Capnioneura veronicae, Vinçon & Sivec, 2011

Vinçon, Gilles & Sivec, Ignac, 2011, Contribution To The Knowledge Of The Capniidae (Plecoptera) Of Turkey., Illiesia 7 (11), pp. 118-126 : 120-122

Capnioneura veronicae sp. n.

( Fig. 6-11 )

Material examined. Artvin, Borcka, Camili, Gorgit yaylasi, 1600 m a.s.l., 41°55'E / 41°25'N, 26-X-95, 9♂, 14♀ ; Camili , 1350 m, 29-X-97, 1♂, 3♀ .

Description. Body length ♂ 5.8 – 6.1 mm, ♀ 6.5 – 7.8 mm. Fully apterous species in both sexes. Head, antennae, body and legs brown. Pronotum with dark pattern. The meso- and meta-thoracic sclerites ( Fig. 11 ) are modified in the same way as in the other apterous Capnioneura species , C. aptera Berthélemy and C. narcea Vinçon & S{nchez- Ortega. Meso- and metanotum are both formed by a single non divided sclerite; no trace of wings. The anterior lateral extensions of the prothoracic basisternite are absent, therefore the basisternite I appears rounded with a wide rectangular base instead of Y-shaped or triangular in the other Capnioneura species ( Berthélemy 1969, Fig. 2 ). Spinal sternite I is strongly reduced and disconnected from basis sternite II. Basis sternite II is also reduced. The meso-thoracic post furcasternite plates (PF II) are not fused to the furcasternite. Basis sternite III without anterior lateral expansions.

Male ( Fig. 6-8 ). Tergite VIII with a wide rounded posterior membraneous field; the sclerotized strip strongly narrows medially. Tergite IX similar, but the transversal sclerotized strip is thicker medially. Tergite X with a heart-shaped median membraneous field ( Fig. 6 ). Epiproct regularly curved and narrowing towards the tip ( Fig. 7 ). The apex of the epiproct is obliquely truncate and does not carry any tooth that is exceptional for this genus. Specillum regularly curved, ending into a rounded tip ( Fig. 8 ). The shaft of the paraproct, with a wide base, is regularly curved, narrowing toward the apex, and ending into a sharp point ( Fig. 7 ); it is partly retracted inside the abdomen apex and only slightly visible ( Fig. 7 ). Cercus with a long finger-shaped inner process ( Fig. 6 ).

Female ( Fig. 9-11 ). All tergites fully sclerotized, like in the other apterous Capnioneura species. Subgenital plate formed by the almost complete fusion of sternite VII and VIII. Both sternite VII and VIII are membraneous except two dark spots on the anterior lateral edges of sternite VIII. Sternite IX membraneous with two dark spots on the anterior corners ( Fig. 9 ).

Affinities. C. veronicae is clearly different from all the other Capnioneura species. The male epiproct and paraproct’s shaft are very simple, which probably is a plesiomorphic feature. The female subgenital plate, without median sclerotisation, is also exceptional. For these reasons C. veronicae could be considered as a relict species.

Etymology. Named in honour of Véronique Gouanere, wife of Gilles Vinçon.

Ecology. Crenophylic, stenothermic cold water species, occurring in mountain springs and brooklets (1350-1600 m). The adults emerge in autumn.

Distribution. Far eastern Pontic Mountains, close to the Georgian border ( Fig. 12 ).

Apterism. The high body sclerotisation and the strong reduction of meso- and meta-thoracic sclerites in both sexes are specializations also observed in the other apterous or micropterous Leuctra and Capnioneura species. These adaptative features, linked with apterism, probably help the adults to move in the dence aquatic vegetation surrounding the springs; indeed most short winged species are strongly crenophilic ( Vinçon & Pardo 1994, Vinçon & S{nchez -Ortega 2002).

Figures

Figs. 6-11. Capnioneura veronicae sp. n. 6. Male abdominal tip, dorsal view. 7. Male abdominal tip, lateral view. 8. Specillum. 9. Female abdominal tip, ventral view. 10. Female abdominal tip, lateral view. 11. Female pro, meso and methathoracic sternites.

Figs. 1-5. Capnioneura bolkari sp. n., 1. Male abdominal tip, dorsal view. 2. Male abdominal tip, lateral view. 3. Specillum. 4. Female abdominal tip, ventral view. 5. Female abdominal tip, lateral view.

Fig. 12. Distribution area of the Turkish Capniidae.