Integrative delimitation of a new Epeorus (Caucasiron) (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) from the Caucasus with a supplement to the identification guide of Caucasian and Irano-Anatolian species

Abstract

As part of our detailed study of the Caucasian mayfly fauna, we describe Epeorus (Caucasiron) abditus sp. nov., a new species of the genus Epeorus Eaton, 1881, subgenus Caucasiron Kluge, 1997, based on larvae collected in Türkiye, Georgia, and Russia. We use several methodological approaches to delimit the new species by analysing COI sequence data and larval morphology. We provide a comparison with related taxa and diagnostic characters allowing determination of the larvae. We also update the identification key for the Caucasian species of E. (Caucasiron) with E. (C.) abditus sp. nov. and two recently described species, E. (C.) hyrcanicus Hrivniak & Sroka, 2021 and E. (C.) tripertitus Hrivniak & Sroka, 2022.