Eukiefferiella gracei (Edwards, 1929)

Namayandeh, Armin, Bilyj, Bohdan, Beresford, David V., Somers, Keith M. & Dillon, Peter J., 2012, 3324, Zootaxa 3324, pp. 1-65 : 25-26

Eukiefferiella gracei group

Figs 19A–F

Diagnosis. Head ( Fig. 19A) dark brown, except around the eyespots; body with thoracic segments, pale and abdominal segments purplish-blue; anal tubules and posterior parapods distinctly pale. Labrum as in Fig. 19B, SI seta simple; premandible simple; antenna ( Fig. 19C) 5-segmented, with LO longer than 3 rd segment, AR 1.3–1.4; mandible ( Fig. 19D) with 3 inner teeth, and possibly a proximal 4 th, inner margin with 2–3 long setae-like spines; mentum ( Fig. 19E) with broadly rounded median tooth about 3x the width of 1 st lateral, 5 lateral teeth, basolaterally with angulate shoulders; VM plates narrow with curved outside margin, and basal expansion; setae submenti posteriad of plates; body ( Fig. 19F) setae 0.3–0.5x length of subtending segments; procercus entirely sclerotized; anal tubules constricted basally, about 0.75x the length of posterior parapods.

Notes. The antennal ratios are lower than the range (1.5–1.8), reported for this group ( Bode 1983).

Ecology and habitat. Some larvae of this group occur in moss and in streams with strong currents. Larvae have been found at high elevations (> 3000m) and in streams with mean water temperatures 1–10°C. Some species of this group prefer gravel substrate. Emergence is univoltine occurring in April ( Thienemann 1954).

Sampling sites. Muskoka District.

Nearctic distribution. Canada: Ontario.