Zealeuctra narfi Ricker & Ross

Grubbs, Scott A., Kondratieff, Boris C., Stark, Bill P. & DeWalt, R. Edward, 2013, A review of the Nearctic genus Zealeuctra Ricker (Plecoptera, Leuctridae), with the description of a new species from the Cumberland Plateau region of eastern North America, ZooKeys 344, pp. 17-47 : 32

Zealeuctra narfi Ricker & Ross Fig. 6, 14

Zealeuctra narfi Ricker & Ross, 1969: 1118. Holotype ♂ (INHS), Otter Creek, Sauk Co., Wisconsin

Description.

Male - abdominal tergal cleft. Anterior portion U-shaped and tapering slightly to a broadly-rounded anterior terminus (Fig. 6A). Posterior portion markedly narrower than anterior portion, with a pair of medially-projected processes (Figs 6 A–B), the terminal projection larger, subtruncate, and thumb-like, the subterminal projection smaller and subtriangular.

Male - epiproct. Base broad and slightly-directed posterodorsally, tip of spine directed abruptly and anteriorly at ca. 90° angle from base, tapering and gently recurved anteriorly (Figs 6 B–C). No accessory spine or cusp present.

Female - 7th sternum. Seventh sternum with a broadly-subquadrate lobe nested in a scarcely-convex central notch (Fig. 6D). Posterior margins essentially straight.

Material examined.

USA, Arkansas: Pope Co., tributary to Little Creek, 4 mi NW Scottsville, 35.4776, -93.0836, 6.I.1985, B.C. Poulton, ♂ (BPSC); Sharp Co., unnamed creek, Cherokee Village, 36.2999, -91.5158, 4.III.1978, McGraw, 3♂ (CSUC); White Co., tributary to Little Cypress Creek, Hwy 5 at El Paso, 35.1264, -92.0974, 17.III.1984, B.C. Poulton, 2♂ (CSUC); Yell Co., 3 mi N Onyx, Hwy 27, 34.8899, -93.3937, 6.I.1999, B.P. Stark 2♂, 2♀ (BPSC). Illinois: Pope Co., tributary to Burden Branch, below Burden Falls, Shawnee National Forest, 37.5641, -88.6434, 3.IV.2013, S.A. Grubbs and J.M. Yates, 4♂, 12♀ (WKUC); tributary to Burden Branch, Shawnee National Forest, 37.5641, -88.6387, 3.IV.2013, S.A. Grubbs and J.M. Yates, 9♂, 12♀ (WKUC); Saline Co., Battle Ford Creek, 3.5 km NE Delwood, 37.6050, -88.5440, 26.II.1992, D.W. Webb and M.A. Harris, ♂ (INHS). Missouri: Barry Co., tributary to Rock Creek, Hwy M N of Mano (Big M), 36.6100, -93.7008, 16.III.2004, B.C. Kondratieff, R.E. Zuellig, and M. Garhart, 10♂, 8♀ (BYUC, CSUC); tributary to Roaring River, CR 1162, Chute Ridge, 36.5612, -93.7936, 16.III.2004, B.C. Kondratieff, R.E. Zuellig, and M. Garhart, 28♂, 13♀ (CSUC); East Fork Rock Creek, Hwy M N Mano, 36.5947, -93.6988, 16.III.2004, B.C. Kondratieff, R.E. Zuellig, and M. Garhart, 46♂, 19♀ (CSUC); Stone Co., creek with old dam, Million Oaks sub tract, Table Rock Reservoir, 17.III.1993, S. Fitzgerald, 35♂, 9♀ (CSUC).

Distribution.

USA: AR, IL, MO, OK, WI ( DeWalt et al. 2012)

Remarks.

Although the type locality for Zealeuctra narfi is in southern Wisconsin, this species is common and widespread only in the southern portion of its range, and particularly in southern Missouri (Fig. 14). There are only three known locations for Zealeuctra narfi in Wisconsin (DeWalt unpublished data) and is likewise uncommon in Illinois, with only three collected localities between 1976 and 2000 ( Webb 2002). There have also been several failed attempts by the senior author to locate this species in western and southern Indiana.