Species Of Leuctra Research Articles

An integrative phylogenetic analysis of eastern NearcticLeuctra(Plecoptera: Leuctridae), with an emphasis on the fauna of a southern Appalachian Highlands landscape

AbstractLeuctraStephens, 1836 is the fourth most speciose genus of Plecoptera (Leuctridae) east of the Rocky Mountains with 31 recognised species, trailing onlyIsoperlaBanks, 1906 (58),AllocapniaClaassen, 1928 (47), andPerlestaBanks, 1906 (34). AlthoughLeuctrafemales are described in taxonomic literature, they are difficult to morphologically distinguish among regional congeners, and identifications are often made through inference only (i.e.,presence of males). This is particularly problematic in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States of America, which host numerousLeuctraspecies. We sampled the stonefly fauna of Mount Mitchell, western North Carolina, United States of America, from April to October 2019. The mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene was sequenced for 39 adult males and 239 adult females ofLeuctra.This allowed us to confidently place species names on all of the latter individuals. Phylogenetic tree- and genetic distance–based methods consistently grouped females with males for nine recognised species. Two separateL. ferruginea(Walker, 1852) operational taxonomic units were recognised, albeit with low divergence values, and an additional undeterminedLeuctrawas identified based solely on females. Digital stereomicroscope images were taken from females of each species unit to identify variation among and between species. This approach allowed for a more robust assessment of regional biogeographic patterns.

A new micropterous winter species of Leuctra (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) and little known endemic stoneflies from the Greater Caucasus.

A new micropterous winter emerging stonefly species, Leuctra abkhaziae sp. n. from Abkhazia and western Georgia in the Greater Caucasus is described and illustrated. Descriptions and illustrations are also provided for larvae of the little-known Caucasian endemic species Leuctra simplex and perlodid Bulgaroperla mirabilis caucasica.

Description of new apterous winter species of Leuctra (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) based morphology and DNA barcoding and further records to stonefly fauna of the Caucasus, Georgia.

Leuctra adjariae sp. n. and Leuctra georgiae sp. n. (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) are described as two new apterous stonefly species from the Meskheti Range (Lesser Caucasus) in southwestern Georgia. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for both sexes and diagnostic characters are discussed. Males and females of the two species are associated by DNA barcodes. Comparisons with corresponding regions of COI between L. adjariae sp. n. and L. georgiae sp. n. produced K2P genetic distances of 8.38%, values well associated with interspecific variation. The well-supported monophyly as well as results of an ABGD analysis confirms the validity of both new species. Capnioneura gouanerae Vinçon Sivec, 2011, previously described and known only from Turkey, is reported for the first time for the Caucasus.

High cryptic diversity in aquatic insects: an integrative approach to study the enigmatic Leuctra inermis species group (Plecoptera)

Within the genus Leuctra (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) the L. inermis species group comprises 17 – 18 species in which males lack the characteristic tergal abdominal ornamentation of many Leuctra species, and females have an accessory receptacle in the dorsal portion of the vagina. Taxonomically the group is challenging, and congruence of existing morphological species concepts and phylogenetic relationships of taxa is hitherto not assessed. Here, we estimate phylogenetic relations of morphologically defined species by concatenated maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian combined species tree and species delimitation analysis. We aim to clarify the status of 15 European species of the L. inermis group and 2 potential new species. To this end, we infer relationships on a 2580 bp, 4 loci (mtCOI, mt12S, nuH3, nu28S) molecular sequence dataset. We further depict abdominal terminalia with their morphological characteristics for 15 L. inermis group species, and describe 2 micro-endemic species from the Southern Alps and the Apennine Mountains corroborated by distinct morphological and molecular characteristics. Our analyses support close relationships of the L. inermis group species and corroborate the a priori morphological definition of all included species. However, relationships among species are largely unresolved, indicative of a putatively recent diversification of the group. Phylogenetic inference suggests sister taxon relationships between morphologically similar species. Morphological variation within single species is linked to geographical location of populations. Our results thus suggest that further study on the differentiation of geographically isolated populations as distinct lineages or species is warranted. Based on the high number of regional endemic lineages and species we highlight the necessity to protect high-altitude aquatic habitats.

Prevalence dynamics of two endosymbiont fungi (Orphella spp. Harpellales: Kickxellomycotina) and host shift among different Leuctra (Plecoptera) species in a stream community

This study was conducted to increase the understanding of the temporal dynamics of the plecopteran-associated endosymbiont species Orphella helicospora and Orphella catalaunica (Harpellales, Zygomycota) in the middle reaches of a stream in Montseny Natural Park (Barcelona, Spain). Previous studies addressing the temporal dynamics of Harpellales have focused on Diptera-related species. Statistical analyses revealed that the temporal dynamics of Plecoptera-associated Harpellales do not respond directly to environmental factors but are more directly dependent on biotic factors, such as the particular preference and fitness of each Orphella species towards a specific Leuctra host, the relative host abundance, and its annual cycle. We report that an in situ host shift linked to Leuctra species replacement occurred during the years 2012–2013, with a resulting decline of O. catalaunica in this environment. The ecological implications of the specificity range and fitness of the host are discussed. We also provide information about the possible causes of this macroinvertebrate shift and the effects on the associated endozoic community.

Living Apart Together: On the Biology of two Sympatric Leuctra Species (Plecoptera, Leuctridae) in an Apenninic Stream, Italy

AbstractLeuctridae is the richest stonefly family on the European continent, with many species of Leuctra often coexisting in sympatry in the same lotic environment. In this work we studied the life cycle and feeding habits of two species, Leuctra fusca and L. hippopus, coexisting in a small Italian Apennine stream. The life cycles of the two species are non‐overlapping, i.e., periods of nymphal growth and adult emergence are separated. Nymphs of both species feed mainly on detritus, but quantities of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and diatoms are also ingested. Larger nymphs of both species ingest more CPOM and fewer diatoms. This suggests a similar trophic behaviour through their development. For example, they act as collector‐gatherers in their earlier instars and as collector‐gatherers or as shredders in their later instars (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Stonefly (Plecoptera) species of an acidic intermittent stream in southwestern Pennsylvania, USA, comparison with a circumneutral perennial stream and consideration of survival strategies

The stonefly fauna of an acidic intermittent unnamed tributary to Indian Creek, southwestern Pennsylvania, is described and compared with the fauna of a nearby circumneutral, perennial stream, Camp Run. The unnamed tributary had a distinctive stonefly fauna comprised of 22 species representing seven families, with the highest species richness and abundance in the families Capniidae, Leuctridae and Nemouridae. Allocapnia nivicola (FITCH) was the dominant species. Ostrocerca albidipennis (WALKER) and Leuctra ferruginea (WALKER) were the secondary dominants. Perlids and pteronarcyids were absent. Camp Run had 22 stonefly species representing all nine North American stonefly families, with the highest species richness or abundance in the Capniidae, Leuctridae, and Peltoperlidae. Thirteen species were found in both the unnamed tributary and Camp Run, including six species of Leuctra. Univoltine and semivoltine species were present in both streams. Published accounts of life history, behavior, and acid tolerance were reviewed to explain presence or absence of stonefly species in the unnamed tributary.

Redescription of Leuctra costai Aubert, 1953 and Considerations about its Morphological Variability (Plecoptera, Leuctridae)

The male of Leuctra costai (Aubert, 1953) is redescribed. In all specimens studied, we noted the presence of two sclerotized processes in the tenth urosternite (not reported in any other Leuctra species) and the presence of lateral sclerotized processes on the last four abdominal segments (previously cited only in Leuctra moreae, Zwick, 1978). These characters, which were not mentioned nor illustrated in the original description and never quoted in papers where this species was cited, can be of importance from the systematic and phylogenetic points of view. Moreover the existence of morphological variability, i.e., the presence in a southern Italian population of two additional sclerotized processes on the fifth urotergite, is reported and discussed.

Life-history patterns and spatial and temporal overlap in an assemblage of lotic Plecoptera in the Araglin Catchment Study Area, Ireland

Irish streams have fewer macroinvertebrate species than those of continental Europe, and thus offer useful natural models for the study of community patterns and processes. Plecoptera distribution and spatial overlap amongst species were examined across 15 sites in the River Araglin Catchment Study Area in south west Ireland over a three-year period; the larval life histories and temporal overlap of nine species were examined in detail at two of the sites over twelve months. Chloroperla tripunctata took two years to complete larval growth, whilst all of the other species -Siphonoperla torrentium, Isoperla grammatica, Leuctra fusca, L. inermis, L. hippopus, Protonemura meyeri, Amphinemura sulcicollis and Brachyptera risi - were univoltine. Three additional species occur in the Araglin catchment but not at either of the two intensively-studied sites - Nemurella pictetii, Nemoura cambrica (in smallest streams) and Perla bipunctata (in the main river). Apparent temporal segregation between closely related Plecoptera has been reported by others, and two cases were examined in detail in this study. The overlap of observed seasonal growth patterns in three Leuctra species was lower than most simulated overlaps based on alternative model permutations of their respective seasonal distributions; under the rather conservative model used, provenance of the low overlap by chance (p <0.05) could not be rejected. Temporal segregation of larval growth amongst two Chloroperlidae species was also compelling visually but this arose from their differing voltinism, rather than the absolute timing of their specific larval growth periods. An inverse correlation between temporal and spatial overlap of the detritivorous species might be expected if species with contemporaneous growth patterns were competing for similar resources. At the spatial scale of typical benthic samples and at the catchment scale examined here, however, no such relationship was found.

Three new Leuctra Species from Tunisia (Plecoptera: Leuctridae)

Three new Leuctra species, L. khroumiriensis sp. n., L. sartorii sp. n. and L. medjerdensis sp. n., from Tunisia, are described. They share a close morphological relationship with two other species of the hippopus group, L. occitana Despax and L. vaillanti Aubert, which are redescribed. L. occitana is redescribed from material collected in Southern Spain, and L. vaillanti from Moroccan and Tunisian material, constituting the first record for Tunisia.

Contribution to the knowledge of Pyrenean stoneflies:Leuctra joanisp. n. andL, Clerguaesp. n. (Insecta: Plecoptera)

Leuctra joani sp. n. (micropterous) and L. clerguae sp. n. (apterous) from the Atlantic Pyrenees are described and illustrated. Their morphological and ecological characteristics are compared with other apterous and micropterous species of Leuctra.

Zoogeographical Studies on Fennoscandian Stoneflies (Plecoptera)

Forty species of stoneflies, belonging to seven different families, occur in Fennoscandia. In Norway all these families are represented in the inner fjord areas and in the continental lowland. The highest number of species are found in continental areas subject to a wide annual amplitude in temperature and the lowest number in coastal areas with a small temperature amplitude. In Fennoscandia the highest number of different stonefly species have been recorded from areas north of the polar circle and in the continental parts of the boreal and subalpine vegetation belts. The lowest number have been recorded from the coastal areas and on the islands. The former is due to the strong represen- tation of north-eastern species, as exemplified by the genus Nemoura, and the latter phenomenon is also due to special ecological factors. Predatory species are sparsely distributed in the coastal areas in southern Fennoscandia and are absent from islands such as Gotland, Oland and Bornholm. They are commonest at high altitudes and latitudes, being especially abundant in the northernmost parts of Norway, such as the areas close to the North Cape. The herbivorous species of the genus Amphinemura are especially abundant in south-western Norway, also to some extent in the east. Capnia species are most abundant at high altitudes and latitudes and is sparsely distributed in southern Fennoscandia. In northern Norway, Nemoura species are often the most abun- dant herbivores, while N. cinerea is the most successful species in the coastal areas and on islands such as Oland and Gotland. One or two Leuctra species seem to be abundant in most parts of Fennoscandia. The individual stonefly species show local differences in distribution, largely due to differences in dura- tion of their egg incubation periods and in the growth rates of the nymphs.

A new apterous species ofLeuctra(Plecoptera: Leuctridae) from Slovenia, Yugoslavia

Abstract Leuctra istenicae (Plecoptera: Leuctridae), an apterous species from Pohorje mountains (Slovenia, Yugoslavia), is described. Notes on ecology and relationships to other apterous species of Leuctra are added.

The Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera caught by emergence traps in two streams during 1958

1. The captures from emergence traps in a high mountain stream, Whelpside Ghyll, are compared with those from similar traps in a warmer lower stream, Ford Wood Beck. 2. The number of species caught by the Ford Wood Beck traps and the number of species known to inhabit the stream are discussed. 3. In Whelpside Ghyll the traps yielded 4 species of Ephemeroptera, 12 of Plecoptera and 7 of Trichoptera, in Ford Wood Beck, 6 species of Ephemeroptera, 8 of Plecoptera and 7 of Trichoptera. 4. Leuctra hippopus, L. inermis, Chloroperla torrentium, Isoperla grammatica, Baetis rhodani, B. pumilus and Philopotamus montanus were caught from both streams. 5. Species found in Whelpside Ghyll and not in Ford Wood Beck are Ameletus inopinatus, Baetis tenax, Protonemura montana, Diura bicaudata and Capnia vidua, of which two are known high-altitude species and one, possibly two, is known also from stony lake shores being kept out of other habitats presumably by competition. 6. The proportion of Baetids to Ecdyonurids and Ephemerellids is higher in the Whelpside Ghyll station than in streams at lower altitudes. 7. There was, in both streams, a succession of Protonemura and Leuctra species but the Leuctra species, except L. fusca, were not isolated in time. 8. The distribution of the sexes during the emergence period of 6 species of Plecoptera is shown. 9. There was a considerable difference in the emergence period from the two streams of Leuctra hippopus, L. inermis and Chloroperla torrentium, the emergence period in Ford Wood Beck being earlier and shorter than in Whelpside Ghyll. 10. Leuctra inermis has emerged from Ford Wood Beck during six successive years in May and June with only about 14 days difference between first emergers, and Chloroperla torrentium, emerging during May, June and July, has had only about 19 days difference between first emergers during that time.

Records and Descriptions of North American Plecoptera. Part I. New Species of Leuctra of the Eastern United States

For the privilege of describing three of the four following new species I am indebted to Dr. C. P. Alexander who collected them during a recent trip to Mount Mitchell and the Great Smoky Mountains of the southeastern United States. These species are closely related to two other species which I have recently described that were collected by Dr. Inez W. Williams in this same very interesting region. One of the species, Leuctra maria, was collected while I was on a trip into New Hampshire and Maine with my wife who has accompanied me on many collecting trips.