Affiliation:
1. Department of Life Science, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA 30720, USA
Abstract
The genus Cernotina Ross, 1938 is represented in the southeastern United States by three nominal species: Cernotina calcea Ross, 1938, Cernotina spicata Ross, 1938, and Cernotina truncona Ross, 1947. Of all Cernotina species, only the larva of C. spicata has been described to date. The goal of this paper is to describe, illustrate, and diagnose the larva of C. truncona using ecologically associated specimens. In addition, we used publicly available mitochondrial DNA barcoding data to evaluate the genetic relationships of these species. The larvae of Cernotina truncona can be distinguished from those of C. spicata by differences in setal placement and number on the meso- and metanota, mandibular morphology, head width, and distal setation of the tarsi. The ultrastructure of the anal claw is figured, highlighting the novel finding of small spines on the concave margin of a larva of Cernotina. With this new description, just the second described larva from this genus, only C. calcea remains unknown in the southeastern United States. The information provided herein enables the in-depth study of the ecology and life history of this diminutive caddisfly.
Funder
U.S. Department of Education Title III HSI STEM
Reference24 articles.
1. Flotemersch, J.E., Stribling, J.B., and Paul, M.J. (2006). Concepts and Approaches for the Bioassessment of Non-Wadeable Streams and Rivers, PA 600/R-06/127.
2. Proof of concept for the use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination in Lake Hartwell;Lazorchak;Environ. Toxicol. Chem.,2015
3. Morse, J.C., Frandsen, P.B., Graf, W., and Thomas, J.A. (2019). Diversity and ecosystem services of Trichoptera. Insects, 10.
4. Taxonomy and stream ecology—The benefits of genus-and species-level identifications;Lenat;J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc.,2001
5. Robinson, J.L. (2023). Genus-level macroinvertebrate methods limit the conservation coverage afforded aquatic species. Front. Ecol. Evol., 11.