Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2021-03-24
Page range: 1–23
Abstract views: 80
PDF downloaded: 59

Molecular evidence for deeper diversity in Australian Tanypodinae (Chironomidae): Yarrhpelopia and related new taxa

Evolution and Ecology, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
Quality Management Section, Forensic Services Group, Queensland Police Service, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia Natural Environments Program, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
Chironomidae DNA-based taxonomy Coronapelopia new genus new species new life histories pollution indicators acid waters

Abstract

The diversity and endemism of Australian Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) has been unclear from morphological comparisons with well-grounded northern hemisphere taxonomy. As part of a comprehensive study, here we focus on one of the few described endemic genera, Yarrhpelopia Cranston. Extensive and intensive new sampling and newly-acquired molecular data provides clarity for the type species, Yarrhpelopia norrisi Cranston and allows recognition of congeners and potential sister group(s). We describe Yarrhpelopia acorona Cranston & Krosch sp. n., and we recognise a third species from Western Australia, retaining an informal code ‘V20’ due to inadequate reared / associated material for formal description. We recognise a robust clade Coronapelopia Cranston & Krosch gen. n., treated as a genus new to science for two new species, Coronapelopia valedon Cranston & Krosch sp. n. and Coronapelopia quadridentata Cranston & Krosch sp. n., from eastern Australia, each described in their larval and pupal stages and partial imaginal stages. Interleaved between the independent new Australian clades Yarrhpelopia and Coronapelopia are New World Pentaneura and relatives, that allow a tentative inference of a dated gondwanan (austral) connection. Expanded sampling indicates that Y. norrisi, although near predictably present in mine-polluted waters, is not obligate but generally indicates acidic waters, including natural swamps and Sphagnum bogs. The inferred acidophily, including in drainages of mine adits, applies to many taxa under consideration here.

 

References

  1. Boothroyd, I.K.G. & Cranston, P.S. (1995) Two Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae) genera common to New Zealand and Australia: Pirara n. gen. and Eukiefferiella Thienemann. In: Cranston, P.S. (Ed.), Chironomids: from Genes to Ecosystems. CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 389–408.

    Bunn, S.E., Edward, D.H. & Loneragan, N.R. (1986) Spatial and temporal variation in the macroinvertebrate fauna of streams of the northern jarrah forest, Western Australia: community structure. Freshwater Biology, 16, 7691.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.1986.tb00949.x

    Carew, M.E. & Hoffmann, A.A. (2015) Delineating closely related species with DNA barcodes for routine biological monitoring. Freshwater Biology, 60, 1545–1560.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12587

    Cranston, P.S. (1994) The immature stages of the Australian Chironomidae. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, New South Wales. [unknown pagination]

    Cranston, P.S. (1996) Identification Guide to the Chironomidae of New South Wales. AWT Identification Guide No. 1. Australian Water Technologies Pty Ltd, West Ryde, New South Wales, 376 pp.

    Cranston, P.S. (1997) The Australian Rheotanytarsus Thienemann & Bause (Diptera: Chironomidae) revised, with emphasis on the immature stages. Invertebrate Taxonomy, 11, 705–734.

    https://doi.org/10.1071/IT96025

    Cranston, P.S. (2000a) Austrobrillia Freeman: immature stages, and a new species from the Neotropics. Spixiana, 23, 101–111.

    Cranston, P.S. (2000b) Monsoonal tropical Tanytarsus van der Wulp (Diptera: Chironomidae) reviewed: New species, life histories and significance as aquatic environmental indicators. Australian Journal of Entomology, 39, 138–159.

    https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-6055.2000.00170.x

    Cranston, P.S. (2000c) Three new species of Chironomidae (Diptera) from the Australian Wet Tropics. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 46, 107–127.

    Cranston, P.S. (2009) A new genus of trans-Tasman midge: Anzacladius gen. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 48, 130–139.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-6055.2009.00697.x

    Cranston, P.S. (2010) Lucid key to Chironomidae. Available from: https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/Chironomidae/ (accessed 6 January 2021)

    Cranston, P.S. (2012) Some proposed emendations to larval morphology terminology. Chironomus, Journal of Chironomidae Research, 25, 35–38.

    https://doi.org/10.5324/cjcr.v0i25.1540

    Cranston, P.S. (2013) The larvae of the Holarctic Chironomidae (Diptera: Chironomidae)—2. Morphological terminology and key to subfamilies. Chironomidae of the Holarctic Region: Keys and diagnoses. Part 1. Larvae. Insect Systematics and Evolution Supplements, 66, 13–24.

    Cranston, P.S. (2017) A new genus and species of Australian Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) tolerant to mine waste. Zootaxa, 4263 (2), 369–377.

    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa. 4263.2.10

    Cranston, P.S. (2019a) Paraskusella Cranston, a new Afro-Australian genus in the tribe Chironomini (Diptera: Chironomidae). Austral Entomology, 58, 268–281.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12366

    Cranston, P.S. (2019b) Riethia (Kieffer 1917) (Diptera: Chironomidae) revised for the Austro-Pacific region. Zootaxa, 4646 (3), 461–500.

    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4646.3.3

    Cranston, P.S. (2019c) Identification guide to genera of aquatic larval Chironomidae (Diptera) of Australia and New Zealand. Zootaxa, 4706 (1), 71–102.

    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4706.1.3

    Cranston, P.S., Edward, D.H. & Colless, D.H. (1987) Archaeochlus Brundin: a midge out of time (Diptera: Chironomidae). Systematic Entomology, 12, 313–334.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1987.tb00204.x.

    Cranston, P.S. & Edward, D.H. (1992) A systematic reappraisal of the Australian Aphroteniinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) with dating from vicariance biogeography. Systematic Entomology, 17, 41­–54.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1992.tb00319.x.

    Cranston, P.S. & Hare, L. (1995) Conochironomus Freeman: an Afro-Australian Chironomini genus revised (Diptera: Chironomidae). Systematic Entomology, 20, 247–264.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1995.tb00096.x

    Cranston, P.S., Cooper, P.D., Hardwick, R.A., Humphrey, C.L. & Dostine, P.L. (1997) Tropical acid streams – the chironomid (Diptera) response in northern Australia. Freshwater Biology, 37, 473–483.

    https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2427.1997.00136.x

    Cranston, P.S., Edward, D.H. & Cook, L.G. (2002) New status, species, distribution records and phylogeny for Australian mandibulate Chironomidae (Diptera). Australian Journal of Entomology, 41, 357–366.

    https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-6055.2002.00304.x.

    Cranston, P.S. & Dimitriadis, S. (2004) The Chironomidae (Diptera) larvae of Atherton Tableland Lakes, north Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 49, 573–588.

    Cranston, P.S. & Sæther, O.A. (2010) Australasian Stictocladius Edwards (Diptera: Chironomidae) diagnosed and described. Australian Journal of Entomology, 49, 126–144.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-6055.2010.00753.x

    Cranston, P.S., Hardy, N.B. & Morse, G.E. (2012) A dated molecular phylogeny for the Chironomidae (Diptera). Systematic Entomology, 37, 172–188.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.2011.00603.x

    Cranston, P.S. & Epler, J. (2013) 5. The larvae of Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the Holarctic region—Keys and diagnoses. In: Andersen, T., Cranston, P.S. & Epler, J.H. (Eds.), Chironomidae of the Holarctic Region: Keys and diagnoses. Part 1. LarvaeInsect Systematics and Evolution Supplements, 66, pp. 39–136.

    Cranston, P.S. & Krosch, M.N. (2015) DNA sequences and austral taxa indicate generic synonymy of Paratrichocladius Santos-Abreu with Cricotopus Wulp (Diptera: Chironomidae). Systematic Entomology, 40, 719–732.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12130

    Faria, L.R.R., Pie, M.R., Salles, F.F. & Soares, E.D.G. (2020) The Haeckelian shortfall or the tale of the missing semaphoronts. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12435

    Ferrington, L.C. (2007) Global diversity of non-biting midges (Chironomidae; Insecta-Diptera) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia, 595, 447–455.

    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9130-1

    Fittkau, E.J. (1962) Die Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae). (Die tribus Anatopynyiini, Macropelopiini und Pentaneurini). Abhandlungen zur LarvenSystematik der Insekten, 6, 1­–453.

    Fittkau, E.J. & Roback S.S. (1983) The larvae of Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the Holarctic region. Keys and diagnoses. Entomologica scandinavica Supplement, 19, 33–110.

    Fittkau, E.J. & Murray, D.A. (1986) The pupae of Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the Holarctic region. Keys and diagnoses. Entomologica scandinavica Supplement, 28, 31–113.

    Kowalyk, H.E. (1985) The larval cephalic setae in the Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) and their importance in generic determinations. Canadian Entomologist, 117, 67–106.

    https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent11767-1

    Krosch, M.N., Baker, A.M., Mather, P.B. & Cranston, P.S. (2011) Systematics and biogeography of the Gondwanan Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 59, 458–468.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.03.003

    Krosch, M.N. & Cranston, P.S. (2012) Non-destructive DNA extraction, including of fragile pupal exuviae, extends analysable collections and enhances vouchering. Chironomus, 25, 22–27.

    https://doi.org/10.5324/cjcr.v0i25.1532

    Krosch, M.N. & Cranston, P.S. (2013) Not drowning, (hand)waving? Molecular phylogenetics, biogeography and evolutionary tempo of the ‘Gondwanan’ midge Stictocladius Edwards (Diptera: Chironomidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 68, 595–603.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.03.003

    Krosch, M.N., Cranston, P.S., Baker, A.M. & Vink, S. (2015) Molecular data extend Australian Cricotopus midge (Chironomidae) species diversity, and provide a phylogenetic hypothesis for biogeography and freshwater monitoring. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 175, 496–509.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12284

    Krosch, M., Cranston, P.S., Bryant, L., Strutt, F. & McCLuen, S. (2017) Towards a dated molecular phylogeny of the Tanypodinae (Chironomidae, Diptera). Invertebrate Systematics, 31, 302–316.

    https://doi.org/10.1071/IS16046

    Leung, A.E., Pinder, A. & Edward, D.E. (2011) Photographic guide and keys to the larvae of Chironomidae (Diptera) of south-west Western Australia. Part I. Key to subfamilies and Tanypodinae. Department of Environment and Conservation, State Government of Western Australia, Perth. Available from: https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/about/science/pubs/guides/guide-to-swwa-chironomidae-part-i.pdf (accessed 26 December 2020)

    Madden, C.P. (2010) Key to genera of larvae of Australian Chironomidae (Diptera). Museum Victoria Science Reports, 12, 1–31.

    https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mvsr.2010.12

    Murray, D.A. & Fittkau, E.J. (1989) The adult males of Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the Holarctic region. Keys and diagnoses. Part 3. Adult males. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement, 34, 37–123.

    Rieradevall, M. & Brooks, S.J. (2001) An identification guide to subfossil Tanypodinae larvae (Insecta: Diptera: Chironomidae) based on cephalic setation. Journal of Paleolimnology, 25, 81–99.

    https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008185517959

    Sæther, O.A. (1977) Female genitalia in Chironomidae and other Nematocera: morphology, phylogenies, keys. Bulletin of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 197, 1–209.

    Sæther, O.A. (1980) Glossary of chironomid morphology terminology (Diptera, Chironomidae). Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement, 14, 1–51.

    Silva, F.L. & Ekrem, T. (2016) Phylogenetic relationships of nonbiting midges in the subfamily Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) inferred from morphology. Systematic Entomology, 41, 73–92.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12141

    Silva, F.L. & Ferrington, L. (2018) Systematics of the new world genus Pentaneura Philippi (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae): Historical review, new species and phylogeny. Zoologische Anzeiger, 27, 60–89.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2017.11.010

    Smith, M. & Cranston, P.S. (1995) “Recovery” of an acid mine-waste impacted tropical stream—the chironomid story. In: Cranston, P.S. (Ed.), Chironomids: from Genes to Ecosystems. CSIRO, Melbourne, pp. 161–173.

    https://doi.org/10.1071/9780643104952