RESUMO
Background: The Potamophylaxwinneguthi species cluster comprises species with limited distribution, currently documented from Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. New information: In this paper, we describe a new species, Potamophylaxkosovaensis sp. nov., discovered in two tributaries of the Ibër River Basin, within the Kopaonik Mountains of the Republic of Kosovo. Morphologically, males of this species closely resemble those of P.idliri Ibrahimi, Bilalli & Kucinic, 2022 from Serbia's Jastrebac Mountain and P.humoinsapiens Ibrahimi & Bilalli, 2023 from the Sharr Mountains in the Republic of Kosovo. However, the new species can be distinguished by its smaller aedeagus, thicker and differently-shaped parameres, as well as distinctive patterns and elongated spines on the parameres. Notably, this species is restricted to spring areas, indicating sensitivity to water pollution and habitat degradation. Additionally, we provide a list of caddisfly species found in sympatry with the new species.Potamophylaxkosovaensis sp. nov. is the third known species within the Potamophylaxwinneguthi species cluster, identified in the Republic of Kosovo.
RESUMO
Background: The Sharr Mountains are one of the most important hotspots of terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity in the Balkan Peninsula, with many endemic and rare species. The caddisfly studies in this area increased during the past years, although insufficiently investigated areas still remain. New information: In this paper, we describe a new species, Potamophylaxhumoinsapiens sp. n. from the Sharr Mountains in the Republic of Kosovo, which is morphologically closest to Potamophylaxidliri Ibrahimi, Bilalli & Kucinic, 2022 and Potamophylaxjuliani Kumanski, 1999. The males of the new species differ from all known species of the Potamophylaxwinneguthi Species Group by their uniquely-shaped parameres, which are long, bulbous in their basal half and thin in the remaining length, with a bunch of very thin and long, hair-like spines, grouped uniformly at the apex. The new species further differs from its most similar congeners by its very wide distance between the dorsal and ventral edges of the apical part of inferior appendages in lateral view. The new species was found at three localities from 1416 to 1505 m a.s.l.Similar to the other species of the Potamophylaxwinneguthi Species Group, which have very narrow distribution areas, we posit that Potamophylaxhumoinsapiens sp. n. is a microendemic of the Sharr Mountains. The new species is the second known caddisfly species occurring only in the Kosovan part of the Sharr Mountains.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several microscale endemics, many of which were discovered during the recent years. The genus Potamophylax Wallengren, 1891 likely originated and diversified in Europe, with the Balkan Peninsula being one of the most important diversity hotspots. NEW INFORMATION: In this paper, we describe the new species Potamophylax coronavirus sp. n. from Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in the Republic of Kosovo. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax winneguthi species group and is morphologically most similar to Potamophylax juliani Kumanski, 1999, currently known only from Bulgaria and Potamophylax winneguthi Klapalek, 1902, known from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The male of the new species differs from its most similar congeners mainly in exhibiting: (1) elongated subrectangular superior appendages in lateral view; (2) hardly acuminate, almost rounded apex of intermediate appendages; (3) differently shaped, irregular and higher inferior appendages; (4) narrow spinate area, roughly rectangular in dorsal view, slightly wider at the base and (5) different paramere shape and/or spine pattern. The new species also differs by its considerably smaller size and association with open, high altitude eucrenal zones.The uncorrected interspecific pairwise distance between P. coronavirus and other species of the P. winneguthi species group is on par with those amongst other recognised species in the group, as well as with the yet ambiguously identified taxa from the Sharr, Rila and Bajgorë Mountains.The new species is most probably a microendemic of Bjeshkët e Nemuna, thus highlighting further this area as an important hotspot of caddisfly biodiversity in Europe.
