Insecta, Ephemeroptera: transcontinental range extensions in western North America

Call Number:

URL:

Keywords:

Abstract:

Among the 631 valid species of Ephemeroptera (mayflies) that are presently known from North America (McCafferty 2007, Mayfly Central: Mayflies of North America; electronic database accessible at http://www.entm.purdue.edu/entomology/research/mayfly/mayfly.html), relatively few have been known as having more or less continuous (non disjunct) transcontinental distribution patterns from the east coastal provinces of Canada and/or east coastal states of the USA to the west coastal provinces of Canada or the west coastal states of the USA or Mexico. The best representation of such distribution patterns is in the family Baetidae, and others are discussed here. The authors, based on their recent studies of mayflies from the west coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington and the western intermountain states (especially Idaho), establish eight additional North American species with continuous transcontinental distribution patterns. In keeping with the trend among families they discuss earlier, six of these species are in the family Baetidae, and one is in the family Caenidae. They also demonstrate this distribution pattern in the family Pseudironidae for the first time. New western state records that substantiate the transcontinental patterns are given for each of the species treated here followed by pertinent commentary regarding their distribution. Acronyms of the sources of materials appear in parentheses after collection data, and at the first appearance of such an acronym, the full name to which it refers is given. Records are based on the aquatic, larval life stage of the mayflies, unless specifically indicated as “adults” in the record data.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology: Invertebrates

Citation: McCafferty WP, Meyer MD. 2007. Insecta, Ephemeroptera: transcontinental range extensions in western North America. Check List. 3(1):51-54.