Abstract
Among Afrotropical representatives of the genus Chimarra Stephens, 1829 (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae), the minima group is defined to include a number of closely related species that lack the mesal lobe of tergum X, have a membranous tergum IX, and also have characteristic structures of the inferior appendages and phallic apparatus. A preliminary list of the species is proposed. The descriptions of Chimarra ambaja Mosely, 1939, Chimarra callasae Gibon, 1982, Chimarra sassandrae Gibon, 1982 and Chimarra toubaensis Gibon, 1985 are supplemented. One synonymy is established Chimarra petri Gibbs, 1973 as a junior synonym of Chimarra minima Ulmer, 1907. Five new species are described: Chimarra loffae n. sp. from Guinea, Chimarra sanagae n. sp. and Chimarra assambae n. sp. from Cameroon, Chimarra vulgaris n. sp. and Chimarra antsymeloka n. sp. from Madagascar. New citations for West Africa, Cameroon and Madagascar, new distribution and ecological data are included and analysed.
Highlights
In the Afrotropical region, the richness of the genus Chimarra Stephens, 1829 is only surpassed by that of the genus Cheumatopsyche Wallengren, 1891
All the species belong to the sub-genus Chimarra Stephens, 1829, as defined by Blahnik (1998)
A study of the phylogeny of Chimarra, using molecular data, has been recently published (Wahlberg & Johanson 2014). They confirm that the sub-genus Chimarra colonized the Afrotropical region from the Oriental region, as proposed by Ross (1956)
Summary
In the Afrotropical region, the richness of the genus Chimarra Stephens, 1829 (with a little less than a hundred species) is only surpassed by that of the genus Cheumatopsyche Wallengren, 1891 (more than one hundred and ten species). In order to make sense of the distributions of these remarkable ecological indicators, a phylogenetic approach would be very useful It will require the examination of many type specimens, some of which are in poor condition or lost. A study of the phylogeny of Chimarra, using molecular data, has been recently published (Wahlberg & Johanson 2014). They confirm that the sub-genus Chimarra colonized the Afrotropical region from the Oriental region, as proposed by Ross (1956). The lineage N6, predominantly Australian and Melanesian, includes a group of African species (Chimarra calundoensis Marlier, 1965, Chimarra lukawei Jacquemart, 1961) similar to the C. minima group, but distinct by characters of the phallic apparatus and of inferior appendages. Future studies are necessary to check the relationship of C. minima group with this lineage
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
