new species to science by males and females. Egg description and nymph-association are given for one of the new species. A distributional map, an updated taxonomic key for the genus and a report of colour pattern variation of Askola froehlichi sampled in different sites are also provided.