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Two new mayfly species (Baetidae)
from India
C. Selva Kumar a , S. Sundar a & K.G. Sivaramakrishnan b
a Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences,
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi 627 412, Tamil
Nadu, India
b Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College (Autonomous),
Tambaram East, Chennai 600 059, Tamil Nadu, India
To cite this article: C. Selva Kumar, S. Sundar & K.G. Sivaramakrishnan (2012): Two new mayfly
species (Baetidae) from India, Oriental Insects, 46:2, 116-129
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00305316.2012.689487
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Oriental Insects
Vol. 46, No. 2, June 2012, 116–129
Two new mayfly species (Baetidae) from India
C. Selva Kumar
a
*, S. Sundar
a
and K.G. Sivaramakrishnan
b
a
Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar
University, Alwarkurichi 627 412, Tamil Nadu, India;
b
Department of Zoology, Madras
Christian College (Autonomous), Tambaram East, Chennai 600 059, Tamil Nadu, India
(Received 12 January 2012; final version received 16 February 2012)
Two new mayfly species belonging to the family Baetidae, namely
Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov. and Indobaetis michaelohubbardi sp.
nov., are described from nymphs collected in the Ramanadi and
Tamiraparani rivers, respectively, of the southern Western Ghats, Tamil
Nadu, India. Generic diagnosis based on nymphs and key to known species
of Platybaetis and Indobaetis are also provided.
Keywords: Ephemeroptera; taxonomy; Platybaetis arunachalae;Indobaetis
michaelohubbardi; India
Introduction
Baetid species in their nymphal stages inhabit a wide range of lentic and lotic
habitats, and many such species are known from the running waters. These are
sensitive to pollution and show different sensitivity. Hence, species level identifica-
tion is crucial for biomonitoring of fresh water bodies. Recent developments in
Baetidae taxonomy have resulted in reassignment of species among genera and
subfamilies. This is apparently due to the practice of basing species identifications
primarily on the larval morphology, and relying mainly on the imaginal features for
delineating generic and suprageneric limits. (Dudgeon 1999). Such understanding of
generic and species limits of Baetidae of Sri Lanka were made by Dr Muller-
Liebenau and her co-workers (Muller-Liebenau 1982; Muller-Liebenau and
Morihara 1982; Muller-Liebenau and Hubbard 1985).
Among such baetids, the genus Platybaetis Muller-Liebenau (1980a) has seven
species: P. edmundsi from Philippines and P. uenoi from Nepal (both Muller-
Liebenau 1980b); P. bishopi from West Malaysia (Muller-Liebenau 1980b)
and P. probus from East Malaysia (Muller-Liebenau 1984); P. sulawesiensis and
P. wallacei from Indonesia (both Tong and Dudgeon 1999); Suter (2001) described
P. gadadjuensis from Australia and Braasch (1981) recorded its species from
Philippines, Nepal and Malaysia, and provided details of the nymphal characters of
the genus. The genus Indobaetis was established by Muller-Liebenau (1982) for
I. costai and I. starmuehlneri from Sri Lanka.
This study explores these baetids from India and describes two new species based
on nymphs. These include a species each of Platybaetis and Indobaetis from the
*Corresponding author. Email: selvaaa06@gmail.com
ISSN 0030–5316 print/ISSN 2157–8745 online
ß2012 Taylor & Francis
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00305316.2012.689487
http://www.tandfonline.com
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Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Generic diagnosis based on nymphs and key to
known species is also provided. The type specimens are deposited with the Zoological
Survey of India, Kolkata (ZSI-K), and partly with Sri Parama Kalyani Centre for
Environmental Sciences, Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu, India (SPKCES,
MSUNMNH).
A. Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov. (Figures 1–22)
Description
Nymph
Head flattened and subquadrangular, slightly wider than long; yellowish brown
dorsally with irregular pale brown markings, whitish ventrally, maximum width
0.07 mm, inter ocular distance 0.05 mm. Ocelli semilunar shaped. Antennae pale
yellow, thick and short, slightly longer than width of head; scape nearly as
broad as long, pedicel cylindrical, about 0.7–1.2longer than broad; flagellum
with nearly 16 segments. Labrum nearly rectangular, approximately 2wider
than long; labrum directed ventrally (Figures 5 and 17). Hypopharynx as in
Figures 10 and 22. Left mandible with incisors having 6–7 denticles, molar area
with a stout, thumb like apical prolongation, approximately 2as long as wide
(Figures 7 and 19); right mandible with incisors having 6–7 denticles (Figures 8
and 20). Maxillae with 5–7 long, fine, simple setae on medial hump; palp three
segmented, division between first and second segment indistinct (Figures 6 and
18); labium with narrow glossae which are shorter than the broad paraglossae
and three segmented, and second segment of labial palpi with a very small lobe
on its mesial margin (Figures 9 and 21).
Thorax yellowish brown. Prothorax approximately as broad as head capsule in
female, slightly narrower in male; and its posterolateral margin rounded. Hind wing
pads absent or vestigial (Figure 14). Legs paler than thorax, with a single row of
long, pinnate setae along dorsal margin of femora; similar row of less robust but
denser setae on dorsal margins of tibiae and tarsi; submarginal setae along the dorsal
margin of femora stout and conical; all submarginal setae approximately of same
length as distance between bases of long setae; and tarsal claw with a single row of
denticles, with the denticle near apex longest (Figure 15).
Abdomen yellowish brown dorsally, milky white ventrally; terga 2–9 each with
brown markings medially, anterior pair rod like and divergent posteriorly, posterior
pair shorter and smaller than anterior one; terga 1 and 10 without such markings,
but each with long, acute posterior marginal spines (Figure 12). Gills simple and
rather large; lamellae dark brown with strongly ramified tracheae; gills 1–7 each with
numerous short, robust, simple setae near anterolateral margin (Figure 11).
Paraproct as in Figure 16. Cerci nearly 0.5as long as body, fringed with short
hairs medially; and terminal filament reduced with only 13 segments (Figure 13).
Body length: 5.2–5.9 mm (male); 4.8–5.4 mm (female); cerci: 2.3–3.1 mm (male),
2.1–2.9 mm (female) and terminal filament 0.04 mm.
Holotype
m, mature nymph, 15.vii.2009. Coll. C. Selvakumar and S. Sundar, in ethyl alcohol;
paratypes, m,f, nymphs, 15.vii.2009. Coll. C. Selvakumar and S. Sundar, in
Oriental Insects 117
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Figures 1–4. Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov.;
1, dorsal view; 2, ventral view; 3, male; 4, female.
118 C. Selva Kumar et al.
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Figures 5–10. Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov.;
5, labrum; 6, maxilla; 7, left mandible; 8, right mandible; 9, labium; 10, hypopharynx.
Oriental Insects 119
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Figures 11–16. Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov.;
11, abdomen gills; 12, posterior marginal spines of abdomen; 13, terminal filament; 14, wing
pad; 15, claw; 16, paraproct.
120 C. Selva Kumar et al.
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Figures 17–22. Platybaetis arunachalae sp. nov.;
17, labrum; 18, maxilla; 19, left mandible; 20, right mandible; 21, labium; 22, hypopharynx.
Oriental Insects 121
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Figures 23–28. P. wallacei: 23, left half of metanotum; 24, abdominal blunt spines; P. Bishopi:
25, left half of metanotum; 26, abdominal tergum with blunt spines; 27, maxillary palp of
Indobaetis costai; 28, maxillary palp of Indobaetis starmuelhneri.
122 C. Selva Kumar et al.
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Figures 29–32. Indobaetis michaelohubbardi sp. nov.; 29, dorsal view of nymph; 30, ventral
view of nymph; 31, seven pairs of abdominal gills; 32, gill.
Oriental Insects 123
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ethyl alcohol. (ZSI-K -Ref. No: 4847/H13 –holotype; 4848/H13- paratypes; dt. 16/
12/2011).
Comments
Nymphs of this new species can be distinguished from other species of Platybaetis in
the following combination of characters: Abdominal gills 1–7; abdominal terga 1–10
Figures 33–40. Indobaetis michaelohubbardi sp. nov.; 33, labrum; 34, maxilla; 35, labium;
36, left mandible; 37, right mandible; 38, hypopharynx; 39, paraproct; 40, posterior marginal
spines of abdomen.
124 C. Selva Kumar et al.
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Figures 41–46. Indobaetis michaelohubbardi sp. nov.; 41, labrum; 42, maxilla; 43, left
mandible; 44, right mandible; 45, labium; 46, hypopharynx.
Oriental Insects 125
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each with long, acute posterior marginal spines; second segment of labial palp with a
very small lobe on mesial margin and terminal filament reduced to about 13
segments.
Nymphs occur most commonly on the upper surface of large flat rocks in
moderate to swift current where the stream is not heavily shaded by riparian
vegetation. The type locality in the Ramanadi river, above Dam, 237 m, N 08500
53.400, E 07718051.200 has its origin in the eastern slopes of the KMTR of Western
Ghats at 1572 msl after flowing about 8 km along the eastern slopes. It emerges in the
plains on the north-eastern side of Melakadayam, Ambasamudram taluk, Tirunelveli
District. After flowing 7 km it joins with another stream called Jambunadi (also
called as Veeranadi) and flows through the plains for 12 km. It confluences with
Gadana to the north-east of Kila Ambur village in Ambasamudram taluk.
Generic diagnosis vs nymphs
The genus Platybaetis is presently distinguished in its nymphal stage from all other
Baetidae in the combination of characters namely: both sexes dorsoventrally
flattened; head prognathous, broader than long, with very small labrum; thorax
(especially the pronotum) somewhat rounded laterally; legs stout with femora having
a dense row of fine ciliated bristles along the outer margins; a pair of long setae near
the apex of each tarsus; gills present on abdominal segments 1–7 or 2–7; hind wing
pads absent or much reduced; and median terminal filament greatly reduced while
the cerci subequal in length to the body.
Etymology
This species is named in honour of Prof. M. Arunachalam, Manonmaniam
Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, for his immense
interest to build up a database on benthic macroinvertebrates.
B. Key to the species of Platybaetis (based on nymphs)
(1) Head in the middle of posterior margin with a clear incision ......................2
Head in the middle of posterior margin utmost with a shallow
indentation ....................................................................................................3
(2) Hind wing pads heavily reduced; spines on posterior margin of terga pointed;
distribution Philippines..................................................................... edmundsi
Hind wing pads not developed; spines on posterior margin of terga inserted
submarginally, appearing like large bristles; distribution Malaysia..... probus
(3) Terminal filament reduced to one segment ................................ ...................4
Terminal filament reduced but with more than one segment ....................... 7
(4) Bristles at inner row near apical margin of paraglossae clavate...................5
Bristles at inner row near apical margin of paraglossae pointed; distribution
Nepal ...................................................................................................... uenoi
(5) Terga 1–10 each with long, acute posterior marginal spines; distribution
Indonesia .................................................................................... sulawesiensis
Terga 1–10 with broad, rounded posterior marginal spines .........................6
126 C. Selva Kumar et al.
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(6) Left half of metanotum with hind wing pads as in Figure 23; hind margin of
larval abdominal tergum with conspicuously broad, rounded, blunt spines as
in Figure 24; distribution Indonesia................................................... wallacei
Left half of metanotum without hind wing pads as in Figure 25; hind margin
of larval abdominal tergum with slightly broad, rounded, blunt spines as in
Figure 26; distribution Malaysia .......................................................... bishopi
(7) Terminal filament with about 16 segments; gills present on segments 2–7,
second segment of labial palpi with a well developed lobe on mesial margin;
distribution Australia .................................................................. gagadjuensis
Terminal filament with only 13 segments; gills present on segments 1–7,
second segment of labial palpi with a very small lobe on mesial margin;
distribution India............................................................ arunachalae sp. nov.
C. Indobaetis michaelohubbardi sp. nov. (Figures 29–46)
Description
Nymph
Colour uniform pale brown dorsally, distal pale muscle insertions dorsally on
segments II–IX; caudal filaments lighter than dorsum of abdomen (Figures 29 and
30). Head with antennae about 0.5as long as body, with a spine at inner apical
margin of each segment in basal half of antenna. Labrum with two strong
submarginal bristles on each half and a number of fine bristles (Figures 33 and 41).
Mandibles with all canini fused basally, almost similar in size, domed ventrally; with
right prostheca slender and pointed (Figures 36, 37, 43 and 44). Maxillae with palp
reaching beyond galea-lacinia, and without indentation on inner margin near apex
(Figures 34 and 42). Labium with glossa as long as paraglossa, with a subapical
transverse row of 6 fine bristles; labial palp slender, no inner apical lobe on second
segment, third segment about 2as long as broad, and second segment of palpi with
a well developed lobe on its mesial margin (Figures 35 and 45). Hypopharynx with a
‘brush’ at apex of middle lobe (Figures 38 and 46). Legs slender with strong setae on
outer margin of femur and tibia, and claws with single long setae between two apical
denticles near margin. Hindwing pads absent. Abdominal gills in segments 1–7.
Paraproct with a tongue-like prolongation at its inner posterior edge (Figure 39).
Surface of terga with rounded scales, posterior margin with basically broad, elongate
and pointed spines (Figure 40).
Body length 3.0–4.5 mm; cerci 0.33as long as body; terminal filament 0.5as
long as caudal.
Holotype
m, mature nymph, 18.vii.2009. Coll. C. Selva kumar and S. Sundar, in ethyl alcohol
(ZSI-K; Ref. No: 4849/H13 dt. 16/12/2011); paratypes, m,f, nymphs, 18.vii.2009.
Coll. C. Selva kumar and S. Sundar, in ethyl alcohol (SPKCES, MSUNMNH – ref.
MSUMNH I 6/ 003).
Etymology
This new species is named in honour of Prof. Michael Hubbard in recognition of his
contributions to the Oriental mayflies.
Oriental Insects 127
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Comments
The nymphs of this new species can be distinguished from all other species of
Indobaetis in the following combination of characters: Maxillary palp reaching
beyond galea-lacinia, without indentation on inner margin near apex; second
segment of labial palpi with a well developed lobe on its mesial margin; and with
abdominal gills in segments 1–7.
The type locality Tamiraparani river, Papanasam, 108 m, N 0842037.100, E 077
22003.0100, is a major east flowing river, originating from the Pothigai hills of KMTR
of Western Ghats (8
˚420N and 77240E, 2074 msl), meanders through a distance of
120 km (24 km in hilly terrain and 96 km in plains) in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin
districts and drain into the Bay of Bengal.
Generic diagnosis vs nymphs
The genus Indobaetis is presently distinguishable in its nymphal stage from all other
Baetidae genera in the combination of characters: head bowed vertically and head
and thorax laterally compressed; mandibular incisors fused together with the right
mandibular protheca slender and pointed; apical teeth on the galea-lacinia long and
sharp, and second segment of the maxillary palp with a slight indentation on inner
margin near the apex; lapial palp rather slender, with third segment not broadly
rounded; tarsal claws with a single long setae between the apical denticles; inner
posterior edge in paraproct with a tongue like prolongation and terminal filament
subequal in length to the cerci.
D. Key to the species of Indobaetis (based on nymphs)
(1) Maxillary palp reaching beyond galea-lacinia, with indentation on inner
margin near apex (Figure 27), second segment of labial palpi without a lobe
on mesial margin, abdominal gills in segments 2–7......................................2
Maxillary palp reaching beyond galea-lacinia, without indentation on inner
margin near apex, second segment of labial palp with a well developed lobe
on the mesial margin; abdominal gills in segments 1–7 (Figures 34, 42);
distribution India..................................................... michaelohubbardi sp.nov.
(2) Maxillary palp with its indentation near apex deep (Figure 27); distribution
Sri Lanka............................................................................................... costai
Maxillary palp with its indentation near apex shallow (Figure 28); distribu-
tion Sri Lanka ........................................................................... starmuelhneri
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr K.A. Subramanian, ZSI, Kolkata, for critical review of this manuscript.
KGS thanks the UGC, New Delhi, India, for the award of Emeritus Fellowship (No.F.6-39/
2011-SA-II).
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