Paramaka sp. A

Salles, F. F., Domínguez, E., Mariano, R., Boldrini, R., Clavier, S. & Lima, L. R. C., 2025, A review of Paramaka Savage & Peters, 1992 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 5590 (3), pp. 401-421 : 415-416

Paramaka sp. A (unassociated nymph)

( Figures 9 , 10A–G , 11A–D )

Diagnosis. Nymphs: 1) labrum slightly wider than head capsule; 2) projection on distal margin of clypeus absent; 3) middle and hind femora with dorsal surface almost uniformly covered with spine-like setae; 4) hind tibia with subapical band covering ½ of its length; 5) pointed projection of gills variable, but always present on some gills or at least on some lamellae; 6) posterolateral projections present on segments VIII and IX.

Description of nearly mature nymph. Length: body, 4.1– 1.6 mm.

General coloration: yellowish-brown.

Head ( Fig. 9 ): yellowish-brown with whitish spots on outer sides of ocelli, occiput washed with black. Ocelli black. Upper portion of male eyes dark orange-brown, lower portion black. Eyes of female black. Antennae: scape and pedicel light brown, flagellum yellowish, lighter toward the apex. Mouthparts ( Fig. 10 ): clypeus, labrum, exposed area of mandibles, yellowish-brown, base of mola and prostheca light brown, prostheca orangish, rest of mandible translucent white; maxillae translucent white except yellowish palp, base of palpifer and segment II brownish, setae on galea-lacinia, palp and tusk orangish; hypopharynx translucent slightly washed with black on central part of superlinguae, setae orangish; labium yellowish, except brownish segment I of palp and basal part of glossae, setae orangish. Maxillary tusk short. Short spine-like setae on inner margin of labial palp segment III on distal ½.

Thorax ( Fig. 9 ): pro- and mesonotum yellowish-brown, except for lateral margins washed with black. Anterolateral corner of pronotum with few strong setae (around 4); pleura with membranous area whitish, pleurites yellowish; sterna whitish with margins brownish. Legs: yellowish-brown; fore femur with large whitish area on dorsal surface; fore and middle tibiae with basal and subapical brown band, hind tibia almost completely brown (except for apical ¼); tarsi with sub-basal brown band; apex of claw and subapical denticle orange-brown. Leg I: femur, outer margin with setae and spines, few and short basally, longer and more numerous towards apical ¾, and a little shorter towards apex, inner margin with short spines regularly spaced, dorsal surface with a V shaped row of medium-sized robust setae on apical ¾, shorter towards apex; tibia with a row of small spines on inner margin, and a submarginal row of robust, acute spines, a tuft of long setae on outer margin close to articulation with femur and row of short setae along to outer sub-margin; tarsus with inner marginal row of robust, acute spines, and long setae at inner apex and a row of scarce, long setae on central part of outer margin. Leg II similar to leg I, except short spines on inner margin more widely distributed over the dorsal surface, tibia without setae along outer margin; tarsus with few, small spines on inner margin and no setae along outer margin. Leg III: femur with long, strong spines over the dorsal surface, longer along outer margin; tibia with two rows of small spines along inner margin, and a row of setae and spines along outer margin; tarsus with a row of long spines along inner margin, and of setae along the outer one. Claws with five to seven minute denticles at base, and five larger denticles on distal ½, subapical denticle much bigger than others.

Abdomen ( Fig. 9 , 11D ): younger nymphs with terga yellowish-brown, with submedial and subapical yellowish spots on segments III–VIII, spots larger posteriorly, and with a mediolongitudinal blackish line; mature nymphs with uniformer brownish coloration. Sterna whitish, segments VI or VII–IX washed with yellow. Gills oblong, whitish with main tracheae, basal ¼ and apical ¾ blackish; present on segments I–VII, smaller posteriorly; thin and pointed projection variable (present on both lamellae, absent in one lamella and present on the other, or absent). Posterolateral projections small, present on segments VIII–IX ( Fig. 11D ). Caudal filaments yellowish-brown, joints lighter ( Fig. 9 ).

Material examined. FRENCH GUIANA, Sinnamary River, Saut Takari Tante , 04°37'19"N 52°55'38"W, 35m, 01–04-XI-2016, E. Domínguez, S. Clavier cols., 70 nymphs (half in MNHN, 29 in IBN, 6 UFVB) . FRENCH GUIANA, Crique Grégoire, Chute Gregoire , 05°05'31"N 53°04'19"W, 27m, 28-X-2016, 6 nymphs .

Distribution. FRENCH GUIANA.

Comments. These nymphs have not been associated with P. takari sp. nov., despite being found in one of the localities where adults of the new species were found. We refrain from describing them as P. takari sp. nov. for two main reasons. First, despite several attempts, we were unable to rear the nymphs to the winged stages. Second, according to Blanco-Belmont et al. 2003, P. convexa is present in the same river (possibly the same locations) where we found nymphs of Paramaka sp. A . The characteristics that distinguish them, such as the amount of setae on the dorsal surface of mid and hind femora, and the extension of the pigmented band on the hind femur, are somewhat fragile given the amount of examined specimens, and could lead to an erroneous association.Despite the impossibility of associating Paramaka sp. A with nominal species of the genus, we considered that the description and illustration of its morphology would add additional and relevant knowledge on the nymphal stage of the genus.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Paramaka sp. A., nymphal habitus in dorsal view.

FIGURE 10. Paramaka sp. A., nymphal mouth parts: A) partial view of head and labrum (dorsal view); B) left mandible (dorsal view); C) right mandible (dorsal view); D) maxilla (dorsal view); E) idem, detail of distomedial corner (dorsal view); F) hypopharynx (ventral view); G) labium (ventral view).

FIGURE 11. Paramaka sp. A., nymph: A) fore leg (dorsal view); B) middle leg (dorsal view); C) hind leg (dorsal view); D) abdominal sterna II–IX.