Epeorus gilliesi, Braasch, 1981

Kluge, Nikita J., 2022, Taxonomic significance of microlepides on subimaginal tarsi of Ephemeroptera, Zootaxa 5159 (2), pp. 151-186 : 153

Epeorus gilliesi

= E. petersi , syn. n.

The Indian species Epeorus gilliesi Braasch 1981 was originally described as larvae from the state of Maharashtra in India. The species Epeorus petersi Sivaruban, Venkataraman & Sivaramakrishnan (in Sivaruban et al.) 2013 was originally described as imagines and larvae, from the state of Tamilnadu in India. Type localities of the both species are located in mountains of Western Ghats. Both descriptions are very inaccurate. Judging by these descriptions, coloration of larvae looks different ( Braasch 1981: figs 1, 3; Sivaruban et al. 2013: figs 7 and 12, 13 and 14). The reason of this difference is that the drawings of E. gillisi made by Braasch show the cuticular coloration, and the drawings of E. petersi show the hypodermal coloration. Sivaruban et al. (2013) compared E. petersi with the original description of E. gilliesi , but not with its specimens. Besides the coloration, they reported difference in «shape of posterior edge of the lamellate portion of gill 1». Differences in shape of tergalii (so called «gills») were caused by the fact that the Braasch’s drawings of E. gilliesi were reproduced with distorted proportions (compare Braasch 1981: fig. 5r with Sivaruban et al. 2013: fig.10), and Braasch’s drawing of «Kieme VII» actually belongs to tergalius VI. Examination of reared specimens testifies that the both descriptions are based on one and the same species.

Material examined: INDIA: Karnataka State, Shivamogga / Udupi districts near Agumbe , 11–31.I.2013, coll. N. Kluge & L. Sheyko: L-S ♂ , L-S-I ♀, 43 larvae; Tamilnadu State, Tirunelveli District., Courtallam, Chittar Rriver near Peraruvi (= Main Falls ) 3–7.II.2013, coll. N. Kluge & L. Sheyko: 33 larvae ; Tamilnadu State, Theni District, Megamalai, Chinna Suruli waterfalls, 24–25.2016, coll. N. Kluge & L. Sheyko: 9 larvae .