New species and a fascinating diversity of Chironomidae (Diptera, Insecta) in and around an overlooked urban vernal pool

Abstract

In this study, the biodiversity of Chironomidae was investigated in Palmer Park Pond A, an urban vernal pond in Detroit, Michigan, USA. This study is developed as part of our ongoing Public Environmental Outreach Program at the Detroit Exploration and Nature Center in Palmer Park. Twenty-one Chironomidae species were discovered in and on the adjacent riparian vegetation of this pond using molecular and morphological methods. Three species Bryophaenocladius palmerparcum Namayandeh & Hudson sp. nov., Limnophyes stagnum Namayandeh, Guerra & Ram sp. nov., and Rheocricotopus (s. s.) angustus Namayandeh & Hudson sp. nov. are new to science. Bryophaenocladius palmerparcum sp. nov. and L. stagnum sp. nov. are unusual Orthoclads, with B. palmerparcum sp. nov. possessing a setose, short, and wide anal point and L. stagnum sp. nov. lacking lanceolate setae on both sexes. Based on the shape of superior volsella, R. angustus sp. nov., belongs to the effusus group, which was also confirmed by DNA barcoding molecular analysis. In this study, a new faunistic record was also found for the Nearctic as well as four new faunistic records for the state of Michigan. Ephemeral aquatic habitats such as vernal pools are often overlooked or destroyed by urbanization activities, controlling vector species, creating groomed fields, and/or residential development. Therefore, finding these new species demonstrates the biodiversity value of vernal ponds as important habitats, further motivating us to preserve them.