The Trichoptera of Panama VIII. The Hydroptilidae of Panama: current status, biodiversity comparisons, projections, and needs

ABSTRACT

Through 2014, 73 species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) were recorded from Panama. From 2015 to the present, an additional 91 species have been discovered. The reasons for this increase include more intensive collecting, repeated sampling over time at the same locations, and use of multiple collecting techniques. For the countries from Mexico to Colombia, only Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica have been significantly collected. Calculation of Jaccard Similarity values amongst these three countries indicates little similarity amongst their hydroptilid faunas (all less than 10%). The affinity of Panama with other neighbouring regions is greatest within Central America and with Mexico. Based on recent work (2015–2017), we project a minimum of 300 microcaddisfly species and 550 total caddisfly species will be recorded for Panama within the next 10 years. At present, the greatest need is for training of native Panamanians in caddisfly systematics and biogeography.

KEYWORDS:

• Insecta
• Trichoptera
• Hydroptilidae
• hydroptilids
• microcaddisflies
• Panama

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Aydeé Cornejo of COZEM, for her comments. We are also grateful to the journal reviewers of this manuscript. Finally, we thank Drs David Bowles and Greg Courtney for making it possible for us to contribute to this special edition of Aquatic Insects.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.