Epeorus (Caucasiron) nigripilosus (Sinitshenkova, 1976) Figs 12, 13, 14

Iron nigripilosus Sinitshenkova, 1976

Epeorus (Iron) nigripilosus (Sinitshenkova, 1976); in Kluge (1995)

Epeorus (Caucasiron) nigripilosus (Sinitshenkova, 1976); in Kluge (2004)

Type locality.

Georgia, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region, Kistinka (= Khde, Khdistkhali) River (along the Georgian Military Road, 1300 m a.s.l.).

Distribution.

Georgia, south-western Russia, Turkey, Cyprus Island, northern Iraq, northern Iran (Fig. 12).

Habitat.

Larvae inhabit small streams and rivers at low to high altitude. Altitudinal range of sampling sites 280-2100 m a.s.l. (Fig. 12). Most frequently found above 1000 m a.s.l.

Main morphological diagnostics of larvae.

(i) abdominal sterna II-VI with a pair of triangular spots; nerve ganglia often with spots (Fig. 13B, J); (ii) abdominal terga V-VII with lateral stripes extended dorso-posteriorly (Fig. 13H, I, arrows); (iii) tergum X with postero-lateral projections (Fig. 14K, L, arrows); (iv) femora with rounded medial hypodermal spot (Fig. 13F, G); (v) setae on abdominal terga hair-like (Fig. 14E); (vi) denticles along posterior margin of tergum VII strongly sclerotized and dense (Fig. 14E); (vii) gill plates VII (in natural position from ventral view) wide (Figs 13K, 14H-J); (viii) gill plates III with developed projection (Fig. 14G).

Remarks.

Taxonomy. This species was described based on larvae from Georgia (Kistinka River) (Sinitshenkova 1976). Type series is deposited in IZ (Kluge 1995). Male imago was described by Braasch (1979) based on the material from the western Caucasus (Teberda River) associated with larvae according to similar coloration of abdominal terga and sterna. Female imago not described. Male genitalia similar to E. (C.) caucasicus according to Braasch (1979).