A reassessment of the genus Oligoneuriopsis Crass, 1947 (Ephemeroptera, Oligoneuriidae, Oligoneuriellini)

By

Barber-James, Helen M.
Zrelli, Sonia
Yanai, Zohar
Sartori, Michel

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

985

Pages

15--47

Subjects

Barcoding , generic concept , imaginal description , mayfly , neotype designation , new combination , nymphal description

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.985.56649

 

Abstract

The distinction between the two closely related genera Oligoneuriella Ulmer, 1924 and Oligoneuriopsis Crass, 1947 has been much debated. First described from South Africa, Oligoneuriopsis seemed to be a clearly defined genus. However, as the known distribution of the genus widened and knowledge on it expanded, species delimitation based on morphology became less clear due to overlap in several apparently defining morphological characters, especially in the nymphs. This work attempts to reassess Oligoneuriopsis morphology in the context of all currently known species. The type species, Oligoneuriopsis lawrencei Crass, 1947 is redescribed at the imaginal and nymphal stages and a neotype is designated. The putative nymph of Oligoneuriopsis dobbsi (Eaton, 1912) is described based on material collected around Mt Elgon (Kenya). The adults of Oligoneuriella orontensis Koch, 1980 are described for the first time and the species is transferred to the genus Oligoneuriopsis (Oligoneuriopsis orontensiscomb. nov.). Egg structure is also described for the first time for the species Oligoneuriopsis skhounate and O. orontensis. Some biogeographical considerations are also given. It is likely that more species will still be discovered, especially in Africa.