Type material comparison of possible cryptic species of the genus Electrogena (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) in Central Europe

Abstract

The genusElectrogenaZurwerra & Tomka, 1985 is a diverse mayfly group in the Western Palaearctic with a partially unclear taxonomy, even in well-examined areas such as Central Europe. Recently, one of the species belonging to this genus,Electrogenaujhelyii(Sowa, 1981), was identified as a complex of genetically and geographically separated species. Two other species,Electrogenasamalorum(Landa, 1982) andElectrogenarivuscellanaSartori & Landolt, 1991 were formerly stated as junior synonyms of the earlier species. The fact that the synonymy ofE.samalorumandE.ujhelyiiwas stated without comparison of any larval or adult material and both species reportedly have different altitude preferences makes the taxonomical position ofE.samalorum(and possiblyE.rivuscellana) questionable. Among others, a comparison of type series is one of the first methods that should be used to clarify the taxonomical position of closely related taxa.The present study aims to comparatively examine the type material and topotypes ofE.ujhelyiiand its presumed junior synonymE.samalorumfor the first time in detail. Additionally, some notes on the status of the geographically extralimitalE.rivuscellanaare discussed briefly. We noted a significant similarity of all studied material from both the larval and imaginal stages, and suggest considering both junior synonyms (E.samalorumandE.rivuscellana) asspecies inquirendae.

The utility of wing morphometrics for assigning type specimens to cryptic bumblebee species

“…Based on traditional descriptive morphology, older type specimens can be difficult to attribute to these newly discovered cryptic species, particularly if the cryptic species co-occur (e.g. Polasek et al, 2019). In this framework, the quantification of the wing shape through geometric morphometrics can be particularly helpful but is largely understudied.…”