On the identity of some Oriental Acroneuriinae taxa (Plecoptera: Perlidae), with an annotated checklist of the subfamily in the realm

Abstract

The monotypic Taiwanese genus Mesoperla Klapálek, 1913 is redescribed on the basis of a male syntype specimen, and its affinities are re-evaluated. The single female type specimen of further two Oriental monotypic genera, Kalidasia Klapálek, 1914 and Nirvania Klapálek, 1914, are confirmed to be lost or destroyed respectively; both genera are considered as nomina dubia. The Sichuan endemic Acroneuria grahami Wu & Claassen, 1934 is redescribed on the basis of male holotype. Distinctive characters of the genus Brahmana Klapálek, 1914 consisting of five, inadequately known Oriental species are discussed. Flavoperla needhami (Klapálek, 1916) and Sinacroneuria sinica (Yang & Yang, 1998) comb. novae are suggested for an Indian species originally described in Gibosia Okamoto, 1912 and a Chinese species originally described in Acroneuria Pictet, 1841. At present, 62 species of Acroneuriinae, classified in 10 valid genera are reported from the Oriental Realm but 29 species are inadequately known. A key is presented to distinguish males of the Asian Acroneuriinae genera. Asian distribution of each genera are detailed and depicted on a map.

Keywords

• Stoneflies
• Acroneuriinae
• redescription
• new combinations
• nomen dubium
• China
• Taiwan
• Indian subcontinent.