Perlidae (Plecoptera) from the Paranapiacaba Mountains, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Diversity and implications of the integrative approach and teneral specimens on taxonomy

Author(s)

de Almeida, Lucas Henrique ^{[1, 2]} ; Bispo, Pitagoras Conceicao ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Programa Posgrad Entomol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Letras Assis, Dept Ciencias Biol, Lab Biol Aquat, Assis, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 15, n. 12 DEC 10 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The study of complementary sources of biological variation (e.g. morphological, molecular) has allowed a better understanding of biodiversity through the construction of an integrative taxonomy. Using this approach, specimens from the Paranapiacaba Mountains, southeastern Brazil, were studied to update the knowledge on the stonefly family Perlidae from the region, characterize the species, and make associations between nymphs and adults using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The study also discusses the implications of integrative taxonomy and teneral specimens for the study of South American Perlidae. The molecular data were analyzed using Bayesian inference, Neighbor-joining, and delimiting species methods. Our results revealed that, in general, there was a morphological and molecular congruence between species. In the Paranapiacaba Mountains, three genera and 15 species were recorded: Anacroneuria boraceiensis Froehlich 2004, A. debilis (Pictet 1841) (new record), A. fiorentini De Ribeiro and Froehlich 2007 (new record), A. flintorum Froehlich 2002, A. iporanga Bispo and Froehlich 2004, A. itajaimirim Bispo and Froehlich 2004, A. polita (Burmeister 1913), A. subcostalis Klapalek 1921, A. tupi Bispo and Froehlich 2004 (with a description of the nymph), Kempnyia auberti Froehlich 1996, K. colossica (Navas 1934), K. flava Klapalek 1916, K. neotropica (Jacobson and Bianchi 1905) (including its new junior synonym K. petersorum Froehlich 1996), Kempnyia sp., and Macrogynoplax veneranda Froehlich 1984. COI sequences were obtained for 11 species, five of which had nymphs associated with adults. Among the five associated nymphs, the nymph of A. tupi is described here. The results of this study indicate that the color of adult teneral specimens differs from that of mature specimens. Given this, the synonym of K. neotropica and K. petersorum was proposed since these species have high morphological and molecular similarities and differ only in color patterns. In addition, the previous record of A. petersi Froehlich 2002 from the Paranapiacaba Mountains was invalidated since it was considered a teneral specimen of A. flintorum. These results suggest that the development of an integrative taxonomy is essential to continue advancing the study of Perlidae diversity in South America. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/22008-9 - Perlidae (Plecoptera) from Serra de Paranapiacaba, São Paulo State: integrating morphological and molecular information to identify species
• Grantee: Lucas Henrique de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/21196-8 - Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (Insecta): reducing Linnean, Wallacean and Henningian deficits
• Grantee: Pitágoras da Conceição Bispo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants