Mayflies of the Caucasus Mountains. III. A new representative of the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003 (Baetidae: Baetis) from the South-Western Caucasus

Abstract

A new species of the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003, namely Baetis (Rhodobaetis) vadimi sp. nov., is described based on immature larvae from several localities in Georgia and Turkey. It is the ninth species of the subgenus for Transcaucasia, following six species formally recorded from Turkey and two endemic species described from the Central Caucasus. Larval characters are investigated and illustrated by means of scanning electron microscopy, and discussed in details. The differential diagnosis of this species is provided with regard to other representatives of the subgenus considering the feature set common for Rhodobaetis. The new species can be distinguished from its relatives (species which lack stout setae on the gills' margins), mainly by some characters of mouthparts (particularly labium), the shape and arrangement of stout setae and scales on the body surface, as well as the lack of subapical tiny setae on tarsal claw, and presence of numerous marginal spines and semilunar scale bases on the paraproct plate.

Taxonomy of Baetis Leach in Israel (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)

“…Other than B.bisri and B.rhodani , two more Rhodobaetis species were reported from Turkey: B.braaschi Zimmermann, 1980, and B.vadimi Godunko, Palatov & Martynov, 2015 (Kazancı and Türkmen 2016; Salur et al 2016). Baetisgemellus Eaton, 1885 and B.pseudogemellus Soldán, 1977 are excluded, as explained by Godunko et al (2015). Unlike B.noa , no spines are present on the gill margins of B.braaschi (Bauernfeind and Soldán 2012) and B.vadimi (Godunko et al 2015).…”

“…Baetisgemellus Eaton, 1885 and B.pseudogemellus Soldán, 1977 are excluded, as explained by Godunko et al (2015). Unlike B.noa , no spines are present on the gill margins of B.braaschi (Bauernfeind and Soldán 2012) and B.vadimi (Godunko et al 2015). Baetismilani Godunko, Prokopov & Soldán, 2004 from the Crimean Peninsula has no triangular spines on the posterior margin of terga and very abundant minute denticles on its cercotractor (Godunko et al 2004).…”

“…The morphological attributes of the 22 Palaearctic species in the group have been reviewed by Godunko et al (2004, 2015), Soldán et al (2005) and Gattolliat and Sartori (2008).…”

An annotated catalogue of the mayfly fauna of Turkey (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

“…Larval characters and distribution not known, probably restricted to Switzerland. According to Godunko et al (2015) all previous records as Baetis gemellus from Turkey refer in fact to Baetis vadimi Godunko, Palatov and Martynov, 2015.…”

“…According to Godunko et al (2015: 196) the record from Balıkesir is doubtful and distribution in Anatolia needs confirmation.…”