Inferior Volsella Research Articles

Two new species of Riethia Kieffer, 1917 from Chile and Ecuador (Chironomidae: Chironominae, Pseudochironomini)

Two new species of Riethia Kieffer, 1917, R. chilensis sp. nov. (Chile) and R. ecuadoriensis sp. nov. (Ecuador) are described and figured as adult males. The two species differ from the presumable closest relative, R. truncatocaudata (Edwards, 1931), by uniformly coloured legs, without bands, and stout curved hypopygial superior volsellae; they can be separated from all other Riethia by the shape and setation pattern of the inferior volsella. The two new species differ from each other in body colouration, including abdomen, and in the presence/absence of microtrichia on superior volsellae.

A new species of Petalocladius Sublette & Wirth, 1972 (Diptera, Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae) from the Dominican Republic, with an emended generic diagnosis

Petalocladius dominiensis Andersen & Baranov sp. n. is described and figured based on an adult male collected in the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve in the Dominican Republic. The new species can be separated from its only congener, P. setosus Sublette & Wirth, 1972 from Jamaica, as it is slightly smaller with about 115 dorsocentrals compared to 56 in P. setosus. The inferior volsella is broadly subtriangular, while more lingulate in P. setosus, and the gonostylus has a small, but distinct megaseta and a subapical brush of spine-like seta, which apparently lack in P. setosus. The generic diagnosis is emended including the new species, and the systematic position is briefly discussed.

Bryophaenocladius adigensis sp. n., a new species from the Italian Alps (Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae)

Bryophaenocladius adigensis sp. n., is diagnosed and described based on two male adults material collected in the Sardagna stream, near the city of Trento (Northern Italy). Although the male of B. adigensis sp. n. shows some morphological affinities with other Bryophaenocladius species (B. aestivus, B. flexidens, B. muscicola, B. subvernalis and B. thaleri), it exhibits a combination of unique characters that make it a different species: palpomere 3 with 3 typical sensilla coeloconica; absence of antepronotal setae; antennal ratio= 0.86; tergite IX and anal point without lateral expansion; aedeagal lobe typically sub-oval; virga consisting of 2 curved unequal spines; distal part of gonocoxite with a vertical row of setae; inferior volsella, long nose-like shaped, distal part spatulate with 2 characteristic pre-apical setae, median part bare. Currently, about 42 Bryophaenocladius species are reported from Europe, of which only 11 are known from Italy. Consequently, the description here of B. adigensis sp. n. increases the total number in the genus to 12 from this country. Based on type-locality features, we can consider B. adigensis sp. n. as typical of mountain streams fed mainly by groundwater.

Taxonomic study on the genus Stenochironomus Kieffer from the Baishanzu Nature Reserve, China (Diptera, Chironomidae).

During the summer of July to September 2020, a biodiversity survey on Chironomidae of Baishanzu Nature Reserve, China was made. In total, five Stenochironomus taxa/species were discovered, of which two belong to undescribed species and one (S.okialbus Sasa, 1990) is reported for the first time from China. The male adults of two new species are described and illustrated. Stenochironomusannulus Song & Qi sp. nov. is distinguished in having a wing with two dark spots restricted to the fork area of FCu and RM, the mid- and hind-femur each with a brown annulus, and the inferior volsella with two setae and one strong terminal spine. Stenochironomusbaishanzuensis Song & Qi sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of characters: a single dark spot on the middle part of the wing, fore legs brown to dark brown except for the basal 3/4 of femur, and the inferior volsella with four long setae and one stout terminal spine. The neighbour-joining tree based on public COI barcodes formed distinct clades with clear support for the new species. An updated key to known male adults of Stenochironomus from China is also provided.

A new species of the genus Hydrobaenus Fries, 1830 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Arctic Russia

Hydrobaenus birulyai Krasheninnikov, sp. n. is described based on adult males from Yugorsky Peninsula. The new species is similar to H. tumidistylus Sæther, 1976 but differs from latter by long, wide at apex and rounded anal point without microtrichia, by present of 16 weak acrostichals begin at some distance from antepronotum, by massive inferior volsella, and by gonostylus with large median lobe located medially.

Description of Chaetocladius (Chaetocladius) spiridonovi sp. nov. from the Russian Arctic Region (Diptera, Chironomidae).

The male adult of Chaetocladius (Chaetocladius) spiridonovi sp. nov. is described and diagnosed based on morphological and phylogenetic data. The new species is characterized by the following features: anal point very long, almost reaching apex of gonocoxite, presence of a dorsal hump at base; inferior volsella sub-rectangular to large lobe shaped, inner and caudal margin with undulation; virga composed of 2 long spines; gonostylus massively globular with rounded posterior margin. Comparison of COI with that of other known Chaetocladius species shows a K2P genetic distances of 8.9220.31%, values well associated with interspecific variation. The barcodes of the new species were identical to that of Chaetocladius sp. 7ES in BOLD systems. Molecular data were also used for the reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Chaetocladius.

Two new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) collected in overlooked places of Midwest USA.

We describe Cedrimyia margareti gen. nov., sp. nov. from Ohio and Wisconsin, and Parakiefferiella mishigami sp. nov. (Orthocladiinae) from Michigan. Cedrimyia is likely related to Antillocladius Sther, 1981, Litocladius Mendes, Andersen and Sther, 2004, Lyrocladius Mendes and Andersen, 2008, and Compterosmittia Sther, 1981, genera with scalpellate acrostichals. The new species of Parakiefferiella has a well-separated bilobed inferior volsella differing in shape from known Parakiefferiella species.

On the genus Polypedilum, subgenus Collartomyia, with description of P. (Col.) baishanzuensis sp. nov. from Baishanzu Nature Reserve, China (Diptera, Chironomidae).

A new species of the genus Polypedilum Kieffer, 1912 is described from Baishanzu Nature Reserve, China, based on molecular and morphological data. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on standard barcode sequences confirmed a new clade of Polypedilum (Collartomyia) species. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: membrane of wing with a large spot occupying 70% of the proximal area; tergite without dark brown band pigmentation; tarsi I–V dark brown; superior volsella with three outer lateral setae and six long setae along inner base; inferior volsella with setose tubercules. An updated key to adult males of the subgenus Collartomyia is also provided.

Pseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n., a new relict species inhabiting the Macun high-alpine stream, Swiss Alps (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Male adult of Pseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n is diagnosed and described based on material collected in the high alpine cirque of the Macun area (Immez Lake basin, alt. 2616 m a.s.l.). A combination of morphological characters found in the male adult has allowed us to consider this new species as a local biogeographical representative of the eastern part of the Swiss Alps: coronal suture with lateral extension, low antennal ratio (AR 0.30); distal half of wing hairy; anal point broadly triangular with a characteristic enlarged base; inner apical margin of gonocoxite truncate; superior volsella large lobe-like; inferior volsella double, dorsal lobe nose-like and distinctly bent apically; virga present, with 4 spines; crista dorsalis absent. A differential diagnosis is given, in which some distinguishing morphological characters are summarised. Comments on the ecology and geographical distribution of the new species are also provided.

Thienemanniella convexa (Diptera, Chironomidae), a New Species from Hunan Province, China

A new species, Thienemanniella convexa Fu, is described and illustrated based on an adult male collected from Hunan Province, China. The new species differs from other related species by having a typical broadly triangular inferior volsella which is in caudal position, and bulbous gonostylus. A key to known adult males of Thienemanniella from the Oriental Region is provided.

Georthocladius meluensis and G. techensis (Diptera : Chironomidae : Orthocladiinae), Two New Relict Species Inhabiting Glacial Springs and Streams in Corsica and Eastern Pyrenees

Georthocladius meluensis and G. techensis are described and illustrated based on material collected from glacial springs and streams in Corsica and Eastern Pyrenees. The two new described species can be separated from other members of the genus by the shape of sensilla coeloconica, tergite IX, anal point, virga, inferior volsella and gonostylus. Currently, the genus Georthocladius is represented in Europe by three species: G. collarti (Goetghebuer, 1941), G. luteicornis (Goethghebuer 1941) and G. retezatiAlbu, 1972. As many characters in these species are similar, they all should be treated as one and the same species. Differential diagnosis, comments on the ecology of the two new species and key to known male adults from Europe are given.

Polypedilum (Cerobregma) paracyclus sp. n., a new species from Oriental China (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Polypedilum (Cerobregma) paracyclus sp. n. Qi Song is described based on male imagines collected by light trap in Oriental China. The description is supported by both morphological and DNA barcode evidences. The new species is distinguished from its related congeners in having some atypical morphological characters: tibia and femur dark brown, knees yellow; abdominal segment VII distinctly triangular and tapered towards base; tergite IX broadly sub-trapezoidal, tapering posteriorly, anal tergite bands ending with a characteristic sub-oval area; superior volsella sickle-like shaped with pointed apex; inferior volsella with orally directed dorsal setae; distal inner margin of gonostylus without shortly branched setae.

A new species of Limnophyes Eaton (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Xizang, China.

A new species of the genus Limnophyes Eaton, 1875 from Xizang, China is described and figured based on adult males. Limnophyes nudus sp. nov. belongs to the minimus group and can be easily separated from other species by antenna with 13 flagellomeres, higher AR of 0.85-1.00, bluntly triangular anal point, phallapodeme with ring-like appendix, inferior volsella bare and gonostylus with bubble-like inner margin.

Chaetocladius berythensis sp. n., C. callauensis sp. n., C. guardiolei sp. n. and C. parerai sp. n., four relict species inhabiting glacial springs and streams in eastern Pyrenees and Lebanon (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Four new species of the genus Chaetocladius s. str. (C. berythensis sp. n., C. callauensis sp. n., C. guardiolei sp. n. and C. parerai sp. n.) are diagnosed and described based on material collected in some glacial springs and small streams located at high altitude (1800-2300 m). While C. berythensis sp. n. is described only as male adult from the upper basin of the Beirut River (Lebanon Mount, Western range, Mount Sannine), C. callauensis sp. n. C. guardiolei sp. n. and C. parerai sp. n. are described as male adult accompanied by descriptions of tentatively associated male pupal exuviae from the upper basin of the Mantet River and Soques stream (eastern Pyrenees, West France). Additional taxonomic notes including illustrations and brief descriptions of 10 taxa/species based on male adults, male pharate adults and pupal exuviae collected in glacial springs, peat bogs and streams located at high altitude are provided. On the basis of characters in the male adult, only C. berythensis sp. n. keys to the laminatus-group, which is reported for the first time from the Levantine sub-region. Based on the unusual shape of both inferior volsella and gonostylus, the four new Chaetocladius species each belong to local biogeographic elements: C. berythensis sp. n. to a ‘Levantine element’, while C. callauensis sp. n., C. guardiolei sp. n. and C. parerai sp. n. belong to a ‘Pyrenean element’. All of the four new species are considered to be relict representatives of glacial helocrenes and cold stenothermic streams. Such species may be biological indicators and biogeographic representatives of global warming and local climate change.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Chaetocladius (laminatus-group) (Diptera: Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae) II. Descriptions of C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n., two relict species inhabiting cold alpine springs and streams

Two new species of the genus Chaetocladius s. str. (C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n.) are diagnosed and described based on material collected in some cold springs and small streams located at high altitude (1940–2300 m) in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) and Eastern Pyrenees (France). The first one is described as male adult and pupal exuviae, while the second is described as male and female adults and pupal exuviae. Both C. bitusiki sp. n. and C. mantetensis sp. n. key to the laminatus-group for known Chaetocladius species on the basis of some characters found in the male adult: virga composed of three typical parts, inferior volsella sub-triangular to sub-circular, narrow to broad lobe, bearing or lacking a posterior marsupial-like pouch and an apical contrasting protuberance; gonostylus triangular, projecting posteriorly as a pointed or rounded apex. Taxonomic remarks on related Chaetocladius species, key to known male adults of the laminatus-group from Europe with comments on the ecology and geographical distribution of the new species are given. The two new species can be regarded as typical relict representatives of cold springs and streams at high altitudes. Such species could be used as relevant biological indicators of the global warming and local climate change.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Hydrobaenus with description of H. simferopolus sp. nov. from Crimea (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Abstract A new species of the genus Hydro baenus Fries, 1830, H. simferopolus sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae), is described based on adult male collected in the Crimean Penisula (Ukraine). Main distinguishing characters are: anal point cup-shaped with a small nose-like apex; virga composed of 3 strong equal spines; inferior volsella consisting of 2 lobes (proximal one broadly planned and covered with curved setae, distal one large nose-like and bare). A new combination of Parorthocladius korneyevi Baranov, 2011 for H. korneyevi (Baranov, 2011) comb. nov. is provided with additional differentiating characters found in male adult including: tergite IX with a median dorsal crest; anal point long, drop-like, covered with setae and ending with thumb-shaped apex; virga composed of 6–8 subequal thin long spines; inferior volsella with 2 unequal lobes (proximal one spherical and much larger); gonostylus massively bulbous and densely covered with long and short setae, crista dorsalis consists of a subapical strong tooth-like, smooth and orally projecting ridge. The male adults of both H. dentistylus Moubayed, 1985 and H. lugubris Fries, 1830 are also illustrated, diagnosed and shortly redescribed with some main distinguishing and supplementary characters. Remarks and comments on the taxonomic position, ecology and geographical distribution of the four Hydrobaenus species are given.

Boreoheptagyia ortladamellica sp. nov. (Diptera, Chironomidae) from Italian Alps

A new species from Italian Alps, Boreoheptagyia ortladamellica (Diptera, Chironomidae), is here described. The species is presently known only as adult male, it is similar to B. tibetica, because of the female-like antenna in adult male, but it can be separated by the following characters: much larger size, darker colour, medially pointed aedeagal lobe, knob-like and heavy sclerotized inferior volsella, gonostylus enlarged at basis with short spiniform setae at apex.

New Tanytarsus van der Wulp from the Brazilian Amazonia indicate clues to intrageneric relations (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Three new distinctive species of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp, 1874 are described from the Amazon rainforest, Brazil, and their systematic position is analysed. As a result, three new species groups are proposed. Tanytarsus illustris sp. nov. (Roraima) couples with T. hirsutus Trivinho-Strixino, Wiedenbrug et da Silva, 2015, both species featuring an elongated hypopygial anal tergite point lacking crests and spinulae, a strongly shortened digitus and a median volsella bearing two peculiar lamellae (the Tanytarsus hirsutus species group). Tanytarsus insignis sp. nov. (Amazonas) keys with T. impar Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino, 2004 and T. magnus Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino, 2004, all the species distinct in having an elongate superior volsella and digitus, a strong club-shaped inferior volsella and anal point lacking crests and/or spinulae (the Tanytarsus impar species group). Tanytarsus insolens sp. nov. (Amazonas) displays an extraordinarily structured, bilobed superior volsella, the character treated as diagnostic for a group proposed for this species and T. kiche Vinogradova, Riss et Spies, 2009 (the Tanytarsus kiche species group).

Three new species of Nilothauma Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Brazil

Three new species of Nilothauma from Brazil are described and illustrated based on adult males. Nilothauma paucisetis sp. nov. is similar to Nilothauma aripuanense Mendes & Andersen, 2009, but can be distinguished by the number of dorsal setae on tergite IX and by the shape of anal point. Nilothauma anamariae sp. nov. is easily recognized by having the inferior volsella L-shaped, with a long simple lateral bristle and an apical lobe directed inwards, bearing 10–12 apically split setae. Nilothauma jaquei sp. nov. is distinguished from all others congeneric species by the superior volsella without microtrichia, with one apical seta and a lateral spine.

A new species of Cladotanytarsus (Lenziella) from Oregon supports the systematic concept of the subgenus (Diptera: Chironomidae).

A new species of the genus Cladotanytarsus Kieffer, 1921 and the small subgenus Lenziella Kieffer, 1922 is described from Southern Oregon, USA. The adult male of C. (L.) glaber Giłka et Puchalski, sp. nov., featuring tibial lobes armed with dense setae and a large globular swelling of the hypopygial inferior volsella, supports the recently defined systematic concept for Lenziella. This subgenus is known from seven species distributed in the Northern Hemisphere (1 European, 1 Palaearctic and 5 Nearctic), the males of which are included in an updated identification key.