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Use of Chironomidae (Diptera) Surface-Floating Pupal Exuviae as a Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for Water Bodies
Published on: July 24, 2015
Strelkovimermis arkansensis n. sp. and Hydromermis welchi n. sp. from chironomid imagos
1Biology Department, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas 72032, USA.
Abstract:
Strelkovimermis arkansensis n. sp. and Hydromermis welchi n. sp. are described from chironomid adults in Arkansas and Minnesota, respectively. The host of the former is Glyptotendipes paripes (Edwards) and of the latter Polypedilum (Polypedilum) nubeculosum (Meigen). Strelkovimernis arkansensis n. sp. most closely resembles Strelkovimermis buccalis Johnson and Kleve, 1996 and is separated from that species by color in the living worms, thickness of the cuticle, and length of the cephalic papillae. Hydromermis welchi n. sp. is similar to Hydromermis gastroviridis Johnson and Kleve, 1997 and is separated from that species by color in the living worms, structure of the spicule, and number of genital papillae. A variant of H. welchi n. sp. is described. Molting in S. arkansensis was apparently facilitated by having both postparasitic males and females in the same vial.

