The Imaginal Characters of Neoephemera projecta Showing Its Plesiomorphic Position and a New Genus Status in the Family (Ephemeroptera: Neoephemeridae)

Abstract

The newly collected imaginal materials of the species Neoephemera projecta Zhou and Zheng, 2001 from Southwestern China, which is linking the other genera of the family Neoephemeridae, are described in detail. Nymphs are also photographed for the first time. The morphology of this species shows some characters of the other genera in Neoephemeridae and several autapomorphies. However, most characters can be seen as plesiomorphies of the family. Specifically, the dorsal-oriented fimbriate gills, projected frons and slim labial palpi in nymphs plus large reddishly pigmented wings, many crossveins, 4-segmented forceps with a relatively long basal segment, fused penes and unforked anal vein show that this species is closer to the taxon Fossoriae rather than to the previously considered Potamanthidae. To reflect its primitive position, a new genus, Pulchephemera Zhou gen. n., is established for this species, Pulchephemera projecta comb. n. Its eggs and observed biology are also described.

The First Two Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Neoephemeridae (Ephemeroptera): Comparative Analysis and Phylogenetic Implication for Furcatergalia

“…Mayflies of the family Neoephemeridae are widespread in the Holarctic and Oriental regions [26]. So far, 13 species of Neoephemeridae have been described worldwide [27].…”

“…Mayflies of the family Neoephemeridae are widespread in the Holarctic and Oriental regions [ 26 ]. So far, 13 species of Neoephemeridae have been described worldwide [ 27 ]. Larvae could be found from mountain torrents to large streams and rivers, generally being either clingers on erosional substrates or sprawlers on depositional substrates [ 26 , 27 ].…”

“…So far, 13 species of Neoephemeridae have been described worldwide [ 27 ]. Larvae could be found from mountain torrents to large streams and rivers, generally being either clingers on erosional substrates or sprawlers on depositional substrates [ 26 , 27 ]. Studies of Neoephemeridae have mainly focused on the morphological classification and biogeography [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Larvae could be found from mountain torrents to large streams and rivers, generally being either clingers on erosional substrates or sprawlers on depositional substrates [ 26 , 27 ]. Studies of Neoephemeridae have mainly focused on the morphological classification and biogeography [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. However, there is no mitogenome sequence of this family available in GenBank.…”

The First Described Nymphs and Detailed Imagoes of the Species Thalerosphyrus cingulatus Navás Revealing a New Mayfly Genus from Eastern China (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae, Ecdyonurinae)

“…In our observation, the mayflies that are more active in daytime usually have more colorful wings and bodies [41]. In our observation, the adults of R. cingulata perform mating flight around noon and afternoon (12:00-15:30).…”