Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897

Baumann, Richard W. & Stark, Bill P., 2017, Variation In The Epiproct Of Arsapnia Decepta Banks, 1897 (Plecoptera: Capniidae), With Comments On Arsapnia Coyote (Nelson & Baumann 1987), Illiesia 13 (1), pp. 1-21 : 2-17

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.4761024

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:602D4DFC-273B-4DDC-8EB0-D60D68503B71

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4763131

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03EC87DE-807E-D13D-E7CC-FECFD35AFC38

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897
status

 

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897 View in CoL

Shortbeak Snowfly

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897:22 View in CoL . Type series (4 specimens), Fort Collins [Larimer Co.], Colorado (Museum of Comparative Zoology) Capnia decepta: Claassen, 1924:43 View in CoL .

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

TaxonName:4975

Capnia barbata Frison, 1944:153 View in CoL .

Holotype ♂ (Illinois Natural History Survey), Longmont [Larimer Co.], Little Thompson River, Colorado (Synonymy Nelson & Baumann, 1989) http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Plecoptera .speciesfile.org: TaxonName:4976

Colorado Populations

( Figs.1-12 View Figs View Figs )

Material examined. USA: Colorado: Boulder Co., Gregory Creek, Gregory Canyon Trail , 39.9977, - 105.2997, 2 February 2015, C. Verdone, 3♂ ( CSUC) GoogleMaps . Larimer Co., Buckhorn Creek , 5 mi above Masonville, 40.5723, -105.4504, 16 March 1991, B.C. Kondratieff, 46♂, 9♀ ( CSUC) GoogleMaps . Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Road, Forest Road 128, 5.1 miles northeast of Drake , 40.6603, -105.2902, 12 April 2014, B.C. Kondratieff, T. P. Belcher, 100+ ♂, 100+ ♀ ( BYUC) GoogleMaps . Redstone Canyon , 40.5870, -105.2659, 24 January 1986, B.C. Kondratieff, 12♂, 18♀ ( CSUC) GoogleMaps . Tributary Spring Creek, Fort Collins , 40.5645, -105.1587, 15 February 1986, B.C. Kondratieff, 12♂, 3♀ ( CSUC) GoogleMaps .

Male epiproct (n = 8). Length 468-528 μm, width at midlength 236-303 μm; greatest width slightly posterior to midlength. Body of epiproct bearing a pair of expansive median bulbs, forming convex ear-like lobes on either side of median groove near midlength ( Figs. 1-2 View Figs , 7, 11 View Figs ). Width across neck 91- 111 μm. Narrow median groove extends from posterior margin of posterior declivity to epiproct apex, becoming wider near apex ( Figs. 2-5 View Figs , 7, 9, 11 View Figs ). On either side of groove a cluster (12-24) of thick, spine-like setae occurs near origin of anterior declivity ( Figs.1-5 View Figs , 7-9, 11-12 View Figs ). Ventral epiproct sclerite extends 40 μm beyond tips of outwardly hooked apices of dorsal sclerite ( Figs. 3 View Figs , 11 View Figs ). Lateral margins of epiproct slightly sinuate between bases of spine-like setae and apex ( Figs. 2, 5 View Figs , 9, 11 View Figs ); lateral aspect of epiproct ( Figs. 4 View Figs , 8 View Figs ) shaped somewhat like a duck head.

Tergal process. A single, mound-shaped process on tergum 7 with dorsal margin entire ( Figs. 1, 6 View Figs ), or bearing a shallow dorsal concavity ( Fig.10 View Figs ); lateral margins converging only slightly from anterior aspect; process bears lateral patches of small scalelike structures. Width of process across anterior margin 172-231 μm; width greater than median height.

Comments. The type locality of A. decepta , given as “Ft. Collins, Col.” by Banks (1897), remains an unspecified site. The specimens listed from “Redstone Canyon” in Larimer Co. were taken from a stream that forms part of the Big Thompson River drainage perhaps 5-7 km southwest of the Fort Collins city limits and the specimens listed from “tributary Spring Creek” were collected in the city limits of Fort Collins from a tributary which enters the Cache la Poudre River; we regard the latter group of specimens as topotypes for this species. Colleagues at Colorado State University have records of several hundred specimens collected from sites in Boulder, Douglas, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer and Pueblo counties (pers. comm. B.C. Kondratieff), and Stark et al. (1973) reported the species (as Capnia barbata ) from Littleton in Arapahoe Co. and from the Little Thompson River in Boulder Co. Most Colorado records that we have seen are from sites along the Front Range, but the next nearest sites where populations are known to occur are in the Sangre de Cristo Range of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico (B.C. Kondratieff, pers. comm.; Jacobi & Baumann 1983). The nearest sites to the Front Range where our specimens were collected are Eagle Creek and Rio Bonito in Lincoln Co., New Mexico.

The epiproct of specimens from Gregory Creek, Boulder Co. have the greatest width (300-303 μm) of any specimens examined in the study and the length of all but two of the Front Range specimens exceeds the mean length for the entire sample (mean = 487.9 μm) ( Tables 1-5 View Table 1 View Table 2 View Table 3 View Table 4 View Table 5 , Figs. 1-3 View Figs ). The general shape of the apical third of the epiproct is intermediate between that of Rio Bonito specimens and those of Eagle Creek ( Figs. 3 View Figs , 51-54 View Figs ), however, they are more similar to the Eagle Creek specimens ( Fig. 51 View Figs ) that share the longer, more exposed apex.

Arizona Populations

( Figs. 13-45 View Figs View Figs View Figs View Figs View Figs View Figs )

Material examined. USA: Arizona: Cochise Co., Cave Creek, Southwest Research Station, Chiricahua Mountains , 5400’, 31.8854, -109.2073, 3 January 1972, V GoogleMaps . Roth, 3♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Rucker Creek, Camp Rucker Campground, Chiricahua Mountains , 31.7615, -109.3695, 17 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 6♂, 2♀ ( BYUC). Carr Creek, Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains , 34.4476, -110.2821, 17 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 7♂, 5♀ ( BYUC). Coconino Co., Oak Creek, Hwy 89A, above junction of West Fork Oak Creek , 35.0012, -111.7377, 20 January 1988, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, C. R . Nelson, B.J. Sargent, 20♂, 15♀ ( BYUC). Gila Co., Christopher Creek, Hwy 260, Christopher Creek Campground, 34.3110, -111.0244, 13 June 1974, B. Stark, GoogleMaps 1♂, 1♀ (specimens from spider web, BPSC). Tonto Creek , above junction of Horton Creek , Upper Tonto Creek Campground , 34.3235, -111.2924, 14 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 18♂, 14♀ ( BYUC). Graham Co., Twilight Creek, Turkey Flat , Pinaleño Mountains , 32.6310, - 109.8187, 2 March 1984, C. R GoogleMaps . Nelson, 3♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Mohave Co., Wheeler Spring, Hualapai Mountain Park, Pine Basin Area, near Kingman , 35.0850, - 113.8759, 20 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 28♂, 13♀ ( BYUC). Pima Co., Bear Canyon Creek, Bear Canyon Campground , Santa Catalina Mountains , 32.3276, -110.7328, 19 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 14♂, 10♀ ( BYUC). Santa Cruz Co., Gardner Creek, Santa Rita Mountains , 31.8258, - 110.7734, 17 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 9♂, 2♀ ( BYUC). Yavapai Co., Lynx Creek, above Lynx Lake , near Prescott , 34.5145, -112.3812, 20 January 1988, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 4♂, 9♀ ( BYUC) .

Male epiproct (n = 14). Length 438-578 μm, width 200-278 μm ( Table 2 View Table 2 ). Shape and general structure similar to those of other populations examined ( Figs. 13, 18 View Figs , 19, 22 View Figs , 33, 36 View Figs , 39, 42 View Figs , 45 View Figs ). Setal spines in clusters of 15-34 ( Figs. 14-17 View Figs , 20-21, 23-26, 28-32, 34- 35 View Figs View Figs View Figs , 37-38, 40-41 View Figs , 43-44 View Figs ). Neck width 100-144 μm ( Figs. 11 View Figs , 14, 16 View Figs , 20, 23 View Figs , 28 View Figs , 31, 34 View Figs , 37, 40 View Figs , 43 View Figs ).

Tergal process (n = 3). Tergum 7 bears a broad, sometimes mesally notched, dorsal process ( Figs. 13 View Figs , 19, 22 View Figs , 27 View Figs ), and tergum 6 bears a smaller mesal process on one specimen from the Chiricahua Mountains. Dorsolateral margins bearing a few knob-like scales. Width across anterior margin 172-229 μm.

Comments. The first Arizona records for A. decepta are attributed to Jewett (1966) (as C. barbata ), and Stewart et al. (1974) show plots of six sites (also as C. barbata ) in five Arizona counties (Apache, Cochise, Gila, Pima, and Yavapai). Our specimens represent populations from eight counties (Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Mohave, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yavapai) and the following natural regions: the Mogollon Rim, Oak Creek Canyon and Yavapai Hills in central Arizona, the Hualapai Mountains in west central Arizona, and the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Pinaleño, Santa Catalina and Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Nelson & Baumann (1987a) provided SEM micrographs for specimens collected in Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona.

This sample of Arizona specimens includes males with the three longest epiprocts (578 μm, Oak Creek Canyon; 561 μm, Wheeler Spring; 549 μm, Bear Canyon) in the entire sample, and all fell within the 95% confidence interval (247.2 ± 13.1 μm) in epiproct width. In addition, the 9 highest counts of setal spines per cluster (27-34) were recorded from these Arizona specimens. The greatest number of setal spines (31 left, 34 right) were recorded on a Bear Canyon (Pima Co.) specimen.

Nevada Population ( Figs. 46-48 View Figs )

Material examined. USA: Nevada: Clark Co., Deer Creek, Deer Creek Picnic Area , Hwy 158, Spring Mountains , near Las Vegas , 36.3144, -115.6212, 21 January 1984, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 1♂, 3♀ ( BYUC) .

Male epiproct (n = 1). Length 379 μm, width 157 μm ( Table 3 View Table 3 ). Shape and general structure similar to those of other specimens, but smaller and with higher setal spine counts. Setal spines in clusters of 30-31 located anterior of midlength and on either side of median groove ( Figs. 46-48 View Figs ). Neck width 135 μm.

Tergal process. Tergum 7 bearing a broad dorsal process, 185 μm in width; dorsal margin concave; lateral prominences covered with small scale-like structures.

Comments. The Spring Mountains represent the only known site where A. decepta specimens have been collected in Nevada ( Nelson & Baumann 1989). We examined a single male specimen from Deer Creek at its junction with Hwy 158. As Figs. 46-48 View Figs and Tables 1-5 View Table 1 View Table 2 View Table 3 View Table 4 View Table 5 indicate, the epiproct of this specimen is shorter and more slender than other specimens examined, and also has one of the highest setal spine counts we encountered, second only to the Bear Canyon specimens from Arizona.

New Mexico Populations ( Figs. 49-60 View Figs View Figs )

Material examined. USA: New Mexico: Catron Co., Leggett Canyon Creek, Leggett Canyon , Hwy 180, south of Luna , 33.7076, -108.8938, 13 January 1987, R. W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, GoogleMaps 7♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Grant Co., Gila River, Hwy 180, south of Cliff , 32.9451, -108.6069, 13 January 1987, R GoogleMaps . W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, 1♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Lincoln Co., Eagle Creek, Rt. 532, south of Sierra Vista , 33.3925, -105.6885, 11 March 1996, B. Stark, GoogleMaps 7♂, 5♀ ( BPSC). Lincoln Co. , Rio Bonito , below Bonito Lake , Bonito Lake Road , 33.4516, -105.6953, 11 March 1996, B. Stark, 31♂, 37♀ ( BPSC) GoogleMaps .

Male epiproct (n = 12). Length 412-562 μm, width 180-269 μm ( Table 4 View Table 4 ). Shape and general structure as in other populations. Setal spines in clusters of 10- 21, located near midlength and on either side of median groove ( Figs. 51, 54 View Figs , 55-60 View Figs ). Neck width 105- 130 μm.

Tergal process. Bearing a slight notch on the posteromedian margin ( Fig. 49-52 View Figs , 57-58 View Figs ), and with lateral margins moderately convergent. Dorsolateral lobes on either side of notch covered with conical tubercles. Width of process across anterior margin 100-192 μm.

Comments. Arsapnia decepta has been reported (as Capnia decepta or C. barbata ) from numerous sites in 12 counties of New Mexico ( Jacobi & Baumann 1983, Jacobi & Cary 1986, Jacobi & Cary 1996, Jacobi et al. 2005). The collecting sites listed above include specimens from two streams that are in the Rio Hondo drainage in Lincoln Co. Despite the close proximity of these two sites, the epiprocts from Eagle Creek specimens are shorter and narrower than those from Rio Bonito ( Table 4 View Table 4 ), but the Eagle Creek specimens have an apex that is longer and narrower than those from Rio Bonito (compare Figs. 50 View Figs with 53, and 51 with 54). Among the specimens illustrated with micrographs ( Figs. 49-54 View Figs ), the Eagle Creek specimens show asymmetrical setal spine counts of 10-17 left and 10-15 right ( Table 4 View Table 4 ). The counts for both of these ranges are also the lowest observed for any A. decepta population. This could be related to the smaller epiproct size for Eagle Creek specimens, or may simply reflect the small sample size for all populations examined. As indicated in Table 4 View Table 4 , epiproct size and setal spine counts for Catron and Grant county specimens are more similar to those from adjacent states than to the Eagle Creek specimens.

Mexico Populations ( Figs. 61-66 View Figs )

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California:

Arroyo La Corona, Sierra San Pedro Martir National Park, 16 January 1988, R.W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, C. R. Nelson, B.J. Sargent, 1 pharate ♂ larva (dissected), 4♀, 4 larvae. Chihuahua: Cañon de Agua, Bowman Ranch, near Colonia Juarez, 22 January 1987, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, T. Bowman, 2♂, 4♀ ( BYUC).

Male epiproct (n=2). Length not estimated due to specimen condition and orientation ( Figs. 61, 64 View Figs ; Table 5 View Table 5 ). Width 238 μm. Shape and general features similar to other specimens examined. Setal spines in clusters of 13-18 ( Table 5 View Table 5 , Figs. 61-66 View Figs ). Neck width 93 μm ( Fig. 64 View Figs ).

Tergal process. Not visible in available figures.

Comments. Only two male specimens were available for SEM study ( Table 5 View Table 5 ) including a

pharate male collected in Baja California and dissected by B.C. Kondratieff from the larval skin. Unfortunately, only six SEM images were prepared due to specimen condition and orientation ( Figs. 61- 66 View Figs ). Despite the poor condition and orientation of these specimens, their epiprocts display the same general shape and the typical setal spine clusters found among other populations. The Baja California population should be re-examined with molecular data and with a more complete set of morphological data, and compared with California specimens of A. coyote when suitable material is available. The epiproct of A. coyote is similar, but distinct from A. decepta morphologically (see Figs. 67-72 View Figs ), and Heinold et al. (2014) also support recognition of A. coyote as a valid species based on molecular barcode data. The Chihuahua population exhibits a narrow neck width (93 μm) more consistent with A. coyote , but with respect to epiproct width, the specimen is more similar to A. decepta .

Table 2. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for Arizona specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County Site Epiproct Length μm Epiproct Width μm # Left Setae # Right Setae T 7 Process μm Length/ Width Ratio
Cochise Cave Creek 478 239 20 20 229 2.00
SWRS (n=1)
Cochise Carr Canyon 541 245 30 25 - 2.21
(n=1)
Cochise Rucker Creek 462 248 27 25 - 1.86
(n=1)
Coconino Oak Creek 578 278 27 29 - 2.08
(n=1)
Gila Christopher Creek 459 265 15 16 172 1.73
(n=1)
Gila Tonto Creek 511-524 260-263 23-27 24-28 - 1.95-2.00
(n=2)
Graham Turkey Creek 524 247 28 28 - 2.12
(n=1)
Mohave Wheeler Spring 561 256 20-28 18-24 - 2.19
(n=2)
Pima Bear Canyon 549 262 31 34 194 2.09
(n=1)
Santa Cruz Gardner Creek 438-452 200 18-22 20-26 - 2.19-2,29
(n=2)
Yavapai Lynx Creek 511 263 26 30 - 1.94
  (n=1)            

Table 3. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for Nevada specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County Site Epiproct Length μm Epiproct Width μm # Left Setae # Right Setae T 7 Process μm Length/ Width Ratio
Clark Deer Creek 379 157 31 30 185 2.41
(n=1)

Table 4. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for New Mexico specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County Site Epiproct length μm Epiproct Width μm # Left Setae # Right Setae T7 Process μm Length/ Width Ratio
Catron Leggett 562 269 17 21 - 2.08
Canyon Creek
(n=1)
Grant Gila River 468 237 - 20 168 1.97
(n=1)
Lincoln Eagle Creek 412-413 180-200 10-17 10-15 146-168 2.06-2.29
(n=3)
Lincoln Rio Bonito 436-483 217-244 12-19 12-18 100-192 1.84-2.02
(n=7)
CSUC

California State University, Chico, Vertebrate Museum

T

Tavera, Department of Geology and Geophysics

V

Royal British Columbia Museum - Herbarium

R

Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Chile

SWRS

Southwestern Research Station

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Plecoptera

Family

Capniidae

Genus

Arsapnia

Loc

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897

Baumann, Richard W. & Stark, Bill P. 2017
2017
Loc

Capnia barbata

Frison, T. H. 1944: 153
1944
Loc

Arsapnia decepta

Claassen, P. W. 1924: 43
Banks, N. 1897: 22
1897
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