Carolina Nieto

The Genus Baetodes (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in South America with the Description of New Species from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru

Nine new species of Baetodes are described, five from Argentina: B. cochunaensis sp. n., B. copiosus sp. n., B. pehuenche sp. n., B. huaico sp. n., B. uruguai sp. n., based on nymphs, and the last two species also on male imagines. Three species from Bolivia: B. gibbus sp. n., B. rutilus sp. n., B. yuracare sp. n., are also described based on nymphs and in B. yuracare from nymphs and a male subimago; and one from Peru: B. pseudogibbus sp. n., based on nymphs. The first keys for the adults and nymphs of the South American species are included.

South American Baetidae (Ephemeroptera): a New Generic Synonymy

The South American genera Andesiops and Deceptiviosa were established by Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty (1999). A review of the type material of both genera and examination of additional specimens has revealed that both imagos and nymphs of the two taxa lack significant characters to distinguish between them. Therefore, Deceptiviosa is placed as a junior subjective synonym of Andesiops. The species D. ardua and D. torrens are transferred to Andesiops; A. ardua comb. n. and A. torrens comb. n.

Redescription and Phylogenetic Relationships of Leentvaaria Demoulin (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae)

The genus Leentvaaria was established by Demoulin in 1966 for a single species, L. palpalis, known from a few nymphs from Surinam. Since then, there was no other report on this species.

Cladistic analysis of the family Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in South America

The family Baetidae, which belongs to the order Ephemeroptera, was first described by Leach in 1815 . Since then, almost 100 genera and 900 species have been described. Although diverse, this family is relatively homogeneous. The adults are extremely similar to one another, the wings vary little and the penes are membranous, features that significantly reduce differentiation among taxa. In contrast, the larvae have more conspicuous differences. Most are collector–gatherers, but a few are carnivorous or filter feeders. In South America, although knowledge concerning the 27 genera and 132 species of Baetidae described for this region has improved in the last three decades, phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. The present study, the first cladistic analysis of Baetidae in South America, included 70 species (55 are Neotropical) and 126 morphological characters. The matrix was analysed using tnt, under implied weights. Although the monophyly of the family Baetidae was obtained with good support, the subfamilies proposed originally (Baetinae, Cloeoninae and Callibaetinae) were recovered as paraphyletic. The Baetodes complex, as well as the relationships between genera, is discussed. The validity of some structures or characters as support of different groupings is also discussed.

The family Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera): synthesis and future challenges

The systematics of the Baetidae has been the subject of much attention during the last three decades, with descriptions of new species and genera as well as several generic revisions. The family now encompasses about 100 genera and 900 species which constitute one-quarter of the worlds mayfly diversity. It is thus an opportune time to evaluate the pertinence of these works. The diversity of the Baetidae of the different realms is discussed with emphasis on the rate of endemism and biogeographic affinities. We have also tried to identify the geographical areas where we need more data. The Afrotropics and Neotropics possess the most diversified fauna with the highest degree of endemism. The faunas of the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms are better known but are less diversified especially at a generic level. Oriental and Australasian faunas are still poorly known but are expected to be diversified especially in the tropical regions.

The larvae of some species of Callibaetis Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

The larvae of three known species of Callibaetis are described here for the first time: C. gonzalezi (Navás), C. pollens Needham & Murphy and C. sellacki (Weyenbergh). The larva of C. willineri Navás is resdescribed and the larva of C. guttatus Navás is revised and discussed. The diagnoses of the adults are also provided.

Redescription of Varipes (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), with the Description of New Species from Bolivia and Argentina

The adult stage of the genus Varipes is described for the first time. Varipes cajuato sp. n. from Bolivia, Varipes minutus sp. n. and Varipes singuil sp. n. from Argentina are described and illustrated. The description of the first species is based on nymphs, the second on nymph and male and female subimagos and the third on nymph and male imago. A key to separate the nymphs of all the known species of the genus is included. The genus is redefined based on the type material of V. lasiobrachius and the new material available.

Ephemeroptera from the Venezuelan Guayanas´s Uplands: Families Leptophlebiidae, Euthyplociidae and Oligoneuriidae

As a continuation of a series of papers to improve the knowledge of the Ephemeroptera fauna of the Venezuelan Guayanas Uplands, an update of the families Leptophlebiidae, Euthyplociidae and Oligoneuriidae in the region is presented. As a result, Paramaka incognita sp. nov. is described, the female of Askola emmerichi is described for the first time, and the genera Askola, Hydrosmilodon and Leentvaaria, the subgenus Miroculis (Atroari) and the species Miroculis (M.) marauiae are recorded for the first time for Venezuela.

The role of macroinvertebrates for conservation of freshwater systems

Abstract Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. Argentinian‐protected areas have been established mainly to protect vertebrates and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to create a comprehensive biodiverse conservation plan, it is crucial to integrate both aquatic and terrestrial systems and to include macroinvertebrates. Here, we address this topic by proposing priority areas of conservation including invertebrates, aquatic ecosystems, and their connectivity and land uses. Location: Northwest of Argentina. We modeled the ecological niches of different taxa of macroinvertebrates such as Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Acari, and Mollusca. Based on these models, we analyzed the contribution of currently established protected areas in the conservation of the aquatic biodiversity and we propose a spatial prioritization taking into account possible conflict regarding different land uses. Our analysis units were the real watersheds, to which were added longitudinal connectivity up and down the rivers. A total of 132 species were modeled in the priority area analyses. The analysis 1 showed that only an insignificant percentage of the macroinvertebrates distribution is within the protected areas in the North West of Argentina. The analyses 2 and 3 recovered similar values of protection for the macroinvertebrate species. The upper part of Bermejo, Salí‐Dulce, San Francisco, and the Upper part of Juramento basins were identified as priority areas of conservation. The aquatic ecosystems need special protection and 10% or even as much as 17% of land conservation is insufficient for species of macroinvertebrates. In turn the protected areas need to combine the aquatic and terrestrial systems and need to include macroinvertebrates as a key group to sustain the biodiversity. In many cases, the land uses are in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; however, it is possible to apply the connectivity of the watersheds and create multiple‐use modules.

The nymph of Callibaetis dominguezi Gillies (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

Callibaetis dominguezi Gillies was described based on male and female imagines from the northwest of Argentina. Herein the nymph of this species is described for the first time. It can be distinguished from other species in the genus mainly by (1) distal margin of labrum with deep median emargination; (2) maxillary palp almost two times the length of galea-lacinia; (3) abdomen with segments I–X with a reddish brown spot along midline. Diagnoses for male and female imagines are emended after studying specimens reared from nymphs. In males the distal 1/3 of the forewings is pigmented while in females the costal and subcostal areas are brown; this character is unique for this species.