DNA barcode-based survey of Trichoptera in the Crooked River reveals three new species records for British Columbia

Abstract

Anthropogenic pressures on aquatic systems have placed a renewed focus on biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates. By combining classical taxonomy and DNA barcoding we identified 39 species of caddisflies from the Crooked River, a unique and sensitive system in the southernmost arctic watershed in British Columbia. Our records include three species never before recorded in British Columbia: Lepidostoma togatum (Lepidostomatidae), Ceraclea annulicornis (Leptoceridae), and possibly Cheumatopsyche harwoodi (Hydropsychidae). Three other specimens may represent new occurrence records and a number of other records seem to be substantial observed geographic range expansions within British Columbia.

Keywords

• Trichoptera
• Caddisflies
• British Columbia
• Lepidostoma togatum
• Ceracleaannulicornis
• Cheumatopsyche harwoodi