LEAq - Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática "Prof. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich" and the task of facing the biodiversity knowledge deficits on Caddisflies (Trichoptera), Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT Insects are fundamental to biodiversity conservation in almost all ecosystems, and their population decline, and extinction directly result from environmental impacts. These facts are aggravated by the lack of knowledge of insect biodiversity, the so-called biodiversity deficits, especially the Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls. In freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity loss is higher among aquatic insects, and caddisflies comprise one of the most vulnerable orders. In this way, research focusing on describing new caddisfly species and understanding their distribution ranges will increase knowledge of caddisfly biodiversity. In the past 14 years, the team from the Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática "Prof. Dr. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich" (LEAq, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil) and collaborators have been addressing these issues, resulting in 55 described species of caddisflies. Taxa in other insect orders have also received attention and an additional 16 species have been described (eight mayflies, four stoneflies, four neuropteran spongillaflies, and antlions). Here, eight caddisfly species are described and illustrated (Atopsyche froehlichi sp. nov., Austrotinodes zeferina sp. nov., Cernotina kariri sp. nov., Neoathripsodes froehlichi sp. nov., Notalina claudiofroehlichi sp. nov., Oecetis marcus sp. nov., Phylloicus froehlichi sp. nov., and Polycentropus claudioi sp. nov.), five of them in honor of LEAq's patron. In addition, new distributional data are presented for 10 known species. A checklist of the caddisfly fauna of Bahia state is also presented, with 138 species, around 75% and 30% of them recorded and described by the LEAq team, respectively. Currently, for caddisflies, Bahia is the fifth most species-rich state in Brazil, and the first in the Brazilian Northeast region.

Leptoceroidea (Insecta: Trichoptera: Integripalpia) from Serra do Caparaó, Southeast Brazil, including a new species of Atanatolica Mosely (Leptoceridae).

Serra do Caparaó is an impressive mountain range between the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil, inserted within the Atlantic Forest biome, and has a mosaic vegetation composed mainly by Dense Ombrophilous Forest and rupicolous vegetation of high-altitude grasslands. This study contributes to increasing the knowledge on the Leptoceroidea fauna of the Serra do Caparaó. Herein, we describe and illustrate a new species of Leptoceridae, Atanatolica bandeira sp. nov. and provide additional data on the richness and distribution of Leptoceroidea from Parque Nacional do Caparaó and surrounding areas. The distribution of some species is expanded. Fourteen and four species are recorded for the first time from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states, respectively.

The immature stages of Phylloicus obliquus Navás, 1931 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae).

Larva and pupa of Phylloicus obliquus Navás are associated, described, illustrated and compared with other Neotropical species of the same genus. The P. obliquus larva differs from the others due to the pattern of distribution of muscle scars on the head, mandibles with two teeth, and a dense row of long yellow setae on the inner margin. The pupa differs from other Phylloicus pupae by the sequence and shape of tergal abdominal hook plates. The case of P. obliquus larvae is composed of rectangular fragments of vegetal material with uniform shape and always arranged in overlapping layers. Larvae were found in a small second order Atlantic Forest stream.

New species of Helicopsyche von Siebold 1856 (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from Brazil, including the redescription of Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) planorboides Machado 1957.

Helicopsyche has about 270 extant species widely distributed, with highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical areas. Currently, the genus is divided into six subgenera, with only two of them occurring in the Neotropical region. In Brazil, 28 species of Helicopsyche have been recorded, being nine in Cochliopsyche and 19 in Feropsyche. In this paper, we describe, diagnose and illustrate six new species of Helicopsyche subgenus Feropsyche from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: Helicopsyche bendego sp. nov., H. daome sp. nov., H. dinoprata sp. nov., H. luziae sp. nov., H. petri sp. nov., and H. shaamunensu sp. nov. Furthermore, H. (F.) planorboides is redescribed based on the holotype and additional specimens; the type series of this species is now deposited in the collection of the Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Finally, Helicopsyche (F.) catoles, H. (F.) guara and H. (F.) planorboides are reported for the first time from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, the last one also listed for Espírito Santo state, Brazil.

Two new species and a new distributional record of Alterosa (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from southeastern Brazil

The genus Alterosa Blahnik (2005), with 39 extant species, is endemic to Atlantic Forest areas of southern and southeastern Brazil. Herein, we describe and illustrate two new species from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: Alterosa cornuta sp. nov., easily diagnosed by the horn-like intermediate appendages crossing each other, and A. araras sp. nov., recognized mainly by the extremely developed basodorsal protuberance on tergum X and by the rod-like, mesally curved preanal appendages, with at least 2 stout spine-like setae positioned at mid length and with the apex cupped. Additionally, a new distributional record for Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil, is provided for Alterosa falcata Blahnik (2005).(AU)

Two new species and a new distributional record of Alterosa (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from southeastern Brazil

The genus Alterosa Blahnik (2005), with 39 extant species, is endemic to Atlantic Forest areas of southern and southeastern Brazil. Herein, we describe and illustrate two new species from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: Alterosa cornuta sp. nov., easily diagnosed by the horn-like intermediate appendages crossing each other, and A. araras sp. nov., recognized mainly by the extremely developed basodorsal protuberance on tergum X and by the rod-like, mesally curved preanal appendages, with at least 2 stout spine-like setae positioned at mid length and with the apex cupped. Additionally, a new distributional record for Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil, is provided for Alterosa falcata Blahnik (2005).

New species and new geographical record of Ochrotrichia Mosely 1934 Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Ochrotrichia, with about 160 extant species in the New World, is the most diverse genus assigned to the Ochrotrichiinae. Despite its diversity, only eight species were previously recorded from Brazil, only one from Rio de Janeiro state. In this paper, we describe three new species from Parque Nacional da Tijuca, an Atlantic Forest area at Rio de Janeiro. Ochrotrichia nematomorpha sp. nov. is placed within the O. xena Group, having a plate-like tergum X, with an unusual phallus which is slender and pointed apically. Ochrotrichia sagitta sp. nov. and O. taunay sp. nov. belong to the O. aldama Group, each having a divided tergum X, but being distinguished from the others in this group by the arrowhead-like apex of left lateral process of tergum X (O. sagitta) and the presence of two dorsal spine-like projections on tergum X (O. taunay). Furthermore, O. caatinga Souza, Santos Takiya, 2014 is reported for the first time from Rio de Janeiro state.

Phylloicus mirabilis (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae), a new species from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil.

Phylloicus Müller 1880 is an endemic Neotropical genus of Calamoceratidae characterized by adults that have diurnal to crepuscular habits. Currently, the genus contains 57 species, with 23 of these species recorded from Brazil. Herein, a new species of Phylloicus is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Malaise traps from Southeast Region, Brazil. The new species can be characterized by the unusual lateral membranous lobes of abdominal segments IV-VII, metathoracic tibiae with brushes of setae and distal emargination, and the wide and long coremata on abdominal pleura VII. Otherwise, the genital structure is similar to that of Phylloicus monneorum Dumas Nessimian 2010, being distinguished by the subtrapezoidal tergum X, the globose harpago of the inferior appendages, and the moustache-shaped phallotremal sclerite.

Two new species of Austrotinodes Schmid (Insecta, Trichoptera, Ecnomidae) from southeastern Brazil.

The genus Austrotinodes Schmid, with 55 species described from the New World and Australia, is the second largest genus of the family Ecnomidae. Herein, we describe and figure two new species of Austrotinodes from Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: A. carioca sp. nov. and A. quintarellii sp. nov.

Three new species and a new record of Smicridea McLachlan 1871 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Three new species of Smicridea McLachlan 1871 are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra and its surrounding area, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) necator sp. nov. possibly belongs to the S. (R.) dispar Group, but its placement in this group is weakly supported; S. (Smicridea) franciscana sp. nov. belongs to the S. (S.) nigripennis Group based on morphology of the phallus; S. (S.) sepala sp. nov. is a member of the S. (S.) fasciatella Group, also based on the morphology of the phallus. A new record of S. (S.) sattleri Denning & Sykora 1968 is provided for Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

A new species of Polyplectropus Ulmer 1905 (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) from Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil.

The adult male of a new species of the genus Polyplectropus Ulmer 1905a is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, southeastern Brazil. Polyplectropus canastra sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Polyplectropus species by the shape of sternum IX, by the thumb-like mesolateral process of each preanal appendage, by the rectangular ventral branch of each inferior appendage in ventral view, and by the curved claw-like spines of the endothecal membrane. Among all species in the P. annulicornis Group, P. canastra is the only one with a bifid dorsolateral process of each preanal appendage and bearing spinules on the distal half of the rod-like lateral branch.

Two new species of Triplectides (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from South America

Triplectides, with about 70 extant species, is the most diverse genus within the Triplectidinae. In the Neotropical Region there are 14 species distributed from southern Mexico to Patagonia. Two new species of Triplectides from the Neotropics are described and illustrated based on the male genitalia: Triplectides cipo sp. nov., from state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and Triplectides qosqo sp. nov., from province of Cuzco, southern Peru. The news species can be distinguished by the male genitalia: Triplectides cipo sp. nov. can be recognized by having the inferior appendages with mesal lobes subacute and apical lobes short, and the tergum X robust, with a subtruncate apex and deep mesal notch; Triplectides qosqo sp. nov. can be recognized by the first article of inferior appendages long and narrow when compared to the others Triplectides species and by the tibial spur formula 2,2,4.(AU)

Two new species of Triplectides (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from South America

Triplectides, with about 70 extant species, is the most diverse genus within the Triplectidinae. In the Neotropical Region there are 14 species distributed from southern Mexico to Patagonia. Two new species of Triplectides from the Neotropics are described and illustrated based on the male genitalia: Triplectides cipo sp. nov., from state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and Triplectides qosqo sp. nov., from province of Cuzco, southern Peru. The news species can be distinguished by the male genitalia: Triplectides cipo sp. nov. can be recognized by having the inferior appendages with mesal lobes subacute and apical lobes short, and the tergum X robust, with a subtruncate apex and deep mesal notch; Triplectides qosqo sp. nov. can be recognized by the first article of inferior appendages long and narrow when compared to the others Triplectides species and by the tibial spur formula 2,2,4.

Three new species and new distributional records of Oecetis McLachlan 1877 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Leptocerinae) from Brazil.

The genus Oecetis is widespread over the world, being most diverse in tropical areas, especially in the Australian Region. Of about 400 described species, only 34 occur in the Neotropical Region. Herein, we describe and illustrate three new species of Oecetis from Brazil: Oecetis angelae sp. nov., O. danielae sp. nov. and O. iara sp. nov. Furthermore, O. doesburgi, O. dominguezi, and O. knutsoni are recorded for the first time in Brazil. Also, we provide new state records for 7 species: O. amazonica, O. connata, O. excisa, O. fibra, O. iguazu, O. inconspicua, and O. paranensis.

The genus Alterosa Blahnik, 2005 (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae, Philopotaminae) in northeastern Brazil, including the description of three new species and an identification key for the genus.

Alterosa Blahnik, 2005 contains 35 described species distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil. Three new species of Alterosa from northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated, Alterosa amadoi sp. n., Alterosa castroalvesi sp. n. and Alterosa caymmii sp. n., the first records of the genus from northeastern Brazil. An identification key for all known species of the genus is also presented.

New species of the caddisfly genus Alterosa Blahnik 2005 (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae: Philopotaminae) from Brazil.

Alterosa Blahnik 2005 contains 23 described species distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil. Twelve new species in the caddisfly genus Alterosa are described from Brazil: Alterosa affinis sp. nov., A. bandeira sp. nov., A. bilanceolata sp. nov., A. caissara sp. nov., A. capixaba sp. nov., A. catarinae sp. nov., A. graciosa sp. nov., A. inappendiculata sp. nov., A. morato sp. nov., A. paranaensis sp. nov., A. ruschii sp. nov., and A. spiesae sp. nov. Illustrations of the male genitalia, descriptions, and diagnosis are provided for each of the new species. In addition, new distribution records in Brazilian states are given for A. caparaonensis, A. flinti, A. intervales and A. marinonii.

A new species of Notalina Mosely, 1936 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from Southeastern / Nova espécie de Notalina Mosely, 1936 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) do Sudeste do Brasil

The Neotropical subgenus Notalina (Neonotalina) Holzenthal, 1986 has ten described species in two species groups: brasiliana, formed by seven species from Southeastern Brazilian and Goiás State; and roraima, represented by three species from the Amazonian and Andes regions. In this paper, a new species of Notalina is described and illustrated from specimens collected in the Mantiqueira mountain range, Southeastern Brazil. The new species belongs to the brasiliana group and is easily recognized by the poorly developed dorsomesal and ventrolateral processes and the pair of mound-like protuberances located mesolaterally on abdominal segment X, and by the robust, rounded mesoventral processes and long digitate mesodorsal processes of the inferior appendages. A key to the Neotropical species in the genus is provided.

O subgênero Neotropical Notalina (Neonotalina) possui dez espécies descritas em dois grupos: brasiliana, formada por sete espécies provenientes do Sudeste brasileiro e do Estado de Goiás; e roraima, representado por três espécies das região Amazônica e Andes. Neste trabalho, uma nova espécie de Notalina é descrita e ilustrada a partir de espécimes coletados na Serra da Mantiqueira, Sudeste do Brasil. A nova espécie pertence ao grupo brasiliana e é facilmente reconhecida por processos dorsomesal e ventrolateral pobremente desenvolvidos e por um par de pequenas protuberâncias localizadas mesolateralmente no segmento X, apêndices inferiores com processo mesoventral arredondado e robusto, e processo mesodorsal longo e digitado. Uma chave de identificação para as espécies neotropicais do gênero é fornecida.

Faunistic catalog of the caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) of Parque Nacional do Itatiaia and its surroundings in southeastern Brazil.

The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's biological diversity hotspots, and is increasingly threatened by the rapid destruction and fragmentation of its natural areas. The caddisflies (Trichoptera) of Itatiaia massif, an Atlantic Forest highland area, are inventoried and cataloged here. The catalog is based on examination of bibliographies, field work on many localities of Itatiaia massif (including Parque Nacional do Itatiaia - PNI), and the entomological collection Professor José Alfredo Pinheiro Dutra (DZRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. A total of 92 species are recorded, representing about 17% of the known Brazilian Trichoptera fauna. Leptoceridae, Hydropsychidae, and Philopotamidae are the families most represented. The high species richness, as well as the remarkable patterns of species distribution, may be related to the characteristics of Mantiqueira mountain range.

A new species of the genus Alterosa (Trichoptera: Philopotaminae) from Southeastern Brazil.

Philopotamidae is a large caddisfly family with 20 extant genera comprising about 1000 described species worldwide. Alterosa contains 22 described species distributed in South and Southeastern Brazil. Adults of the genus are very similar in general structure, but are remarkable for their wide variation in male genitalic morphology. The specimens were collected with Pennsylvania light traps and preserved in 80% ethanol. Alterosa nessimiani sp. nov. is described and figured from male specimens collected in streams of Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil. The new species is closely related to A. jordaensis Blahnik 2005, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of two spines on the intermediate appendages and by the shape of tergum X.