Epeorus (Caucasiron) alpestris (Braasch, 1979) Figs 15, 16, 17

Iron alpestris Braasch, 1979

Epeorus (Iron) alpestris (Braasch, 1979); in Kluge (1988)

Epeorus (Caucasiron) alpestris (Braasch, 1979); in Kluge (1997b)

Type locality.

Russia, The Karachay-Cherkess Republic, western Greater Caucasus, Teberda (Glacier Alibek - stream, 1800-1900 m a.s.l.).

Distribution.

Georgia, south-western Russia. Species endemic to the Greater Caucasus (Fig. 15).

Habitat.

Larvae inhabit small streams and rivers at middle and high altitude in the western and central Greater Caucasus. Altitudinal range of sampling sites 570-2580 m a.s.l (Fig. 15). Most frequently found at altitudes above 1200 m a.s.l. Often syntopic with E. (C.) soldani and at higher altitude with E. (C.) sinitshenkovae .

Main morphological diagnostics of larvae.

(i) abdominal terga V-VII with narrow stripe-like medial macula; widened on terga VIII-IX (Fig. 16G, H, arrows); (ii) abdominal sterna II-VI with rounded medial macula (Fig. 16B, I); (iii) femora without medial hypodermal spot (Fig. 16F); (iv) tergum X without postero-lateral projections (Fig. 17L); (v) gill plates III with well-developed projection (Fig. 17G); (vi) setae on abdominal terga hair-like (Fig. 17E); (vii) dorsal surface of labrum with sparse hair-like setae (Fig. 17A); (viii) gill plates VII (in natural position of ventral view) wide (Figs 16J, K, 17H-K).

Remarks.

Taxonomy. This species was described based on the male imago and larva from western Greater Caucasus (Braasch 1979). The type series is currently deposited in SMNS. Imagines and larvae were associated based on the coloration of abdomen. Female imago not described.