The first description of the nymph of Potamanthodes macrophthalmus You, 1984 and reinstatements of the genera Potamanthodes Ulmer, 1920 and Stygifloris Bae, McCafferty, and Edmunds, 1990 (Ephemeroptera: Potamanthidae)

Abstract

The Chinese endemic mayfly Potamanthodes macrophthalmus You, 1984 is the single species relating the taxon Potamanthodes Ulmer, 1920 to other generic taxa of the family Potamanthidae because it has larger compound eyes and longer penes than congeners. However, its nymphs remained unknown and its detailed imaginal morphology is incomplete until now. Upon newly collected materials and type specimens, the main diagnostic characters of its nymph, which is described for the first time here, are revealed. This includes relatively large eyes, tiny mandibular tusks and remarkable body colour pattern. In imaginal stage, besides longer penes and larger eyes, the blunt apex of penis and shape of bent R₁ vein of hindwing are additional recognisable characters. Taxonomically, Potamanthodes presents unique characters, such as MP₂ originating at base of CuA in forewing, partially pigmented forewings, acute costal projection on hindwings of imagoes and bristle-like setae row on nymphal forefemora. Therefore, Potamanthodes and Stygifloris Bae, McCafferty, and Edmunds, 1990 stat. rev. are reinstated as genera in this study.

Keywords:

• Mayfly
• classification
• morphology
• biology
• China

Acknowledgements

We thank Mr Peng-Xu MU for sending us some specimens used in this research and Mr Zhen-Xing MA improving and discussing the subject.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos. 31750002 and 32070475], funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), and supported by key projects of science-technology basic condition platform from The Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China [Grant No. 2005DKA21402]. It is also a part of the Project of Biological Resources Survey in Wuyishan National Park.