New Oligoneuriidae (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Iran

Area of Science:

• * Entomology and Taxonomy
• * Aquatic Entomology
• * Molecular Phylogenetics

Background:

• * The mayfly family Oligoneuriidae is globally distributed.
• * Recent larval specimens were collected in Iran, prompting further taxonomic investigation.
• * The genus Oligoneuriopsis is predominantly Afrotropical, making new Palearctic occurrences significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To describe two new species of mayflies from Iran: Oligoneuriella tuberculata sp. nov. and Oligoneuriopsis villosus sp. nov.
• * To provide detailed morphological descriptions distinguishing the new species from congeners.
• * To analyze COI barcode sequences for molecular species delimitation and phylogenetic corroboration.

Main Methods:

• * Morphological examination of larval specimens, focusing on key diagnostic features.
• * DNA extraction and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
• * Application of distance-based and likelihood-based methods for molecular species delimitation.

Main Results:

• * Oligoneuriella tuberculata sp. nov. is distinguished by abdominal protuberances, reduced paracercus, large gill I lamella, and specific femoral setation.
• * Oligoneuriopsis villosus sp. nov. differs from congeners in gill and tergal setae, coloration, and abdominal segment projections.
• * Molecular analyses unambiguously recognized both new species as distinct lineages, consistent with morphological findings.

Conclusions:

• * The discovery of these two new species underscores the significance of the Middle East as a biodiversity hotspot for Oligoneuriidae within the Palearctic region.
• * Morphological and molecular data provide robust support for the distinctiveness of the described species.
• * The findings contribute to a better understanding of mayfly diversity and biogeography in Western Asia.