Perla

Teslenko, Valentina A., Palatov, Dmitry M. & Semenchenko, Alexander A., 2024, Overview of the Caucasian Perla Geoffroy, 1762 (Plecoptera: Perlidae) based on morphological and molecular data with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5507 (1), pp. 1-56 : 47

Key to Caucasian Perla species based on male penial setae patterns

1 Sac of the penis dorsomedial bears a tongue-shaped lobe covered with a relatively wide apical brush; the spines of the brush along the lateral edges of the sac are absent ( Figs. 77−79 , 108−111 )..............................................2

− Sac bears a narrow apical brush ( Figs. 9−10 ).................................................................3

2 Tube of the penis with constriction in the distal 1/3 before the sac; the sac is large, 1/3 wider than the tube, and covered with a loose triangular apical brush ( Figs. 108−111 ). North Caucasus. Russia, Krasnodar Kray. Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Up to 2000 m. Adult presence: May–August............................... P. pallida Guérin-Méneville, 1843

− Tube of the penis without constriction; the sac width is the same as the tube width; ventrally, the sac is deeply depressed ( Figs. 77−79 ). Russia, Krasnodar Kray the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus from Tuapse to Sochi. Up to 200 m. Adult presence: July............................................................................ Perla schapsugica sp. nov .

3 Sac is membranous, without tiny setae ( Figs. 34−35 )......................................................... 4

− Sac is membranous and covered with tiny setae ( Figs. 139−140 , B, D).............................................5

4 Sac bears a narrow apical brush; additional ventral brush is absent ( Figs. 33−35 ). Caucasus. Russia, North Ossetia-Alania. Iran, Alborz Mountains. 1770−1900 m. Adult presence: June−July.................................. Р. persica Zwick, 1975

− Sac bears a narrow apical brush and an additional small ventral brush ( Figs. 10 , C). North Caucasus. Russia: Adygea, KarachayCherkessia, North Ossetia-Alania, Krasnodar Kray. Abkhazia. Georgia. Adult presence: late May–August...................................................................................... P. caucasica Guérin-Méneville, 1843

5 Sac covered with tufts of tiny setae associated with patches and arranged in concentric lines, following the shape of the lobes ( Figs. 139−140 , B, D). North Caucasus. Russia, Krasnodar Kray. Up to 1800 m. Adult presence: June.................................................................................................... Perla palatovi sp. nov .

− Sac covered with dense, tiny setae spaced relatively evenly ( Figs. 58 , D). Armenia, Azerbaijan. 1400–1850 m. Adult presence: latter half of May−first half of July............................................... P. kiritshenkoi Zhiltzova, 1961

Figures

FIGURES 77‒81. Perla schapsugica sp. nov. Caucasus, Russia, Krasnodar Kray, urban District of Sochi, Lazarevsky District, nameless small stream, the right tributary of the Kuapse River opposite Verkhnyaya Mamedka village. 77. Male. Abdominal tip, mesal plate, hemitergal hooks, and artificially everted penis, dorsal, cleared. 78. Abdominal tip, artificially everted penis, ventral, cleared. 79. Chaetotaxy of the penis, dorsal. A. Polygonal scales with small spines. B. Densely arranged longitudinal rows of heavy sclerotized serrate sclerites on the tube of the penis. D. Pointed brown spines in the apical brush. 80. Penis, ventral. 81. Penis, lateral.

FIGURES 108‒111. Perla pallida Guérin-Méneville, 1843. Caucasus, Russia, Krasnodar Kray, 3rd tributary Kutarka River, Sochi River Basin. Male. 108. Abdominal tip, mesal plate, hemitergal hooks, and artificially everted penis, dorsal, cleared. 109. Penis, ventral. 110. Chaetotaxy of the penis, dorsal. 111. Chaetotaxy of the penis, ventral. A. Oval scales with small spines. B. Leaf-shaped scales with small spines. C. Densely arranged longitudinal rows of heavy sclerotized serrate sclerites. D. Pointed brown spines in the apical brush.

FIGURES 7–10. Perla caucasica Guérin-Méneville, 1843. Caucasus, Russia, Adygea, Belaya River. 7. Hemitergal hooks and artificially everted penis, dorsal. 8. Penis, ventral. 9. Chaetotaxy of artificially everted penis, dorsal. A. Densely arranged longitudinal rows of heavy sclerotized serrate sclerites on the tube of the penis. B. Scales with small spines. 10. Same, ventral. C. Tiny spines in the ventral brush. D. Pointed brown spines in the apical brush.

FIGURES 32‒35. Perla persica Zwick, 1975. Central Alborz, Iran, Mazandaran province, Zarrin Kamar village, Nurrud (Noor?) River, Haraz River Basin. 32. Mesal plate, hemitergal hooks, and artificially everted penis, cleared, dorsal. 33. Penis, ventral. 34. Chaetotaxy of the penis, dorsal. 35. Chaetotaxy of the penis, ventral.A. Densely arranged longitudinal rows of heavy sclerotized serrate sclerites. B. The longitudinal rows of leaf-shaped scales with small spines. C. Pointed brown spines in the apical brush.

FIGURES 137‒140. Perla palatovi sp. nov. Caucasus, Russia, Krasnodar Kray, Gelendzhik District, Papay River, Pshada River Basin. Male. 137. Abdominal tip, mesal plate, hemitergal hooks, and artificially everted penis, dorsal, cleared. 138. Penis, ventral. 139. Chaetotaxy of the penis, dorsal. 140. Chaetotaxy of the penis, ventral. A. Leaf-shaped scales with small spines. B, D. Tufts of tiny setae arranged in concentric lines, following the shape of the lobes. C. Oval scales with small spines.

FIGURES 54‒58. Perla kiritshenkoi Zhiltzova, 1961. Caucasus, Armenia. Male. 54. Paratype male, abdominal tip, dorsal. 55. Mesal plate and hemitergites, dorsal, alcohol. 56. Hemitergal hook swollen in the place of the bend, dorsocaudally, alcohol. 57. Mesal plate, dorsal, and hemitergites, lateral, cleared. 58. Chaetotaxy of artificially everted penis, dorsal, cleared. A. Leafshaped scales with small spines. B. Densely arranged longitudinal rows of heavy sclerotized serrate sclerites. C. Pointed brown spines in the apical brush. D. Tiny setae covered the sac lobes.