Isoperla cf. kir Fochetti & Vinçon, 1993

Errochdi, Sanae, Alami, Majida El, Vinçon, Gilles, Abdaoui, Abdelali & Ghamizi, Mohamed, 2014, Contribution to the knowledge of Moroccan and Maghrebin stoneflies (Plecoptera), Zootaxa 3838 (1) : -

Isoperla cf. kir Fochetti & Vinçon, 1993 .

Material examined. Rif: Tanger, Tahaddart v.: Chemâa r., 171 m, 25.04.2007, 8N (ERR). Tetouan, Martil v.: Tisgris r., 580 m, 02.03.1998, 7N; Taïda r., 590 m, 21.03.1997, 31N, 15.04.2008, 3N; Hamma r., 400 m, 21.03.1997, 1N; Kebir Koudiat Krikra r., 80 m, 15.05.2003, 1N (ELA). Chefchaouen, Laou v.: Beni Zid r., 440 m, 18.04.1996, 2N (ELA); Assemlil r., Haout Lakhchef, 1020 m, 27.04.2013, 15L; Tkarâa r.> Douar Tayenza, 950 m, 27.04.2013, 5L; Mtahene r., 995 m, 27.04.2013, 22L (ERR). Tihissasse v.: Beni M'hamed r., Talassemtane Park, 1235 m, 18.04.2003, 4N (ELA); Madissouka r., Talassemtane Park, 1530 m, 24.11.2008, 5L (ERR). Ouazzane, Ouargha subwatershed of Sebou v.: Sabaniyine r., 240 m, 15.04.1999, 2N (ELA); 6 km after Fifi, Fifi r., 900 m, 27.11.2005, 4N (ERR).

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). A Moroccan species previously mentioned by Sánchez-Ortega & Azzouz (1998) and Errochdi et al. (2014) for the Rif. However, the presence of Isoperla in the Middle Atlas and the Central Plateau has been also reported by El Agbani (1984) and Dakki (1986, 1987), although adults were unavailable for a species determination. The taxonomic status of this species is not established, but Sánchez-Ortega & Azzouz (1998) have noted that this taxon differs from I. kir in several features and may represent another species. In our work, a study of a recently collected adult male also confirms that another distinctive species is present. Additional studies are required to describe this species.

Ecology. Immature larvae are considered herbivorous/detritivorous, whereas mature larvae are predaceous ( Azzouz & Sánchez-Ortega 2000). Larvae frequent streams and mountain brooks between 80 and 2000 m a.s.l. The adults emerge mainly in late spring (V–VI) ( Aubert 1961, Sánchez-Ortega & Azzouz 1998, Errochdi & El Alami 2008).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Afroperlodes lecerfi, Hemimelaena flaviventris and Isoperla cf. kir in the western Maghreb.