Distribution of stoneflies of the family Taeniopterygidae (Plecoptera) in the Czech Republic: earlier data, new records and recent distributional changes

Abstract

Distribution of stoneflies of the family Taeniopterygidae (Plecoptera) in the Czech Republic: earlier data, new records and recent distributional changes Altogether 14 species of Taeniopterygidae were previously mentioned from the Czech Republic; 11 species were listed in check-list of Plecoptera of Czechoslovakia, three species were recorded recently. Main aims of this study were to summarize all known distributional data, reexamine available material, classify species to the categories of threat based on new distributional data, and discuss all species ever supposed to occur in the Czech Republic. In total eight species were found to occur in the Czech Republic with certainty. Two species, Brachyptera seticornis and B. risi, are common in the Czech Republic, the latter exhibiting some expansion in Bohemia at present. Critically endangered Brachyptera braueri missing in the past 40 years has been recently found in several rivers showing some recovery of the original area. Endangered Taeniopteryx nebulosa exhibited considerable decline in lowland and colline streams. New records are presented for near threatened montane species B. starmachi, endangered B. monilicornis, newly classified endangered T. auberti, and vulnerable Taeniopteryx hubaulti. No reliable data have been found as to distribution of Brachyptera trifasciata, Taeniopteryx kuehtreiberi, T. araneoides, and Oemopteryx loewii, respective earlier records were based on misidentification. The occurrence of Rhabdiopteryx acuminata and R. neglecta is doubtful at this moment, because it was based on the problematic determination of larval material. These species cannot be formally considered a part of the Czech fauna due to lack of voucher material. Possible occurrence of other Rhabdiopteryx species showing the area adjacent to the Czech Republic is discussed.