Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897

Baumann, Richard W. & Stark, Bill P., 2017, Variation In The Epiproct Of Arsapnia Decepta Banks, 1897 (Plecoptera: Capniidae), With Comments On Arsapnia Coyote (Nelson & Baumann 1987), Illiesia 13 (1), pp. 1-21 : 2-17

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897

Shortbeak Snowfly

Arsapnia decepta Banks, 1897:22 . Type series (4 specimens), Fort Collins [Larimer Co.], Colorado (Museum of Comparative Zoology) Capnia decepta: Claassen, 1924:43 .

http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid:Plecoptera.speciesfile.org:

TaxonName:4975

Capnia barbata Frison, 1944:153 .

Holotype ♂ (Illinois Natural History Survey), Longmont [Larimer Co.], Little Thompson River, Colorado (Synonymy Nelson & Baumann, 1989) http://lsid.speciesfile.org/urn:lsid: Plecoptera .speciesfile.org: TaxonName:4976

Colorado Populations

( Figs.1-12 )

Material examined. USA: Colorado: Boulder Co., Gregory Creek, Gregory Canyon Trail , 39.9977, - 105.2997, 2 February 2015, C. Verdone, 3♂ ( CSUC) . Larimer Co., Buckhorn Creek , 5 mi above Masonville, 40.5723, -105.4504, 16 March 1991, B.C. Kondratieff, 46♂, 9♀ ( CSUC) . Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek Road, Forest Road 128, 5.1 miles northeast of Drake , 40.6603, -105.2902, 12 April 2014, B.C. Kondratieff, T. P. Belcher, 100+ ♂, 100+ ♀ ( BYUC) . Redstone Canyon , 40.5870, -105.2659, 24 January 1986, B.C. Kondratieff, 12♂, 18♀ ( CSUC) . Tributary Spring Creek, Fort Collins , 40.5645, -105.1587, 15 February 1986, B.C. Kondratieff, 12♂, 3♀ ( CSUC) .

Male epiproct (n = 8). Length 468-528 μm, width at midlength 236-303 μm; greatest width slightly posterior to midlength. Body of epiproct bearing a pair of expansive median bulbs, forming convex ear-like lobes on either side of median groove near midlength ( Figs. 1-2 , 7, 11 ). Width across neck 91- 111 μm. Narrow median groove extends from posterior margin of posterior declivity to epiproct apex, becoming wider near apex ( Figs. 2-5 , 7, 9, 11 ). On either side of groove a cluster (12-24) of thick, spine-like setae occurs near origin of anterior declivity ( Figs.1-5 , 7-9, 11-12 ). Ventral epiproct sclerite extends 40 μm beyond tips of outwardly hooked apices of dorsal sclerite ( Figs. 3 , 11 ). Lateral margins of epiproct slightly sinuate between bases of spine-like setae and apex ( Figs. 2, 5 , 9, 11 ); lateral aspect of epiproct ( Figs. 4 , 8 ) shaped somewhat like a duck head.

Tergal process. A single, mound-shaped process on tergum 7 with dorsal margin entire ( Figs. 1, 6 ), or bearing a shallow dorsal concavity ( Fig.10 ); lateral margins converging only slightly from anterior aspect; process bears lateral patches of small scalelike structures. Width of process across anterior margin 172-231 μm; width greater than median height.

Comments. The type locality of A. decepta , given as “Ft. Collins, Col.” by Banks (1897), remains an unspecified site. The specimens listed from “Redstone Canyon” in Larimer Co. were taken from a stream that forms part of the Big Thompson River drainage perhaps 5-7 km southwest of the Fort Collins city limits and the specimens listed from “tributary Spring Creek” were collected in the city limits of Fort Collins from a tributary which enters the Cache la Poudre River; we regard the latter group of specimens as topotypes for this species. Colleagues at Colorado State University have records of several hundred specimens collected from sites in Boulder, Douglas, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer and Pueblo counties (pers. comm. B.C. Kondratieff), and Stark et al. (1973) reported the species (as Capnia barbata ) from Littleton in Arapahoe Co. and from the Little Thompson River in Boulder Co. Most Colorado records that we have seen are from sites along the Front Range, but the next nearest sites where populations are known to occur are in the Sangre de Cristo Range of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico (B.C. Kondratieff, pers. comm.; Jacobi & Baumann 1983). The nearest sites to the Front Range where our specimens were collected are Eagle Creek and Rio Bonito in Lincoln Co., New Mexico.

The epiproct of specimens from Gregory Creek, Boulder Co. have the greatest width (300-303 μm) of any specimens examined in the study and the length of all but two of the Front Range specimens exceeds the mean length for the entire sample (mean = 487.9 μm) ( Tables 1-5 , Figs. 1-3 ). The general shape of the apical third of the epiproct is intermediate between that of Rio Bonito specimens and those of Eagle Creek ( Figs. 3 , 51-54 ), however, they are more similar to the Eagle Creek specimens ( Fig. 51 ) that share the longer, more exposed apex.

Arizona Populations

( Figs. 13-45 )

Material examined. USA: Arizona: Cochise Co., Cave Creek, Southwest Research Station, Chiricahua Mountains , 5400’, 31.8854, -109.2073, 3 January 1972, V . Roth, 3♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Rucker Creek, Camp Rucker Campground, Chiricahua Mountains , 31.7615, -109.3695, 17 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 6♂, 2♀ ( BYUC). Carr Creek, Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains , 34.4476, -110.2821, 17 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 7♂, 5♀ ( BYUC). Coconino Co., Oak Creek, Hwy 89A, above junction of West Fork Oak Creek , 35.0012, -111.7377, 20 January 1988, R . W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, C. R . Nelson, B.J. Sargent, 20♂, 15♀ ( BYUC). Gila Co., Christopher Creek, Hwy 260, Christopher Creek Campground, 34.3110, -111.0244, 13 June 1974, B. Stark, 1♂, 1♀ (specimens from spider web, BPSC). Tonto Creek , above junction of Horton Creek , Upper Tonto Creek Campground , 34.3235, -111.2924, 14 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 18♂, 14♀ ( BYUC). Graham Co., Twilight Creek, Turkey Flat , Pinaleño Mountains , 32.6310, - 109.8187, 2 March 1984, C. R . Nelson, 3♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Mohave Co., Wheeler Spring, Hualapai Mountain Park, Pine Basin Area, near Kingman , 35.0850, - 113.8759, 20 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 28♂, 13♀ ( BYUC). Pima Co., Bear Canyon Creek, Bear Canyon Campground , Santa Catalina Mountains , 32.3276, -110.7328, 19 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 14♂, 10♀ ( BYUC). Santa Cruz Co., Gardner Creek, Santa Rita Mountains , 31.8258, - 110.7734, 17 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 9♂, 2♀ ( BYUC). Yavapai Co., Lynx Creek, above Lynx Lake , near Prescott , 34.5145, -112.3812, 20 January 1988, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 4♂, 9♀ ( BYUC) .

Male epiproct (n = 14). Length 438-578 μm, width 200-278 μm ( Table 2 ). Shape and general structure similar to those of other populations examined ( Figs. 13, 18 , 19, 22 , 33, 36 , 39, 42 , 45 ). Setal spines in clusters of 15-34 ( Figs. 14-17 , 20-21, 23-26, 28-32, 34- 35 , 37-38, 40-41 , 43-44 ). Neck width 100-144 μm ( Figs. 11 , 14, 16 , 20, 23 , 28 , 31, 34 , 37, 40 , 43 ).

Tergal process (n = 3). Tergum 7 bears a broad, sometimes mesally notched, dorsal process ( Figs. 13 , 19, 22 , 27 ), and tergum 6 bears a smaller mesal process on one specimen from the Chiricahua Mountains. Dorsolateral margins bearing a few knob-like scales. Width across anterior margin 172-229 μm.

Comments. The first Arizona records for A. decepta are attributed to Jewett (1966) (as C. barbata ), and Stewart et al. (1974) show plots of six sites (also as C. barbata ) in five Arizona counties (Apache, Cochise, Gila, Pima, and Yavapai). Our specimens represent populations from eight counties (Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Mohave, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yavapai) and the following natural regions: the Mogollon Rim, Oak Creek Canyon and Yavapai Hills in central Arizona, the Hualapai Mountains in west central Arizona, and the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Pinaleño, Santa Catalina and Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Nelson & Baumann (1987a) provided SEM micrographs for specimens collected in Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona.

This sample of Arizona specimens includes males with the three longest epiprocts (578 μm, Oak Creek Canyon; 561 μm, Wheeler Spring; 549 μm, Bear Canyon) in the entire sample, and all fell within the 95% confidence interval (247.2 ± 13.1 μm) in epiproct width. In addition, the 9 highest counts of setal spines per cluster (27-34) were recorded from these Arizona specimens. The greatest number of setal spines (31 left, 34 right) were recorded on a Bear Canyon (Pima Co.) specimen.

Nevada Population ( Figs. 46-48 )

Material examined. USA: Nevada: Clark Co., Deer Creek, Deer Creek Picnic Area , Hwy 158, Spring Mountains , near Las Vegas , 36.3144, -115.6212, 21 January 1984, R . W. Baumann, C. R . Nelson, 1♂, 3♀ ( BYUC) .

Male epiproct (n = 1). Length 379 μm, width 157 μm ( Table 3 ). Shape and general structure similar to those of other specimens, but smaller and with higher setal spine counts. Setal spines in clusters of 30-31 located anterior of midlength and on either side of median groove ( Figs. 46-48 ). Neck width 135 μm.

Tergal process. Tergum 7 bearing a broad dorsal process, 185 μm in width; dorsal margin concave; lateral prominences covered with small scale-like structures.

Comments. The Spring Mountains represent the only known site where A. decepta specimens have been collected in Nevada ( Nelson & Baumann 1989). We examined a single male specimen from Deer Creek at its junction with Hwy 158. As Figs. 46-48 and Tables 1-5 indicate, the epiproct of this specimen is shorter and more slender than other specimens examined, and also has one of the highest setal spine counts we encountered, second only to the Bear Canyon specimens from Arizona.

New Mexico Populations ( Figs. 49-60 )

Material examined. USA: New Mexico: Catron Co., Leggett Canyon Creek, Leggett Canyon , Hwy 180, south of Luna , 33.7076, -108.8938, 13 January 1987, R. W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, 7♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Grant Co., Gila River, Hwy 180, south of Cliff , 32.9451, -108.6069, 13 January 1987, R . W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, 1♂, 1♀ ( BYUC). Lincoln Co., Eagle Creek, Rt. 532, south of Sierra Vista , 33.3925, -105.6885, 11 March 1996, B. Stark, 7♂, 5♀ ( BPSC). Lincoln Co. , Rio Bonito , below Bonito Lake , Bonito Lake Road , 33.4516, -105.6953, 11 March 1996, B. Stark, 31♂, 37♀ ( BPSC) .

Male epiproct (n = 12). Length 412-562 μm, width 180-269 μm ( Table 4 ). Shape and general structure as in other populations. Setal spines in clusters of 10- 21, located near midlength and on either side of median groove ( Figs. 51, 54 , 55-60 ). Neck width 105- 130 μm.

Tergal process. Bearing a slight notch on the posteromedian margin ( Fig. 49-52 , 57-58 ), and with lateral margins moderately convergent. Dorsolateral lobes on either side of notch covered with conical tubercles. Width of process across anterior margin 100-192 μm.

Comments. Arsapnia decepta has been reported (as Capnia decepta or C. barbata ) from numerous sites in 12 counties of New Mexico ( Jacobi & Baumann 1983, Jacobi & Cary 1986, Jacobi & Cary 1996, Jacobi et al. 2005). The collecting sites listed above include specimens from two streams that are in the Rio Hondo drainage in Lincoln Co. Despite the close proximity of these two sites, the epiprocts from Eagle Creek specimens are shorter and narrower than those from Rio Bonito ( Table 4 ), but the Eagle Creek specimens have an apex that is longer and narrower than those from Rio Bonito (compare Figs. 50 with 53, and 51 with 54). Among the specimens illustrated with micrographs ( Figs. 49-54 ), the Eagle Creek specimens show asymmetrical setal spine counts of 10-17 left and 10-15 right ( Table 4 ). The counts for both of these ranges are also the lowest observed for any A. decepta population. This could be related to the smaller epiproct size for Eagle Creek specimens, or may simply reflect the small sample size for all populations examined. As indicated in Table 4 , epiproct size and setal spine counts for Catron and Grant county specimens are more similar to those from adjacent states than to the Eagle Creek specimens.

Mexico Populations ( Figs. 61-66 )

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California:

Arroyo La Corona, Sierra San Pedro Martir National Park, 16 January 1988, R.W. Baumann, B.C. Kondratieff, C. R. Nelson, B.J. Sargent, 1 pharate ♂ larva (dissected), 4♀, 4 larvae. Chihuahua: Cañon de Agua, Bowman Ranch, near Colonia Juarez, 22 January 1987, B.C. Kondratieff, B.J. Sargent, T. Bowman, 2♂, 4♀ ( BYUC).

Male epiproct (n=2). Length not estimated due to specimen condition and orientation ( Figs. 61, 64 ; Table 5 ). Width 238 μm. Shape and general features similar to other specimens examined. Setal spines in clusters of 13-18 ( Table 5 , Figs. 61-66 ). Neck width 93 μm ( Fig. 64 ).

Tergal process. Not visible in available figures.

Comments. Only two male specimens were available for SEM study ( Table 5 ) including a

pharate male collected in Baja California and dissected by B.C. Kondratieff from the larval skin. Unfortunately, only six SEM images were prepared due to specimen condition and orientation ( Figs. 61- 66 ). Despite the poor condition and orientation of these specimens, their epiprocts display the same general shape and the typical setal spine clusters found among other populations. The Baja California population should be re-examined with molecular data and with a more complete set of morphological data, and compared with California specimens of A. coyote when suitable material is available. The epiproct of A. coyote is similar, but distinct from A. decepta morphologically (see Figs. 67-72 ), and Heinold et al. (2014) also support recognition of A. coyote as a valid species based on molecular barcode data. The Chihuahua population exhibits a narrow neck width (93 μm) more consistent with A. coyote , but with respect to epiproct width, the specimen is more similar to A. decepta .

Figures

Figs. 1-6. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures, Redstone Creek, Larimer Co., Colorado. 1. Abdominal terga 7-10. 2. Epiproct, dorsal. 3. Epiproct apex, dorsal. 4. Epiproct, lateral. 5. Epiproct, anterodorsal. 6. 7th tergal process, anterodorsal. (ad = anterior declivity; b = base; bs = basal strut; bu = bulb; ds = dorsal sclerite; n = neck; pd = posterior declivity; sc = setal spine cluster; tp7 = tergal process of segment 7; vs = ventral sclerite).

Figs. 7-12. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures, 7-10. tributary of Spring Creek, Larimer Co., Colorado, 11-12. Buckhorn Creek, Larimer Co., Colorado. 7. Abdominal terga 7-10. 8. Abdominal segments 7-10, lateral. 9. Male, terminalia, dorsal. 10. 7th tergal process, anterodorsal. 11. Epiproct, dorsal. 12. Epiproct setal clusters.

Figs. 49-54. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 49-51. Eagle Creek, Lincoln Co., New Mexico. 52- 54. Rio Bonito, Lincoln Co., New Mexico. 49. Abdominal terga 7-10. 50. Epiproct, dorsal. 51. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters. 52. Abdominal terga 7-10. 53. Epiproct, dorsal. 54. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters.

Figs. 13-18. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures, 13-15. Bear Canyon, Pima Co., Arizona, 16-18. Carr Canyon, Cochise Co., Arizona.13. Abdominal terga 7-10. 14. Epiproct, dorsal. 15. Setal spine clusters, dorsal. 16. Epiproct, dorsal. 17. Setal spine clusters, dorsal. 18. Epiproct, lateral.

Figs. 19-24. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures, 19-21. Rucker Creek, Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona, 22-24. Cave Creek, Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona. 19. Abdominal terga 7-10. 20. Epiproct, dorsal. 21. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters, dorsal. 22. Abdominal terga 7-10. 23. Epiproct dorsal. 24. Epiproct apex and setal spine cluster.

Figs. 25-30. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 25-27. Christopher Creek, Gila Co., Arizona (damaged). 28-30. Tonto Creek, Gila Co., Arizona. 25. Epiproct, dorsal. 26. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters, dorsal. 27. 7th tergal process, anterodorsal. 28. Epiproct, dorsal. 29. Epiproct bulbs and setal spine clusters, oblique lateral. 30. Right setal cluster, posterodorsal.

Figs. 31-36. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 31-33. West Fork Oak Creek, Coconino Co., Arizona, 34-36. Wheeler Spring, Hualapi Mountain Park, Mohave Co., Arizona. 31. Epiproct, dorsal. 32. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 33. Epiproct, dorsolateral. 34. Epiproct, dorsal. 35. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 36. Epiproct, dorsolateral.

Figs. 37-42. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 37-39. Gardner Creek, Santa Rita Mountains, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona. 40-42. Twilight Creek, Pinaleño Mountains, Graham Co., Arizona. 37. Epiproct, dorsal. 38. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 39. Epiproct, dorsolateral. 40. Epiproct, dorsal. 41. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 42. Epiproct, dorsolateral.

Figs. 43-48. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 43-45. Lynx Creek, Yavapai Co., Arizona. 46-48. Deer Creek, Spring Mountains, Clark Co., Nevada. 43. Epiproct, dorsal. 44. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 45. Epiproct, dorsolateral. 46. Epiproct, dorsal. 47. Epiproct setal spine clusters, dorsal. 48. Epiproct, dorsolateral.

Figs. 55-60. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures. 55-57. Leggett Canyon Creek, Catron Co., New Mexico. 58-60. Gila River, Grant Co., New Mexico. 55. Epiproct, dorsal. 56. Epiproct, dorsolateral. 57. Abdominal segments 7-10, lateral. 58. Epiproct and 7th tergal process, dorsal. 59. Right setal cluster, dorsal. 60. Epiproct, dorsolateral.

Figs. 61-66. Arsapnia decepta male reproductive structures, 61-63. Arroyo La Corona, Sierra San Pedro Martir National Park, Baja California. 64-66. Cañon de Agua, Bowman Ranch, near Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua. 61. Epiproct, anterodorsal. 62. Epiproct, setal spine clusters, anterodorsal. 63. Epiproct, lateral. 64. Epiproct, dorsal. 65. Epiproct, oblique lateral. 66. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters, dorsal.

Figs. 67-72. Arsapnia coyote male reproductive structures. 67-69. Little Rock Creek, Los Angeles Co., California.70-72. Mohave River, San Bernardino Co., California. 67. Abdominal segments 7-10, dorsal. 68. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters. 69. Epiproct, oblique lateral. 70. Abdominal segments 7-10, dorsal. 71. Epiproct apex and setal spine clusters. 72. Epiproct apex, lateral.

Tables

Table 2. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for Arizona specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County	Site	Epiproct Length μm	Epiproct Width μm	# Left Setae	# Right Setae	T 7 Process μm	Length/ Width Ratio
Cochise	Cave Creek	478	239	20	20	229	2.00
SWRS (n=1)
Cochise	Carr Canyon	541	245	30	25	-	2.21
(n=1)
Cochise	Rucker Creek	462	248	27	25	-	1.86
(n=1)
Coconino	Oak Creek	578	278	27	29	-	2.08
(n=1)
Gila	Christopher Creek	459	265	15	16	172	1.73
(n=1)
Gila	Tonto Creek	511-524	260-263	23-27	24-28	-	1.95-2.00
(n=2)
Graham	Turkey Creek	524	247	28	28	-	2.12
(n=1)
Mohave	Wheeler Spring	561	256	20-28	18-24	-	2.19
(n=2)
Pima	Bear Canyon	549	262	31	34	194	2.09
(n=1)
Santa Cruz	Gardner Creek	438-452	200	18-22	20-26	-	2.19-2,29
(n=2)
Yavapai	Lynx Creek	511	263	26	30	-	1.94
	(n=1)

Table 3. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for Nevada specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County	Site	Epiproct Length μm	Epiproct Width μm	# Left Setae	# Right Setae	T 7 Process μm	Length/ Width Ratio
Clark	Deer Creek	379	157	31	30	185	2.41
(n=1)

Table 4. Epiproct and 7th tergal process characteristics for New Mexico specimens of Arsapnia decepta.

County	Site	Epiproct length μm	Epiproct Width μm	# Left Setae	# Right Setae	T7 Process μm	Length/ Width Ratio
Catron	Leggett	562	269	17	21	-	2.08
Canyon Creek
(n=1)
Grant	Gila River	468	237	-	20	168	1.97
(n=1)
Lincoln	Eagle Creek	412-413	180-200	10-17	10-15	146-168	2.06-2.29
(n=3)
Lincoln	Rio Bonito	436-483	217-244	12-19	12-18	100-192	1.84-2.02
(n=7)