The family Prosopistomatidae (Ephemeroptera): a review on its ecology and distribution, with particular emphasis on the European species Prosopistoma pennigerum Müller, 1785

Abstract

Although the monogeneric mayfly family Prosopistomatidae is almost globally distributed, remarkably few records have been made. Evidence available to date indicates that this taxon is very rare. We present ecological data on the European species Prosopistoma pennigerum which were assessed during a monitoring programme in the headwaters of River Volga. As a result of a bibliographic review, the historic distribution of this species throughout Europe is provided and its ecological demands (lithophil, rheophil, potamophil) are summarised.

Keywords:

• biogeography
• mayflies
• large rivers
• indicator
• reference community

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr Y.N. Zhenikov and V.V. Kuzovlev (k.t.n) for organisation of the field surveys and good cooperation. Further we would like to acknowledge Dr E. Bauernfeind (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien), Dr J. Gagneur (Université Paul Sabatier, Laboratoire d'Écologie Fonctionnelle), Dr A. Thomas (Vieille-Toulouse), Dr H.W. Bohle (Universität Marburg), Dr A. Hoffmann (Umweltbundesamt Deutschland), Dipl.-Ing. A. Hartmann (Universität für Bodenkultur Wien) and also the reviewer and editor for valuable information and improvements of the manuscript.