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Issue: Vol. 5821 No. 4: 3 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-03
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5821.4.2
Page range: 469-485
Abstract views: 20
PDF downloaded: 0

Two new species of Eukiefferiella Thienemann (Diptera, Chironomidae) from northern Finland

Metsähallitus; Sapokankatu 2; FIN—48100 Kotka; Finland.
Swedish Museum of Natural History. Department of Zoology; Box 50007; SE—104 05 Stockholm; Sweden.
Regional Museum of Lapland; Pohjoisranta 4; FIN—96200 Rovaniemi; Finland.
Diptera Chironomidae Orthocladiinae river ecosystem northern Finland DNA barcoding

Abstract

The genus Eukiefferiella is one of the most species-rich genera within Chironomidae, but its northern European diversity is comparatively low. In this study, we describe two new species of this genus, Eukiefferiella paasivirtai sp. nov. and Eukiefferialla viljamii sp. nov., from northern Finland, based on molecular barcoding data and the morphology of adult males and pupal exuviae. Molecular analyses indicate that the closest known relatives of both species occur in North America (minimum K2P interspecific distances 8.6 % and 9.0 %). The morphology of the adult males and molecular analysis places both species in the Eukiefferiella gracei group. ASAP analysis supported morphological species delimitation, with a 4.5 % threshold separating the ten studied Eukiefferiella taxa. The restricted northern distribution of the two new species suggests ecological specialization to subarctic river ecosystems. Keys to pupal exuviae of northern European Eukiefferiella species and to adult males of the E. gracei group are provided.

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How to Cite

Raunio, J., Brodin, Y. & Salmela, J. (2026) Two new species of Eukiefferiella Thienemann (Diptera, Chironomidae) from northern Finland. Zootaxa, 5821 (4), 469–485. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.4.2