Ablabesmyia Johannsen, 1905

Cranston, Peter S., 2007, The Chironomidae Larvae Associated With The Tsunami-Impacted Waterbodies Of The Coastal Plain Of Southwestern Thailand, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55 (2), pp. 231-244 : 234

Ablabesmyia Johannsen

( Figs. 8, 11 )

Ablabesmyia is a widely distributed genus, readily recognised in the larval stage by the two or three dark, simple claws amongst the dominant yellow ones on the posterior parapod. Two distinct larval types are recognised from the division of the basal segment of the maxillary palp: with two sections in the A. notabilis group, and with four or five parts in the A. hilli group ( Fig. 8 ). The number of regional species belonging in each grouping is quite uncertain and an extensive rearing programme would be required since adult males are needed for species delimitation.

The first published regional record of the genus concerns A. moniliformis Fittkau (1962) , recorded from Sumatra as Pentaneura monilis Linnaeus , sensu Johannsen (1931) with immature stages recorded by Zavrelˇ (1933). Ashe (1990) recorded the genus from Sulawesi.

Larvae belonging to the A. notabilis group were found in three tsunami-impacted sites, with conductivities of 168, 669 and 3,940 µS. cm−1 and dissolved solids of 84, 336 and 2,000 ppm, respectively. One larva belonging to the A. hilli group was found in a single disturbed peaty site with conductivity of 255 µS. cm−1 and dissolved solids of 128 ppm.

Late instar larval Ablabesmyia have gut contents often comprising smaller chironomids, especially of Tanytarsus species.

Figures

Figs. 1–12. Thai post-tsunami Chironomidae. Clinotanypus sp.: 1, lateral body setal fringe; 2, dorsomentum; 3, ventral head (anterior). Tanypus sp.: 4, ligula. Fittkauimyia sp.: 5, ligula, pecten hypopharyngis; 6, mandible; 7, mentum. Ablabesmyia sp.: 8. maxillary palp. Monopelopia sp.: 9, maxillary palp. Ventral head setae and pit of: 10, Paramerina sp., 11, Ablabesmyia sp. Monopelopia sp.: 12, posterior parapod claw. Abbreviations: ant, antenna; dmt, dorsomentum teeth; fr, fringe; lig, ligula; m, mentum; md, mandible; mp, maxillary palp; ph, pecten hypopharyngis; RO, ring organ of maxilla; SSm, seta submenta; S9, S10, cephalic setae 9, 10; VP, ventral pit.