Hans Malicky

The Trichoptera barcode initiative: a strategy for generating a species-level Tree of Life.

DNA barcoding was intended as a means to provide species-level identifications through associating DNA sequences from unknown specimens to those from curated reference specimens. Although barcodes were not designed for phylogenetics, they can be beneficial to the completion of the Tree of Life. The barcode database for Trichoptera is relatively comprehensive, with data from every family, approximately two-thirds of the genera, and one-third of the described species. Most Trichoptera, as with most of lifes species, have never been subjected to any formal phylogenetic analysis. Here, we present a phylogeny with over 16 000 unique haplotypes as a working hypothesis that can be updated as our estimates improve. We suggest a strategy of implementing constrained tree searches, which allow larger datasets to dictate the backbone phylogeny, while the barcode data fill out the tips of the tree. We also discuss how this phylogeny could be used to focus taxonomic attention on ambiguous species boundaries and hidden biodiversity. We suggest that systematists continue to differentiate between ‘Barcode Index Numbers’ (BINs) and ‘species’ that have been formally described. Each has utility, but they are not synonyms. We highlight examples of integrative taxonomy, using both barcodes and morphology for species description. This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.

Feeding tests with caddis larvae (Insecta: Trichoptera) and amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) on Platanus orientalis (Platanaceae) and other leaf litter

In the southern parts of the Mediterranean region, as in the island of Crete, there are few species of riparian trees and shrubs among the dominant Platanus orientalis. Feeding tests have shown that leaves of Platanus are not eaten by aquatic shredders of continental and Cretean origin. The large quantities of organic matter are therefore not used as a source of food and energy by the stream communities. In addition, the high winter flow shortly after leaf fall, and the short courses of rivers result in loss of most of the leaf litter to the sea. The River Continuum Concept does therefore not apply to this region. Field observations have shown that amphipods and limnephilid larvae are shifting from shredding to scraping habits if no leaf litter except Platanus was available.

Artificial illumination of a mountain stream in lower Austria: Effect of constant daylength on the phenology of the caddisflies (Trichoptera)

Abstract A mountain stream, which had a constant temperature, was illuminated artificially so that its animals were exposed to a constant daylength of 18 hours over three years. The phenology of caddisflies was studied from emergence trap catches. All species were found to react by disoriented emergence, but none of them became fully acyclic.

Description of a new species of Wormaldia from Sardinia and a new Drusus species from the Western Balkans (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae, Limnephilidae)

Abstract New species are described in the genera Wormaldia (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and Drusus (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Drusinae). Additionally, the larva of the new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is described, and a key provided to larval Drusus species of the bosnicus-group, in which the new species belongs. Observations on the threats to regional freshwater biodiversity and caddisfly endemism are discussed. The new species Wormaldia sarda sp. n. is an endemic of the Tyrrhenian island of Sardinia and differs most conspicuously from its congeners in the shape of segment X, which is trilobate in lateral view. The new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is a micro-endemic of the Western Balkans, and increases the endemism rate of Balkan Drusinae to 79% of 39 species. Compared to other Western Balkan Drusus, males of the new species are morphologically most similar to Drusus discophorus Radovanovic and Drusus vernonensis Malicky, but differ in the shape of superior and intermediate appendages. The females of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. are most similar to those of Drusus vernonensis, but differ distinctly in the outline of segment X. Larvae of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. exhibit toothless mandibles, indicating a scraping grazing-feeding ecology.

Some Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Thailand (Studies on caddisflies from Thailand, No. 2*

23 species of the genus Chimarra are listed. 19 are new to science which are described and figured. C. aberrans Martynov and C. joliveti Jacquemart are figured for comparison.

Aquatic biodiversity in Europe: a unique dataset on the distribution of Trichoptera species with important implications for conservation

Freshwater ecosystems are known to harbour a rich diversity of habitats and species, but knowledge on the actual distribution of many species still remains scattered or unknown. Supported through the BioFresh project, we collected occurrence records of the insect order Trichoptera throughout Europe. By addressing 82 caddisfly experts, we compiled over 600,000 georeferenced occurrence records, 441,000 of which represent adult specimens. We evaluated the dataset regarding the caddisfly distribution based on freshwater ecoregions. This analysis reveals areas with high Trichoptera biodiversity and centres of endemism in southern Europe (e.g. Spain, Italy and the Balkans) as well as in mountainous regions (e.g. Alps). Also, data-deficient regions become obvious. This is either caused by missing experts providing occurrence records or by the inability to mobilise experts and their data of a certain region. Still, the database ranks among the most comprehensive actual distribution data collections of freshwater invertebrates. The database represents a highly valuable information source for a variety of macro-ecological analyses and modelling scenarios, and it could be the base for a European-wide IUCN Red List of threatened caddisfly species that supports conservation policy decisions.

Evidence for seasonal migrations of larvae of two species of philopotamid caddisflies (Trichoptera) in a mountain stream in lower Austria

Abstract Field research with emergence traps suggests that the larvae of Philopotamus ludificatus and Wormaldia copiosa migrate upstream in winter and downstream in summer. These migrations, which appear to be determined by daylenght are directed to reaches with relatively higher water temperatures. The term “cold‐stenothermous”; for mountain stream‐inhabiting caddisflies is discussed from this aspect.

The first European Apataniana (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae): Apataniana hellenica sp.n, from Greece

Apatanian hellenica sp.u., the first European representative of this genus, is described from Greece.

Notes on some caddisflies (Trichoptera) from Europa and Iran

Abstract Five new species are described: Ecclisopteryx asterix from Austria, Rhyacophila obelix from Portugal, Hydroptila idefix from Portugal, Ernodes cacophonic from Crete and Plectrocnemia abraracourcix from Iran. Systematic comments are given on: Ithytrichia cf. bosniaca, Hydropsyche carbonaria and H. erythrophthalma, H. gracilis, H. ’natio’ borealis and Limnephilus subrufus.—The following new synonymies are stated (the first name is the valid one): Brachycentrus subnubilus= B. caucasicus= B. maracandicus; Limnephilus subnitidus= L. scalenus; Limnephilus bipunctatus= L. barbatus; Limnephilus dispar = L. minusculus.—Distinguishing characters are presented for the females of Polycentropus flavomaculatus, P. irroratus, P. excisus and P. schmidi.

Description of the larvae of Anabolia lombarda Ris, 1897 and Limnephilus sericeus (Say, 1824), with additional notes on Limnephilus flavospinosus Stein, 1874 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

This paper describes the poorly known larvae of Anabolia lombarda Ris, 1897 and Limnephilus sericeus (Say, 1824) and gives some additional data for Limnephilus flavospinosus Stein, 1874. Information on the morphology of the fifth instar larva is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. In the context of already available keys, the larva of Anabolia lombarda keys together with Anabolia furcata Brauer, 1857. Both species may be separated by gill positions and by distribution patterns. Limnephilus sericeus keys together with Grammotaulius nigropunctatus (Retzius, 1783), Limnephilus ignavus McL., 1865 (fifth instars) and with fourth instars of G. nigropunctatus and Limnephilus binotatus Curtis, 1834. In this case the species can be separated by head width, the number of setae in setal group sa1 at the first abdominal dorsum and sternum, the shape of the anteromedian metanotal sclerites and the presence of a trochanteral brush at mid and hind leg. Finally, L. flavospinosus keys with Limnephilus rhombicus (L., 1758) which may be separated by the number of central intermediate c-setae at the ninth abdominal dorsum. With respect to zoogeography, Anabolia lombarda occurs only on the southern slope of the Alps whereas L. sericeus is widespread in Europe, ranging from the Alps to the Northern Tundra, and including North America. Limnephilus flavospinosus, on the other hand, is a widespread species in Southern and Central Europe but lacking in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Anabolia lombarda and L. flavospinosus preferably occur in standing water bodies and slowly flowing environments; they are typical inhabitants of the littoral zone of ponds and lakes and slowly-flowing stream reaches. Limnephilus sericeus is a typical tyrphophilous species, preferring small ponds in peat bogs.