Paola A. Rueda Martín

New Hydroptilidae and new records from north-western Argentina and Bolivia (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae)

Two new species from north-western Argentina are described. The male of a new species of Alisotrichia is described and illustrated as A. benji. This represents the first record of the genus from north-western Argentina. The male and larva of anew species of Leucotrichia are described and illustrated as L. alisensis. The taxonomic positions of A. benji and L. alisensis are discussed. Hydroptila argentinica Flint, H. bidens Flint, Neotrichia gotera Flint and Oxyethyra parce Edwards & Arnold are newly recorded from Bolivia. Oxyethira ulmeri Mosely is recorded for the first time from north-western Argentina. New localities from north-western Argentina are recorded for Hydroptila bidens, Neotrichia elongata Flint and N. gotera. Illustrations of the males of species representing new records are included.Two new species from north-western Argentina are described. The male of a new species of Alisotrichia is described and illustrated as A. benji. This represents the first record of the genus from north-western Argentina. The male and larva of anew species of Leucotrichia are described and illustrated as L. alisensis. The taxonomic positions of A. benji and L. alisensis are discussed. Hydroptila argentinica Flint, H. bidens Flint, Neotrichia gotera Flint and Oxyethyra parce Edwards & Arnold are newly recorded from Bolivia. Oxyethira ulmeri Mosely is recorded for the first time from north-western Argentina. New localities from north-western Argentina are recorded for Hydroptila bidens, Neotrichia elongata Flint and N. gotera. Illustrations of the males of species representing new records are included.

New record of the genus Ithytrichia (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) for South America, with descriptions of male, larva and pupa of a new species from northwestern Argentina

Abstract Ithytrichia is a small genus of Hydroptilidae, recorded from Europe, North America, and north Central Mexico. The first record of Ithytrichia for South America is presented here. A new species of this genus Ithytrichia ferni is described from northwestern Argentina. Diagnostic characters of the male imago, pupa and larva are described and illustrated. Biological notes are included.

Larva, pupa and adult male of Atopsyche (Atopsyche) maxi, a new species from northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae)

Abstract A new species of Atopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia is described. Important taxonomic characters of the male imago, pupa and larva are described and illustrated. The systematic position of this species is discussed. The new species is related to A. ikonnikovi Martinov 1912, and belongs to the kingi complex (Ross 1953).Abstract A new species of Atopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia is described. Important taxonomic characters of the male imago, pupa and larva are described and illustrated. The systematic position of this species is discussed. The new species is related to A. ikonnikovi Martinov 1912, and belongs to the kingi complex (Ross 1953).

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.

Association of immature stages of some caddisfly species from northwestern Argentina with description of a new species of Helicopsyche (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae)

The adult, larva, and pupa of Helicopsyche obscura sp. nov. from northwestern Argentina are described and illustrated. Descriptions and illustrations of adults and associated pupae and larvae of Helicopsyche turbida Navás and Leptonema boliviense boliviense Mosely are included. The associations of immature stages were made using the metamorphotype method. Helicopsyche turbida is newly recorded from Tucumán province. The adult males of H. obscura sp. nov. and H. turbida have similar structure in the genital segments, however, the most clear differences are in the general color and size of the adult, and in the color, size, and morphology of the metanota in the larval stages as well as the shapes of mandibles, hook plates, and terminal segments of the pupal stages. The larva and pupa of L. boliviense boliviense are compared with those of L. columbianum and other previously described species, providing differences in color, chaetotaxy, and morphology.

Spatial patterns of caddisflies from Austral South America

Trichoptera are relevant members of the freshwater benthos that can exploit a broad variety of habitats. We explored their distribution patterns in Austral South America using a network quantitative approach applied on point occurrence data. The primary goal was to recognize groups of species connected by strong links of sympatry and secondarily to evaluate the structure of the sympatry network (patterns of connectivity) at higher taxonomic levels. We compiled 2,522 geographic points associated with 446 species. The strength of sympatry links were inferred directly from dot maps. Using the taxonomic resolution of species, we identified two major groups of co-occurring species that mimic in a geographic context the classic zoogeographic division of the study area: the Andean–Patagonian complex (of “cold-adapted” organisms) versus the Extra-Andean domain (of “warm-adapted” organisms) spanning the subtropical belt of the region. Within these major divisions, groups of highly co-distributed species were also found which in turn show a variety of overlapping spatial configurations. Overlap was centred at the following pivoting areas: Yungas of NW Argentina, Paranaense forest of NE Argentina and Valdivian temperate forest of Patagonia. Three very interesting findings emerged from the analyses: (i) Sierras Centrales of Córdoba correspond to the southern portion of many subtropical elements occurring in NW Argentina, (ii) some elements fit the disjunction between NW and NE Argentina and (iii) Uruguay is more closely related to NE Argentina than to Buenos Aires, suggesting that the Pampas region (Uruguay + Buenos Aires) could be an ill-defined biogeographic entity. Patterns at the species level become progressively blurred in going upward through the hierarchical classification.