Bryophaenocladius adigensis sp. n., a new species from the Italian Alps (Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae)

Abstract

Bryophaenocladius adigensis sp. n., is diagnosed and described based on two male adults material collected in the Sardagna stream, near the city of Trento (Northern Italy). Although the male of B. adigensis sp. n. shows some morphological affinities with other Bryophaenocladius species (B. aestivus, B. flexidens, B. muscicola, B. subvernalis and B. thaleri), it exhibits a combination of unique characters that make it a different species: palpomere 3 with 3 typical sensilla coeloconica; absence of antepronotal setae; antennal ratio= 0.86; tergite IX and anal point without lateral expansion; aedeagal lobe typically sub-oval; virga consisting of 2 curved unequal spines; distal part of gonocoxite with a vertical row of setae; inferior volsella, long nose-like shaped, distal part spatulate with 2 characteristic pre-apical setae, median part bare. Currently, about 42 Bryophaenocladius species are reported from Europe, of which only 11 are known from Italy. Consequently, the description here of B. adigensis sp. n. increases the total number in the genus to 12 from this country. Based on type-locality features, we can consider B. adigensis sp. n. as typical of mountain streams fed mainly by groundwater.

Keywords

• non-biting midges, orthoclads, Bryophaenocladius adigensis sp. n., male adult, Italian Alps