Checklist of the Trichoptera of Kansas

Abstract

Presently, 104 species of Trichoptera (caddisflies) are reported as occurring in Kansas. The distribution of each species according to drainage units is given. A brief description of each drainage unit is included. All collection and identification data were placed on a magnetic tape using the SELGEM computer programs for data manipulation and retrieval. Examination of this data indicated greatest species diversity in southeastern Kansas (Neosho Unit) and least diversity in northwestern Kansas (Republican Unit -Upper). Only one species, Cheumatopsyche lasia, is known from every drainage unit. This publication concludes a distributional study of the Trichoptera of Kansas. Previously published records of Kansas Trichoptera are provided in Schuster and Hamilton (1978) and Hamilton and Schuster (1978, 1979, 1980). These publications also provide a summary of older published records. To date, over 2500 collections have been identified representing 104 species classified in 37 genera and 13 families. All identifications were made to species level except specimens in the limnephilid genus Pycnopsyche and the philopotamid genus Wormaldia. To date, these genera have only been collected as larvae and cannot be reliably identified to species. After identifications were made, collection and determination data for each collection were placed on a magnetic tape using SELGEM computer programs which allowed the data to be manipulated and retrieved in any form desired (such as the following checklist). Examination of this list revealed greatest diversity of species in the Neosho Unit (southeastern Kansas), * In this article, the word unit is used in the sense of a natural drainage basin, rather than its having the connotation of an arbitrary administrative entity. Ed. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.129 on Thu, 30 Jun 2016 05:21:48 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 85, NUMBER 1 11 while the least diversity was in Republican Unit -Upper (northwestern Kansas). Only one species, Cheumatopsyche lasia, is known from every drainage unit. Families, genera and species are arranged in alphabetical order. Each species is followed by a list of the major drainage units where it has been collected. These drainage units represent an attempt to standardize the watersheds of Kansas (Fig. 1). These units were selected since they better reflect the natural topography than do political boundaries. Although most of these units continue into surrounding states, only those portions in Kansas are discussed. A summary of each drainage unit is given below. Factors included consist of stream origin and direction of flow, major tributaries, counties drained (to aid in comparisons with previous checklists), size of each unit (in square kilometers), major physiographic provinces (listed in order of size per unit), stream bed substrates, major impoundments which are frequently collected, topography, and climate. This information was extracted from a report by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Anon., 1978) and is reported again herein since the above publication is not readily available to most researchers. Arkansas units.--The Arkansas River drainage, originating in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, is divided into two units in Kansas. The Upper Arkansas Unit begins at the Colorado border and continues east to just above the confluence of Walnut Creek (east of Great Bend). The Lower Arkansas Unit continues from this confluence east, then south, to the Oklahoma border. Arkansas Unit--Lower.--This unit encompasses 26,220 square km including portions of 18 counties (Fig. 1). The climate is dry subhumid (average annual precipitation less than 75 cm). The topography consists of a flat to undulating plain with a poorly developed drainage pattern and numerous sand hills. Because of this, most stream beds consist of loose sand and have not been channelized. Five physiographic provinces are represented: Arkansas River Lowlands, High Plains, Smoky Hills, Red Hills, and Wellington Lowlands. The major tributaries (Chikaskia River, Cow Creek, Medicine Lodge River, Ninnescah River, North Fork Ninnescah River, Rattlesnake Creek, Salt Fork Arkansas River, and South Fork Ninnescah River) are dammed at various points; although the only major impoundment is Cheney Reservoir (North Fork Ninnescah River). Arkansas UnitUpper.--This unit encompasses 26,720 square km including portions of 17 counties (Fig. 1). The climate ranges from semiarid (western region) to subhumid (eastern region) (with average annual precipitation ranging from 40 to 60 cm). The topography consists mostly of a flat plain with many sandhills. Most stream beds (which are above the water table) consist of loose sand and are characterized by seasonal flow with isolated pools present the remainder of the year. Two physiographic provThis content downloaded from 207.46.13.129 on Thu, 30 Jun 2016 05:21:48 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE SCHEYENNE RAW1LINS _iECATUR NOR OTON ?W E BI A NEMAHA PH L IP S Ptt IC 7 ASHINTN rRnC