Leptohyphes sabinas Traver, 1958

Baumgardner, D. E. & Mccafferty, W. P., 2010, Revision of the genus Leptohyphes Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) in North and Central America, Zootaxa 2360 (1), pp. 1-33 : 24-27

Leptohyphes sabinas Traver

Leptohyphes sabinas Traver 1958 ; Burks, 1953; Allen, 1978; McCafferty, 1985.

Leptohyphes castaneus Allen, 1967:354 ; Allen, 1978 new synonym

Leptohyphes consortis Allen and Brusca, 1973:87 ; Allen, 1978:554 (syn)

Leptohyphes tarsos Allen and Murvosh, 1987:36 new synonym

Diagnosis: Leptohyphes sabinas larvae can be distinguished from other species of Leptohyphes in North and Central America by the following combination of characters: (1) body coloration generally pale brown to brown (in freshly preserved specimens) with limited and diffuse black maculation; (2) abdominal terga with a limited number of setae present on the sublateral margins (terga 2 through 5 with zero to four setae each; terga 6 and 7 each with four to twelve setae; terga 8 through 10 with zero to ten setae each); (3) vertex of head with a complex pattern as in L. zalope , sometimes much reduced; and, (4) dorsal surface of meso- and metafemur generally with less than 10 stout setae present on the median elevated ridge. Adults are very similar to other described Leptohyphes adults from North and Central America. The presence of a pale yellowish abdomen with extensive grey maculation can help separate this species from other adults.

Description: Male Adult: Length. Body, 4.0–6.0 mm; forewings, 4.5–5.5 mm; hind wings, 1.0–1.5 mm. General coloration: head and thorax dark reddish-brown to black; abdomen translucent, pale yellowish with pale reddish brown. Head: blackish; antennae pale. Thorax: pronotum blackish with reddish coloration; meso- and metathorax dark red brown. Legs: reddish-brown with black and purplish bands and streaks. Forewing: membrane pale brown, darker towards base; veins reddish-brown; vein CuP strongly curved towards A; vein ICu 2 united basally with ICu 1; ICu 1 attached basally to CuA; MP 2 united basally to CuA and IMP by cross veins. Hind wing: membrane very pale brown; two longitudinal and one cross vein present; costal process well developed; hind margin of fore- and hind wings fringed with filiform setae. Abdomen. Pale yellowish to pale reddish brown with grey shading; some segments partially translucent; each tergite with wide transverse gray bands and pale sublateral margins. Genitalia pale reddish-brown, forceps three-segmented, penes with basal half fused, distal parts divergent, “Y” shaped; cerci and median caudal filament present, well developed. FIGURES 55–59. Characteristics of adult and larval stages of Leptohyphes zalope . 55, tergites 7-8 (dorsal) [B]. 56, metaleg [G]. 57, forewing [A]. 58, foreleg [C]. 59, metaclaw (ventrolateral) [F]. slms = sublateral marginal setae. Scale bars (mm): A = 2.0; B = 0.35; C, D, E = 0.5; F, G = 0.2.

Larva: Length. Body, 4.5–5.5 mm; caudal filaments, 5.0–6.0 mm. General coloration light brown with darker brown markings. Head: light brown with complex black pattern on vertex ( Fig. 21 ); antennae pale. Thorax: light brown to brown with darker brown markings; without anterolateral projections and median tubercle. Legs. Proleg ( Fig. 52 ): femur with transverse row of stout and elongate setae along dorsal surface; anterior margin with robust setae along most of margin; posterior margin with elongate and robust setae distally; tibia with rows of elongate setae along anterior margin; posterior margin with few, scattered filiform setae or none; tarsus with elongate setae along anterior margin; posterior margin without setae. Meso- and metalegs ( Fig. 53 ): femora with few (<10) setae on dorsal surface; anterior margin with stout and robust setae along most of margin; posterior margin with elongate setae along all of margin; tibiae with elongate setae present along most of anterior and posterior margins; tarsus with few, scattered filiform setae along anterior margin; posterior margin without setae. Claws ( Fig. 54 ) of all legs with four to seven marginal, and a single submarginal denticle. Abdomen: terga light brown to brown, often with irregular dark brown to black maculation along posterior and sublateral margins of tergites; few, scattered robust setae present at sublateral margins of tergites; operculate gill brown; gill formula 2/5/5/5/1.

Distribution: Leptohyphes sabinas is known from south-central Texas in the United States (Burks, 1953; Traver, 1958), throughout Mexico ( Allen, 1967; Allen and Brusca, 1973; Allen, 1978), Guatemala ( Allen, 1967) and Costa Rica ( Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty, 1995). Larvae have been collected from a wide variety of streams at various elevations. Mature larvae have been found throughout much of the year, indicating an extended emergence for this species.

Discussion: Leptohyphes sabinas was described by Traver (1958) based upon a male “which has almost completely shed the submarginal cuticle”, and male and female subimagos from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Based upon this material, Traver considered the species to have dissimilar propretarsal claws, and considered it unique based on this and color characters. In all known male adults of Leptohyphidae , however, the propretarsal claws are similar, but dissimilar in the subimago. This was evidently unknown to Traver at the time, leading to her false conclusion.

The larval stage was described by Allen and Brusca (1973) as L. consortis . Allen (1978) noted that L. consortis was indistinguishable from larvae that were evidently part of the original type series of L. sabinas , but had not been previously published as such.

Leptohyphes consortis was described by Allen and Brusca (1973) on the basis of two larvae from Vera Cruz, Mexico. The holotype is in good condition, missing only the left proleg and right mesoleg. It has mostly faded, now pale yellow in color, and not matching any of the colors or patterns given in the original description. The single paratype specimen has the abdomen missing. It was apparently mounted on a slide, as indicated as such by a note in the vial. No associated slide, however, can be located. The figure used by Allen and Brusca (1973, Figure 30 ) to illustrate the arrangement of setae on the abdominal terga of L. consortis does not resemble the holotype. The abdominal terga of L. consortis is mostly glabrous, with a few, scattered setae on the sublateral margins of abdominal tergum 1-8. In addition, only a few elongate setae are present on the posterior margin of the abdominal terga, not as numerous as what was illustrated in the figure. Figure 30 from Allen and Brusca (1973) was also used by Allen (1978) to describe the new species Leptohyphes zelus ( Allen, 1978) , to which the figure is most appropriate. It is possible that Allen might have confused the undescribed L. zelus larvae (which had been collected by Allen in 1966, before the description of L. consortis was published) with L. consortis when he was originally describing the species and never corrected the figures in the literature.

Leptohyphes castaneus was described by Allen (1967) on the basis of larvae collected in southwestern Guatemala. There was no discussion on how this species differed from others in the genus. The types of L. castaneus are in excellent condition, undissected, and intact; however, the two paratype larvae are faded to a pale yellow. The holotype retains the brown coloration described for the species. All specimens of the type series have a few, scattered setae present on the lateral margins of the abdominal terga, as described by Allen (1967). Allen (1967) reported that the metafemur is 65% longer than the profemur; however, Allen (1978) reported the metafemur to be 35% longer than profemur. Re-examination of this character clearly shows that the metafemur is 65% longer than the profemur, as is typical of most larval Leptohyphes .

Allen (1978) distinguished L. sabinas from L. castaneus based upon darker brown markings and claws with five to seven marginal denticles, as opposed to four to six marginal denticles and unicolorous brown coloration on L. castaneus . Both these characters are variable for L. sabinas , with larvae possessing between four and six marginal denticles (with one submarginal denticle), and abdominal tergal coloration varying from yellowish brown to brown. Studies of extensive series has shown that colors and color patterns are variable, often changing with maturity, seasonality, and gender. Female larvae are typically much larger and more darkly colored than male larvae. Comparison of the types of these species clearly show them to be conspecific.

Leptohyphes tarsos Allen and Murvosh (1987) was described from Sonora, Mexico, on the basis of a small series of larvae. It was considered different from L. sabinas , and other species of Leptohyphes on the basis of markings around the compound eyes and brown median macula on the abdominal terga. Examination of the type series does not show any markings around the compound eyes that are not found in other Leptohyphes . In addition, characters such as body coloration and maculation, arrangement of setae on the abdominal terga, arrangement of denticles on the claws (four to six marginal and one submarginal denticle) are no different than that of L. sabinas . No features were found unique to L. tarsos , and no features, or combinations thereof, were found that could separate it from L. sabinas . Thus, L. tarsos is considered a junior synonym of L. sabinas .

Type material examined: Leptohyphes brunneus Allen and Brusca , HOLOTYPE: larva: Mexico, Oaxaca, stream 15 mi. N. Ayoquezco (6700 ft.), 20.x.1968, RKA [ CAS Type #11971]. PARATYPES: MEXICO: Chiapas, stream 7 mi. N. Arriaga on Hwy. 190 (1400 ft. elevation), 23.x.1968, 1L [ CAS], RKA; Jalisco, Rio La Pasion at Tizapan El Alto, 16.x.1968, 3L [ CAS], RKA; Morelos, Rio Amacuzuc at Huajintlan on Hwy. 95 (3200 ft. elevation), 29/ 30.vii.1966, 6L [ CAS], RKA; Oaxaca, stream 15 mi. N. Ayoquezco, (6700 ft. elevation), 20.x.1968, 8L [ CAS], RKA. Leptohyphes castaneus Allen , HOLOTYPE, larva: Guatemala, Solola, 1550m, Panjachel, G.G. Musser, 21-viii-1962, [ FSCA ( FAMU)E2013.1 T] (also includes 4 paratype slides). PARATYPES: GUATEMALA, Solola, 1550m, Panjachel, 2L [ CAS], 4L [ PERC], G.G. Musser, 21- viii-1962. Leptohyphes consortis Allen and Brusca , HOLOTYPE, larva: Mexico, Vera Cruz, Rio San Marcos at Apapantilla 3 mi. SE Villa A. Camacho, Elev. 700’, Temp. 66F, 12-xi-1968, RKA, [ CAS Type #11972]. PARATYPE, larva: MEXICO, Vera Cruz, Rio San Marcos at Apapantilla 3 mi. SE Villa A. Camacho, Elev. 700’, Temp. 66F, 12-xi-1968, RK Allen, CAS (originally labelled paratopotype). Leptohyphes tarsos Allen and Murvosh , HOLOTYPE, larva: Mexico, Sonora, Rio Cuchujaqui, 9.8 mi. SE Alamos, 16.i.1983, RKA and C.M. Murvosh [ CAS Type #15893]. Leptohyphes tarsos Allen and Murvosh , PARATYPE: MEXICO, Sonora, Rio Cuchujaqui, 9.8 mi. SE Alamos, 8L, 16.i.1983, R.K. Allen and C.M. Murvosh [ CAS].

Other material examined: COSTA RICA: Alajuela: N of Bijagua, Rio Zapote (N10°44’45”; W85°05’29”), 6.vi.2000, WDS , 1L [ TAMU]. Guanacaste: Canas, Rio Canas (N10°26’; W85°06’), 23.i.2000, WDS , 4L [ TAMU]. Puntarenas: 3 Km NE of Santa Elena, 25.i.2000, WDS , 8L [ TAMU]; 5 km NE Santa Elena , 25.i.2000, WDS , 8L [ TAMU]. GUATEMALA: Río Latoma at KM . 182 on Hwy. #2, (elev. 2300 ft.), 24.x.1968, RKA , 1L [ CAS]. Alta Verapaz: Rio Cahabon at Hwy. 7E, San Julian (N15°19’09”; W90°19’06”, elev. 4700 ft.), 14.vii.2001, DEB , 10L [ TAMU]; Rio Stainkreec,.8 Km E. from jct. of Hwy. 9&10, Rio Hondo (N15°02’23”; W89°35’14”, elev. 600 ft.) , 15.vii.2001, DEB , 5L [ TAMU]. El Progreso: Rio Hato at CA Hwy. 9, ca. 5.9 Km E. from jct. with Hwy. 17, Magdalena (N14°55’11”; W89°57’56”, elev. 1040 ft.), 14.vii.2001, D.E. Baumgardner, 38L [ TAMU] . MEXICO: Jalisco: Río Santa Maria at Cocouado, 15 km. E. Autlan on Hwy. 80 (elev. 3100 ft.), 26.viii.1977, RKA , 2L [ CAS]. Queretaro: Las Adjuntas (N21°23’58”; W99°34’45”), 04.viii.1998, 5L [ TAMU]; Rio Tanculin at Nevlians (N21°16’; W99°04’, elev. 650 m) , 07.i.2001, D.E. Baumgardner, 8L [ TAMU]; Bucareli, Rio Estorax (N21°02’05”; W99°37’03”), 11.vii.2000, WDS , 3L [ TAMU]; Veracruz: Coscomatepec , 23.xii.1979, P.W. Kovarik and D.S. Bogar, 3L [ TAMU] . UNITED STATES: Texas: Bandera Co; Medina R . at TX. 16, 1 mi. N. Medina (N25°48'59.3"; W99°15'32.7"), 08.iii.1997, DEB & D.E. Bowles, 1L [ TAMU]. Hays Co.; San Marcos R . at Co. Rd. 101 (Caners Crossing), 1 mi. below conf. with Blanco R ., in San Marcos City Limits, at Hays / Caldwell Co. Line. , Balconian , 21.ii.1997, DEB and DE Bowles, 5L, 1 male subimago (reared) [ TAMU] .

Figures

FIGURES 21–25. Leptohyphes apache, larval structures. 21, head and prothorax, [scale bar B]. 22, foreleg [D]. 23, hindleg [E]. 24, hind claw (ventro-lateral) [C]. 25, abdominal tergites 7-10 [A]. Scale bars (mm): A, B = 0.05; C = 0.1; D = 0.5; E = 0.4.

FIGURES 52–54. Characteristics of larval structures of Leptohyphes sabinas. 52, foreleg (dorsal) [scale bar D]. 53, hindleg (dorsal) [E]. 54, hindclaw (ventrolateral) [E].

FIGURES 26–31. Characteristics of adults and larvae of Leptohyphes ferruginus. 26, forewing, female adult [A]. 27, head and prothorax (dorsal) [scale bar C]. 28, head (dorsal) [B]. 29, foreleg [E]. 30, hindleg [D]. 31, hind claw (ventrolateral) [F]. Scale bars (mm): A = 1.5; B = 0.025; C, F = 0.05; D, E = 0.5.