Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993

Verdone, Chris J., South, Eric J. & Kondratieff, Boris C., 2022, Acroneuria kirchneri Stark & Kondratieff, 2004 is a synonym of Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993 (Plecoptera: Perlidae), Zootaxa 5094 (1), pp. 177-195 : 182-193

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5094.1.8

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F5EA0FC1-43BC-4079-AD1F-5BB0D621B178

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6301272

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CAA85F-FF95-4A6C-FF2C-869CFA9F6CED

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993
status

 

Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993 View in CoL

( Figs. 2–30 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURES 3–4 View FIGURES 5–8 View FIGURES 9–11 View FIGURES 12–17 View FIGURES 18–23 View FIGURE 24 View FIGURES 25–28 View FIGURES 29–30 )

Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993: 550 View in CoL . Holotype M: Virginia, Tazewell County, Burkes Garden (NMNH) Acroneuria kosztarabi: Stark 2004: 70 View in CoL

Acroneuria kirchneri Stark & Kondratieff, 2004: 393 View in CoL . Holotype M: Kentucky, Lawrence County, Hood Creek (NMNH) Syn. n. Acroneuria kirchneri: Stark 2004: 70 View in CoL

Material examined. U.S. A –– Kentucky: Breathitt Co., Clemons Fork, Robinson Forest , [37.45513, -83.16545], 17 June 2010, M. Floyd, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Harlan Co., [Isaac Creek], Laurel House parking lot, [36.94842, -83.18258], 12 June 2009, J. Robinson, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Lawrence Co., Hood Creek , 1.5 mi. S of Blaine, [38.01405, -82.83694], 18 May 1994, B.C. Kondratieff, R.F. Kirchner, 2M, 2F ( CSUIC paratypes SEM) GoogleMaps ; same data, 2F ( CSUIC: paratypes) GoogleMaps ; Hood Creek, Ross Branch Rd. E of Hwy 201, 37.97299, -82.82796, 30 May 2017, C. Verdone, 10F ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps . McCreary Co., Eagle Creek , KY 896, [36.86834, -84.36732], 9 June 2007, M. Floyd, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . North Carolina, Durham Co., South Fork Little River , SR 1461, 36.149722, -78.94638, 27 May 2021, C. Verdone, 5L ( NCDWR DNA) GoogleMaps . Ohio: Adams Co., Upper Churn Creek, [Shawnee] State Forest , [38.77761, -83.33452], 15 June 1995, no collector information, 1F ( INHS OBS-INHS 6435 ) GoogleMaps . Hocking Co., Queer Creek, NE South Bloomingville along Hwy 664, [39.42360, -82.59084], 19 June 1996, H. Sharb, 1F ( INHS OBS-INHS 7343 ) GoogleMaps . Scioto Co., Mackeltree Run, 8 km NW Friendship at confluence with Lake Roosevelt , [38.72390, -83.18150], 20 June 1999, E. Chapman, 3F ( INHS OBS-INHS 3142 ) GoogleMaps . Trumbull Co., Mill Creek, 10 km NE Middlefield at Sweet West Rd. bridge, [41.48940, -80.95670], 4 July 1994, V. Fazion, 1F ( INHS OBS-INHS 3170 ) GoogleMaps . Washington Co., Little West Branch, CR3 bridge, E. Decaturville , [39.33224, -81.72322], 18 June 1996, T. Troutner, 1F ( INHS OBS-INHS 6869 ) GoogleMaps . Virginia: Bedford Co., Rye Cove Creek, Rte 815, 4 mi. NW of Stuart, [36.65750, -80.32664], 5 July 2008, R.L. Hoffman, 2F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Bland Co., Wolf Creek, Rte 614, Stephen Levitt Property , 37.14702, -81.26314, 4 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps ; same location, 5 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 1M, 2F ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 6 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 1F ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 8 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 2F ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 23 May 2017, C. Verdone, 1M, 1F ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps ; same location, 25 May 2017, C. Verdone, D. Fuller, 1M 3E ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location 27 May 2017, C. Verdone, D. Fuller, 3M, 16 E ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 28 May 2017, C. Verdone, 7M, 3F, 5E ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 24 May 2021, C. Verdone, 9L ( NCDWR DNA) GoogleMaps ; Wolf Creek, Rte 614, Wolf Creek Picnic Area , 37.18026, -81.19496, 8 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 2M, 1F ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 12 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, 2M, 1F ( CSUIC) GoogleMaps ; same location, 20 June 2016, C. Verdone, 2M, 1F ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps . Franklin Co., Grassy Fork, Rte 619, [36.81097, -79.74516], 2 June 2000, R.L. Hoffman, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps ; Henry Co., Machine Creek, at Rt. 619 Crossing , [36.801867, -79.741136], 12 July 2009, R.L. Hoffman, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Patrick Co., Rye Cove Creek , rt. 815, 4 mi. NW of Stuart, [36.65749, -80.32663], 5 July 2008, R.L. Hoffman, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Prince William Co., Catharpin Creek, Jackson Hollow Campground , [38.87930, -77.68958], 30 May–15 June 2015, D.R. Smith 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Cattlets Branch, Bull Run Mtns , [38.83218, -77.70473], 30 July 1998, C. S. Hobson, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps . Rappahannock Co., Covington River, VA Hwy 614, 3 mi W of Washington, 38.70549, -78.21945, 10 July 1989, R.L. Hoffman, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps ; Russell Co., Clinch River, Rte 798 SE of Rte 645 nr. Nash Ford , 36.96550, -82.07750, 24 May 2017, C. Verdone, 1M ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps ; same location, 27 May 2017, C. Verdone, D. Fuller, 1F ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps . Tazewell Co., Burkes Garden, Flatwoods , [NO GPS], 5 July 1987, V.M. Dalton, 1F ( CSUIC paratype) ; Station Spring Creek, Burkes Garden , [37.10065, -81.36992], 17 August 1987, UV, V.M. Dalton, 1M ( NMNH Holotype) GoogleMaps . same data, 1F ( CSUIC SEM) GoogleMaps .

Additional records from BOLD and GenBank. Acroneuria kosztarabi : Ohio: Adams Co ., Ohio Brush Creek, 7 km SW, Peebles at Hull Rd. Public Access, 38.89550, -83.45810, 6 July 2008, R.E DeWalt, 1F ( INHS Insect Collection 300959, HQ568845) GoogleMaps . Tennessee: Blount Co., Abrams Creek, Abrams Creek Campground , GRSM, 35.6103, -83.9327, 22 July 2001, B.D. Heinold, A. Zimmerman, 1F ( INHS Insect Collection 3458, HQ568938). GoogleMaps Scott Co. , Station Camp Creek , downstream Charit Creek Lodge, Big South Fork National River Recreation Area, 36.53600, -84.72600, 27 July 2007, M. Geraghty, C.R. Parker, 1F (BISO-41837269a, PKSTO078-08 ) GoogleMaps . Virginia: Smyth Co., North Fork Holston River, Nebo , Rte 622, [36.94202, -81.43780], 12 July 2006 O.S. Flint, Adult (sex unknown) ( NMNH, JN200432 View Materials ) GoogleMaps .

Additional material examined. Virginia: Bedford Co., Falling Rock Creek, BLRI, 37.56400, -79.40850, 27 May 2017, C. Verdone, D. Fuller, 1M ( CSUIC DNA). GoogleMaps Bland Co. , Wolf Creek , Rte 614, Wolf Creek Picnic Area , 37.18030, -81.19500, 12 June 2016, C. Verdone, B.C, Kondratieff, 1M ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps . Virginia: Scott Co., Straight Fork, Rte 619, Devils Fork Loop Trail , 36.81860, -82.62720, 06 May 2017, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, S. Roble, 1M ( CSUIC DNA). GoogleMaps Tazewell Co. , Cove Creek , Rte 622, 37.17900, -81.30070, 07 May 2017, C. Verdone, B.C. Kondratieff, S. Roble, 1M ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps . Virginia: Amherst Co., Otter Creek, Otter Creek Overlook, BLRI , 37.58802, -79.32760, 27 May 2017, C. Verdone, D. Fuller, 1M, 3N, 1E ( CSUIC DNA); GoogleMaps Otter Creek, MP 56.7, BLRI, [37.62370, -79.33459], 17–18 July 2007, C.R. Parker, 7F, 1E ( CSUIC DNA); Pedlar River, FR 315, above Panther Falls GoogleMaps , 37.71912, -79.29043, 18 June 2016, C. Verdone, 1M, 1F ( CSUIC DNA). Prince Williams Co., Catharpin Creek, Jackson Hollow Campground , Bull Run M.C GoogleMaps ., 38.87930, -77.68958, 3–20 June 2016, D.R. Smith, 5M ( CSUIC DNA). Virginia: Russell Co., Clinch River, Rte 798 SE of Rte 645 Nr. Nash Ford GoogleMaps , 36.96550, -82.07750, 24 May 2017, C. Verdone, 1M, 1F ( CSUIC DNA) GoogleMaps .

Distribution. U.S.A. – KY, OH, NC, TN, VA, WV*. ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ) *Specimens from West Virginia reported by Stark & Kondratieff (2004) were not examined. While it is likely those records are valid, they were not included in the distribution map.

Male. ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Macropterous; forewing length, 21.3–23.2 mm; body length, 18.8–20.0 mm (n = 5). General body color yellow-brown. Dorsum of head yellow-brown ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 3–4 ); interocellular area enclosed with dark brown pigment; dark pigment extends anterolaterally and recurves posteriorly to a tapered point; pale sinuous M-line anterior to the median ocellus ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 3–4 ); frons medium brown; pale bands extend anteriorly from lateral margins of M-line; lateral margins of frons medium brown; epicranial suture extending well beyond the lateral ocelli; postocular rugose spots present ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 3–4 ). Antennal scape medium brown, pedicel yellow-brown, flagellum medium brown. Pronotum medium brown with irregular rugosities; posterolateral margins darkened ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 3–4 ). Mesonotum and metanotum light to medium brown ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 3–4 ); wings hyaline with medium brown veins ( Fig. 4 View FIGURES 3–4 ). Femora yellow-brown with darkened proximal and distal margins connected by a darkened dorsal stripe ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Tibia yellow brown with darkened proximal margin. Tarsi medium brown. Abdominal terga pale yellow to yellow, darkening laterally; lateral margins medium brown; abdominal sterna yellow; terga 9–10 with paired submedial patches of sensilla basiconica ( Fig. 5 View FIGURES 5–8 ). Hammer on tergum 9 rounded and moderately sclerotized ( Fig. 6 View FIGURES 5–8 ). Paraprocts slender, apices acutely pointed, deflected ventrad at apex ( Fig. 5 View FIGURES 5–8 ). Aedeagus with an apical lobe, ventral lobe and ventral quadrangular lobe; apical lobe broadly rounded basally, tapering to a narrow medial projection ( Figs. 5–8 View FIGURES 5–8 ); dorsum of apical lobe with a broad, golden-brown chevron-shaped setal patch basally ( Figs. 5, 7 View FIGURES 5–8 ); apical patch either entire or narrowly divided; basal setal patch situated posterior to basal lobe ( Figs. 5, 7 View FIGURES 5–8 ); basal patch narrowly divided dorsomedially ( Figs. 5, 7 View FIGURES 5–8 ); consisting of golden brown setae that encircle the aedeagus; ventral patch of setae extends ventrad and laterad to base of apical lobe ( Fig. 6 View FIGURES 5–8 ); setae tends to be darker and thicker in the mesal area appearing as a stalk ( Fig. 6 View FIGURES 5–8 ); basal lobe with a few fine setae dorsally and prominent quadrangular lobe ventrally ( Fig. 8 View FIGURES 5–8 ).

Female. Macropterous; forewing length, 26.5–29.5 mm (n = 5). Body length, 21.9–24.1 mm (n = 5). General color and morphology similar to the male. Subgenital plate extending 1/3–1/2 the length of tergum 9 ( Figs. 9–11 View FIGURES 9–11 ); with or without lateral constrictions; with only minor or without medial emargination; occasionally asymmetrical ( Figs. 9–11 View FIGURES 9–11 ).

Ovum. ( Figs. 12–23 View FIGURES 12–17 View FIGURES 18–23 ). Length 509–564 μm; width 370–393 μm (n = 6). Outline strawberry-shaped. Cross- section circular. Collar covered with a removable membranous cap. Chorion completely pitted with irregularly sized punctations. Micropyles situated near apical 1/4 ( Fig. 13 View FIGURES 12–17 ).

Larva. ( Fig. 24 View FIGURE 24 ). Mature body length 20.0–27.0 mm, (n = 6). General body color pale yellow with contrasting brown markings. Dorsum of head pale yellow with brown pigment extending from the epicranial suture to frontoclypeus; broad pale-yellow M-line anterior to median ocellus completely enclosed by brown pigment; posterior and distal margins of lateral ocelli open to occipital pale area; frontoclypeus pale yellow; labrum medium brown with a small triangular pale area anteromedially ( Fig. 25 View FIGURES 25–28 ). Antennal scape pale yellow, with or without brown mottling; flagellum pale yellow. Postocular area with a ridge of 25–35 stout setae. Lateral margins of occiput with a non-linear grouping of 10–15 stout setae. Mandibles with 5 teeth and a dense brush of marginal setae; submarginal setae on both venter and dorsum ( Fig. 26 View FIGURES 25–28 ). Lacinia bidentate ( Fig. 27 View FIGURES 25–28 ); subapical tooth 4/5 the length of apical tooth; marginal setae receding evenly towards base from subapical tooth; length of marginal setae decreases evenly towards base; basal marginal setae short and bifurcate ( Fig. 27 View FIGURES 25–28 inset). Maxillary palp 5-segmented and longer than lacinia; galea slightly shorter than lacinia ( Fig. 27 View FIGURES 25–28 ). Pronotum with contrasting pigment; irregular network of brown pigment medially; anterior and posterior margins with short stout setae; lateral margins of disc pale and without regularly spaced, short stout setae ( Fig. 25 View FIGURES 25–28 ). Mesonotum and metanotum with contrasting pigment and irregularly spaced hair-like setae; distal and proximal margins of wing pads with short stout setae. Mesosternum Y-arm with a long stem, arms reaching anterior corners of furcal pits. Femora, tibia and tarsi mostly pale yellow; anterior face of femora with brown markings becoming more prominent distally; femora and tibia with long dorsal fringes of silky setae ( Fig. 28 View FIGURES 25–28 ). Abdominal terga medium brown anteriorly, pale posteriorly; brown bands wavy, typically narrowed medially and covering 1/2–1/3 of respective terga ( Fig. 29A View FIGURES 29–30 ), but may extend to posterior margin of tergum ( Fig. 30A View FIGURES 29–30 ); posterior margins with tergum 10 variable, but typically with brown anterior band and thin brown posterior band. Dorsum of abdomen with scattered stout setae; posterior margins with a single row of stout setae. Abdominal sterna 1–9 mostly pale with darkened anterolateral margins becoming progressively darker on each segment; sternum 10 entirely brown, or with a pale medial area. Anal gills present; number of filaments variable, arising from a single origin ( Fig. 29B View FIGURES 29–30 ) or up to 10 separate origins ( Fig. 30B View FIGURES 29–30 ) on the dorsal face of each paraproct; gill origins covered with small spicules and bearing several stout setae. ( Fig. 30b View FIGURES 29–30 ); cerci encircled with a fringe of silky setae arising from among spine whorls; most prominent on the proximal side; typically reduced or absent ventrally ( Fig. 24 View FIGURE 24 ).

Diagnosis. Adults of A.kosztarabi are conspecific with A.kirchneri and they are morphologically indistinguishable from A. filicis . Presently, ova are necessary to morphologically distinguish A. kosztarabi from A. filicis . The ovum of A. kosztarabi is easily separated from A. filicis by the completely pitted chorionic surface. In contrast, the ovum of A. filicis is typically only pitted apically beyond the micropyles (Stark 2004, fig. 7.78), but may be pitted up to approximately 50% of the ovum length (S. A. Grubbs & R. E. DeWalt unpublished data). Larvae of A. kosztarabi are similar to A. filicis and A. frisoni Stark & Brown, 1991 and cannot be distinguished using available keys ( Stark 2017).

Molecular Analysis. The ML analysis of COI barcode sequences also supported the synonymy of the two species ( Fig. 31 View FIGURE 31 ). All haplotypes from Wolf Creek, Virginia representing A. kosztarabi and Hood Creek, Kentucky ( A. kirchneri ), along with specimens from Clinch River, Virginia and South Fork Little River, North Carolina were recovered collectively as a single clade with 100% bootstrap support (BS) ( Fig. 31 View FIGURE 31 ). The remaining haplotypes were recovered as monophyletic groups according to respective species with high nodal support [(BS = 100% for A. abnormis (Newman, 1838) , A. carolinensis (Banks, 1905) , A. internata (Walker, 1852) ; BS = 99% for A. filicis ( Fig. 31 View FIGURE 31 )]. With the exception of A. kosztarabi and A. kirchneri , all minimum interspecific K2P distances were greater than maximum intraspecific K2P distances ( Table 2 View TABLE 2 ). The sequence for one A. kosztarabi specimen (PKSTO078, Scott County, Tennessee) was identical to that of an A. kirchneri specimen ( MZ364767 View Materials , Lawrence County, Kentucky).

Biological notes. Acroneuria kosztarabi occurs in at least nine EPA level III Ecoregions throughout the eastern Nearctic region (USEPA 2019) ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ). Within these areas adults have been collected near streams of various sizes from small headwaters such as Cattlets Branch, Prince William County, Virginia (drainage area = 3.3 km 2) to rather large drainages such as the Clinch River, Russell County, Virginia (drainage area = 1251 km 2). Based on the presence of multiple age classes, the population in Wolf Creek, Bland County, Virginia appears to have a semivoltine (two year) life cycle, similar to other Acroneuria species with which A. kosztarabi is sympatric. Schmidt & Tarter (1985) documented a two-year life cycle for A. carolinensis in West Virginia. Populations of A. abnormis (Newman, 1838) in Michigan have also been documented as requiring two years ( Bottorff & Knight 1987). Conversely, A. frisoni , which is sympatric with A. kosztarabi in the western part of its range has been documented as having a univoltine life cycle in second-order stream in northern Oklahoma (Ernst & Stewart 1985).

Preferred larval habitat of A. kosztarabi is apparently areas of lower velocity. Larvae were found among other known run/pool dwellers including Stenacron interpunctatum (Say, 1839) , Leucrocuta spp. , Psilotreta spp. and Neophylax spp. Numerous benthic samples taken from riffles produced many A. abnormis , but failed to produce any individuals of A. kosztarabi . The vast majority of emergent larvae and adults collected from Wolf Creek, Bland County, Virginia, were collected adjacent to pools and runs on either concrete structures or riparian vegetation. Similarly, larvae collected from South Fork Little River, Durham County, North Carolina were collected from depositional areas.

Larvae of A. kosztarabi were observed emerging at Wolf Creek from a bridge pool on the evening of 28 May 2017, where emergence apparently began after dusk. The first emergent larva was seen atop the adjacent concrete bridge at 10:30 pm. Emergence continued until approximately 5:30 am, with peak activity occurring between 10:30 pm and 12:00 am. Larvae typically crawled to the bridge ceiling before beginning ecdysis, which lasted between 5 and 13 minutes. This is perhaps the most vulnerable time for A. kosztarabi as they are fully immobilized. Large Dolomedes tenebrosus Hentz, 1831 (dark fishing spiders) were observed feeding on emergent larvae. Following ecdysis, some individuals remained still until fully sclerotized, while others resumed crawling towards a terrestrial refugia.

Based on the examined material, emergence begins in late May. The exact date likely fluctuates annually based on environmental conditions such as air and water temperature. Adults have been collected as late as 17 August from Station Spring Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia. Late emergence of taxa from this location is thought to be in response to the stenothermic conditions of the spring. Type material of Isoperla major Nelson & Kondratieff, 1983 was collected from near this location as late as 7 September ( Nelson & Kondratieff 1983); notably we collected this species on 7 May 2017 from a spring tributary to Cove Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia.

Discussion. Despite being among the more conspicuous stoneflies in eastern North America, Nearctic Acroneuria remains a taxonomic morass. The genus has bewildered prominent plecopterologists for well over a century resulting in 14 Nearctic synonymies (DeWalt et. al 2021). Of the current 17 Nearctic species, five lack larval descriptions and for those that have been described, larval diagnosis relies primarily on highly variable dorsal maculations. Additionally, subtle variations of the ovum chorion and aedeagal setal patterns currently used to distinguish adults, may not be suitable to separate closely related species. Given the history of synonymy and sometimes difficult specimen preparation, we believe the taxonomy of Nearctic Acroneuria could benefit greatly from a comprehensive molecular review, which could promote and bolster future conservation decisions.

INHS

Illinois Natural History Survey

NMNH

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Plecoptera

Family

Perlidae

Genus

Acroneuria

Loc

Acroneuria kosztarabi Kondratieff & Kirchner, 1993

Verdone, Chris J., South, Eric J. & Kondratieff, Boris C. 2022
2022
Loc

Acroneuria kirchneri

Stark, B. P. & Kondratieff, B. C. 2004: 393
2004
Loc

Acroneuria kosztarabi

Kondratieff, B. C. & Kirchner, R. F. 1993: 550
1993
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