Ralph W. Holzenthal

DNA barcode data confirm new species and reveal cryptic diversity in Chilean Smicridea (Smicridea) (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae)

Abstract Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) sequence data have been both heralded and scrutinized for their ability or lack thereof to discriminate among species for identification (DNA barcoding) or description (DNA taxonomy). Few studies have systematically examined the ability of mtDNA from the DNA barcode region (658 base pair fragment of the 5′ terminus of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene) to distinguish species based on range-wide sampling of specimens from closely related species. Here we examined the utility of DNA barcode data for delimiting species, associating life stages, and as a potential genetic marker for phylogeographic studies by analyzing a range-wide sample of closely related Chilean representatives of the caddisfly genus Smicridea subgenus Smicridea. Our data revealed the existence of 7 deeply diverged, previously unrecognized lineages and confirmed the existence of 2 new species: Smicridea (S.) patinae, new species and Smicridea (S.) lourditae, new species. Based on our current taxonomic evaluation, we considered the other 5 lineages to be cryptic species. The DNA barcode data proved useful in delimiting species within Chilean Smicridea (Smicridea) and were suitable for life-stage associations. The data also contained sufficient intraspecific variation to make the DNA barcode a candidate locus for widespread application in phylogeographic studies.

The caddisfly genus Nectopsyche: new gemma group species from Costa Rica and the Neotropics (Trichoptera:Leptoceridae)

Generic-level diagnoses are provided for adult males, females, and larvae of the longhorned caddisfly genus Nectopsyche Müller (Trichoptera:Leptoceridae). In addition, seven new Costa Rican species in the gemma species group are described and illustrated: N. exophthalma n. sp., N. monticola n. sp., N. onyx n. sp., N. ortizi n. sp., (also known from Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Surinam, and Venezuela), N. tapanti n. sp., N. tuanis n. sp., and N. utleyorum n. sp. The new species are compared with two previously described gemma group species also known from Costa Rica, N. argentata Flint and N. gemmoides Flint, and these, too, are diagnosed and illustrated.

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’.

New distribution and species records of Trichoptera from Southern and Southeastern Brazil

We provide here a list of new species records of Trichoptera (Insecta) collected in Southern and Southeastern Brazil. We report 21 new distribution records for the country of Brazil. We also provide new distribution records for 92 species of Trichoptera for the states of Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana and Santa Catarina.

Catalog of the Neotropical Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Abstract The Neotropical caddisfly (Trichoptera) fauna is cataloged from a review of over 1,000 literature citations through 2015 (partial 2016) to include 3,262 currently recognized, valid species-group names in 25 families and 155 extant genera. Fourteen subspecies are included in the total as well as 35 fossil species and 1 fossil genus. The region covered includes all of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Genus-group and species-group synonyms are listed. For each nominal species, information on the type locality, type depository, sex of type, distribution by country, and other pertinent taxonomic or biological information is included. Summary information on taxonomy, phylogeny, distribution, immature stages, and biology are provided for each family and genus where known. An extensive index to all nominal taxa is included to facilitate use of the catalog. The glossosomatid species Mexitrichia usseglioi Rueda Martín & Gibon, is transferred to Mortoniella comb. n.

A new species of Smicridea McLachlan (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) from Venezuela and its role in travertine biogenesis

We collected an undescribed hydropsychid caddisfly, Smicridea (Smicridea) travertinera, n. sp., from 2 sites in Venezuela. One of the sites, Quebrada El Charo, flowed over extensive calcareous formations of travertine, which were covered with retreats and capture nets of the new species. Smicridea travertinera was the most abundant aquatic insect colonizing travertine. We describe the adult male, the retreat and net, and gut contents. The retreat consisted of an aperture in the travertine with a capture net. Retreat-making behavior appears to cause both the biogenesis and erosion of the travertine formations.

Phylogeny of Polycentropodidae Ulmer, 1903 (Trichoptera : Annulipalpia : Psychomyioidea) inferred from larval, pupal and adult characters

Phylogeny of Polycentropodidae Ulmer is inferred based on data from immature and adult stages. Larval information is unknown for 61% of the taxa included in this study. To understand the effects of including characters with large sets of missing data, three alternative datasets were analysed using parsimony and Bayesian methods. Five outgroup taxa, including the four families in Psychomyioidea and the single family in Hydropsychoidea, were used in all datasets. Monophyly of Polycentropodidae, as currently defined, was rejected and the monophyly of the three largest cosmopolitan genera, Polycentropus, Polyplectropus and Nyctiophylax, was not confirmed. Monophyly of Pseudoneureclipsinae, including the genera Antillopsyche and Pseudoneureclipsis, was supported in all analyses. The placement of Pseudoneureclipsis within Dipseudopsidae was rejected. Monophyly of Kambaitipsychinae was supported, but its placement within Polycentropodidae was not confirmed. Analyses were sensitive to either inclusion or exclusion of characters from immature stages. Based on the results of these analyses, the following taxonomic changes are established: Kambaitipsychidae, stat. nov. and Pseudoneureclipsidae, stat. nov. are elevated to family status. North American Polycentropus species originally described in either Plectrocnemia or Holocentropus are returned to their original combinations and North American species described in Polycentropus post-1944 are transferred to either Holocentropus or Plectrocnemia. The following new or reinstated combinations are proposed: Plectrocnemia albipuncta Banks, comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia aureola Banks, comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia cinerea (Hagen), comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia clinei Milne, comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia crassicornis (Walker), comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia jenula (Denning) comb. nov.; Plectrocnemia icula (Ross), comb. nov.; Plectrocnemia nascotia (Ross), comb. nov.; Plectrocnemia remota (Banks), comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia sabulosa (Leonard & Leonard), comb. nov.; Plectrocnemia smithae (Denning), comb. nov.; Plectrocnemia vigilatrix Navas, comb. rev.; Plectrocnemia weedi (Blickle & Morse), comb. nov.; Holocentropus chellus (Denning), comb. nov.; Holocentropus flavus Banks, comb. nov.; Holocentropus glacialis Ross, comb. rev.; Holocentropus grellus Milne, comb. rev.; Holocentropus interruptus Banks, comb. rev.; Holocentropus melanae Ross, comb. rev.; Holocentropus milaca (Etnier), comb. nov.; and Holocentropus picicornis (Stephens), comb. rev.

Studies in neotropical leptoceridae (Trichoptera), ix: A new genus and species from Southeastern Brazil

Neoathripsodes anomalus a new genus and species of Leptoceridae (Leptocerinae) from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. It is diagnosed by the thickened nature of the forewing venation and by the presence of a second article in the male inferior appendage. The female sex and immatures stages are unknown.

Review and redescription of species in the Oecetis avara group, with the description of 15 new species (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae)

Abstract The O. avara group of Oecetis is formally defined to include 4 described species, O. avara (Banks), O. disjuncta (Banks), O. elata Denning & Sykora, and O. metlacenis Bueno-Soria, and 15 new species. Oecetis marquesi Bueno-Soria, previously considered a member of the O. avara group, is treated as incertae sedis to species group, but is also redescribed and treated in the current work. New species described here (with their respective distributions) include: O. acciptrina (Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador), O. agosta (Mexico), O. angularis (Guatemala to Ecuador), O. apache (SW USA), O. campana (Ecuador), O. constricta (Mexico to Ecuador, Venezuela, and Trinidad), O. houghtoni (North America), O. maritza (Costa Rica), O. mexicana (Mexico to Ecuador), O. patula (Guatemala, Nicaragua), O. protrusa (Mexico to Ecuador), O. sordida (Mexico, USA, Canada), O. tumida (Costa Rica), O. uncata (Costa Rica), and O. verrucula (Mexico to Costa Rica). A key to the species is also provided.

Contulma paluguillensis (Trichoptera:Anomalopsychidae), a new caddisfly from the high Andes of Ecuador, and its natural history

Abstract.  Adults and larvae of a new species of Contulma Flint (Trichoptera:Anomalopsychidae) are described from Ecuador. The new species is similar to Contulma papallacta Holzenthal and Flint, but differs in having shorter, less spatulate dorsolateral processes and shorter setose lateral processes of segment IX in the male genitalia. Monthly Hess, sticky trap, and emergence-trap collections indicated that the new species is uncommon, probably univoltine, but with continuous larval growth and extended adult emergence, and has algivorous larvae.