The problems with Polypedilum Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae), with the description of Probolum subgen. n.

Abstract

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Polypedilum Kieffer utilizing only species with known larvae, and including one additional species presumed to belong to a new subgenus was performed. The subgenera Tripodura Townes, 1945, Pentapedilum Kieffer, 1913 and Cerobregma Sæther et Sundal, 1999, were all monophyletic, while Uresipedilum Oyewo et Sæther, 1998 was monophyletic when the new subgenus Probolum was excluded. Polypedilum s. str. was never monophyletic even when excluding the atypical P. nubifer (Skuse, 1889), but if the relationships between subgenera were unresolved a cladogram as short as the shortest trees could be erected with Polypedilum s. str. as monophyletic. It is proposed to reestablish the genus Tripedilum Kieffer, 1921a as a subgenus with the type species P. (T.) fuscipenne (Kieffer, 1921a) and including P. (T.) nubifer (Skuse); treat Polypedilum Kieffer, 1913 as valid (pending an application to the ICZN to supress Polypedilum Kieffer, 1912); reestablish the subgenus Kribionympha Kieffer, 1921a with the type species Polypedilum (Kribionympha) declivis Kieffer, 1922; give priority to Tripodura Townes, 1945 over senior synonyms; and erect the new subgenus Probolum Andersen et Sæther with Polypedilum (Probolum) marcondesi Pinho et Mendes sp. n. as type species and including at least P. (Probolum) pedatum excelsius Townes sensu Grodhaus et Rotramel, 1980, P. (Probolum) simantokeleum Sasa, Suzuki et Sakai, 1998 and P. (Probolum) bullum Zhang et Wang, 2004. Short diagnoses for the subgenera of Polypedilum are presented. Polypedilum (Probolum) marcondesi subgen. n., sp. n. is described and figured as male, female, pupa and larva. The two subspecies of P. (Uresipedilum) pedatum Townes, 1945 are regarded as full species. The male imago of P. (Uresipedilum) excelsius Townes, 1945 and the male and female of P. (Uresipedilum) pedatum Townes are redescribed.

Karyotypical characteristics of two allopatric African populations of anhydrobiotic Polypedilum Kieffer, 1912 (Diptera, Chironomidae) originating from Nigeria and Malawi

“…In addition to these important differences in bands pattern and general organization of active regions between both Nigerian and Malawian populations, similarities in the organization of the chromosomes were hardly observed in comparison to other published karyotypes in the genus Polypedilum (Porter and Martin 1977, Kerkis et al 1996). The genus Polypedilum is actually very diverse with 8 subgenera described (Saether et al 2010) and this could explain the poor similarity observed in the karyotypes between species spread over these subgenera.…”

Phytophagy in a Polypedilum (Diptera: Chironomidae) species new to Australia and Japan: taxonomy and expanded Asian distribution

“…Many descriptions are of single species based on the adult male alone, but synthesis and reconciliation with immature stages has progressed, e.g. by Saether et al (2010), Epler et al (2013) and Ekrem et al (2017). In Asia, studies of adults predominate (e.g.…”

A new species of Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) Oyewo & Sæther, 1998 from Zhejiang Province of Oriental China (Diptera, Chironomidae)

“…The larvae mostly occur in sediments, with a few species mining wood or grazing epilignic and epilithic surfaces (Cranston et al 1989). At present, the genus Polypedilum comprises eight subgenera: Polypedilum Kieffer, 1912, Pentapedilum Kieffer, 1913, Kribionympha Kieffer, 1921, Tripedilum Kieffer, 1921, Tripodura Townes, 1945, Uresipedilum Oyewo & Sæther, 1998, Cerobregma Sæther & Sundal, 1999 and Probolum Andersen & Sæther 2010 (Sæther et al 2010). …”

“…Zhang and Wang (2004) reviewed the subgenus on the basis of 14 species recorded in China. Sæther and Oyewo (2008) and Sæther et al (2010) revised the subgenus around the world and transferred Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) bullum Zhang & Wang, 2004, Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) pedatum excelsius Townes, 1945 and Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) simantokeleum Sasa, Suzuki & Sakai, 1998 to the newly proposed subgenus Probolum . Up to date, Uresipedilum includes 46 known species.…”

“…The adult males of the subgenus Uresipedilum are separated from other subgenera by having the basal portion of the superior volsella much longer than wide, with an apicomedian projection without setae placed on the inner margin of the base and directed medially and without prominent inner projection; wing membrane without markings or setae and fore tibial scale nearly always without spur (Sæther et al 2010). …”