﻿Morphological and molecular characterisation of the Popijač's Yellow Sally, Isoperlapopijaci sp. nov., a new stenoendemic stonefly species from Croatia (Plecoptera, Perlodidae).

Dora Hlebec,Mladen Kučinić,Ignac Sivec,Martina Podnar,Josip Skejo

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1078.66382

Abstract

A new species of the Yellow Sally genus (Isoperla Banks, 1906) is described, based on morphological (males and females adults, larval and egg) and molecular (the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)) features. Popijač’s Yellow Sally, I.popijaci Hlebec & Sivec, sp. nov. inhabits two karstic sources of the Krasulja rivulet in Croatia. Male and female of the new species are characterised by colouration patterns of the head and pronotum; the dimensions of the female subgenital plate; the medial penial armature and oval-shaped egg without collar and anchor. The larvae differ from their congeners by the uniquely coloured head and pronotum. Based on morphological characteristics I.popijacisp. nov. belongs to the I.tripartita species group. Phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships were reconstructed using three methods of phylogenetic inference and three species delimitation methods. As I.popijacisp. nov. occurs at a narrow area of the Krasulja rivulet in Krbava field, the study puts emphasis on the conservation and hotspot importance of the temporary rivers in the Dinaric karst. Furthermore, the study accentuates the necessity for further research on the genetic diversity of Plecoptera in Croatia.

Highlights

Regarded as a biological indicator of well oxygenated water in freshwater ecosystems (Illies and Schmitz 1980; Hamid and Rawi 2017; Morinière et al 2017; DeWalt and Ower 2019; Ferreira et al 2020), stoneflies (Plecoptera) and their absence can indicate pollution, changes in habitat conditions, habitat destruction and climate changes (Urbanič and Toman 2007; Fochetti and Tierno de Figueroa 2008; Bálint et al 2011)
As I. popijaci sp. nov. occurs at a narrow area of the Krasulja rivulet in Krbava field, the study puts emphasis on the conservation and hotspot importance of the temporary rivers in the Dinaric karst
50 Plecoptera species are reported from Croatia and, due to the many suitable habitats, it is assumed that this number is higher (Popijač and Sivec 2009a, 2009b)

Summary

Introduction

Regarded as a biological indicator of well oxygenated water in freshwater ecosystems (Illies and Schmitz 1980; Hamid and Rawi 2017; Morinière et al 2017; DeWalt and Ower 2019; Ferreira et al 2020), stoneflies (Plecoptera) and their absence can indicate pollution, changes in habitat conditions, habitat destruction and climate changes (Urbanič and Toman 2007; Fochetti and Tierno de Figueroa 2008; Bálint et al 2011). 50 Plecoptera species are reported from Croatia and, due to the many suitable habitats, it is assumed that this number is higher (Popijač and Sivec 2009a, 2009b). The genus Isoperla Banks, 1906 is represented by 188 species worldwide and 60 species in Europe (DeWalt et al 2020). The genus has a Holarctic and Oriental distribution (Zwick 1973; Szczytko and Stewart 1979; Sandberg and Kondratieff 2013; Szczytko and Kondratieff 2015) and represents the most diverse genus of the family Perlodidae in Europe (Graf et al 2009, 2018). Thereby, the area of the Balkan stands out as a diversity hotspot with 21 species, of which 12 are endemic to the Peninsula and often restricted to specific habitats (Murányi 2011; Murányi et al 2016)

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Conclusion