Re-description of Leuctra signifera Kempny, 1899

(Figs. C1–C 21)

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Plecoptera .speciesfile.org:TaxonName:4379

Leuctra signifera Kempny 1899: 273, his Figs. 4a, 4b (type locality: AUSTRIA. Gutenstein Alps.A-2770 Gutenstein, Urgersbach. 47° 50’ 30.57” N, 15° 47’ 42.10” E, 646 m).

Leuctra signifera Aubert, 1954: 126, 128.

Leuctra signifera Pomeisl, 1958: 7 .

Leuctra signifera Illies, 1966: 107 .

Material examined. AUSTRIA. Gutenstein Alps. A-2770 Gutenstein, Urgersbach. 47° 50’ 30.57” N, 15° 47’ 42.10” E, 646 m (= type locality), 1♁, 10.10.1998, leg. Wolfram Graf (RED); 10♁, 4♀, 25.09.2021 (1♁, 1♀ used for molecular studies, MZL, GBIFCH00980913 and GBIFCH00980914) ; 1♁, 07.11.1900; leg. Peter Kempny (NHMUK, catalogue number: NHMUK010010308; Fig. A3) . Raach am Hochgebirge, Fuchsgrabenbach FB03. 47° 38’ 37.3776” N, 15° 56’ 28.6008” E, 707 m, 1♁, 3♀, 11.10.2021; 1♁, 2♀, 12.11.2021, leg. Wolfram Graf (GRA) . Raach am Hochgebirge, Fuchsgrabenbach FB 04. 47° 38‘ 37.3776“ N, 15° 56‘ 36.456“ E, 720m, 1♁, 31.10.2018; 1♁, 31.10.2020; 3♁, 2♀, 11.10.2021; leg. Wolfram Graf (GRA) . Raach am Hochgebirge, Fuchsgrabenbach FB06. 47° 38‘ 37.3776“ N, 15° 56‘ 36.456“ E, 720m, 1♁, 2♀, 31.10.2018; 1♁, 31.10.2020; 2♀, 11.10.2021; leg. Wolfram Graf (GRA) . HUNGARY. Western Transdanubia. K̂szeg Mounts, HU-9726 Velem, Páter spring. 47° 21‘ 20.412“ N, 16° 28‘ 17.22“ E, 600 m, 3♁, 1♀, 24.10.1980, leg. Sándor Újhelyi (VIN) . Sopron Mounts, Hidegvíz-völgy, Róth emlékmû, 4♁, 1♀, 04.10.1991, leg. Ákos Uherkovich (MM) . ITALY. Julian Alps. Udine Province, Friuli Venezia Giulia, I-33040 Cepletischis, Soča tributary, spring. 46° 10’ 44“ N, 13° 34‘ 14“ E, 568 m, 13♁, 13♀, 11.10.2008, leg. Gilles Vinçon (VIN, RED, SIV) . SLOVENIA. Julian Alps. Gorizia, SLO-5222 Kobarid, Livek / Idrsko, Soča tributary, spring. 46° 12’ 46.46” N, 13° 35’ 40.11” E, 600 m, 3♁, 1♁ nymph, 11.10.2008, leg. Gilles Vinçon (RED) .

Description. Medium-sized Leuctra species. Males: 4.5–7.0 mm; females 5.0– 9.5 mm (n = 54). Males and females macropterous.

Males. Tergite VII pale membranous, without processes, but with sclerotized antecosta (Figs. C1, C 10, C12). Antecosta of tergite VIII with dark, sclerotized margins having the shape of a wide parabolic curve, with a posteromedial process attached to its vertex (Figs. C1, C4–C 5, C10–C13). Posteromedial process dark brown, erect in side view (Fig. C2), width approximately 1/4–1/5 th of the total segment’s width (Figs. C1, C5, C10). Posteromedial process on tergite VIII with a well-marked central excision on its lower edge branching off as two acuminated ends (Figs. C1, C4–C 5, C10–C13). Tergite IX with a characteristic dark symmetrical pattern (Figs. C1, C5, C10). Tergite X with a very wide epiproct, medially constricted and apically enlarged (Figs. C4–C 5, C10–C12). Specillum much longer than the stylus, gently curved in lateral view and tapering out in a rounded tip (Fig. C3, arrow). Sternite IX with a well-developed vesicle (Fig. C6).

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Females. Proximal half of subgenital plate with strongly prominent nob, visible in ventral (Figs. C7–C 8) and in lateral (Fig. C9) views. Distal half with bifurcated lobes (Figs. C7–C 8), strongly prominent in lateral view (Fig. C9). Sternite IX with a typical dark pattern looking like a “skateboarding half-pipe” symbol (Figs. C7–C 8).

Nymphs (described after specimens from Slovenia).

Nymphs of L. signifera lack setae on lateral margins of the pronotum (Figs. C17–C18). Proximal edge of the pronotum have a small row of short and tiny setae (Fig. C18). Distal margins of the mesonotum and metanotum of forewing and hindwing pads gently rounded (Fig. C16); note that, by this feature, L. signifera belongs to the fusca - subgroup sensu Zwick (2004, fig. 35b). On abdominal tergites, no setae other than small and procumbent clothing hairs are present (Figs. C20–C21). Femora of hindlegs short, their length not extending beyond the third abdominal segment. Dorsal edge of the femora of the hindlegs with sparse short and stiff setae (Fig. C19).

Distribution and ecology. Leuctra signifera has a wide, but disjunct, distribution, and is known from Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia. The species occurs in spring biotopes. Adults emerge in autumn (IX–XI).