Ecdyonurus aurasius sp. nov. (Insecta, Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae, Ecdyonurinae), a new micro-endemic mayfly species from Aurès Mountains (north-eastern Algeria)

Abstract

Ecdyonurus aurasiussp. nov., a micro-endemic species reported from several streams within the Aurès Mountains (north-eastern Algeria), is described and illustrated at nymphal, subimaginal and imaginal stages of both sexes. Critical morphological diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species are presented, together with molecular affinities as well as notes on the biology and distribution of the species.

Diversity, distribution, and conservation of the Trichoptera and their habitats in north‐eastern Algeria

“…For instance, the El Kala National Park incorporates mountain streams that contain micro‐endemic mayflies and stoneflies (Samraoui et al, 2021; Samraoui et al, 2021). Similarly, the Belezma National Park contains endemic mayflies and caddisflies (Dambri et al, 2020; Dambri et al, 2022). However, the formal shelter afforded by protected areas combined with various executive decrees and laws, such as Law No.…”

“…The headwaters of two major rivers (Seybouse and the Rhummel‐Kebir) are unprotected. Further south, recent studies have yielded two micro‐endemics: the caddisfly Limnephilus barbagaensis Malicky, Sekhi & Lounaci, 2019 and the mayfly Ecdyonurus aurasius Dambri et al, 2022) in the Aurès (Sekhi, Malicky & Lounaci, 2019; Dambri et al, 2022), essentially from the western part because eastern Aurès has hardly been investigated.…”

“…For instance, the El Kala National Park incorporates mountain streams that contain microendemic mayflies and stoneflies . Similarly, the Belezma National Park contains endemic mayflies and caddisflies (Dambri et al, 2020;Dambri et al, 2022).…”

“…Yasri-Cheboubi, Vinçon & Lounaci, 2016) and mayflies Kaltenbach et al, 2022) in the Aurès (Sekhi, Malicky & Lounaci, 2019;Dambri et al, 2022), essentially from the western part because eastern Aurès has hardly been investigated.…”

Two new species of Centroptilum Eaton, 1869 from North Africa (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)

“…During the last two decades, important improvements were made in the knowledge of North African mayflies. A few new species of Baetidae, Leptophlebiidae, Heptageniidae, and Prosopistomatidae were described from Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco (Soldán et al 2005;Zrelli et al 2011;Benhadji et al 2018;Kechemir et al 2020;Dambri et al 2022;El Alami et al 2022b), and new reports were provided for countries or basins, especially for Tunisia (Zrelli et al 2011(Zrelli et al , 2012(Zrelli et al , 2016, East and West Algeria (Benhadji et al 2020;Samraoui et al 2021a, b), and Morocco (Khadri et al 2017;Mabrouki et al 2017;El Alami et al 2022a;Zerrouk et al 2021). A few species were morphologically revised including in some cases the description of previously unknown stages (Soldán et al 2005;Zrelli et al 2012;Godunko et al 2018).…”