Michael D. Hubbard

Global diversity of mayflies (Ephemeroptera, Insecta) in freshwater

The extant global Ephemeroptera fauna is represented by over 3,000 described species in 42 families and more than 400 genera. The highest generic diversity occurs in the Neotropics, with a correspondingly high species diversity, while the Palaearctic has the lowest generic diversity, but a high species diversity. Such distribution patterns may relate to how long evolutionary processes have been carrying on in isolation in a bioregion. Over an extended period, there may be extinction of species, but evolution of more genera. Dramatic extinction events such as the K-T mass extinction have affected current mayfly diversity and distribution. Climatic history plays an important role in the rate of speciation in an area, with regions which have been climatically stable over long periods having fewer species per genus, when compared to regions subjected to climatic stresses, such as glaciation. A total of 13 families are endemic to specific bioregions, with eight among them being monospecific. Most of these have restricted distributions which may be the result of them being the relict of a previously more diverse, but presently almost completely extinct family, or may be the consequence of vicariance events, resulting from evolution due to long-term isolation.

A Catalogue of the Ephemeroptera of the Indian Subregion

AbstractAll species of Ephemcroptera reported from the Indian Subregion of the Oriental Region are included in a catalogue along with pertinent references. A bibliography of literature on the mayflies of the Indian Subregion is included. Ephemera brunnea is proposed as a new name for Ephemera striata Ali, 1970 (preoccupied) and the genus Eatonia Ali, 1970 is synonymized with Isonychia Eaton, 1871.

PERMIAN MAYFLY NYMPHS: NEW TAXA AND SYSTEMATIC CHARACTERS

Fossil insect nymphs with well-developed wings described as Ephemeroptera from the Lower Permian Period were later referred to the Archodonata. In view of the great amount of phylogenetic information that these nymphs can yield, their taxonomic placement is important. We discuss the systematic characters available in these nymphs and their relationships with the Ephemeroptera and the Archodonata. We consider these nymphs to be true Ephemeroptera and transfer them all to the Protereismatoidea. One new family and one new genus are established and three new species are described.

Ephemeroptera of Sri Lanka: an introduction to their ecology and biogeography

The Ephemeroptera fauna of Sri Lanka is not well known. Treatment of the mayflies of Sri Lanka has been sparse and sporadic since Walker with Caenis perpusilla and Baetis taprobanes in 1853 was the first to describe any mayflies from the island. Hagen (1858) then described 8 new Sri Lankan species, upon which he elaborated in additional works in 1859 and 1873. Eaton (1871, 1883–1888) included some Sri Lankan species in his work, although they comprised only a minor portion in his cosmopolitan taxonomic treatments. A few other authors (e.g. Banks, Chopra, Kimmins, Navas, Lestage, Ulmer; see Hubbard & Peters 1978, for references) dealt briefly or indirectly with mayflies of Sri Lanka.

Feeding habits of the predaceous nymphs of Dolania Americana in Northwestern Florida (Ephemeroptera : Behningiidae)

Feeding habits of nymphs of the predatory mayflyDolania americana Edmunds & Traver in northwestern Florida were examined during 1971 and 1972. Larvae of Chironomidae (Diptera) formed the bulk of prey items. The size of the predaceousD. americana nymphs was correlated with the size of chironomid prey taken. Differential microhabit utilization allows partition of prey resources with the other major predator species present. The relationship between predator and prey biomass throughout the year is discussed.

A revision of the genus Povilla (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae)

The species of the genus Povilla are reviewed and a new subgenus, Languidipes, is established. Five new species, P. (P.) andamanemis. P. (P.) heardi. P. (P.)junki, P. (P.) ulmeri, and P. (L.) taprobanes, are described from the Oriental Region. Keys to the adults and nymphs of Povilla are included.

Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Venezuela

A list of the known mayfly (Ephemeroptera) fauna of Venezuela is given, along with the states and bioregions from which each species is known. Depositions of the type specimens of each species are also listed.

The Status of the Taxonomy of the Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) Fauna of South America

A total of 375 nominal species representing 91 genera in 13 families are presently known in South America. The family Leptophlebiidae is presently the most diverse group representing 38 % of the mayfly genera and 30 % of the species in the region. Brazil and Argentina have the highest number of mayfly taxa known followed distantly by Peru and Chile. Approximately 60 % of the South American genera and 80 % of the species are endemic to the region. A high percentage of taxa that are known from only one life stage, disparity of the fauna known from different countries, and lack of communication and information exchange among mayfly workers are some of the problems with mayfly taxonomic studies of the region.

MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA) OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA : AN UPDATE

A total of 204 valid species representing 56 genera in 18 families of mayflies are known to occur in North Carolina and South Carolina. Twenty-six of the 182 species of mayflies that are known from North Carolina are reported for the first time. South Carolina has 170 species of mayflies recorded, of which 26 are new state records. Taxonomic changes relevant to the mayfly fauna of both states are discussed.

Ephemeroptera type-specimens in the zoological survey of India, Calcutta

Abstract The Ephemeroptera type-specimens in the collection of the Zoological Survey of India are listed and discussed. Twelve species are represented in the collection. In addition, twenty-four species whose types have been reported to be in the Zoological Survey but were not located are also discussed.